<div><strong>Background:</strong> 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;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> 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<sup>(R) </sup>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 (E<sub>2</sub>), progesterone (P<sub>4</sub>) and cortisol. The puerperal events and fertility parameters were recorded till 10 months postpartum.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The fortnightly plasma P<sub>4</sub> concentration decreased, while E<sub>2</sub>, PGFM and cortisol increased gradually and significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 30 days prepartum to day of calving and thereafter P<sub>4</sub>, E<sub>2</sub> 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 E<sub>2</sub> and PGFM, with higher values of E<sub>2</sub> 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>


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


<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant Jaffarabadi buffaloes (n=40) of 2-4 parity selected on an organized farm were divided equally into control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 150-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 6 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and PGF2a metabolites on days -45, -30, -7, 0, +7, +15, +30, +45 and +60 peripartum as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. Half of the buffaloes in both the groups also received parenteral microminerals (Inj. Stimvet 5 ml i/m) twice, 45 days before and on the day of calving. Again half of them were treated with ecbolic (Exapar) 2 boli bid for first 4 days postpartum. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;4 ng/ml) on day 45 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 7 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 15, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 7 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 45 and 60 postpartum. The levels of cortisol were significantly higher on the day of parturition as compared to values on day 7 pre- and post-partum. The plasma concentration of PGFM was low on day 45 prepartum, which increased gradually and significantly by almost 10-folds to reach peak values on the day of calving in both control and treatment groups and then declined gradually and significantly till day 45 postpartum. The rise was little more in nutrients supplemented group with higher mean values at most intervals peripartum than in control group. The periods for uterine involution, first postpartum estrus, and days open were significantly shorter with higher conception rate in nutrient supplemented group. It is concluded that the peripartum nutrient supplementation in Jaffarabadi buffaloes is beneficial and has positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma progesterone and PGFM profile.</div>

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant healthy HF crossbred cows (n=20) of 2-4 parity were equally divided in to control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 100-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 2 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and metabolites on days -14, -3, 0, +3, +14, +28 and +42 as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;6 ng/ml) on day 14 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 3 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 14, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 28 and 42 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 3 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 35 postpartum. However, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in either of the hormones, except on day 42 postpartum. The levels of cortisol and PGF2 a Metabolites (PGFM) were 3-8 times higher on the day of parturition as compared to values at day 14 pre- and postpartum, and declined further till day 42 postpartum reaching to prepartum levels. The plasma cholesterol gradually decreased as parturition approached and increased in postpartum days to reach the highest value (p&lt;0.01) at day 42. The nutrients supplemented cows had significantly (p&lt;0.01) higher plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol values than the control cows around parturition. However, no such variation was noted in plasma protein profile. The period of uterine involution in control and supplemented groups was identical (31.97&plusmn;1.82 and 30.27&plusmn;1.41 days), yet the cows in treatment group resumed estrous cycle earlier (38.00&plusmn;1.95 vs 42.32&plusmn;4.14 days, p&lt;0.05) and had shorter service period (85.22&plusmn;7.17 vs 100.67&plusmn;5.60 days) with improved pregnancy rate (80 vs 60 %) as compared to those in control group. Thus, the peripartum nutrient supplementation in crossbred cows was beneficial and had positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol profile.</div>

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows&nbsp;

<div><strong>Background: </strong>The effect of a phyto-supplement (PS) composed of <em>Aerva lanata, Piper betle, Cynodon dactylon </em>and<em> Piper nigrum </em>on carcass characteristics was evaluated in commercial broiler chicken.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 192 day-old commercial broiler chicks were allocated to the four experimental groups and each group was separated into 6 replicates, with 8 birds per replicate. The dietary treatment groups were the positive control (basal diet + antibiotic, chlortetracycline @355g/ metric ton of feed), negative control (0% PS: basal diet only), 1% PS (basal diet +1% PS) and 2% PS (basal diet +2%PS). The trial lasted for 42 days (0 to 42&nbsp;D of age).&nbsp;The carcass characteristics were recorded for two birds from each replicate at the end of the trial.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The broilers fed chlortetracycline and 1% PS recorded the highest (<em>P</em>=0.0205) and those fed only basal diet (negative control) recorded the lowest dressing percentage. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 1 and 2% PS exhibited higher (<em>P</em>&lt;0.0001) weight and relative weight of lung than other treatments. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 1 and 2% PS exhibited lower weight&nbsp;(<em>P</em>=0.0032) and relative weight (<em>P</em>=0.0002) of liver when compared with the antibiotic treatment. Feeding 1% PS increased the relative weight of heart quadratically (<em>P</em>=0.044) while 2% PS reduced the weight of heart. Broilers on negative control diet recorded the highest weight (<em>P</em>=0.0002) and relative weight (<em>P</em>&lt;0.0001) of kidney.</div>


