JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH

4

Authors: Muneer Ahmad Dar*, Rajinder Raina, Arshad Hussain Mir, Pawan Kumar Verma, Nrip Kishore Pankaj and Mudasir Sultana

The present study was aimed to evaluate the modulatory role of L-ascorbic acid against oxidative stress in bifenthrin intoxicated rats. Rats were divided into four groups with six rats in each group. Group I animals received corn oil and served as control while as group II animals were orally treated with bifenthrin @ 5.8mg/Kg/day. In group III, vitamin C was orally administered @ 60mg/Kg/day where as group IV received both vitamin C and bifenthrin @ 60mg/Kg/day and 5.8mg/Kg/day respectively. After 30th day of treatment, blood samples were taken and analysed for oxidative stress parameters. Significant (P<0.05) increase in MDA levels was observed in bifenthrin treated animals as compared to control and vitamin C treated animals. Blood glutathione level decreased significantly (P<0.05) in bifenthrin intoxicated animals as compared to control. Similarly, the activities of antioxidant enzymes viz., SOD, GSH-Px, GST and CAT decreased significantly (P<0.05) in bifenthrin treated rats as compared control. Ameliorative group receiving both bifenthrin and L-ascorbic acid significantly restored the normal values of various oxidative stress parameters except GST.

4

Authors: A.R. Sahu1*, V. Jeichitra2, R. Rajendran3 and A. Raja4

Myostatin (MSTN) is one of the most important growth regulatory genes that resulted in higher growth of skeletal muscles in livestock species. So the study was undertaken to identify the polymorphism of myostatin (MSTN) gene as a genetic marker for growth traits in Madras Red, Mecheri and Nilagiri sheep breeds of Tamil Nadu. The blood samples were collected from unrelated animals of Madras Red (n = 127), Mecheri (n = 101) and Nilagiri (103) breeds of sheep from different agroclimatic regions of Tamil Nadu. Part of 5’UTR, exon 1 and part of intron 1 (797 bp) of MSTN gene was amplified with suitable primers. The amplified products were digested with the Msp I and Hae III restriction enzymes. But both the PCR-RFLP results of Msp I and Hae III was found to be monomorphic in all the three breeds of sheep indicating that the MSTN gene is highly conserved and of use in evolutionary studies.

4

Authors: Shiv Pratap Singh, A. Jain, Biswajit Roy* and G.P. Lakhani

A total of 18 weaned Barbari kids were randomly assigned to three different groups, with six animals in each group. Composition of the rations was as follows; T1 (Control); Basal ration (DCP-18%, TDN-70%), T2; Basal ration + probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, 6×109 cfu/g) @ 2g/animal/day, T3; Basal ration + probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 4 × 109 cfu/g) @ 2g/animal/day. The effect of feeding two types of probiotics to Barbari kids revealed significant difference (P<0.05) on body weight of kids fed with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (T3 group) as compared to Lactobacillus acidophilus fed (T2 group) and control group (T1). The average daily body weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T3 group followed by T2 and control group. The body measurements were non-significantly higher in T2 and T3 group as compared to control group (T1). Feed efficiency ratio of group T3 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 0.13±0.00 was higher than the group T2 (Lactobacillus acidophilus) 0.09±0.00 followed by T1 (basal ration) 0.05±0.00. Average daily body weight gain in Barbari kids was more in T3 group as compared to T2 group. No significant effect on dry matter intake was observed across the groups. Higher digestibility coefficient for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen free extract were observed in T3 group as compared to T2 and control group. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation improves daily body weight gain in Barbari kids.

