This study evaluated effect of prebiotics (fructo-oligosaccharides) and acidifiers as dietary supplementation. Experimental trial involved 120 one-day-old chicks fed different dietary treatments for the duration of 42-days. The birds were randomly divided into four groups (C, T1, T2, T3; 30 birds each). Group C (control) received standard broiler mash, T1 received mash with prebiotics (0.5% for 0-3 weeks, 0.25% for 4-6 weeks), T2 received acidifiers at same supplementation levels and T3 received a 1: 1 combination of prebiotics and acidifiers at same levels. There was improvement (P<0.01) in carcass traits (dressing percentage, eviscerated weight and giblet yield) with T3 group outperforming others. Morphometric analysis showed increased villus height and width along with reduced crypt depth in T3 group indicating improved intestinal health. Improvements in dry matter metabolizability and nitrogen balance were also higher (P<0.05) in T3 group. Mortality rates were lower in supplemented groups. Furthermore, economic analysis highlighted higher net profit in T3 group, emphasizing cost-effectiveness of combined supplementation.
Muscle development and carcass yield of meat indigenous and exotic pigs vary significantly. DNA methylation, being a major epigenetic factor, could regulate myogenic process through regulation of gene expression. The objective of the present study was to compare genome-wide methylation in indigenous (Mali) and exotic (Hampshire) breeds of pigs. A total 1549 differentially methylated regions (P<0.1) in the genome with hypermethylation around the promoter-transcription start site of MYMK gene were identified in Mali pigs. No differences in the DNA methylation was observed with respect to promoter region of other myogenic genes. Ontology of genes whose bodies were differentially methylated, were related to gaseous exchange, lipid metabolism, opioid, nephrin and DARPP-32 signalling. Based on the study, it may be concluded that differences exist in the muscle tissue DNA methylation between Mali and Hampshire pigs. Further studies are required to understand the implication of the differential methylation in myogenic process in pigs.
Pig rearing is a vital component of livelihood and cultural identity in Northeast India, particularly in floodprone districts like Dhemaji of Assam. The present study was undertaken to document and analyze traditional pig husbandry practices across six major ethnic communities namely Mising, Deori, Sonowal Kachari, Hajong, Boro, and Ahom. Using participatory rural appraisal, focus group discussions, and structured interviews with 180 farmers, information was collected on indigenous practices of housing, feeding, and ethno-veterinary healthcare of common pig breeds viz. HDK-75, crosses of Large White Yorkshire, Large Black, Ghungroo and local pigs. Roof and floor type along with housing material used under housing practices, feeding criteria and types of feed ingredients, under feeding managements, ethno-veterinary practices their local name, scientific name, preparation method, route of administration, dosage, effectiveness and adoption % were the parameters that have been recorded under the study. Results revealed a wide range of context-specific strategies/ practices that were low-cost, eco-friendly, and welladapted to the flood-prone agro-ecology. Bamboo-walled pens with thatched roofs (86.67% adoption) and deeplitter systems using paddy straw (68.89%) were the common housing practices. Feeding boiled tubers and other root crops (93.33%) with rice and kitchen leftovers (90.56%) were the dominated feeding practices, supplemented with banana pseudostem and traditional fermented rice-beer dregs. Ethno-veterinary practices were diverse. Twenty four medicinal plant species were identified for treatment. Lasia spinosa was used for dysentery (97.22% adoption) and Mikania micrantha for piglet diarrhoea (89.44%). These practices were very effective under resource-limited and disaster-prone conditions. The findings highlighted the significance of documenting Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) to preserve cultural heritage, validate local innovations, and design location-specific interventions that integrated traditional wisdom with modern piggery management for sustainable rural livelihoods.
Growth performance, carcass yields, organ proportion and feed-cost analysis are parameters used in monitoring the responses of local starter turkeys to different levels of dietary protein and amino-acid combinations for faecal ammonia reduction at a minimal cost. The current research was aimed at adopting precisely, the combination of crude protein and amino-acid which optimizes production with minimal ammonia excretion. Three hundred- and sixty-day old poults were randomly assigned into 3x3 factorial experiment, in a completely randomized design, to determine the response of graded levels of protein and amino acids on growth parameters, carcass yield, cut up parts, internal organ proportions and feed cost benefits analysis of indigenous starter turkeys. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 10 poults per replicate. The turkeys were fed the treatment diets that contained dietary crude protein at 3 levels (A128%, A226% and A324%) and dietary amino acids at 3 levels each (Methionine: B1 0.15%, 0.25% and 0.35% and Lysine: B2 0.30%, 0.50%, 0.70%). The study lasted for 56 days during which water and feed were given ad libitum. Results showed that the final weight of T3 turkeys was significantly higher than treatment group 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 but similar T9. Turkeys consumed both diet 3 (high CP, Met. and Lys.) and 9 (lower CP and higher Met. and Lys.) turkeys accrued similar gain in weight at the same significant level. However, T9 attained higher dressed weight, revenue and gross margin. It is, therefore, adopting a precise feeding of indigenous starter turkeys 24% CP at 0.35% Methionine and 0.70% Lysine would be most profitable and environmentally friendly for optimum yields with minimal ammonia excretion.
