<div>Background: The negative energy balance around calving and in early lactation is the major cause of increased incidence of postpartum metabolic disorders, reduced milk production and impaired reproductive performance. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of rumen protected choline, fat supplementation and Vit-E and selenium&nbsp; injections on plasma endocrine profile, postpartum productivity, fertility and economics in transitional Gir cows.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Forty advanced pregnant multiprous Gir cows of an organized farm were randomly distributed into five equal groups (T1 to T5; n=8 each) and were fed and managed individually from 30 days prepartum till 60 days postpartum. Cows in T1 (control) group were fed basal diet, while cows in treatment groups received basal diet + supplementation of rumen protected choline-RPC @ 45 g/d/cow (T2), rumen protected fat-RPF @ 80 g/d/cow from -30 to +15 days peripartum and then @ 10 g/kg milk yield (T3), RPC and RPF in combination @ as above (T4) and&nbsp; Inj. E-Care Se(R) 10 ml i/m (Vit-E 500 mg and Se 15 mg) on days -30, -15, 0, +15, +30 and +45 peripartum (T5) along with blood samples for estimation of plasma levels of insulin, IGF1, PGFM, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cortisol. The puerperal events and fertility parameters were recorded till 10 months postpartum.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The fortnightly plasma P4 concentration decreased, while E2, PGFM and cortisol increased gradually and significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 30 days prepartum to day of calving and thereafter P4, E2 and cortisol remained basal or very low, while PGFM decreased till 45-60 days postpartum, overall and in all groups. The treatment effect was significant (P&lt;0.01) only for E2 and PGFM, with higher values of E2 in T3 and T4 groups and of PGFM in T1 and T2 than in T5 group. The insulin and IGF1 concentrations fluctuated insignificantly during prepartum phase with significantly lowest values till 15 and 30 days postpartum and thereafter only IGF1 increased significantly by day 60 postpartum. The treatment effect was also significant at some intervals with overall highest values of both the metabolic hormones in T1 followed by T5 and T2 than T3 and T4 groups. The uterine involution was significantly earlier in all treatment groups than in control. The first heat postpartum (days) was significantly earlier in group T5 (33.6&plusmn;3.4), delayed in group T1 (63.5&plusmn;9.5) and intermediate in Group T2 to T4. The conception rates postpartum were 50.0, 75.0, 62.5, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups T1 to T5, respectively, with significantly reduced service period (days) in T5 (96.3&plusmn;14.6), followed by T2 (137.3&plusmn;11.2), than T1, T3 and T4 groups (187 to 214 days). The overall net returns over feed cost of milk yield and reduced service period in T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups over control T1 were Rs. +15898, +6150, +7165 and +24060, respectively. The findings reflected the beneficial and economic role of RPF alone or in combination with RPC and of Se + Vit E supplementation on peripartum endocrine profile and improved postpartum fertility in Gir cows.</div>

Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance

<div>Background: Cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) with prevalence of 10-13% is a common and economically important condition in dairy cattle affecting fertility. Predisposing factors and aetiology of ovarian cysts are multifaceted. The most widely accepted cause is either absent, insufficient or wrong time occurrence of pre-ovulatory LH-surge. The accuracy of differential diagnosis of cyst per rectum can be increased by simultaneous use of USG and/or plasma progesterone assay and therapeutic success depends on type and duration of cystic condition. The literature on these aspects in crossbred cows is meagre, hence was planned to differentially diagnose the ovarian follicular and luteal cysts based on clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings and to study the estrus response and conception rates following different treatment modalities of COD in crossbred cattle. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted on &gt;90 days postpartum HF crossbred cows with cystic ovaries (n=58) confirmed by per rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The animals with follicular cysts were randomly treated with either conventional Ovsynch or Ovsynch + CIDR protocol (n=10 each) and those with luteal cysts with either Double PG injections 11 days apart or modified Ovsynch protocol (n=16 each) with fixed time AI. A group of six cystic cows was kept as untreated control. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers, together with trans-rectal ultrasonography, on day 0 (just before initiation of treatment), on day of last PGF2&aacute; injection, on day of induced estrus/FTAI and on day 12 post-AI for determination of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17&acirc; by RIA technique.&nbsp; 
 