4

Authors: Goran Bačić1, Nino Mačešić1, Lada Radin1, Jasna Aladrović1, Krešimir Matanović1, Tomislav Mašek1, Diana Brozić1, Miroslav Benić2, Božo Radić3, Iva Bačić4 and Jelena Šuran1

Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, is the most widespread health problem of dairy cows, goats and sheep (Bačić et al. 2015., Mačešić et al. 2012). Its prevention and treatment contribute to significant financial loss to the milk producers. New research shows that the total loss due to clinical mastitis in dairy cows is estimatedbetween 110 and 550 litres of milk per lactation, depending on the individual cow. The costs of clinical mastitis include unusable milk, medications and veterinary care costs, extra labour and premature culling (Sharma et al. 2012). Depending on the form of mastitis the treatments costbetween 50 and 150 $US per animal.

4

Authors: Vivek Kumar1*, Nandani Kumari2, Lal Babu Singh3 and Subodh Kumar4

FecB gene is first described gene which has been found to increase ovulation rate and litter size in sheep. But, work related to genetic mechanism and genetic markers for caprine proliferation has not been done so much. The present study was aimed to screen Black Bengal goat population for polymorphism of FecB gene and to study its effect on body weight at different growth stages. DNA samples from 96 animals were isolated and subjected to PCR. Amplified fragments obtained were allowed for polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the detection of single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) variants. Among all samples, three different SSCP variants were found which were marked as AA, AB and BB. The highest genotype frequency was observed for AB (0.38), which was followed by BB (0.33) and AA (0.29). Least-square analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.01) effect of genotype on body weight at birth only. The least square mean of body weights at birth for genotype BB (01.17±00.03 kg) was significantly lower than that of genotype AA (01.43±00.03 kg) and genotype AB (01.36±00.02 kg). It was also observed that genotype had non-significant effect on body weight at 4-week, 8-week, 12-week, 24-week, 36-week and 48-week of age. These results indicate that effect of FecB on body weight was limited at birth only. No significant effects were found on growth rate at later stage of life. FecB gene was hitherto linked to prolificacy. So, the effect of FecB gene on other traits has important bearing if the research is continued further with more number of species specific primers at other loci.

6

Authors: Keshaw Tiwari1, Jason Carloni1, Derek Thomas2, Claude De Allie1, Alfred chikweto1, Cecilia Hegamin-Younger3 and Ravindra Nath Sharma1

In the present study, fecal samples from 445 stray dogs, collected during July 2008 to December 2012 were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. Fecal samples were collected throughout the six parishes of the country, under the national rabies control program. Fecal samples were examined for gastrointestinal (GI) parasites by flotation technique. Out of 445 dogs 394 (88.5 %) (95% Confidence interval (CI) 84.54% to 91.46%) dogs were found infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal parasites. The results revealed the presence of at least one parasite egg of 73 % Ancylostoma spp., 15.7 % Trichuris vulpis, 3.8% Toxocara canis, 1.4% Coccidia spp. and 1.1% Strongyloides spp. The prevalence of the GI parasites according to stray dog age groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05, χ2). There was no significant difference between male and female dogs (p>0.05, χ2). Analyzing the prevalence of GI parasites in various age groups the results showed that dogs under 12 weeks of age had a higher prevalence than juveniles (12-24 weeks) and adults (over 24 weeks). The presence of zoonotic parasites in stray dogs in Grenada, poses possible risks of contamination of the environment which may have public health implications.

6

Authors: Prasanta Kumar K. Mishra1*, R. Parvathy 1, Sunil K. Dixit2 and Manoj Kumawat1

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxB) is a flavoprotein which acts as an integral part of Thioredoxin (Trx) system. This Trx system produces reducing equivalent in various oxidation-reduction reaction which ultimately targets in various metabolic processes inside cell. TrxB must be playing role in combating various stress conditions confronted by Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) inside its host. The aim was to clone and sequence Thioredoxin reductase (trxB) gene of ST strain E2375 and to construct a phylogenetic tree based on the information obtained after aligning the trxB sequence with other serovars of ST. Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) strain E2375 was procured from National Salmonella Centre, Indian Veterinary Research institute, Bareilly, India. Genomic DNA was isolated from the bacteria followed by amplification of Thioredoxin reductase(trxB) gene by PCR. The gene was restriction digested and cloned into a vector pET28c(+). The cloned trxB plasmid was transformed into NEB 5-alpha cells. The gene was sequenced and submitted in the gene bank. After multiple alignment analysis of that sequence by BLAST, a phylogenetic tree was constructed with the help of MEGA4.0 software. The sequence of trxB was found to be highly conserved among the salmonella serovars.

