<div style="text-align: justify;">Taking into account that punicalagin (PUN) is a very powerful antioxidant; the current study evaluated the potential positive effects of oral PUN on spermatologic parameters of male New Zealand White rabbits. A total of 24 male bucks was housed individually and trained for semen collection. After the training for 2 wk, rabbits were assigned into 4 groups and received daily gavages of 0, 1, 2, and 10 mg/kg PUN in tap water for 9 wk. Semen was collected weekly from each rabbit and samples at d 1 and 63 of the experiment were analyzed separately. Initial values (ejaculate volume, ejaculate weight, ejaculate pH, sperm concentration, percent progressive motility, and seminal plasma protein levels) tested at d 1 were similar among the groups. &nbsp;There were also no differences in ejaculate volume, ejaculate weight, ejaculate pH and seminal plasma protein concentrations at the end of the experiment. Libido and reproductive organ weights were not affected by the treatments.However, sperm concentrations (P&lt;0.01) and percent progressive motility (P&lt;0.04) were significantly improved for bucks in 2 and 10 mg/kg PUN groups. Thus, the current study suggested that as low as 2 mg/kg/day PUN can be beneficial for spermatogenesis and motility in male rabbits.</div>

Punicalagin is beneficial for spermatogenesis in male New Zealand White rabbits

Information on culling pattern of animals helps in developing effective breeding plans for genetic improvement of the herd. Data on 292 reserved KF males out of 1740 male calves born, spread over a period of sixteen years from 1997 to 2012, were collected based on pedigree performance. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics considering the period of birth, season of birth, genetic group and age group. Study revealed increase in culling percentage with advancement in age. Culling in KF males for the different periods (1997-2000, P-1; 2001-2004, P-2; 2005-2008, P-3 and 2009-2012, P-4) were 75.93, 92.16, 64.44 and 28.26 percent, respectively. Maximum culling &nbsp;was observed in males born in summer season (76.12%) which could be due to inclement weather conditions exposure in young age and insufficient quality green leguminous fodder in subsequent months. Generally, upto the age of 3 years, culling in KF males were maximum in interbred and minimum in F1 but with advancing age, culling rate was found higher in F1 genetic group KF males where reproductive problems were the main causes. High culling rate in &lt;1.5 yrs age groups was observed due to poor growth (3.42%) while in adult bulls of above 1.5yrs of age, main reasons of culling was surplus (33.22%) followed by poor semen quality (10.27%), poor libido (7.53%), and poor semen freezability (4.45%). It can be concluded that culling pattern study can help in formulation of better management strategy to reduce the problems associated with culling and better economic return for the farm.&nbsp;

Culling pattern of Karan Fries (crossbred) males in an organised herd

Urolithiasis was diagnosed by clinical and radiographic examination in a 2.5 year old male cat. Under general anesthesia routine laparotomy procedure was applied. Urine was taken out from the filled bladder and vesicotomy was performed. Crystalloid structures (uroliths) found in the bladder and urethra was removed. Urinary system antiseptic and antibiotics were administered during the postoperative period. Owner of the patient was informed about a proper feeding in order to avoid relapse. As a result, the diet of the castrated male cats requires special attention in order to avoid calculi formation. Low-protein foods which prevent crystallization in urinary tract must be preferred. Urine pH should occasionally be checked and water consumption should be encouraged by providing a source of fresh water.

A urolithiasis case related to nutritional disorders in a male cat

<div>Background: An integrated crop with male buffalo calves farming system consists of a range of resource-saving practices that aim to achieve high acceptable profits and sustained production levels, while minimizing the negative effects of farming. The farmers earn good income by rearing these calves up to a suitable age and then sell them to meat industry, utilize the dung and urine as manure and fodder wastages used as feeding for male buffalo calves.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Coimbatore, Theni and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu State were purposively selected for the present study. From each of the selected districts, 20 male buffalo calves rearer were selected randomly, covering a total of 60 male buffalo calves farmers. The collected data were analyzed, by using multiple linear regression function and study the relationship between net return per animal.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The five variables viz., sale price of animal, total variable cost, herd size, deworming practices and purchase age of animals were found to be significantly associated with net return per animal in male buffalo calves farming. The coefficient of this variable shows that for every one per cent increase in herd size, there will be 88.611 per cent increase in net return.</div>

​Multiple Linear Regression Analysis for Factors Influencing Net Return Per Animal in Male Buffalo Calves Farming

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: Chemical castration is one of the methods of non surgical contraception which has been suggested as a fast and low cost alternative to control a wide range of canine population. 
 
