Background: Malabari goats are a prolific breed where litter size significantly influences foetal growth and neonatal outcomes. Placental development plays a crucial role in determining nutrient transfer efficiency and, consequently, birth weight of kids. Understanding the relationship between placental characteristics and birth weight in singleton and multiple pregnancies is essential for improving reproductive efficiency, neonatal survival and management strategies in goats. Methods: The study was conducted during the period from 2022 to 2025 on 50 Malabari goats maintained at the University Goat and Sheep Farm, Mannuthy. The animals were divided into two groups: Group I (singleton pregnancies, n = 25) and Group II (multiple pregnancies, n = 25). Foetal membranes were collected immediately after parturition and evaluated for various placental parameters, including placental weight (PW), placental efficiency (PE), number of cotyledons, cotyledon length (CL), cotyledon width (CWi), cotyledon depth (CDe), cotyledon density (CD), cotyledon efficiency (CE), total cotyledon surface area (TCSA) and average cotyledon surface area (ACSA). Birth weight of kids was recorded and statistical analysis was performed to compare the parameters between the two groups. Result: Singleton pregnancies exhibited significantly higher birth weight of kids compared to multiple pregnancies (2251.60±86.89 g vs. 1974.40±82.34 g; P less than 0.05). Placental traits such as placental efficiency (9.05±0.35 vs. 7.50±0.52), cotyledon number (76.92± 1.94 vs. 67.12±1.91), cotyledon density (0.31±0.01 vs. 0.25±0.01), cotyledon depth (0.31±0.01 vs. 0.26±0.01 cm) and cotyledon efficiency (6.01±0.28 vs. 5.16±0.25) were significantly higher in singleton pregnancies (P less than 0.05 to P less than 0.001), indicating greater placental efficiency. In contrast, multiple pregnancies showed significantly higher cotyledon length (3.42±0.02 vs. 2.16±0.01 cm), cotyledon width (2.57±0.03 vs. 1.27±0.02 cm) and average cotyledon surface area (5.81±0.02 vs. 4.93±0.01 cm²) (P less than 0.001), reflecting compensatory placental adaptations. Placental weight and total cotyledon surface area did not differ significantly between the groups. Overall, singleton pregnancies were associated with more efficient and denser placentas supporting higher birth weight, whereas multiple pregnancies compensated through increased cotyledon size.
Background: During early lactation, goats may experience a negative energy balance because the energy expenditure required for milk synthesis exceeds dietary energy intake, resulting in the mobilization of body reserves to compensate for this deficit. To mitigate this imbalance, the use of glucogenic precursors (GP) has emerged as a potential nutritional strategy. These compounds act as gluconeogenic substrates, helping to alleviate the energy deficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term supplementation with a commercial GP on productive performance and milk composition (MC) of dairy goats in an intensive production system. Methods: Sixty clinically healthy, multiparous crossbred lactating goats (Alpine-Saanen-Nubian), in their third lactation at the beginning of the experiment, were used. Goats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 20 per group) based on the daily supplementation dose, administered for 42 days. Treat 5 received 5 g animal-1 day-1 of a commercial glucogenic-precursor mixture (CG-PM). Treat 2.5 received 2.5 g animal-1 day-1 of the same product, whereas Cont received no supplementation of CG-PM. Productive variables and MC were determined weekly. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, correlation analysis was performed among the response variables. Result: At the end of the experimental period (day 42), statistically significant differences among treatments were detected (P ≤ 0.05). Final live weight and body condition score were higher in Treat 5 than in the other treatments. At the end of the study, milk production was higher in the supplemented groups than in the control group. Regarding MC, the fat percentage was higher in Treat 5 at the end of the study. Likewise, positive and statistically significant Pearson correlations were observed among several response variables, mainly those related to MC.