6

Authors: Belay Mulate and Shahid Nazir*

A cross-sectional study was carried out in selected districts of South Wollo zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia during the period between April 2013 and December, 2013 to identify the major factors associated with external injuries in equines. Moreover, 180 randomly selected farmers were interviewed to collect relevant data on equine management and welfare issues. 586 working equines (346 donkeys and 240 mules) were examined clinically for screening injuries on body parts. Among the equines, 95.9% donkeys and 80.8% mules were used as pack animals. 63%, 27% and 9.8% of donkeys and 35%, 56.7% and 8.3% of mules were in thin, medium and good body condition score, respectively. The study revealed 66.6% overall prevalence of external injuries. The incidence of external injury in these animals was independent of age and species. Injuries caused by improper harness (saddle) design and overload were more common in both donkeys and mules. Injuries were most common in the back (31.8%), brisket region (12.3%), flank (10.8%) and tail base (6.2%). Out of a total of 108 interviewed farmers, 13.8% did not provide any treatment to their equines and 33.4% used their equine continuously regardless of the presence and severity of injures. In general, improper harnessing, overloading and ill-fitted saddle design were the major causes of external injuries in working equines of the area. The study disclosed higher prevalence of external injuries and absence of proper management of working donkeys and mules in south Wollo zone. Thus, a comprehensive equine health and welfare promotion program should be taken without any delay to alleviate the existing problems in the near future

6

Authors: Belay Mulate* and Mengsha Mamo

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2013 and March 2014 to determine the prevalence of lungworms in sheep in two districts of South Wollo zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Alongside the financial losses encountered due to lungworm infection in sheep during retrospective study in Dessie municipal Abattoir was also assessed. A total of 477 fecal samples collected from sheep were examined using modified Baerman technique. Out of which 218 were found to be positive (45.71%). The lungworm species were Muellerius capillaris 212(23.48%), Dictyocaulus filaria 39(8.18%), Protostrongylus rufescens 28(5.87%) and mixed infection 39(8.18%) either with two or three species. The prevalence of lungworm infection was significantly different between sexes (χ2=32.2, P= 0.000), age groups (χ2=72.561, p=0.000) and body conditions (χ2=113.66, p=0.000). Prevalence was significantly higher in female sheep (57.94%), sheep of above 3years of age (69.01%) and poor body condition (89.62%) than males, sheep of less than 3years of age (<1 year, 1-3years) and medium/good body conditions, respectively. Moreover, sheep showing respiratory clinical syndromes, kept under extensive management system and sampled during wet season showed statistically significant variation (p<0.05) when compared with those sheep without respiratory syndrome, kept under semi-intensive management system and sampled in dry season, respectively. The mean annual financial losses by organ condemnation and carcass weight reduction due to lungworm infection in sheep slaughtered at Dessie municipal abattoir were estimate to be 7445549.6 ETB, equivalent to 402462.1USD.