Methods: The potency of intra-testicular 20% calcium chloride solution was tested in 12 fertile, healthy and stray adult male dogs. Dogs were divided randomly into two groups, consisting six animals in each. The animals of group-I were administered intra-testicular 1.0 ml of 20% calcium chloride solution. Bilateral intra-testicular injection was performed using 21 gauge needle directed from the caudo-ventral aspect of each testis approximately 1 cm from the cauda epididymis and towards the dorso-cranial aspect of testis as per the procedure adopted by Jana and Samanta (2007). In group-II, 1.0 ml of normal saline was injected intra-testicular as placebo. Its efficacy was assessed by testicular morphometry, scrotal circumference (on day 0, 7, 15 and 30), histo-morphology (on day 0 and 30) and serum testosterone assay (on day 0, 15 and 30 of treatment). 
 
Result: The testicular morphometry of both the testicles was found to be increased size of testes significantly on day 7 in the treatment group as compared to day 0 and then decreased gradually and significantly on day 15 and 30. Histo-morphological study revealed significant changes including complete derangement of seminiferous tubules on day 30 post-treatment. Out of six animals the testes of four animals represented complete destruction of outline of seminiferous tubules. The germinal epithelium and Leydig cells were degenerated and parenchyma was replaced by fibro-collagenous tissue which was evident by the presence of numerous fibrocytes and fibroblast. There was no evidence of mature germ cells in section of both the testes. In some areas small blood capillaries were observed which may indicate neo-vascularisation. Discrete inflammatory infiltration of leucocytes was also observed in the parenchyma. Decrease in serum testosterone level after the end of study, i.e., day 30 indicated degeneration of Leydig cells. It can be concluded that 20% calcium chloride solution has a potential for testicular degeneration and thus sterilization of male dogs.</div>

<div>Sterilization of Male Dogs by Intra-testicular Administration of Calcium Chloride Solution</div>

Background: Contemporary agricultural vocational education faces challenges from accelerated technological progress, changing market requirements and disconnection between academic content and industry demands. This investigation aimed to evaluate agricultural competency development requirements among students at Narathiwat College of Agriculture and Technology using Priority Needs Index methodology and examine these requirements across various academic levels. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A quantitative research design was employed involving all 274 students from Narathiwat College of Agriculture and Technology. Data collection utilized a dual-response questionnaire measuring existing versus desired competency levels across 11 specialized areas within four primary domains. The Modified Priority Needs Index (PNI) was applied using the formula PNI = (I - D)/D, where I represents desired competency and D represents current competency. One-way ANOVA examined differences across educational levels. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Significant disparities existed between students&rsquo; moderate existing competencies and their high aspirational levels. Creativity and Innovation emerged as the highest priority development area (PNI=0.776), followed by Quality and Production Standards (PNI=0.517), Management and Planning (PNI=0.502) and Information Technology (PNI=0.443). Packaging development and branding capabilities ranked highest (PNI=0.923), followed by Smart Farm deployment competencies (PNI=0.893). First-year Vocational Certificate students demonstrated significantly higher development requirements in Quality and Production Standards and Information Technology compared to advanced students. Third-year Vocational Certificate students showed greater needs in Creativity and Innovation than second-year Higher Vocational Certificate students. Future curriculum enhancement should prioritize packaging development and Smart Farm deployment while adapting instructional approaches for different academic levels and establishing agricultural enterprise partnerships.