Results: The mean diameters and wall thickness of ovarian cysts regressed significantly (p&lt;0.01) among responded cows of all four protocols. The estrus induction response within 48-96 hrs of last PG injection with Ovsynch, Ovsynch + CIDR, Modified Ovsynch and Double PG protocols was 90.00, 100.00, 87.50 and 81.25 %, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus with FTAI for these protocols were 50.00, 40.00, 50.00 and 43.75 %, respectively and the corresponding overall conception rates for 3 cycles&rsquo; post-treatment were 60.00, 70.00, 68.75 and 56.25 %, respectively, compared to zero result of control group. The mean plasma progesterone concentration varied highly significantly (p&lt;0.01) between periods of treatment in all protocols, the values were lower (p&lt;0.01) on day 0 and on day of FTAI than on the day of last PG injection and on day 12 post-AI. The values on day 12 post-AI were significantly higher in conceived than non-conceived cows. The trend of estradiol-17&acirc; profile on day of last PG injection was reversed than on day 0. The higher levels of estradiol-17&acirc; on day of FTAI were associated with regression of cystic structures and development of new dominant follicles with estrogenic activity concomitant to induced estrus and ovulatory LH surge in most of the animals as evident from USG monitoring, behavioural signs and conception rates.</div>

<div>Ovarian Dynamics, Plasma Endocrine Profile and Fertility Response Following Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Cows with Cystic Ovaries</div>

Background: Dietary fiber can be effectively incorporated into processed meat products along with binders, extenders and fillers. Using millet in meat products can balance the enormous demand and supply for affordable, wholesome, dietary fiber enriched and healthful meat products. 
 
Methods: The duck meat sausages were developed by incorporating three different levels of roasted foxtail millet flour (FTMF) i.e. 5%, 10% and 15% and coded as T1 (5%), T2 (10%) and T3 (15%). The proximate composition, texture profile, colour profile and microbiological qualities of the control and treated sausages were estimated.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The moisture, crude protein, ether extract and calorie value of the sausages declined significantly (p&lt;0.05) with increasing levels of FTMF in the treated sausages. In the case of texture profile, a significant (p&lt;0.05) difference was observed in the springiness, hardness, chewiness and resilience (p&lt;0.05) of the sausages between the control and treated groups. However, no significant difference in cohesiveness was observed between the control and the treated products. The colour profile revealed no significant (p&gt;0.01) difference in lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). TVC and TVPBC showed a significantly (p&lt;0.01) decreasing trend from control to treated products. However, the bacterial load increased during the storage for up to 15 days. No colititre, yeast, or mould were detected during the entire storage period.&nbsp;

Effects of Foxtail Millet Flour (Setaria italica) on the Proximate Composition, Texture Profile, Colour Profile and Microbiological Qualities of Duck Meat Sausages

Background: Tinospora cordifolia is a common climbing shrub that grows on other trees. It is native to India. Its root, stems and leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine. 
 
Methods: Experimental animals (n=10) were equally divided into two groups of five animals each (average body weight 16.53 kg), designated as control (C) and treatment (C + T. cordifolia) group. A 60 day growth trial was conducted after giving adaptation period of 20 days. A 7-day metabolic trial was conducted towards the end of the experiment using standard protocol. Blood samples were collected at the end of study to determine biochemical and antioxidant profile. Rumen liquor samples were collected by oral intubation and used for quantification of microbial population. 
 
Result: T. cordifolia supplemented at the rate of 2% of DM intake in the total mixed ration of goat kids reduced the relative abundance of methanogens in the rumen, without any significant effect on nutrient digestibility, N balance, blood biochemical profile, cell mediated immune response and growth performance.

&nbsp;

Effect of Supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia on Nutrient Utilization, Blood Biochemical Profile, Cell Mediated Immune Response and Rumen Microbial Profile in Beetal Goat Kids

<div>Background: Anestrus is one of the most commonly encountered infertility problems in cattle and buffalo in India. Jaffarabadi is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world and is a native of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The breed is known for poor reproductive efficiency. To improve its reproductive efficiency, this study was undertaken on acyclic Jaffarabadi animals employing double Ovsynch protocol and its assessment through ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical and endocrine profile on a farm.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study included acyclic post-pubertal Jaffarabadi heifers (age 42&plusmn;2 and 48&plusmn;2 months; Gr-I and Gr-II, n=6 each) and the postpartum lactating acyclic buffaloes (Gr-III, n=6) using a double Ovsynch protocol, which consisted of i/m injections of 20 &micro;g Buserelin acetate on days 0, 10, 17 and 26 and 500 &micro;g Cloprostenol sodium on days 7 and 24, with a timed insemination on day 27. Ovarian dynamics was monitored by performing ultrasonography using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner together with blood sampling for hormonal and biochemical profile on each day of hormone therapy and then on days 0, 12, 21 and 35 post-AI. The animals inseminated at induced estrus/FTAI were followed for return to estrus, if any. Pregnancy was confirmed in non-return cases on day 35 by ultrasonography and on day 70 by per rectal examination. The findings on ovarian dynamics, plasma endocrine and biochemical profile were compared statistically between groups and periods and fertility rates between groups. 
 