6

Authors: Sayeed Afaq, P.V Raman Rao, Hujaz Tariq* and B.C. Mondal

A study was conducted on 120 guinea fowls to see the effect of garlic powder and chromium picolinate supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics and immunological parameters of guinea fowls. The birds were randomly divided into four treatment groups, having three replications consisting of ten birds each. The birds in the control group (T1) were not given any supplement, whereas, in treatments, birds were supplemented with garlic powder @ 1 % of basal diet (T2), chromium picolinate @ 1500 ppb in drinking water (T3) and chromium picolinate @ 1000 ppb in drinking water plus garlic powder @ 0.5 % of basal diet (T4) respectively. Results of trial indicated that both garlic and chromium picolinate supplementation improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (P<0.05) of Guinea fowls. Feed intake of birds was also found reduced (P<0.05) in all treatment groups in comparison to control. At the end of twelve week of age, the carcass traits-eviscerated weight with and without giblet and organ weights did not differ significantly between treatment groups. The abdominal fat expressed as percentage of live weight was significantly lower (P<0.05) in all treatment groups as compared to control group. Immune response as revealed by delayed type of hypersensitivity (measurement of skin thickness) and serum immunoglobulin were improved in all the three supplemented groups. Thus it can be concluded that both chromium and garlic supplementation can improve growth performance and immunity and thus can be used as growth promoters in poultry.

6

Authors: V. Singh*, Rajiv Singh and S.A.Beigh

The present research work was undertaken to study the puerperal hematological changes in Beetal at different stages of parity in Jammu region, J&K. Thirty six adult Beetal goats were categorized into 3 parity groups viz. group-A (1-3 parity), group-B (4-6 parity) and group-C (7-8 parity). Blood samples were collected 3 and 1 week before and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after kidding. The hemoglobin, PCV and plasma iron was analyzed from the collected blood samples. Analysis of haematological parameters viz. Hb and PCV revealed significant decline during the 1 week before and 1 (p<0.001) and 4 (p<0.005) weeks after kidding compared with 16 weeks after kidding. Prevalence rate of anaemia in goats having Hb level <8 g/dl and PCV level <22 per cent was highest 1 week after followed by 1 week before and 4 weeks after kidding. Low plasma iron levels were observed during peri-partum period. No significant difference in levels of Hb and PCV among various parity groups was observed. Physiological conditions- late pregnancy and early lactation are accompanied with marked decrease in Hb and PCV levels.

6

Authors: Ashok K. Pathera*#, Pradeep K. Singh#, Ashok K. Malik, D.P. Sharma, Sanjay Yadav and Gauri Jairath

Meat obtained from Munjal and Harnali breeds of sheep were used for preparation of patties and were analyzed for quality attribues. The breed effect on the product quality was analyzed to produce a detail picture in reference to the parameters like physicochemical, textural, sensory characteristics. It was found that Munjal and Harnali breeds have no significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on physico-chemical and functional properties of patties. The color parameter indicated that L* and a* values have no significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference but b* values have significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference. However the Texture Profile Analysis and sensory panel scores indicated a lower quality attributes for the products prepared from the Harnali breed in comparison to Munjal. Hardness, gumminess, chewiness, firmness and toughness of patties have significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference. The microbial count indicated more than 6 log cfu/gm after 20 days of storage indicating a shelf life of less than 20 day in refrigerated storage.

6

Authors: Goutam Kumar Das1*, Sanjeev Mehrotra1, Krishnaswamy Narayanan1, Babu Lal Kumawat1, Ujjal Kumar De2 and Tanweer Ahmad Khan3

The present study was designed to examine the estrus induction response and fertility performance in delayed pubertal heifers treated with two medicinal plants Aegle marmelos in combination with Murraya koenigii. A total of 11 heifers were treated with the plants leaf powder for 9 days per orally after determining the dose by the extrapolation from effective dose of 50% ethanolic extract in rats (1000 mg/ kg b. wt.) with optimum ovarian response. Extrapolated extract dose was subsequently converted to powder dose based on per cent yield. Six heifers were kept as untreated control. Six out of 11 (54.1%) heifers in treatment group and 1 out of 6 (16.7%) in control group exhibited standing estrus. All these estrus heifers were inseminated and confirmed as pregnant and calved in due course. Though the proportion of heifers that showed estrus, became pregnant and calved in the end, did not achieve statistical significance (P>0.05) between the groups, nevertheless, the number and proportion of such heifers was higher in the treatment group than that of control. In conclusion, the present study indicates that Aegle marmelos in combination with Murraya koenigii have the potential to induce estrus in delayed pubertal heifers with appreciable fertility performance.