Acyclicity in buffaloes represents as one of the most prevalent disorders affecting fertility and productivity. It commonly occurs during the postpartum period or under conditions of nutritional, environmental, or metabolic stress, ultimately increasing the number of days open, veterinary interventions, and culling rates. Understanding the distribution pattern of follicles and their functional status is, therefore, essential for developing targeted reproductive interventions. The present study was conducted at ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, during 2021-22. Paired ovaries were collected from healthy adult buffaloes (n=75) at slaughter. Ovaries were classified as cyclic or acyclic based on the presence of a CL. Surface follicles were enumerated and categorized into small (<5 mm), medium (5–10 mm), and large (>10 mm). Follicular fluid from large follicles was aspirated for estimation of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), androstenedione (A4), and testosterone (T) concentration, and follicles were retrospectively classified as active (P4:E2 <1), intermediate (P4:E2 1–10), or atretic (P4:E2 >10). Acyclic buffaloes exhibited a greater proportion of ovaries with only small follicles (36.36%), compared with cyclic animals (9.43%), whereas only large follicles occurred predominantly in cyclic buffaloes. Cyclic buffalo ovaries also showed stage-dependent shifts in follicle distribution. Large follicles from cyclic and acyclic buffaloes displayed comparable steroidogenic patterns, with progressive increases in P4 and decreases in E2 from active to atretic categories. Further, the E2:A4 ratio was also significantly greater in the active follicle than in the atretic follicle. Thus, evaluating follicles using the E2:P4 and E2:A4 ratios provided a more accurate indication of follicular functional status than classification based solely on follicle size and cycle stage.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera), Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) powder, and their combination on growth performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens. A 35-day feeding trial was conducted using iso-nutritive diets formulated to compare their individual and combined effects. Two-hundred-day-old Cobb 400Y broiler chicks were procured, and randomly distributed into four treatment groups of 50 birds each, with five replicates of 10 birds per group. Four dietary treatments, including a control diet (T0 – basal diet), aloe vera (T1 - basal diet + 1.5%), tulsi (T2 - basal diet + 1%), and both in combination (T3 - basal diet + 1.5% aloe vera + 1% tulsi). The results indicated distinct performance trends among treatments. Birds receiving combined supplementation of aloe vera and tulsi exhibited most consistent improvement in feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and overall performance index as compared to the control and singlesupplement diets. Enhanced nutrient retention was also observed, particularly for dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract, suggesting improved digestibility and utilization efficiency. However, calcium and phosphorus retention showed minimal variation across treatments, indicating that mineral absorption was not markedly influenced by supplementation. Overall, the combined use of aloe vera and tulsi demonstrated synergistic benefits, promoting better growth performance and nutrient utilization in broilers. These findings highlighted the potential of herbal feed additives as sustainable, natural alternatives to synthetic growth promoters, highlighting its potential as a natural growth promoter in broiler production.
Pre-slaughter handling of pigs exerts a decisive influence on pork quality through modulation of physiological stress responses and post-mortem muscle metabolism. The present study evaluated the effects of standard handling, stressful handling and good management practices (GMP) on stress indicators, post-mortem pH decline, fresh and frozen pork quality, tenderness, oxidative stability and sensory attributes under Indian commercial conditions. Sixty market-weight pigs (100±5 Kg) were randomly allotted to three pre-slaughter handling treatments. Stress was assessed through behavioural indicators and serum cortisol concentration. Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were analysed for pH (45 min and 24 h), water-holding capacity, myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI), Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), lipid oxidation (TBARS), freeze–thaw loss and frozen storage stability up to 90 days at −18 °C. Sensory evaluation of fresh and frozen–thawed pork was conducted by a trained panel. Stressful handling significantly elevated cortisol concentration, accelerated post-mortem pH decline, reduced waterholding capacity, increased oxidative deterioration and lowered tenderness and sensory acceptability (p < 0.05). In contrast, GMP effectively minimized physiological stress, maintained desirable pH patterns and improved both fresh and frozen pork quality. The findings demonstrated that adoption of good pre-slaughter management practices is a practical, cost-effective and welfare-friendly strategy to enhance pork quality and frozen storage stability.
