<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>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>

Monitoring Plasma Metabolic Profile, Fertility in Normal and Estrus Synchronized Suckled Kankrej Cows

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Oxidative stress is a unified concept for the assessment of metabolic status of buffaloes affected by a cocktail of heavy metal exposure from environment and it may significantly affect the metabolic profile and milk production during summer season. &nbsp;The present study aimed at evaluation of effect of probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026) and amla powder (Embilica officinalis) supplementation on levels of heavy metals, antioxidant status, oxidative stress in lymphocytes, metabolic profile and milk production of summer stressed buffaloes exposed to environmental heavy metal pollution. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Methods: Twenty summer stressed lactating Murrah buffaloes of the same age group, close parity and in early lactation from the heavy metal exposed area were divided into two groups: Control (without supplementation) and Treatment group (supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026) @ 50 billion live cells / animal /day and Amla powder @ 86 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. Blood and milk samples were collected from both the groups on the day of starting of supplementation (i.e. day 0) and on there after days 15 and 30 and analyzed for antioxidant status, metabolic profile, milk yield and quality. 
 
Result: Oral supplementation of probiotic and amla powder for 30 days improved the antioxidant status, metabolic profile and milk production of summer stressed buffaloes residing in heavy metal exposed area. The percentage monetary gains from buffaloes fed probiotic and amla powder was 13.68% more as compared to control.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Effect of Probiotic and Amla Powder Supplementation on Metabolic Profile and Milk Production of Summer Stressed Buffaloes Residing in Heavy Metal Polluted Areas of Ludhiana</div>

<div>Background: Lactating animals tend to lose body tissue reserves in support of lactation and move into a negative energy balance that leads to a higher incidence of metabolic disorders and compromised productive performance. Despite several efforts to assess the influence of parity on BCS and metabolic profiles in postpartum buffaloes, systematic information is less. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of parity on metabolic profile and changes in BCS in postpartum Surti buffaloes. 
 
Methods: In the present study conducted from September-2017 to May-2018, fourteen postpartum Surti buffaloes were selected and grouped based on parity as primiparous and multiparous (2nd to 5th lactation). The blood sample was collected from all the selected animals on the day of calving, 15th, 30th and 60th day post calving. Serum biochemical parameters viz., glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol and Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were analysed. The body condition score (BCS) was assessed from the day of calving up to 60th day of the study at 15-day interval. 
 
Result: The study revealed that the BCS was significantly higher in multiparous buffaloes as compared to primiparous group. Among biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly higher in primiparous group as compared to their multiparous counterparts. Parity did not have a significant influence on serum total protein, BUN, cholesterol and NEFA. However, NEFA was slightly higher in multiparous group of Surti buffaloes. High NEFA and low serum glucose indicated a greater degree of negative energy balance in multiparous buffaloes due to higher milk output.&nbsp;</div>

Body Condition Scoring and Serum Metabolic Profiles vis-a-vis Parity in Postpartum Surti Buffaloes

<div>Background: Zobawng is a local non-descript cattle of Mizoram, a hilly state of North-east India.Current study was carried out to investigate the haemato-biochemical profile of Zobawng cattle with the purpose of analyzing the physiological variations under the influence of different lactation stages in terms of determining possible biomarkers to monitor the energy balance and the metabolic adequacy during lactation. 
 
Methods: Eighteen clinically healthy lactating Zobawng cattle were categorized into three groups based on the length of their lactation: group-I (early stage), group-II (mid stage) and group-III (late stage). Haematological analysis was carried by automated blood&nbsp; analyzer&nbsp; (Melet Schlosing4e, France); whereas, metabolic parameters were evaluated by using automated clinical chemistry analyzer (Fuji Dry Chem 4000i, Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan). 
 
Result: Haematological parameters varied non-significantly amongst the three groups of animals. The value of packed cell volume (PCV), RBC count and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration were found to be lowest during early stage of lactation. Other&nbsp; parameters viz. total leucocyte count (TLC), differential leucocyte count (DLC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and platelet count were within the normal limits. Similarly, metabolic parameters also differed apparently, but the differences were statistically non significant amongst the groups. The glucose level was recorded to be the lowest in the early stage of lactation; whereas, protein and creatinine concentrations were slightly higher in this stage. No significant alteration in the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was noticed amongst the three groups of cattle. Data generated during the study may be useful as reference values for the scientific community as this is the first study of its kind in Zobawng cattle.</div>

Effect of Lactation on Haematological and Metabolic Profile in Zobawng Cattle

<div>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of direct fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on growth performance, metabolic profile and mortality rate of newborn lambs at different weaning ages. Five days old sixty Najdi male lambs (5.40 &plusmn; 0.10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (15 lambs each): lambs received either no DFM and weaned at 60 days of age (control) or oral dose of DFM (5 ml) at 5, 10 and 15 days old, and weaned at 30 (DFM30), 45 (DFM45) or 60 (DFM60) days old, respectively. Final body weight was higher (P=0.05) and tended to be higher (P=0.09) in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs, respectively whereas body weight gain was higher (P=0.01) in DFM45 and DFM60 lambs. The mortality rate was declined from 33.3s% to 6.67% in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs compared to control ones. Serum cortisol and creatinine levels tended to be reduced (P=0.07 and 0.11, respectively) in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs. The serum total cholesterol was highest (P=0.02) in DFM60 lambs and lowest in both DFM45 and control lambs. Similarly, the DFM30 and DFM45 lambs showed a declined serum triglyceride compared with control and DFM60 lambs (P=0.02). Serum phosphorus declined (P=0.04) in DFM30 treated lambs while serum zinc and copper levels decreased (P=0.02 and 0.05, respectively) in all treatments compared to control lambs. These results indicated that DFM supplementation may enhance the growth and health of early weaned lambs.</div>

<div>Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on growth performance and metabolic profile of newborn lambs weaned at different ages</div>

<div>Background: This study hypothesizes that specific environmental conditions-particularly moisture and nutrient levels significantly influence the production of aflatoxins in Aspergillus niger isolated from paddy crops. Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites with serious implications for food safety, especially in improperly stored grains. Understanding the metabolic responses of A. niger under such stress conditions is essential for designing effective storage and post-harvest management strategies. 
 