Result: In animals of treatment group I and II, a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in numbers of small follicles was observed on day 26. Number of large sized follicles was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher on day 26 in comparison to day 0 and day 7 in group III animals. Large and subordinate follicular diameters increased gradually, but the differences between periods were significant (p&lt;0.001) only in group III with the highest diameter of large follicle on day 17. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations differed significantly (p&lt;0.001) among groups at all-time intervals. Plasma LH in group I and III differed significantly (p&lt;0.001). Plasma estrogen level was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group II than group III. Plasma progesterone concentrations in group I and II animals were significantly higher on day 35 post-AI. Plasma insulin levels were significantly (p&lt;0.01) lower on all days for group III animals than group I and II. Blood glucose level was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in group I on day 17 as compared to group II and III. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group III as compared to group I and II. The conception rates at first service/FTAI in double Ovsynch treated animals of group I, II and III were 66.66, 83.33 and 16.66 %, respectively. Thus it was concluded that ovarian structures and the plasma endocrine profile reflected the ovarian response to different hormonal injections and that double Ovsynch protocol could be a better choice for improving conception rate in post-pubertal acyclic Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers as compared to multiparous acyclic buffaloes.</div>

Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility

<div>Background: It is known that balance diet is the key success for better production in poultry. The digestive physiology is regulated by the neurocrine and endocrine secretions. Growth, secretion, motility, cell signalling, vasoregulation, cell proliferation and differentiation of the epithelial cells of the alimentary canal are reported to be controlled by the peptides or amines released from the gut endocrine cells and enteric neurons. References particularly on systematic study of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in duck as regards to histomorphology and cytochemistry are gravely scanty. Hence the present investigation envisages authenticating the histomorphological characters and cytochemical behaviour of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells in duck. 
 
Methods: For this study the abdomen of six Khaki campbell ducks from either sex was cut open following euthanasia. Tissue pieces from different segments of gut were collected and processed routinely to get 7-8&micro; thick serial paraffin sections. The tissue sections were stained for evaluation of histomorphological and histochemical characters of the entero-endocrine cells. 
 
Result: A panel of seven cytochemical stains identified nine endocrine cell types in the digestive mucosa of Khaki Campbell duck i.e. basally granulated oval cell, densely granulated spindle shaped cell, densely granulated oval cell, diffusely granulated oval cell, pyramidal cell, densely granulated elongated cell, densely granulated pyriform cell, peripherally granulated spherical cell and non-argentaffin chromaffin oval cell. The cells occurred in single or in small clusters in the basal or middle or neck part of glandular epithelium or in the surface epithelium. All the endocrine cells were &lsquo;close type&rsquo;. Cytochemically they were four types i.e. argentaffin, argyrophil, chromaffin and APUD (Amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation) cells.</div>

<div>Histomorphological and Cytochemical Characters of Endocrine Cells of the Gastrointestinal Mucosa of Duck (Anas platyrhynchos)</div>

A study was conducted to assess the thyroid hormones and lipid profile in Labrador Retriever male dogs presented to the Veterinary College Hospital, Bengaluru for routine health check up and vaccination. Based on their age, they were randomly divided into Group I, Group II and Group III that consisted of one to three years age (young age), more than three years to six years age (middle age) and more than six to nine years age (old age), respectively. In all the dogs the body weight was recorded. The profile of thyroid hormones such as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and &nbsp;Thyroxine (T4) were estimated by using ELISA kits. The lipid profile parameters such as triglycerides, cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were estimated by using biochemical reagent kits. The values of LDL and VLDL cholesterol were calculated by using Friedewald formula. Further, the blood glucose level was estimated using the Glucochek&reg; glucometer and serum total protein level by using reagent kit. Results revealed that the increased body weight was observed as age advanced. The T3 levels did not vary significantly among different age groups. Whereas, in the advanced age groups there was reduction in T4 levels and increase in TSH levels which was suggestive of hypothyroidism. Triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL and VLDL levels were significantly higher in older dogs followed by middle age group compared to young age group. However, the alterations in blood glucose and serum total protein levels were non significant between different age groups. It was concluded that the Labrador Retriever male dogs could be more prone to hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia and therefore master health check-up could be taken up at least once in a year as a precautionary measure to avoid complications of hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia.

Thyroid hormones and lipid profile in Labrador Retriever male dogs

<div>Background: The industrial hub of Punjab, Ludhiana is polluted with heavy metals. The dairy animals experience stress due to pollution of heavy metals as well as the hot summer season. The stressors lead to disturbance in metabolic profile and affect milk production. The present study aimed at evaluation of detrimental effect of environmental heavy metal pollution on the metabolic profile of buffaloes during summer and winter seasons in Ludhiana district of Punjab, India. A total of 100 buffaloes were randomly selected from heavy metal exposed (n=60) and control area (n=40) during summer and winter seasons.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The location of the experimental area surveyed on the basis of levels of heavy metals. The dairy farms are located in and around Ludhiana, Punjab were identified with levels of heavy metal above the permissible limits (FSSAI, 2010) viz. Chromium-0.05 &micro;g /ml; Nickel-0.02 &micro;g /ml; Arsenic-0.05 &micro;g /ml and Lead -0.05&micro;g /ml. The plasma samples were analyzed for metabolic profile. The water levels of heavy metals were below the permissible limits; therefore, it was taken as uncontaminated or control area. 
 