The study aimed to evaluate effect of different concentration of cucumin and L cysteine HCL in mitigation of cryopreservation-induced cryodamage in Barbari buck semen. The present experiment was carried out on four Barbari bucks, 2-3 years of age. Twenty-four ejaculates (six from each buck) were collected and diluted with Tris-Egg-Yolk-Citric acid-Fructose-Glycerol extender containing no additives (CON; control), Curcumin 1 and 2μg/ml (CUR1 and CUR2), L cysteine HCL, 2 and 5mM/L (LC2 and LC5) at 37 ºC and cryopreserved following standard protocols, processed, frozen, and evaluated for various seminal markers. As compared to control, the motility (50.50±0.42, 53.50±0.50, 52.50±0.50 and 51.33±0.42%), liveability 77.67±0.98, 81.50±1.05, 81.00±0.96 and 77.67±0.88%) and HOS reactivity (39.83±1.10, 44.00±0.96, 43.00±0.51 and 41.17±0.98%) was significantly (P<0.05) improves, whereas abnormality (11.83±1.07, 7.66±0.55, 8.66±0.49 and 11.00±1.26%) and enzyme leakage i.e. GOT (156.5±6.42, 140.0±5.19, 147.8±4.67, 151.8±5.73μmole/L), GPT (243.7±7.67, 231.5±6.22, 234.2±6.21 and 241.8±6.94 μmole/L), ACP (49.50±2.07, 47.33±1.87, 49.33±1.76 and 51.83±1.85KAU/100 ml) and AKP (140.5±5.28, 134.8±4.76, 137.0±5.02 and 145.5±5.98 KAU/100 ml) significantly decline in CUR1, CUR2, LC2 and LC5 groups respectively.In conclusion,supplementation of 2μg/ml Curcumin and 2mM/L seems to be beneficial in mitigating cryopreservation-induced cryodamagein barbari buck semen.
This study evaluated the effect of zinc sulphate monohydrate on performance characteristics and blood chemistry of hens. A total of 100 Point of Lay (PoL) Bovan Black hens were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: control or T1 (0mg/kg zinc), and treatments T2 (30mg/kg zinc), T3 (60mg/kg zinc), and T4 (90mg/kg). Birds were allowed access to feed and water ad libitum for 12 weeks. Parameters assessed included: feed proximate composition (%), Hen-Day Production (HDP), feed intake, egg weight, feed efficiency, percentage mortality, and blood biochemical indices. Dry matter of diet ranged from 85.07% (T1) to 82.39% (T4), as crude protein increased negligibly from 16.68.58% (T1) to 16.94% (T4). While zinc levels peaked in T4 (22.59 mg/kg), calcium (1.17%) and phosphorus (0.64–0.65%) remained constant across treatments. HDP was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 (70.13%) than T4 (62.52%) as feed efficiency improved in T2 (3.17%). Total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 (14.34 mM) than T1 (7.37 mM), as T3 (9.79 mM) and T4 (11.72 mM) showed intermediate values. Glutathione peroxidase activity was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 (36.01 U/L) compared to T1 (25.13 U/L), T3 (28.88 U/L), and T4 (24.38 U/L). Percentage mortality and egg quality were unaffected. Moderate zinc supplementation (30-60 mg/kg) enhanced laying performance and oxidative status without any adverse effects. Therefore, it may be concluded that incorporation of zinc in hen’s diets enhances growth performance, improved egg quality parameters, and positively influenced health indicators and antioxidant status, highlighting its potential role in optimizing poultry nutrition and enhancing health management practices.
