JOURNAL OF ANIMAL RESEARCH

4

Authors: Venkataramireddy Balena1,2*, M.R. Reddy2, P Radhika2 and P Latha Reddy2

The main aim of the present study was to investigate sequence diversity and mutations in the Meq gene of Marek’s disease viruses (MDV) isolated in India. To understand the molecular characteristics of MDV Meq gene, the sequence generated from Directorate of Poultry Research (DPR) farm and commercial poultry farms isolates were compared with published sequences of Indian isolates. Sequence analysis showed that all of the isolates contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1020 nucleotides, which encoded a 339 amino acid peptides. In the present phylogenetic study, Meq gene sequence generated from MDV strains of DPR isolate was found to share a clade with previously published DPR strains depicting homogenecity in MDV strain prevalent in DPR farm of Hyderabad. The Meq gene sequence of MDV strains amplified from commercial poultry farm found to be evolutionary closer with Ludhiana isolates. Amino acid sequence decoded from Meq gene sequence revealed that four consecutive proline repeats are three in number in DPR isolates while it ranges from 4-5 quadruple proline repeats in commercial farms samples. The published MDV strains from India has 4-5 consecutive four proline repeats in strains from the commercial farms. In the present study, a single point mutation was recorded in Meq gene sequence of DPR isolate where proline was replaced by serine at 233 positions. This mutation is recorded for the first time in Meq gene sequence of Indian isolates. The present study shows that the MDV strains from DPR farm were more virulence than other Indian isolates.

6

Authors: Safeer M. Saifudeen1*, R. Venkataramanan2 and A. Serma Saravana Pandian3

Mastitis is the most important and expensive disease of dairy industry. The aim of this study was to investigate management and animal level risk factors that favour occurrence of bovine mastitis. The identification of risk factors is important for the design of mastitis control programs in dairy herds. The present study was conducted at the Large Animal Clinic of Madras Veterinary College (MVC) Hospital, Chennai. Out of two hundred and eighty milch animals examined during the study period, sixty cows were affected by mastitis. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the probability of a particular milch animal to pick up mastitis and to model the relationship of incidence of mastitis with other explanatory variables. Results obtained revealed that increase in unit change of milk yield (one litre) would increased the incidence of mastitis by 1.658 times. The chance of getting infected by mastitis would be reduced by 2.5 times when the mastitis affected cows were milked last. Incidence of mastitis in non-hygienic farms were 11.675 times more when compared to farms maintained in hygienic manner. Overall, binary logistic model was 84.6 percent accurate in predicting the occurrence and non-occurrence of mastitis. Incidence of mastitis, having been associated with a variety of factors inherent in animals and factors resulting from improper farming practices, appeared to decrease when the management practices are proper and scientific. Well knit extension program is the need of the hour to effectively communicate the farming group about the importance of mastitis control strategies in dairy farming.

8

Authors: Korankye Okyere1, Kagya-Agyemang James Kwame1, Annor Serekye Yaw1, Asabere-Ameyaw Akwasi2 and Kyere Gyeabour Clement1

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of day length and season on haematological characteristics, biochemical and hormonal profiles of laying Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). Four hens and 1 male were each subjected to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L: 12D), 14hours of light and 10 hours of darkness (14L: 10D), 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness (16L: 8D) and 18hours of light and 6 hours of darkness (18L: 6D). Each group was replicated three times and reared in three seasons (Dry-December-March, Major rains-April-July and Minor rains-August-November) in a 3×4 factorial experiment. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model procedure of SAS. Significantly (p<0.05) higher Packed cell volume (PCV), lymphocytes and eosinophil, total serum protein and prolactin values were observed in 16L: 8D as 14L: 10D resulted in highest (p<0.05) neutrophil and albumin. PCV and Platelets were highest (p<0.05) in major rains whiles red blood cells and neutrophil were highest (p<0.05) in dry and minor rainy seasons, respectively. Total serum protein increased (p<0.05) from the dry season to minor rainy seasons. Oestrogen and luteinizing hormones were highest (p<0.05) in major rains and prolactin levels were higher (p<0.05) in minor rains and lowest in major rains. Interaction effect was not significant (p>0.05) in all parameters except prolactin. The findings of this study suggest that daylength of 14-16 hrs and major rainy season in Ghana supports adequate haematological, biochemical and hormonal profiles of Guinea fowls.