Background: Zovawk is an indigenous pig breed of Mizoram, India. Baseline data on haematological and blood biochemical parameters of Zovawk were found to correlate with age, different physiological conditions and season. Zovawk pigs suffered weaning stress with decrease in antioxidative status. There is limited knowledge on antioxidative and oxidative status of Zovawk during growth and maturity. There is no traceable data available on the physiological indices of Zovawk. Methods: Physiological indices of 4 months and 6 months old grower and 10 months old adult Zovawk pigs were recorded. Antioxidative and oxidative biomarkers were estimated in blood. Stress biomarkers were estimated in blood and saliva. Certain blood biochemical parameters, were estimated blood. Result: Baseline data on physiological indices, viz. respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature, certain biochemical parameters, stress, oxidative and antioxidative biomarkers of Zovawk during growth and maturity were determined. Grower pigs had lower heart rate and lower rectal temperature than the adult pigs. Activity of antioxidative enzyme, GPx increased with growth and declined with maturity. Antioxidative marker, FRAP was higher in grower pigs than in adult pigs. Plasma cortisol was higher in young grower pigs while plasma cholesterol was higher in adult pigs. Respiration rate, activity of SOD, catalase and sAA, TBARS, blood glucose and total plasma protein were not influenced by growth.
Background: The study aimed to perform the molecular investigation, clinical observations and haemato-biochemical abnormalities associated with dogs naturally affected with canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) from Haryana, India. Methods: The study included 120 dogs suspected of haemoparasitic infection. History and clinical profiles were noted for each dog. PCR tested for four haemoparasites: H. canis, E. canis, B. vogeli and B. gibsoni. Seventeen dogs positive for E. canis underwent clinical investigation, haematological and biochemical analyses. Two 16s rRNA PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic trees were prepared using MEGA X software. Data were analysed using SPSS 23.1. Parameters in CME-detected animals were compared with those in healthy animals. Result: Most common clinical manifestations associated with CME were pyrexia, anorexia, a congested to pale mucous membrane and lethargy. Epistaxis, lymphadenomegaly, hindlimb weakness, melena and ocular discharge were among the less frequent clinical signs. Haematological findings revealed microcytic hypochromic to normochromic anaemia, thrombocytopenia and normal to raised leucocyte count with absolute neutrophilia and normal to raised lymphocyte count as the main observation. In affected dogs, serum biochemical profiles revealed normal to low protein levels with hypoalbuminemia, reduced A:G ratio, higher GGT activity and an elevated creatinine level. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the partial 16s rRNA sequences of E. canis in the current study were similar to those of E. canis isolates from various regions of India and the world. The current study emphassis the significance of clinical, haematological and biochemical characteristics in the detection and treatment of dogs with CME.
Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread endocrine-disrupting environmental contaminant associated with oxidative and metabolic disturbances. This study investigated BPA-associated oxidative stress, serum 8-OHdG as a marker of oxidative DNA damage, hepatic p53 protein levels and selected hepatorenal biochemical markers in male rats and evaluated the modulatory effects of Spirulina platensis. Methods: Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 10/group): vehicle control, BPA at 120 mg/kg/day (BPA-LD), BPA at 240 mg/kg/day (BPA-HD), BPA-LD plus S. platensis (1000 mg/kg/day), BPA-HD plus S. platensis and S. platensis alone. Treatments were administered once daily by oral gavage for 21 consecutive days. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) and p53 protein levels, serum 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and biochemical markers of liver and kidney function were evaluated. Result: BPA exposure increased hepatic MDA and ACOX1 levels, serum 8-OHdG and hepatic p53 protein levels, with several responses being more pronounced at the lower BPA dose. Alterations were also observed in serum liver and kidney function markers. Co-administration of S. platensis attenuated several BPA-associated changes, including hepatic lipid peroxidation, serum 8-OHdG, increased hepatic ACOX1 and p53 protein levels and selected hepatorenal biochemical indices. However, the magnitude of the modulatory effect varied among the measured endpoints. These findings indicate that S. platensis may mitigate several biochemical consequences of BPA exposure, although further studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms.