6

Authors: Hareesh Didugu1*, S Bhaskara Ramaraju Sagi2, Narasimha Reddy, Ch. E1, Nanda Kishore K3, Venkateswara Reddy M4 and Guru Vishnu P5

Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) in sheep and Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis virus (CAEV) in goats, two genetically related diseases caused by small ruminant lenti viruses (SRLVs). These viruses are reported to pose serious economic threats in industrialized countries. The present study reports the epidemiological presence of antibodies by using ELISA test against these viruses in small ruminants in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The seropositivity was recorded as 4.28% against MVV and 4.5% against CAEV with an overall seropositivity of 4.32%.

6

Authors: P. Guru Vishnu1,2*, T.K. Bhattacharya2, Pushpendra Kumar1, R.N. Chatterjee2, Chandan Paswan2 and K. Dushyanth2

Activin A receptor, type IIB (ACVR2B) is a protein that is encoded by the ACVR2B gene, which plays a crucial role during muscle development in chicken. The present investigation was conducted to ascertain the nucleotide variability in the 5'-upstream regulatory region of ACVR2B and its association with body weight at different ages in Aseel chicken. Polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of the regulatory region revealed two novel mutations (T68A and C172T) in the 5'-untranslated region of ACVR2B. However, both the mutations observed were common to all the birds involved in the current study, indicating that 5'-upstream regulatory region of ACVR2B gene was monomorphic in Aseel. Being monomorphic, no relationship was found with growth traits in Aseel. Absence of polymorphism in the regulatory region suggests that the regulation pattern of ACVR2B gene might be consistent with all birds in this region.

6

Authors: A. Prasad*, A. Nasir, R. L. Rakesh and Vijesh Kumar Saini

In the current study immunoreactive polypeptides in Adult Somatic Extract (ASE), Excretory Secretory Product (ESP) and Larval Somatic Extract (LSE) of L3 stage were identified by employing immunoprecipitation, a lesser utilized technique on helminth parasites. Prepatent polyclonal sera were used to capture polypeptides in immunoprecipitation. Polypeptides eluted from the immune complex in ASE in SDS-PAGE were 26, 60, 120 & 170 kDa whereas in ESP these were 26, 32, 60 and 120 kDa showing absence of 170 kDa and presence of 32 kDa in ESP. In LSE the polypeptides captured were 26, 32, 60 & 120 kDa. Possible functional significance of the peptides in different antigens has been discussed and development of an immunoprophylactic agent has been speculated.

6

Authors: Upendra S. Narwaria1,2, Ram K. Mehla1, Surendra S. Lathwal1, Ashok K. Gupta3, Pushpraj Shivahre3 and Kuldeep K. Verma4*

A study was conducted for estimation of optimum range of age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP) and preceding dry period (DP) on Sahiwal cattle (n=462) data, spread over a period of 15 years (1997-2011), maintained at Livestock Research Center, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. In order to determine the optimum range of these economic traits class interval method was used. A class was considered as optimum, if it accommodated maximum number of observations along with better productive performance on the basis of four production parameters i.e., 305 days or less days milk yield (305DMY), total milk yield (TMY), milk yield per day of lactation length (MY/LL) and milk yield per day of calving interval (MY/CI). In this study, optimum level of AFC, SP and preceding DP were found to be 32-37 months, 55-88 days and 49-88 days, respectively. Because of high rearing costs of heifers, managing heifers to first calving at 32 to 37 months of age could be very advantageous. The present obtained ranges of optimum SP and preceding DP can help in obtaining one calf per year in indigenous cattle that, in turn, will help in improving overall productivity of indigenous cattle.

