Status of Indigenous duck and duck production system of India - a review.

Duck genotypes in India are generally grown in extensive conditions by small breeders. The purpose of breeding is to obtain meat and eggs to contribute a small amount to the family budget. These duck genotypes are known for their adaptability to the environment and their resistance to diseases. As per livestock census 2019, the duck population of India is 33.51 million constituting 4.0% of the total poultry population. Ducks are most abundant in Eastern (64.5%), North Eastern (16.02%), and Southern (12.60%) states of India. In most of the places, poultry farmers prefer rearing indigenous ducks under scavenging system. The flock sizes of ducks ranged from 2 to 9 ducks among different households in the surveyed locations. Plumage color and beak color are not defined in indigenous ducks. There is inter-individual variation in morphological and yield traits. The average first laying age in indigenous ducks ranges from 145 to 223 days and 17.0-38.5% owners do not supply any additional feed to their ducks. The mortality rate among chicks was observed to be higher at younger ages. The average annual egg productions per indigenous duck are very poor. However, most of the duck farmers earned a good amount of subsidiary income from duck rearing. Hence, selective breeding as a genetic tool could be utilized to improve the productivity of indigenous ducks.

Expression of Certain Pulmonary Proteins in the Tracheal Mucosa and Lungs of Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-Descript Goats of U.T.s of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract The aim of this present study was to localize alveolar macrophages, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Smooth muscle actin (SMA), Vimentin and Vasculo-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the tracheal epithelium and lung alveoli in three important breeds of goats namely, Pashmina, Bakerwali and non-descript goats by standard immunohistochemical methods. Large pulmonary macrophages were observed in the lung sections of all the three breeds of goat. Macrophages were observed in the alveolar septa and airway epithelium. The mean macrophage count for Pashmina, Bakerwali and non-descript goat were recorded as 23.4±1.47, 27.8±0.68 and 21.4±0.70, respectively. The PCNA activity was intense in the alveolar epithelial cells of lungs in Pashmina and Bakerwali goats and very high in the lung tissue of non-descript goat. The PCNA activity was intense in the bronchial epithelial cells of lungs in Bakerwali goat. Strong reaction of SMA was observed in the submucosa of bronchioles of Pashmina and Bakerwali goats. The submucosa of the tracheal tissue showed a strong reaction of SMA in the non-descript goat and moderate in the submucosa of trachea in the Bakerwali goat. A number of vimentin-positive cells were found in the lung parenchyma in both Pashmina and Bakerwali goats. Also, there was a strong reaction of vimentin mainly in submucosal area in non-descript goat. The VEGF activity was found to be intense in the lung alveoli of Bakerwali goat and strong in Pashmina and non-descript goats. The tracheal epithelium was moderately reactive to VGEF in all the three goats.

Impact of Coastal Pollution on Microbial and Mineral Profile of Edible Oyster (Crassostrea rivularis) in the Coastal Waters of Andaman.

The impact of coastal pollution was studied using edible oysters, Crassostrea rivularis as an indicator at two sites viz., North Wandoor (NW) and Phoenix Jetty (PJ) in Port Blair, Andaman. The hydrographic parameters showed that nitrite, nitrate and phosphate concentration were less and dissolved oxygen were more at NW compared to PJ. The oysters were collected from the study sites and biochemical, microbial, mineral profiles and ATPase activities were estimated. ATPase activity was inhibited in the gill tissue of oysters (p<0.05) of PJ sample. Total microbial load in the water and oyster, and coliform bacteria (MPN) in the water were significantly (p<0.05) higher at PJ compared to the NW. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the mineral profile of water collected from both the sites. However, calcium and magnesium were more in the oysters collected from NW (p<0.05), and Cu, Zn and Cd were more in PJ samples (p<0.05).

Effect of sub-lethal concentration of endosulfan on lipid and fatty acid metabolism of spotted murrel, Channa punctatus.

The spotted murrel, Channa punctatuswere exposed to sub-lethal concentration of endosulfan (8.1 microg l(-1)) for 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrto elucidate the impact of pesticide on fatty acid composition of liver and muscle. After endosulfan exposure, fish from each control and experimental tanks were randomly sampled anesthetized, sacrificed and then the liver and muscle were dissected out for lipid and fatty acid (FA) profile. Results showed that total lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride and FA in liver and muscle, and phospholipid in liver were significantly affected due to pesticide exposure. In liver and muscle tissues, 28.09 and 32.57% reduction of the total lipid, and 42.82 and 49.75% reduction in triglyceride and FAwere observed at the end of 96 hrs of exposure. Reduction of total lipid, triglyceride and FA may be due to their mobilization for energy production to combat stress. In FA, oleic (25.46 to 22.48% in liver and 25.75 to 21.87% in muscle) and linoleic acids (8.04 to 6.83% in liver and 9.88 to 8.09%) were reduced in both the tissues at the end of 96 hr of exposure. It may be concluded that exposure of fish to sub-lethal concentration of endosulfan had influenced the lipid and fatty acid metabolism of Channa punctatus.