Chronic recumbency results in progressive ischemic muscle damage, systemic inflammation and disruption of blood brain barrier, leading to neuroinflammation and irreversible recumbency in dairy cows. The present study evaluated the CSF changes into recumbent cows with different duration of recumbency from January to November 2025. The recumbent cows were unresponsive to routine therapy for more than 24 hours and were grouped as 2-5 days, 6-10 days and more than 10 days of recumbency. CSF samples were analyzed for biochemical, electrolyte, lactate, bicarbonate and neuro biomarkers. CSF analysis revealed significant reductions in glucose and increased protein, CK, LDH and neuron-specific enolase, as expected in prolonged recumbency. A significant change in CSF indicated the disruption of blood brain barrier and neuroinflammation in more than 10 days of recumbency cases.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the ruminal degradability of palm stearin and its effects on rumen fermentation in fistulated Murrah buffaloes. Three animals were allotted to a 3×3 Latin Square Design and fed concentrate diets containing 0% (T₀), 8% palm stearin (T₁), and 8% palm stearin with 1% sodium bicarbonate (T₂). Palm stearin degradability was assessed using the nylon bag technique, while rumen fermentation parameters were measured at the end of each feeding period. Results showed that palm stearin exhibited high rumen bypass characteristics with more than 75% of the fat remaining undegraded even after 48 h of incubation. Supplementation of palm stearin did not affect rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, lactic acid or volatile fatty acid concentrations indicating stable rumen fermentation across treatments. Inclusion of sodium bicarbonate had no adverse effect on EE degradability or fermentation patterns. Hence, the study demonstrated that palm stearin can be used as a natural bypass fat source to enhance dietary energy without disturbing rumen function in buffaloes.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation essential oils of cinnamon and peppermint on blood biochemical parameters, immune response, gut microbiota, and carcass characteristics in Japanese quails. A total of 200 day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly allotted to five treatment groups: T1 (basal/control diet), T2 (basal diet + cinnamon essential oil @ 500 ppm), T3 (basal diet + peppermint essential oil @ 500 ppm), T4 (basal diet + cinnamon + peppermint essential oils @ 250 ppm each), and T5 (basal diet + cinnamon + peppermint essential oils @ 500 ppm each) for a period of 35 days. Blood biochemical parameters remained within the normal physiological range in all treatment groups. Blood cholesterol concentration was reduced in T4, while creatinine levels were lower in all essential oil-supplemented groups as compared to the control. Liver enzyme activities did not differ significantly among treatments. Serum TIG concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 and T4, whereas IgG concentration and lymphocyte count were significantly increased (P<0.05) in T2 and T4 as compared to the control. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T5. Caecal Escherichia coli counts were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in essential oil-supplemented groups. Dressing percentage improved significantly (P<0.05) in T2 and T3 with other carcass traits also showing improvement following essential oil supplementation. Overall, supplementation of cinnamon and peppermint essential oils, either individually or in combination, improved immune response, gut microbial balance, and carcass characteristics without exerting adverse effects on the health status of Japanese quails, indicating their potential as natural feed additives in quail production.
A six-week experiment was carried out at the Department of Animal Science, Teaching, and Research Farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka from February-March, 2025, to determine the effect of different level of dietary kaolin and litter treated with sodium bisulfate on litter ammonia gas emission, microbial load, blood indices and growth performance of broilers. By the application of 3×2 factorial arrangements in CRD, 300 Anak strain broiler birds (2 weeks old) were divided to six research groups with 5 replications of 10 birds each. Treatments were as follows: T1= 0 g kaolin /kg + 0 g SB/5kg litter, T2= 15 g kaolin /kg+0g SB/5kg litter, T3= 30 g kaolin /kg + 0g SB/5kg litter, T4= 0 g kaolin/kg + 500 g SB/3kg litter, T5=15 g kaolin /kg +500g SB/5kg litter and T6= 30 g kaolin /kg + 500g SB/5kg litter. Parameters measured were as follows: body weight, ADWG, feed intake, ADFI, FCR, feed cost per kg gain, litter pH, moisture, ammonia gas, TVC, blood PCV, RBC, WBC. Results showed that control group broilers had total weight gain and ADWG values of 2200.00 g/bird and 52.38 g/bird and these values were the lowest (p<0.05) among the treatments. FCR values of 2.64 obtained for birds on control treatment was the same (p>0.05) with T4 and both were the highest among the treatments. Litter moisture values of 13.20, 26.00 and 29.66 % obtained at week 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 were higher (p<0.05) in T1 compared to other treatments. Weekly pH values of 5.06, 7.66 and 8.33 at week 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 were highest in T1 litter. Ammonia values of 22.00, 29.00 and 44.33ppm obtained at week 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 in T1 were higher (p<0.05) when compared with values obtained in T2-6 in both weeks. Values of PCV, RBC and WBC improved better in T2-T6 when juxtaposed with value obtained in T1. It was concluded that dietary kaolin and litter treated with sodium bisulfate diminished the emission of litter ammonia gas without destructive impact on the performance of the birds. It was, suggested that 15g kaolin /kg + 500 g SB/5kg litter could be applied for better performance and reduction in litter ammonia gas emission in poultry production.