6

Authors: Pradeepta Kumar Rath1, 3*, Prasanna Kumar Mishra1, Bandi Kumar Mallick2, Nrusingha Charan Behura1and Pratikshya Panda1

Under this study, it has been aimed to determine the genetic correlations for different external and internal egg quality traits .The eggs were collected form 548 progenies (1 egg from each progeny) of 282 dams mated to 47 sires of a White Leghorn flock at Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar, Government of India. Full-sib method of analysis was adopted to estimate the existing genetic correlations among different egg quality traits. Egg weight was found to have statistically significant (p<0.01), positive genetic correlations with shell weight (0.73), albumen weight (0.73), yolk weight (0.68), yolk height (0.51), yolk diameter (0.46) and yolk index (0.42). It was also determined that most of the internal quality traits of the egg changed at statistically significant levels (p<0.01) according to the changes in egg weight and egg breadth. Our studies show that if selection for albumen height will be operated, it will positively affect to internal and external traits whereas shape index will be affected negatively (-0.52±0.14). It is feasible to formulate an index selection depending upon the magnitude of correlations between different quality traits for improvement of more than one traits at a time.

8

Authors: B. Habibu 1*, N.M. Ikira2, M. Ibrahim2, H.U. Buhari2, M.U. Kawu1, L.S. Yaqub1 and T. Aluwong1

The study aims to evaluate the effects of a commercial probiotics and prebiotic combination on performance indices and haematological parameters of guinea fowls. A total of forty (n=40) day-old pearl guinea fowls raised to 12-week-old were used for the study. The fowls were wing-banded, weighed individually and randomly allocated into two groups of 20 fowls each, with each having two replicates. Experimental fowls were fed grower diet supplemented with 0.5 g of probiotics and prebiotic combination per kg feed for 8 weeks, while the control fowls were fed a grower diet that was not supplemented. Feed consumption and water intake were recorded daily, chest circumference, body weight, percentage weigh gain and feed conversion ratio were measured weekly, while blood samples were collected in the last week of the experiment to evaluate the haematological parameters. All birds were kept under similar environmental, managerial and hygienic conditions. The results revealed that experimental fowls had significantly (P < 0.05) higher feed consumption, water intake, total protein, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb), but lower total leucocyte count (TLC) compared with control. No significant difference was observed in other haematological parameters and performance indices between the two groups. In conclusion, 0.5 g/kg diet of prebiotics and probiotic combination improved erythropoiesis and nutritional status of guinea fowls; however, the results of performance indices suggest that this dose may not be optimum, thus necessitating the need for more research using other dosages.

8

Authors: Chandan Kumar Jena, Amit Raj Gupta* and Ramesh Chandra Patra

In the present study forty cattle were divided into four groups of ten cattle in each. Group I and II served as healthy and diseased control, respectively. Group III was treated with Moringa oleifera fruit powder and group IV was treated with standard chemical antidote i.e. calcium and boron. Blood, urine and faeces were collected from the animals of all the groups on day 0, 30 and 60 of the experiment for estimation of fluoride and haemato-biochemical parameters to evaluate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera fruit powder. Fluoride affected cattle revealed significantly higher level of fluoride in serum as compared to normal cattle at different observation periods of the experiment. Significant reduction in fluoride concentration in serum was recorded in group III and group IV animals from day 30 onwards. Altered haemato-biochemical parameters were restored after the supplementation of Moringa oleifera fruit powder in fluorotic cows. It is concluded that, dried fruit powder of Moringa oleifera had ameliorative potential against industrial fluorosis in cattle and can be used as a fluoride alleviator for control of fluorosis.