8

Authors: Parveen Kumar Gahlot* and Pawan Kumar

The tissues from ileum were collected from six young goats and processed for light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies. The villi of the ileum varied in shape and size. These were lined by simple columnar epithelium with few goblet cells. The intestinal glands were simple tubulo-acinar type having simple cuboidal to low columnar epithelium. Lamina muscularis mucosae was thin and interrupted. The submucosa was having loose irregular connective tissue and occupied by lymphoid nodules or Peyer’s patches consisted of follicles of various shapes and size. Tunica muscularis had inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smooth muscles. Histochemical studies presented presence of glycogen and acidic and neutral mucopolysaccharides in the intestinal glands. The scanning electron microscopy showed tongue shaped villi with distinctive corrugation on its surface. The transmission electron microscopy showed presence of simple columnar cells with microvilli in surface epithelium. The cryptal epithelium was having Paneth, enterochromaffin and goblet cells.

8

Authors: Rajesh Kumar Sahu* and Krishnaiah Nelapati

A multiresidue method was developed and validated for 24 pesticide (Organo chlorine, Organophophorus and Synthetic pyrethroids) residue in Catla fish sample using Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS/MS). The method was based on QuEchERs method (quick, easy, cheap, efficient, rugged and safe) extraction with acetonitrile and dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) cleanup with PSA and MgSO4. The recovery studies were conducted at three spiking levels i.e. 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 µg mL-1 and percent recovery found to be within acceptable limit except synthetic pyrethrnoids at spiking level 0.01 µg mL-1. All RSD values were below 20%. The estimated LOD was in the range from 0.000-0.017 µg mL-1 and LOQ was in the range from 0.001- 0.057 µg mL-1 for all pesticides. The coefficient of determination (R2) for all pesticide ≥ 0.992. The devlop method was found to be fast, simple and reliable for analysis of pesticide residue in fish samples.

8

Authors: Sumeet Kour*, Jonali Devi, Kamal Sarma, Dibyendu Chakraborty, Rizwana Zargar, Aafreen Wahid Ganai and Pallavi Khajuria

The effect of vitamin C on physio-biochemical and hormonal parameters in water deprived goats was studied. Total 18 numbers of adult male goats were selected for the experiment during summer and winter seasons. In control group (n=6, for each season), water was offered ad lib throughout the experimental period; 2 treatment groups (T1 and T2) consisting of 6 animals each. In T1 group, water was restricted and subdivided into 3 experimental periods: in period one (day 1 to 7), animals were adapted to the water restriction regime by limiting access to water gradually from 15 to 3 hrs/day. In period two (day 8 to 14), animals of the treatment groups had access to water for 3 hrs/day. In period three (day 15 to 22), animals had access to water only every second day for 6 hours. In T2 group, the same protocol as mentioned above was followed with addition of vitamin C supplementation at a dose rate of 180 mg/kg b. wt./animal/day. Blood and urine was collected on 1, 7, 14 and 22 day for the estimation of different parameters. In T1 group, increasing trend (P<0.05) was seen in SOD, GPx, GST, catalase and LPO in blood. In T2 group, SOD, GPx, catalase and LPO levels increased upto day 14 and then decreased on day 22. T1 value of oxidative enzymes (SOD, GPx, GST, catalase and LPO) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than T2. Overall summer value of SOD, GPx and LPO were higher as compared to overall winter values.Water deprivation had negative impact on oxidative parameters, which can be ameoliorated by supplementation of ascorbic acid at the rate of @180mg/kg b.wt./day.