<div><strong>Background:</strong> A limited number of studies in non-dairy sheep breeds have investigated the assessment of udder morphology on a linear scale. The aim of this study was to use the linear scoring approach to determine the morphological udder traits of non-dairy Norduz ewes.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Udder traits were measured once in mid-lactation (approximately 90 days) for each ewe before the milking. Udder measurements included the following traits: udder width, udder circumference, udder length, udder depth, teat diameter, teat length, the distance between two teats and teat height from the ground. Linear scoring was done after the udder measurements were taken.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Linear udder scores for teat placement, udder depth, the degree of separation of two halves and the degree of udder suspension were found as 4.10, 6.88, 3.15 and 7.54, respectively. Measurements related to udder size were positively and significantly correlated with each other. As a result, the 9-point linear scale utilized in this study was found to be appropriate for evaluating the udder shape of Norduz ewes. However, it would be beneficial to develop an uncomplicated, easy and practical linear scale that accurately evaluates udder morphology for non-dairy breeds.</div>


<p>Determination of Linear Udder Traits of Norduz Sheep</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>External skeletal fixator (ESF) has been recommended as biological method to stabilize open fracture as it does not involves the wound site, besides protecting adjacent soft tissue structures. Considering the advantages of ESF, this study was envisaged with an objective to study the outcome of open fractures of radius-ulna and tibia-fibula stabilized with linear ESF in dogs.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>This study included 17 dogs suffering from open long bone fractures of radius-ulna and tibia-fibula, divided into three groups; linear ESF type I or II (group I, n=8) and type III (group II, n=3). In group III (n=6), open fractures were initially treated using conservative methods i.e management of open wound till complete healing followed by delayed internal fixation using intramedullary pin or bone plating.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Majority of the open fractures of radius-ulna and tibia-fibula were transverse (64.71%), involving distal third diaphysis (47.06%) in heavy weight (54.55%), 1-3 year old (64.71%), non-descript (35.29%), male (88.23%) dogs due to automobile accidents (58.82%). Neutrophilic (81.47&plusmn;4.45%) leukocytosis (24610&plusmn;2461.88 per cumm) and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase were observed. <em>Staphylococcus</em> spp. was the common isolated bacteria sensitive to Gentamicin, Cefotaxime, Tobramycin, Amikacin and Neomycin. High per cent fractures (83.33%) in group III had acceptable functional outcome as compared to fractures treated with linear ESF (55.55%) in groups I and II. Osteomyelitis due to pin tract infections was the major complication (8/11; 72.7%) recorded in ESF groups (Group I and II) that lead to delayed and/or nonunion. Weight bearing score improved markedly after removal of the ESF frame. In conclusions, immediate fixation of the long bone fracture using linear ESF in the presence of open contaminated / infected wounds leads to unacceptable outcome. Poor animal compliance, pin tract discharge, osteomyelitis, delayed union and nonunion are major complications associated with linear ESF. Conservative management of the open fracture wound using standard treatment for 2-3 weeks till complete wound healing followed by internal fixation with intramedullary pin or bone plate is recommended for open long bone fractures in dogs.</div>


<div>Outcome of Open Long Bone Fractures in Dogs Stabilized with Linear External Skeletal Fixator</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> The linear type traits are the one of important tools for selection of milch cattle. The lifespan of cattle mostly depends on these linear type traits particularly feet and udder related traits. So it is necessary to measure the linear type traits and effect on longevity of Sahiwal cattle.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> The experiment was conducted on 86 Sahiwal cattle maintained in Bull mother experimental farm and government cattle breeding farm, Anjora, Durg (C.G.). The linear type traits in Sahiwal cattle were measured as per the recommendation of International committee for animal recording (ICAR).<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The different linear type traits were studied the average value of stature 125.39&plusmn;0.534, Chest width 27&plusmn;0.49, rump angle 12.75&plusmn;0.97, rump width 17.32&plusmn;0.29, rear leg set (side view) 146.03&deg;&plusmn;0.91, rear leg set (rear view) -3.74&plusmn;0.15, udder depth 18.97&plusmn;0.43, udder cleft 2.77&plusmn;0.95, rear udder height 24.06&plusmn;0.45, fore udder attachment 130.50&plusmn;1.75&deg; and front teat position 3.61&plusmn;0.13 cm. these linear type traits mainly affects the longevity and survivability of Sahiwal herds. The most of the traits were found to be intermediate type it leads to increase the longevity and fewer reproductive problems in the Sahiwal herds.</div>