Result: Buffaloes of heavy metal exposed areas exhibited significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP and CK levels as compared to control area. A significant (P&lt;0.05) decrease was observed in plasma total protein, albumin, A:G ratio, BUN: creatinine ratio in the buffaloes of exposed area as compared to the control area. However, significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher levels of plasma glucose, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP and CK levels were observed during summer as compared to winter season in both exposed and control areas. Significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin and BUN: Creatinine ratio were observed in the buffaloes during summer as compared to winter in both exposed and control areas. The Cr, Ni, As and Pb levels showed highly significant (P&lt;0.01) positive correlation with plasma levels of glucose, total cholesterol, creatinine, ALT, AST, CK and GGT. Highly significant positive relationship (P&lt;0.01) was observed among plasma levels of glucose, total cholesterol, creatinine, BUN, ALT, AST, ALP, CK and GGT whereas, plasma BUN had highly significant (P&lt;0.01) negative correlation with plasma total protein and A:G ratio considering both the areas together. Plasma levels of total protein showed significant (P&lt;0.01) negative correlation with all other metabolic profile constituents of both control and heavy metal exposed areas. Thus it may be concluded that the metabolic disturbance in heavy metal exposed buffaloes may have been mediated by heavy metal pollution.&nbsp;</div>

​​Effect of Environmental Heavy Metal Pollution on Metabolic Profile of Buffaloes in Ludhiana

<div style="text-align: justify;">Global transcriptional profiling is a powerful tool that can expose expression patterns to define cellular states or to identify genes with similar expression patterns. In recent years, transcriptome profiling has been widely used to understand the genetic regulation of a particular cell type. Transcriptome is defined as a full range of messenger Ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecule expressed by an organism. In other words a transcriptome represents the small percentage of genetic code that is transcribed into RNA molecules. It can offer valuable information on the significant biological processes behind the maintenance of the functionality of the cell. Transcriptomics provides fundaments for more definitively designed studies and guidance to select the genes for functional studies. The technology for the study of the transcriptome is not dependent on any prior knowledge of the genes expressed in the cells. However, with regards to the administration and interpretation of the enormous data provided by transcriptome profiling challenges remain.. Four methods have been reviewed here that is, Microarray technology, Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE), RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing (MPSS). The use of these technologies to analyse the expressed transcripts in several prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes has revealed the high complexity of transcriptomes.</div>

Transcriptome profiling: methods and applications- A review &nbsp;

<div>Background: Postpartum fertility in dairy bovines is one of the important criteria of sustainable dairy industry and economy of farmers. The Kankrej, a dual purpose zebu cattle, is known for its endurance, but is slow breeder with very late maturity, prolonged postpartum anestrous/subestrous and thereby calving interval. These peculiarities necessitate scientists to adopt fixed time AI (FTAI) protocols of estrus synchronization for improving their reproductive efficiency. Hence this study was aimed to assess the fertility and plasma metabolic profile of normal and synchronized anestrous/ subestrous suckled Kankrej cows of an organized farm. 
 
Methods: The study involved 36 parturient Kankrej cows of the University Farm that were maintained under identical nutritional and managerial practices. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers from all the animals on the day of calving and then at 10 days interval till 90 days for plasma metabolic profile. Animals monitored by per rectal palpation 10 days apart around day 70-80 postpartum revealed 30 cows to be anestrous or subestrous, which were randomly allocated to five different estrus synchronization protocols at day 90-92, each with six cows and a group of six cows that exhibited estrus and were bred by day 70-90 served as normal control. The treatment protocols included Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and double PGF2&alpha; together with estimation of plasma metabolites on day 0, 7, 9/10 (AI) and then at 10 days interval up to day 40 post-AI.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The mean plasma total protein levels varied non-significantly, while total cholesterol and triglycerides varied significantly (p&lt;0.01) between intervals until 90 days postpartum in most of the groups with gradual increase in the mean values from the day of calving. The estrus synchronization protocols, however. did not alter the plasma profile of these constituents. The estrus induction response with Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2&alpha; treatment was 66.66, 83.33, 50.00, 66.66 and 66.66% and the conception rates at induced estrus 16.66, 33.33, 16.66, 50.00 and 50.00%, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rate at first cycle was 33.33%. The plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in conceived than non-conceived cows, particularly during early postpartum period and post-AI. It was concluded that CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2&alpha; protocols were better for estrus induction and conception rate in anestrous and subestrous suckled Kankrej cows, although they did not influence the plasma metabolic profile.</div>