Methods: The dominant fungal strain, designated as Monika AN-03, was isolated from infected rice grains collected from local storage warehouses. The strain was identified at the species level as Aspergillus niger through 18S rRNA gene sequencing and the sequence was submitted to NCBI under accession number OR083359. Morphological characteristics of the strain were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to confirm conidial structure. To analyze the metabolic profile, the strain was cultured under nutrient-rich conditions and metabolite extraction was carried out. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to detect and quantify secondary metabolites, particularly aflatoxins. 
 
Result: The LC-MS analysis revealed distinct peaks corresponding to aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, confirming the ability of A. niger strain AN-03 to produce mycotoxins under conducive environmental conditions. These findings highlight the strain&rsquo;s pathogenic potential and raise concerns about fungal contamination in storage environments. The data suggest that environmental stressors can activate specific metabolic pathways responsible for toxin biosynthesis, underlining the necessity for effective monitoring and environmentally sustainable control strategies in post-harvest grain management.</div>

LC-MS Profiling for Studying the Impact of Environmental Factors on Fungal Pathogen Metabolism in Paddy Fields

<div>Background: Dry root rot (DRR) caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola is the major threat to chickpea production globally. Recently, upsurge in disease incidence is observed due to unexpected increase in temperature and soil moisture stress resultant of changing climatic scenarios. To combat this necrotrophic phytopathogenic fungus, the present study was conducted with the aim of managing the disease by using potential rhizospheric PGPMs.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Twenty-six isolates of soil-borne fungal PGPMs were isolated from rhizosphere of chickpea in North Eastern Karnataka zone and screened for bio-active compounds production against Rhizoctonia bataticola by inverted plate technique. Using ITS genes BLAST analysis, the putative rhizospheric fungal PGPM was identified at the molecular level. Finally, chemical characterization of the bio-active compounds and metabolic profiling was carried out using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. 
 
Result:&nbsp;All the isolates showed significant differences in radial growth of mycelium at five days after incubation. SFPGPM-13 isolate produced maximum concentration of bio-active compounds with per cent mycelial inhibition of 62.83 (52.43). Molecular identification and BLAST analysis showed the isolate SFPGPM-13 was identified as Trichoderma harzianum. GC-MS analysis resulted that 62 compounds were present in the extract of SFPGPM-13 at different retention time and mass to charge (m/z) ratio.</div>

Metabolic Profiling of Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms (PGPMs) from Chickpea Rhizosphere and Their Antagonistic Activity against Dry Root Rot Pathogen Rhizoctonia bataticola

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding on biochemical parameters in terms of metabolic profile in female and male lambs of Dorper and Lacaune breeds at the developmental stages from birth. 
 
Methods: A total of 32 singleton newborn Dorper and Lacaune breed lambs (n= 8 for each group; male and female) were used. The trial was continued total of 5 nutritional periods each of 21-day after the first two weeks (0-14 days) suckling period. The biochemical parameters determined were paraoxonase 1 (PON1), ischemia modified albumin (IMA), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), aspartat amino transferase (AST), alanin amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). 
 
Result: PON1 activity of all lambs was found to be low during the suckling period (P&le;0.001). The highest IMA value was reached in against to the decrease in TP and ALP levels during the weaning period (P&le;0.001). There was no difference between the groups in terms of PON1, TP, ALB and ALP. Increases were observed in the AST, ALT, IMA and MDA levels of male Dorpers. (P&le;0.05). It was concluded that adaptation periods to solid feeds may cause oxidative damage or variable metabolic activity in male Dorpers.

The Effects of Pre-weaning and Post-weaning Feeding Periods on Biochemical Parameters in Terms of Metabolic Profile in Dorper and Lacaune Lambs

Eighteen multiparous periparturient Hariana cows (Bos indicus) (3-4 parity) in last month of their pregnancy were blocked into three groups (n=6) and fed for 30 days pre-partum to 30 days post-partum. The objective was to determine the effects of manipulating dietary cations and anions on hemato-biochemical profile, mineral metabolism and performance of cows. Nutrient requirements of cows were met by feeding concentrate and roughage. Varying levels of salt supplementation were used to formulate mineral mixture having DCAD of +11, +21 and +31 meq (Na+K - Cl+S) / 100 g of feed dry matter. Feeding DCAD of +11, +21 and +31 mEq/100 g of DM did not have any effect (P&gt;0.05) on feed intake and body weight change during periparturient period. Blood calcium level was higher for the lowest DCAD (+11 meq/100 g of DM), suggesting that low DACD helps in mobilization of stored calcium in periparturient cows. pH of blood and urine increased curvilinearly with increasing DCAD and found maximum in +31 meq/100 g of DM DCAD fed group. Feeding of three different DCAD diets did not (P&gt;0.05) have any effect on reproductive performance but milk yield was found significantly higher&nbsp;

Influence of dietary cation-anionic difference on hematobio chemical profile, mineral metabolism, post-partum reproductive and productive performance of Hariana cows