Changes in the Seminiferous Epithelium of the Testes during Postnatal Development in Assam Goat.

The present work is conducted to elucidate the postnatal development of the seminiferous epithelium of the testes of the Assam goats from 0 day to 10 months of age. A total of eighteen Assam goats divided into six age groups, namely, group-I (0-day), group-II (2 months), group-III (4 months), group-IV (6 months), group-V (8 months), and group-VI (10 months), consisting of 3 animals in each group were used in this study. The seminiferous tubules did not have lumina up to the age of 2 months, hence called the sex cords, and these contained centrally placed gonocytes and peripherally located sustentacular cells. Initiation of spermatogenesis started in 4-month old kids. Luminization process was completed by 6 months of age with all the seminiferous tubuyes having well-developed lumina at this age. These seminiferous tubules contained all the spermatogenic cells of the adult testis. Onset of puberty was observed to be established at 6 months of age in the Assam goats as evidenced by presence of spermatozoa adhering to the adluminal border of the Sertoli cells as well as in the tubular lumen. The histomorphology of various cells of the seminiferous epithelium has been described.

Acute and chronic effects of endosulfan on the haemato-immunological and histopathological responses of a threatened freshwater fish, spotted murrel, Channa punctatus.

Two experiments, one short-term and one long-term, were conducted to elucidate the acute and chronic effects, respectively, of endosulfan exposure on the haemato-immunological and histopathological responses of Channa puncatatus. In the short-term study, fish were exposed to sublethal endosulfan (8.1 µg l(-1)) for 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. In the long-term study, fish were fed with normal diet and simultaneously either exposed to endosulfan (1.2 µg l(-1)) for 90 days or not. Results showed that the ascorbic acid levels in both the liver and the muscle decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by acute and chronic endosulfan exposure. The haemoglobin (Hb) level reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by 15.5% within 12 h of acute endosulfan exposure, further decreased by 25.8% after 24 h of exposure, however, thereafter the values increased and at the end of 72 h returned to normal levels. Almost similar trend was observed for the erythrocyte (RBC) count. The WBC count and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) value showed a general increasing trend with increase in the duration of acute endosulfan exposure. The chronic exposure of C. punctatus to endosulfan significantly (P < 0.05) lowered the Hb level, RBC and WBC counts, NBT reduction value and the plasma parameters such as plasma protein, albumin (A) and globulin (G) compared with that of the control (except for A/G ratio). Endosulfan exposure also severely altered the liver histological structure. Overall results indicated that both short-term acute and long-term chronic endosulfan exposure had a significant impact on the haemato-immunological parameters and tissue histopathology of C. punctatus.

Effect of substituting live feed with formulated feed on the reproductive performance and fry survival of Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens (Regan, 1910).

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of partial or complete replacement of live feed (LF) (Tubifex) with formulated feed (FF) on the reproductive performance of Betta splendens. Three hundred B. splendens fry (average weight 0.19 ± 0.01 g) were equally distributed into five different groups, each with three replicates. They were fed for 105 days with following different diets: control (C)-100% LF; T1-75% LF, 25% FF; T2-50% LF, 50% FF; T3-25% LF, 75% FF, and T4-100% FF. Results showed that the average number of hatched larvae (654 ± 101) and fry survival after 2 weeks of rearing (428 ± 70), after completion of three spawning, were recorded highest in the control group, which was, however, not significantly different from the T1, T2, and T3 groups. At the end of the feeding trial, the highest hatching percentage (90.3%) was registered in the T2 group, which was not significantly different from the control and T1 groups. The T2 group also recorded highest fry survival (65.54%) after completion of three spawning, which was not significantly (P < 0.05) different from the T1 and T3 groups. Control diet contained higher saturated fatty acid (63.23%) than formulated diet (29.80%). In the whole-body tissue, highest level of EPA (0.42%) and DHA (3.13%) were found in the T4 group followed by T3 group. The DHA/EPA ration was recorded highest in the T2 group (10.96%), which did not differ significantly from the T1 and T3 groups. Significant positive correlation was observed between saturated fatty acid levels in fish whole-body tissue and number of hatched larvae (Y = 30.81 × -825.3, R(2) = 0.968) and fry survival after 2 weeks of rearing (Y = 21.38 × -580.9, R(2) = 0.967). Considering all these factors, it can be concluded that the live feed Tubifex can be replaced up to 50% without any adverse effect on the reproductive performance and fry survival of B. splendens.