<p>Effect of Linear Type Traits Influences on Survivability and Longevity of Sahiwal Cattle</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Total 40 pregnant bitches with known history of breeding; irrespective of age, parity belonging to different breeds were classified into normal gestation (NG) and threatened abortion (TA) and further divided into four groups (n=10) according to dam&rsquo;s body weight (Group I-NG, &gt;25kg BW; Group II- NG, &lt;25kg BW; Group III- TA, &gt;25kg BW and Group IV- TA&lt;25 kg BW). In impending abortion conventional treatment of antibiotics and progesterone was given for 7 days and 15/20 bitches parturited. The puppies were evaluated at birth, at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes after birth by using Apgar scoring System. The mean Apgar scores at birth, 30, 60 minutes were 7.33 &plusmn; 0.22, 9.19 &plusmn; 0.23, 10.55 &plusmn; 0.12; 6.53 &plusmn; 0.16, 9.26 &plusmn; 0.20, 10.88 &plusmn; 0.12; 6.28 &plusmn; 0.20, 7.88 &plusmn; 0.21, 9.35 &plusmn; 0.18 and 5.39 &plusmn; 0.15, 7.36 &plusmn; 0.21, 9.81 &plusmn; 0.19, respectively in group I, II, III and IV. The Apgar scores of the puppies at birth, 30 and 60 minutes were significantly higher in normal gestation than in threatened abortion irrespective of body weights. At birth 6.54, 86.27, 7.19 and 17.17, 82.83,0 per cent puppies from normal gestation and threatened abortion had low, medium and high Apgar scores, respectively. At 60 minutes, 0, 10.79, 89.21 and 0, 41.46, 58.54 per cent puppies had low, medium, high scores in normal gestation and threatened abortion, respectively.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Evaluation of Puppies by Apgar Scoring System in Normal Gestation and Threatened Abortion in Canines</div>

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Timely feeding of adequate colostrum to new born calf is important to ensure transfer of passive immunity to prevent several infections. Present study has evaluated effect of time and amount of colostrum feeding on physiological parameters and health scores in Surti buffalo calves.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Based on amount and time of feeding colostrum after birth, 24 Surti buffalo calves were divided into four groups as T<sub>1</sub> (7%; 0-4), T<sub>2</sub> (7%; 4-8), T<sub>3</sub> (10%; 0-4) and T<sub>4</sub> (10%; 4-8). Physiological parameters (twice daily upto day 5) and naval, nasal, eye and faecal scores on day 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 were recorded. Lying behavior was recorded on day 2.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Significant (p&lt;0.05) interaction between treatment and weeks and nonsignificant effect of treatment was observed. Calves that received colostrum late had significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher faecal score as well as evening heart and respiration rate. Calves that received colostrum early had significant (p&lt;0.05) higher lying time. Normal scores of naval, nasal, eye and faecal indicated good health of calves. It was concluded that early feeding of colostrum @ 7 or 10% body weight within 4 hours after birth is beneficial for optimum health in buffalo calves.</p>