Core Competency Assessment among Vocational Stream Agricultural Students in Thailand

<div style="text-align: justify;">The objective of the study was to determine the effect of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in growing male buffaloes in terms of feed intake, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty six bovine growing male buffaloes between 6 months to 12 months of age were divided into four groups to receive diet having no AFB1, 0.6mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg AFB1 of feed per animal per day for 28 days. The results indicate that the average daily feed intake of AFB1-treated growing male buffaloes significantly declined (P &lt; 0.05) compared with the control. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine were significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) in response to AFB1, However change in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels was non-significant values of all hematological parameters decreased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) in1.0mg/kg AFB1 group as compared to other groups after day 14 onward.</div>

Effect of dietary aflatoxins (AFB1) on hematological and biochemical indices of male buffaloes

Background: The present study was designed to assess career preferences, entrepreneurial orientation and constraints in pursuing a career in entrepreneurship among final year female undergraduate students of agriculture. 
 
Methods: The descriptive research survey was used to collect all the required information from the students required for the present study. The statistical measures such as Percentages, Weighted Mean Scores, Correlation coefficients, Means, Standard Errors and procedures such as Mann-Whitney U test and Multiple Linear Regression analysis were employed to analyse the data collected. The Entrepreneurial Behavioural Index (EBI) was constructed based on self-confidence and risk-taking ability of students. The constraints were analysed through Garett&rsquo;s ranking technique. 
 
Result: The present study revealed that most of the final year female agricultural students were from urban background (58%), nuclear families (87%) with below 5 members (89%), education score in the range of 2-4 and with annual family income in the range of 2-4 lakh rupees. Majority of the students were inclined to pursue post-graduate education. The students from urban background had significantly higher family education score and income. It was found that the Food Safety Officer followed by the Agricultural Officer were the most preferred careers. The job security followed by intrinsic interest in work and job satisfaction were the most deciding factors for career preferences. The present study showed that the students were high in self-confidence (0.80&plusmn;0.01) and medium in terms of risk-taking ability (0.69&plusmn;0.01) and Entrepreneurial Behavioural Index (0.73&plusmn;0.01). The self-confidence, risk-taking ability and EBI improve with increase in number of family members and they decrease with increase in family education score. The intrinsic constraints such as fear of loan followed by insecure income, excessively irregular working hours and lack of suitable attitude for entrepreneurship were the four major constraints perceived by the students in opting for a career in entrepreneurship.

Career Preferences and Entrepreneurial Orientation among Undergraduate Female Agricultural Students&nbsp;

<div style="text-align: justify;">Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) is one of the most uncontrolled spreading tumor via mating between dogs observed in both sexes. The clinical findings are less remarkable and are usually located in the caudal part of the penis and may include preputial discharge, licking of the region, dysuria, phimosis or paraphimosis (occasionally). In this study, the incidence of TVT and the relations of tumor with some factors were investigated in 145 male dogs, in Eski&ordm;ehir, Turkey. TVT&rsquo;s diagnosis was based on location of the tumor mass and mainly exfoliative cytological findings. Smears of caudal part of the penis were painted with Giemsa staining method. The cells in the smears were identified as typical transmissible venereal tumor cells, polymorphnuclear leukocytes (PMN), erythrocyte, parabasal, intermediate, nucleated and anuclear superficial cells. In exfoliative cytological examinations, TVT cells were observed in the smears of 17 dogs (11,72 %), but only four of them (2,76 %) had TVT lesions clinically. Thirteen (8,97 %) of dogs had TVT cells but not having TVT lesions . It was found that the ages, weights and breeds of dogs had no effect on the TVT lesions and TVT cells. TVT positive animals were determined to have more erythrocyte and intermediate density than negatives and no association with other cells were found. PMNs were significantly different and high in the TVT cell positive cases compared to the negatives. In dogs with negative TVT cells, parabasal, intermediate, nuclear/anuclear superficial cells were more than those positives. As a result, the male dogs having no lesions could be infected with TVT. Dogs should be examined not only clinically, but also cytologically, to determine whether TVT cells are present. This method can be an easy way to find and treat TVT lesion-free but infected dogs at an early time.</div>