Biochemical and histological changes in the brain tissue of spotted murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch), exposed to endosulfan.

The present experiment was conducted to establish the relationship between selected physiological parameters and histological responses of Channa punctatus brain tissue to endosulfan exposure. The fish (35.6 +/- 0.7 g) was exposed to sublethal endosulfan concentration (8.1 microg l(-1)) for a period of 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h. Results showed that brain glucose level increased significantly after exposure, indicating a hyperglycemic state of the fish. Brain vitamin C level decreased with an increase in the exposure time. Acetylcholine esterase and adenosine triphosphatase enzyme activities also showed a significant reduction upon endosulfan exposure. Brain histopathology after 96 h endosulfan exposure showed that the apical lobe of the cerebrum (the only portion examined) had mild necrosis. Focal area of gliosis could be seen in the cerebrum, which were absent in the control fish. The results indicate that exposure of sublethal concentration of endosulfan to C. punctatus may have a direct effect on the histology of the fish's brain tissue, thereby affecting its metabolism.

Acclimation of Anabas testudineus (Bloch) to three test temperatures influences thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption.

Teleost fish have developed their own specific adaptive mechanism, both behavioral and physiological, to maintain homeostasis in response to unfavorable temperatures. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the critical thermal maxima (CT(Max)), critical thermal minima (CT(Min)), and oxygen consumption rate of Anabas testudineus (17.03 +/- 1.2 g) after acclimating to three preset temperatures (25, 30, and 35 degrees C) for 30 days. The CT(Max) and CT(Min) were 40.15, 41.40, 41.88 degrees C and 12.43, 13.06, 13.94 degrees C, respectively, and were significantly different (P < 0.05). The thermal tolerance polygon for the specified temperatures was 278.30 degrees C(2). The oxygen consumption rate (117.03, 125.70, 198.48 mg O(2) kg(-1) h(-1), respectively) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing acclimation temperatures. The overall results indicate that the thermal tolerance and oxygen consumption of A. testudineus are dependent on acclimation.

Morphogenesis of Kidney in Crossbred Pig (Sus scrofa) Foetii / Morfogénesis del Riñon en Fetos de Cerdos Híbridos (Sus scrofa)

Twenty five numbers of crossbred pig foetii were selected based on their crown-rump length and subsequently divided into 5 age groups consisting of 5 animals in each group viz. group I (41-55 days), group II (56-70 days), group III (71-85 days), group IV (86-100 days) and groupV (101-114 days). No renal pelvis was evident in group I in all the kidneys under study. From group II onwards, the renal pelvis was distinct and extensive with a well developed ureter that originated from the middle of the pelvis in both the kidneys.

Se selecionaron 25 fetos de cerdos híbridos basándose en la longitud céfalocaudal y luego fueron separados en 5 grupos etarios de 5 animales cada uno: Grupo I (41-55 días), grupo II (56-70 días), grupo III (71-85 días), grupo IV (86-100 días) y grupo V (101-114 días). No se encontraron pelvis renales en el grupo I, en ninguno de los ríñones en estudio. Desde el grupo II en adelante, la pelvis renal era claramente visible y grande, con un uréter bien desarrollado, que se originaba desde el centro de la pelvis, en ambos ríñones.

Morphological and craniometrical studies on the skull of kagani goat (Capra hircus) of Jammu region / Estudios Morfológico y Craniométrico de la Cabra Kagani (Capra hircus) de la Región de Jammu

En el presente estudio se utilizaron 46 cabezas de cabra Kagani. El hueso frontal no constituía la parte caudal de la superficie frontal. Ambos huesos nasales estaban divididos en dos porciones por profundas incisuras en la parte media, comenzando desde su terminación rostral. La tuberosidad facial fue localizada en la mejilla, a nivel de la unión de los dientes 4 y 5. El hueso basiesfenoides tenía una afilada cresta mediana. El hueso frontal contribuyó ampliamente en este animal. Se registraron variaciones entre las órbitas de los lados derecho e izquierdo. La longitud de la base craneal varió positivamente respecto al ancho y largo del cráneo.

Forty six heads of adult Kagani goats were used in the present study. The frontal bone did not constitute the caudal extent of the frontal surface. Both the nasal bones were divided longitudinally into two halves by deep notches up to the middle part starting from its rostral end. The facial tuberosity was placed at the junction of the 4th and 5th cheek teeth. The basisphenpoid bone had a sharp median ridge. The frontal bone contributed to the maximum in this animal. Bilateral variation was recorded among the orbits of right and left sides. Skull base length varied positively with the skull width and skull length.