<p>Effect of Time and Amount of Colostrum Feeding on Physiological Parameters and Health Scores in Surti Buffalo Calves</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Additive main and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis had been exploited for multi environment trials for most of the crops. Usage of the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), along with AMMI tools, of the genotypes would improve the estimation of interaction effects.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> AMMI based measures of adaptability have been enriched with the incorporation of BLUP of genotypes by new Superiority index that allowed variable weights for stability and yield of genotypes.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Stability measure weighted average of absolute scores (WAASB) based on all significant interaction principal components ranked suitability of KB1754, RD3000, NDB1445 genotypes. Superiority index while weighting 0.65 and 0.35 for mean yield and stability arranged DWRB201, NDB1445, RD2552 as of stable high yield performance of barley genotypes. Corrected measure Modified AMMI Stability Value (MASV1) found RD2552, DWRB201, KB1762 and Modified AMMI Stability Value (MASV) ranked DWRB201, RD2552, KB1762. ASTAB measure achieved the desirable lower values for DWRB201 DWRB207, HUB268 genotypes. Biplot graphical analysis based on 60.7% of variation of the stability measures observed MASV1, ASTAB (AMMI based stability parameter), EV(Averages of the squared eigenvector values), SIPC (Sums of the absolute value of the IPC scores), Za (Absolute value of the relative contribution of IPCs to the interaction), W3, WAASB and MASV had been clubbed together. For the second year lower value of WAASB measure had observed for RD3016, KB1815 HUB273. Ranking of genotypes as per Superiority index found RD3017, RD2907, HUB274 as of stable high yield performance. Genotypes RD3017, RD2907 and NDB1173 pointed out by MASV1 while RD3017, RD2907, NDB1173 identified by MASV as the genotypes of choice. RD3017 NDB1173, RD2907 genotypes were selected as per values of ASTAB measure. Total of 71.8% of variation of the considered measures in biplot analysis expressed larger cluster comprised of AMMI based measures and a separate cluster of Superiority indexes as per mean, Geometric Adaptability Index (GAI) and HMGV also observed.</div>


<p>​Best Linear Unbiased Prediction with Additive Main and Multiplicative Interaction for Stability Analysis of Barley Genotypes Evaluated in Coordinated Program</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Measurements of body conformation in sheep are of value in judging the quantitative characteristics of meat and also helpful in developing suitable selection criterion. Data &nbsp;on 349 Harnali sheep for body length (BL), body height (BH), heart girth (HG), paunch girth (PG), tail length (TL), head circumference (HC), ear length (EL), ear width (EW), face length (FL) and adult body weight (ABW) were analysed to study the relationship between linear body measurements and &nbsp;body weight. The mixed linear model with dam&rsquo;s weight at lambing as covariate was used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on body measurements and body weight. High estimates of heritability were obtained for BL, BH, HG, TL, HC, EL, EW, FL and ABW while moderate estimate was obtained for PG. The phenotypic correlations of BL, BH, HG, PG, HC and FL with ABW were positive and significant (0.32&plusmn;0.04 to 0.59&plusmn;0.08). The genetic correlations of HG, PG, HC and FL with ABW were 0.51&plusmn;0.13, 0.42&plusmn;0.19, 0.44&plusmn;0.13 and 0.43&plusmn;0.15, respectively. Various combinations of linear type traits to predict ABW were found to have coefficient of determination as high as 0.92. It is concluded that heart girth is the most important trait for estimation of live weight in sheep and the prediction equation is Body weight = -63.72 + 1.23 HG with R2 = 0.87.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Prediction of body weight from linear body measurements in sheep</div>