Embryo transfer technology enables rapid dissemination of superior genetics and in vitro produced embryos have gained more consideration than the in vivo derived embryos due to higher yield of embryos with respect to time. The primary limitation impacting in vitro derived embryos is the success of in vitro maturation as in vitro derived oocytes contain more lipid content contributing to increased oxidative stress and compromised developmental competence. In the present study, lipid modulator, L-carnitine at 1 mM and 3mM was supplemented in the maturation media to decrease lipid content and subsequent oxidative stress in the oocytes undergoing maturation. A total of 326 follicles from overy were aspirated out of which 228 cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected with a recovery rate of 69.93%. The in vitro maturation of the COC’s supplementation with 3 mM L-Carnitine exhibited significantly (p<0.05) lower complete expansion of cumulus cells in comparison to maturation media supplemented with 1 mM L-carnitine (48, 75.00% vs 58, 90.62%). The cleavage rate of the COC’s matured with supplementation of 3 mM L-Carnitine displayed considerably (p<0.05) less cleavage in comparison to group supplemented with 1 mM L-Carnitine (7.67±0.33,75.40% vs 8.67±0.21,83.87%). The blastocyst rate of the COC’s matured with supplementation of 3 mM L-Carnitine showed significantly (p<0.05) lower embryo production (4.17± 0.31,40.98% vs 5.83± 0.80,56.45%) in comparison to group supplemented with 1 mM L-Carnitine. So, the supplementation of 1 mM L-carnitine is suitable for Sahiwal oocytes during in vitro maturation for higher embryo production.
The present study demonstrated endemic circulation of pathogenic Leptospira spp. among animals and environmental water sources in the Mumbai region. RTPCR assay targeting the lipL32 gene proved significantly more sensitive than DFM for detection of active infection (P<0.001), while MAT and ELISA revealed higher seropositivity reflecting previous exposure and circulation of leptospires in the region. Dogs showed the highest seropositivity, with Pyrogenes and Shermani emerging as predominant serovars, whereas Pomona and Tarassovi predominated in bovines. The detection of pathogenic leptospires in environmental water samples highlighted the important role of environmental reservoirs in disease transmission. The combined use of molecular and serological assays provided a comprehensive understanding of leptospirosis epidemiology and supports continuous surveillance, inclusion of locally prevalent serovars in vaccine formulations and implementation of integrated One Health strategies for effective disease control.
To ascertain the effect of synbiotic supplementation on growth, immunity and intestinal morphometry in broiler chicken during summer season, one hundred sixty-day old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly allocated into five treatments. Each treatment had 32 birds consisting of 4 replicates of 8 birds each. T0: Basal diet; T1: Basal diet + AGP (Salinomycin); T2: Basal diet + prebiotic [Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS)]; T3: Basal diet + probiotic (Lactoplus) and T4: Basal diet+ synbiotic (MOS+ Lactoplus). The birds were reared in three phases: pre starter phase (0-1 wk), starter phase (2-3 wks) and finisher phase (4-5 wks) and fed as per BIS (2007). The experiment was continued for the period of 35 days. Gain in body weight, FCR, immunity, morphometry of intestine and histology of liver and kidney were studied. Supplementation of synbiotic had significant effect on body weight and FCR. The antibody titre against Ranikhet disease vaccine and the CBH reaction against PHA-P were much greater (p<0.05) in birds fed diet supplemented with synbiotic compared to control group. Significant improvement (p<0.05) in intestinal villi length, villi width and crypt depth was observed in synbiotic supplemented birds. Histology of liver and kidney showed normal architecture. It may be concluded that synbiotic supplementation in broiler chickens improved the production performance, immunity and intestinal morphometry without any adverse effect on vital organs.