8

Authors: Dinesh Kumar1*, Chander Datt2, Lalatendu K. Das3, P.K. Yadav4 and S.S. Kundu2

The present study was carried out to observe the effect on performance, nutrient utilization, plasma enzymes and hormones in growing Sahiwal calves fed with three levels of proteins in the form of total mixed rations (TMRs). Fifteen male Sahiwal calves (12-18 month age) were distributed into three equal groups (147.35 ± 5.46 kg) and were fed on isocaloric diets containing different protein levels of 15% (T1), 13.5% (T2) and 16.5% (T3) for 90 days. Nutrient intake and their digestibility except CP digestibility did not differ significantly irrespective of treatment groups. CP digestibility was higher in T3 as compared to T2, though T3 did not differ from T1. DCP (g/100 kg BW/day) intake was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 than T2 but comparable to T1. TDN (kg/100 kg BW/day) intake was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 than T1 and T3, but was comparable between T1 and T3. The intake and retention of nitrogen were similar between the treatments. The average daily gain was highest in T2 followed by T3 and T1. The plasma enzymes alanine amiontransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) along with hormones (insulin and growth hormone) were comparable among all groups and were within normal physiological range. From the results, it was concluded that the performances of Sahiwal calves in terms of growth rate and feed conversion ratio was satisfactory even with low dietary protein level of 13.5%. Variation in dietary protein levels also did not affect the blood enzyme and hormone profiles of Sahiwal calves.

10

Authors: Sudhakar Dwivedi1*, Morup Dolma2 and Pawan Kumar Sharma3

The economic analysis of small broiler units was carried out in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir state of India. The majority of broiler farms were existed in and around Jammu city of Jammu district. The cost and returns were calculated by categorizing broiler farms into three sizes; less than 500 birds, 501-1000 birds and more than 1000 birds. The data were collected from 60 broiler producers, 20 from each category during the year 2013-2014. The cost of production, mortality rates and returns from broiler production were estimated in different categories of broiler farms under study. The cost of chicks constituted the highest item of variable cost in all categories of farms i.e. 40.47% which was followed by cost of feed (37.19%), cost of medicine, vaccination and veterinary fee (11.78%), cost of labour (5.49%), miscellaneous cost (2.71%), cost of flooring material (1.35%), cost of electricity (0.74%) and cost of fumigation (0.27%). The overall gross income in all the broiler farms was ` 12705.08, whereas net income was Rs. 4139.72. The overall benefit-cost ratio was 1.48. The analysis of benefit-cost ratio for 100 chicks signifies that large broiler farms were more profitable than the small farms due to the optimum utilization of both fixed and variable inputs involved in the broiler production. The ratios of Marginal Value Product (MVP) to Marginal Factor Cost (MFC) were positive and more than unity for chicks, human labour and vaccine, drugs and veterinary fee i.e. 1.4768, 1.3934 and 5.3531 respectively, indicating the under-utilization of these resources, whereas for feeds, the ratio although came positive but it was less than unity i.e. 0.5779, indicating that the resource was over-utilized.

14

Authors: Anshul Kumar Khare*, Robinson J.J. Abraham, V. Appa Rao, R. Narendra Babu and Wilfred Ruban

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the shelf-life of chitosan and cinnamon oil coated chicken meat nuggets under refrigeration conditions. Three types of coated nuggets were developed viz., Meat coated with Chitosan (1%) and Cinnamon oil (0.05%) (T1), direct addition of Chitosan and Cinnamon oil in emulsion (T2) and nuggets dipped in Chitosan and Cinnamon oil (T3) and were aerobically packaged in low-density polyethylene pouches and assessed for various storage quality parameters under refrigerated (4±1°C) conditions during 28 days of storage. T2 had slightly higher emulsion stability and yield although no significant difference (P>0.05) in between samples. T1 exhibited better storage stability as indicated by lower lipid oxidation than other treatments and the control. Texture profile studies indicated that T2 sample had higher hardness value than other samples. SPC significantly (P<0.05) increased in all the samples with control having the highest value followed by T1, T3 and T2 throughout the storage period. T2 sample exhibited lowest sensory scores and were not accepted by sensory panellist while T1 and T3 samples had better acceptability. It was concluded that chitosan in combination with cinnamon oil had synergistic effect to extend the shelf-life of products (T1 and T3