<div><strong>Background: </strong>Lactation curve patterns are currently integrated in dairy cow&rsquo;s management software. Lactation curve modeling is useful for monitoring individual yields for diet planning, determining optimum strategies for insemination and genetic evaluation. It also helps for predicting expected missing values on field records and gives concise summary of biological efficiency and persistency of dairy cows.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> The study was aimed to characterize the lactation curve pattern for crossbred dairy cattle using different non-linear models. During the period 1991 to 2018, daily milk yield (DMY) consisted of 281698 records of 750 crossbred dairy cows maintained at Livestock Farms. GADVASU, Ludhiana, were collected for the study. Different non-linear models <em>viz</em>. exponential decline function (EDF), parabolic exponential model (PEM), inverse polynomial model (IPM), gamma-type function (GTF), mixed log function (MLF) and Ali and Schaeffer model (ASF) were used for the analysis. The model(s) that best fit and describe the curve characteristics was selected on the basis of coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>), coefficient of variation (CV), Akaike information criterion (AIC)&nbsp;and mean square error (MSE).<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The study clearly revealed that the PRM gave highest fit to DMY data with R<sup>2</sup>, MSE, AIC and CV values of 98.10%, 0.087, -743.31 and 2.37%, respectively. The IPM had also best fitted the observed DMY data with highest R<sup>2 </sup>(98.05%), lower MSE (0.089), low AIC (-735.8972) and lower CV (2.40%) values. The fitting of observed DMY data with predicted DMY were also found to be higher in the MLF (R2= 96.46%, MSE= 0.159, AIC= -558.16 and CV= 3.21%) and GTF (R2= 95.85%, MSE= 0.190, AIC= -505.24 and CV= 3.50%), whilst the EDF and PEM Models depicted relatively low fit to the DMY data when compared with the other non-linear models. However, IPM and GTF models can be used for accurate prediction of daily milk yield in the crossbred cattle population because they were typical standard lactation curves.</div>


<div>Characterization of Lactation Curve Patterns using Non-linear Models in Crossbred Dairy Cattle</div>


<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background: </strong>Dystocia in cattle is a global problem which causes many health issues and economical losses in the beef cattle industry. However, to the greatest of our knowledge, use of pelvic areas and linear body measurements in South African Sussex heifers has not yet been reported on literature. Hence, the aim of this study was to use pelvic areas and linear body measurements in the selection of replacement Sussex heifers to reduce dystocia amongst heifers, while improving ease of calving.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred eighty-six first calf Sussex heifers 24 months old, weighing approximately 437 kg were used for this study. A number of six, two-year-old bulls, weighing approximately 800 kg were used for mating the 135 heifers during the first trial with a bull to cow ratio of (1:35; 1:35, 1;35 and 1:30). The second trial consisted of 51 heifers with a number two, two-year-old bulls respectively, with a bull to cow ratio of (1:30 and 1:21).<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> A significant correlation between calving eases score and calf gender, r = -0.35 was revealed. The chances of a heifer to experience dystocia were more when a male calf was born. Birth weight, revealed that higher the birth weight higher the probability of a heifer to experience dystocia. It can be concluded that pelvic measurements in Sussex heifers may be a valuable tool to reduce dystocia.</div>


<div style="text-align:justify">Using Pelvic Areas and Linear Body Measurements in the Selection for Reduced Dystocia Rates in Sussex Heifers</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Body condition score (BCS) system is a subjective method to assess the body fat reserves particularly over the bony prominences like back and pelvic region. It is based on evaluation of the outer appearance of the animal that interacts with its body fat reserves and therefore is directly influenced by energy balance. Studies on the relationship between BCS and postpartum performance were meager in buffaloes. Hence, the present work was carried out to study the relationship between BCS at calving and postpartum performance in Murrah buffaloes.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> The effect of body condition score at calving (BCSc) on the postpartum performance was studied in 24 Murrah buffaloes grouped based on BCS, maintained at Buffalo Research Station during 2018-19.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The study showed that buffaloes of BCSc above 3.5 with significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher body weights showed better reproductive performance compared to buffaloes of BCSc groups below 3.5 with less body weights. The prepartum and weekly postpartum changes in BCS studied showed that the buffaloes gained a BCS of 0.57 from 3 months prepartum to one week prepartum, lost 0.17 BCS due to calving, further showed a decline in BCS up to 9 weeks of postpartum and then started regaining BCS gradually until 18 weeks postpartum. The mean LBCS over the period of 18 weeks postpartum was comparatively higher (0.75&plusmn;0.05) than BCS restored in the early lactation which was shown as GBCS (0.34&plusmn;0.02). Buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5-3.99 showed the best reproduction performance among the four BCSc groups with less postpartum estrus period (46.66 days), service period (58.83 days), number of service per conception (1.50) and high rate of 1st service conception (66.66%).&nbsp;</div>