The present study compared the efficacy of long-acting recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) and pituitary-derived FSH (pFSH) on follicular response, oocyte recovery and in vitro embryo production in donor cows. Eight high-yielding multiparous cows were subjected to two ovarian superstimulation protocols in a crossover design. In the first trial, donors received 200 mg pFSH in tapering doses, while in the second trial a single dose of long-acting rhFSH (300 IU) was administered. Transvaginal ovum pick-up (OPU) was performed on Day 8, and follicular count, oocyte recovery rate, oocyte quality, cleavage rate and blastocyst rate were recorded. The mean total follicle count did not differ significantly between pFSH (27±1.83) and rhFSH (25±2.15) stimulated groups. The oocyte recovery rate was significantly higher in the rhFSH group (77%; 154/200) compared to the pFSH group (68.05%; 147/216). The mean total oocyte yield per OPU was comparable between rhFSH (19.25±2.03) and pFSH (18.37±1.53) treatments. Cleavage rate (66.23% vs 72.1%) and blastocyst rate (55.84% vs 62.58%) did not differ significantly between rhFSH and pFSH groups, respectively. It may be concluded that long-acting rhFSH was comparable to conventional pFSH in terms of follicular response, oocyte quality and embryo production, while providing significantly improved oocyte recovery efficiency.
This research was carried out to assess the nutritional content of frequently used 8 cereal grains and 13 agro industrial by-products (AIBP) as per CNCPS along with their in vitro digestibility, gas and methane production. It was observed that lignin (% NDF) was lowest in white maize (5.28) and highest in gram khanda (30.93). NPN (%SP) content was highest in gram churi (73.32) and lowest in wheat grains (10.85). Among grains, values (%) for protein fraction PA, PB1, PB2, PB3 and fraction PC were found to be highest for oat (10.58), followed by wheat (26.85), pearl millet (72.08),barley (17.63) and pearl millet (7.09), respectively while for AIBP, maximum values were observed for gram churi (32.67), followed by beet pulp (56.98), gram khanda (82.61), paddy straw (43.39) and in gram husk (25.07). For AIBP, carbohydrate fractions, CB1 content was highest (42.71) in wheat bran and CA was highest (61.74) in dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). It was observed that AIBP had more unavailable carbohydrate fraction (CC) in comparison to grains. Average values of IVDMD and IVOMD for grains were observed to be 89.78% and 90.80%, and for AIBP 75.19% and 75.23%, respectively. Average gas production (ml/200 mg) was found to be 57.85 for grains and 33.60 for AIBP. It was found that average methane generation (g/kg IVDMD) was comparable for grains and AIBP. Therefore, the study’s findings may help to clarify more about the digestibility and gas production of agro industrial by products and cereal grains for more precise and environment friendly feed formulation for dairy animals.
The present investigation aimed to explore the impact of nickel (Ni) supplementation on the antioxidant and immune status of growing Muzaffarnagari lambs. For the study, 18 healthy Muzaffarnagari lambs (30.45±3.67 kg) body weight and age (10.33±0.67 months) were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 each. The composition of basal diet was similar across all three groups, except for Ni supplementation at dose level of 0.0 (control), 1.5 (Ni1.5), and 3.0 (Ni3.0) mg/kg DM, administered to the respective groups over a 90-day study period. Blood samples were collected by jugular puncture on days 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 of the study in the morning, before feeding and watering. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant activity (TAA), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) did not vary statistically among the groups, control, Ni1.5, and Ni3.0, whereas, catalase activity declined significantly (P<0.05) in groups that received 1.5 or 3.0 mg Ni/kg DM as compared to the control group. Nickel supplementation did not influence the concentration of haemoglobin (Hb), total leucocyte count (TLC), and neutrophils. Lymphocyte concentration was statistically (P<0.05) higher in lambs who received Ni at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg DM as compared to other animals. Plasma levels of total immunoglobulin (TIG) were higher in treatment groups of lambs fed either 1.5 or 3.0 mg Ni/kg DM than in the control group. The findings of the present study indicated that nickel supplementation at both doses (1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg DM) improved immune function; however, it did not significantly affect the antioxidant status of growing lambs.
This study was done to assess the nutritional attributes of broken rice on feed intake, utilization of nutrients, performance, blood biochemical parameters and carcass traits in quails. Day-old commercial meat quails (Japanese quail) (n=300) were randomly distributed to five treatment groups. Basal maize-soya diet was fed to Control group, and for treatment groups, T1, T2, T3, and T4 5, 10, 15, and 20% maize was replaced with BR (w/w basis), respectively. The diets that were formulated were made to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. No significant difference in weekly FCR and PER was observed for the first five weeks. The blood biochemical parameters viz. plasma glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were similar in all the dietary treatments. Though, the cost per kg of feed was lower for treatment groups, the cost-benefit ratio was comparable for all five groups. It may be recommended that maize can be replaced up to 15 % level with broken rice in the ration of meat quails with no adverse effects on body weight, feed intake, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), utilization of nutrients, and blood biochemical parameters.