<p>Effect of Dietary Supplementation of a Phyto-supplement on Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Mineral deficiencies are considered to be one of the nutritional constraints to sheep performance. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of <em>bole</em> soil on feed intake, live weight change and carcass characteristics of Arsi-Bale sheep fed natural grass hay and concentrate supplement and its cost-benefit analysis of <em>bole </em>soil supplementation.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Total DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF intake and ADL were higher (p&lt;0.0001) for T3 than for T1, T2 and T4. Final weight, body weight change, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency were greater (p&lt;0.0001) for T3 and T2 than for T1 and T4. There were no differences (p&gt;0.05) between T3 and T2 whereas T4 was greater than T1 in these variables. Slaughter weight (SW) was heavier (p&lt;0.0001) for treatment two and treatment three than for treatment four and treatment one, hot carcass weight, foreleg weight and dressing percentage on empty body weight basis were greater (p&lt;0.0001) for T3 and T2 than for T1and T4.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Conclusion:</strong> Bole soil supplementation had potentially highest effect on feed intake, live weight change and carcass characteristics of Arsi-Bale sheep than non-supplemented groups. The present study also revealed that supplementation of minerals improved the total weight gain of sheep over the control treatment.</div>


<div>The Role of <em>Bole</em> (Lake Soil) as a Mineral Supplement to Arsi-Bale Sheep Fed Natural Grass Hay and Concentrate Supplement</div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">The study investigated the effect of supplementation of Vitamin E, Zn and Cr on growth performance and hematological characteristics of broiler chickens. The 240 day old Cobb 400 chicks were randomly distributed in eight groups consisting of 30 chicks in each. These chicks were kept on deep litter houses comprising of wood shavings. The supplementation of Vitamin E, zinc and chromium either individually or in combination improved the feed conversion ratio and body weight gain in broiler chicks. The body weight of broiler chickens at different age from day old to the 6th week were significantly different among treatments. The highest body weight was recorded in T8 groups. Heamoglobin, red blood corpuscles and white blood cells levels increased whereas heterophil: lymphocyte ratio statistically decreased with vitamin E, zinc or chromium supplemented groups either individually or in combinations.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E, zinc, and chromium supplementation on growth performance and hematological characteristics of broiler chickens&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study was aimed to determine the effect of a specially formulated mineral supplement in shaping the humoral immune response of dog pups in response to anti-rabies vaccination. Mineral supplement was formulated based on plasma analyzed for macro and micro minerals randomly collected from 226 dogs. Twelve mongrel/non-descript dog pups (3 &ndash; 6 months) randomly allocated into two groups (n=6) were tested for stimulation of humoral immune system by assessing the antibody titre against rabies vaccine using Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT) and in vivo Mouse Neutralization Test (MNT) for antibody detection post supplementation of formulated mineral supplement upto 28 days. Early and higher antibody titre (&gt;1:4096) was recorded on day seven itself in the group of dog pups fed with formulated mineral supplemented as compared to non-supplemented group. Present study indicated that mineral supplementation prior to the anti-rabies vaccination may elicit quick and high level of protective antibodies. The findings may also be important in the event of post bite immunization, in combination with this mineral supplementation for quick protective antibody response.</div>

Effect of mineral supplementation on humoral immunity against rabies vaccine in dog pups

<div style="text-align: justify;">This study was undertaken to assess the performance of Madras Red sheep fed concentrate feed at different physiological stages such as prior to breeding (14 days), late gestation (last 42 days) and early lactation (first 60 days) &nbsp;and compounded feed for growing lambs up to 120 days of age. The study was conducted at Postgraduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam, Tamil Nadu. In this, sixty ewes were selected in the age group of 3 to 5 years and divided into three groups with twenty in each group. The first group was allowed for grazing for seven hours daily from 9.00 A.M to 4.00 P.M and served as control group (G1).The second and third group (G2 and G3) of animals were supplemented with concentrate feed @ 10% and 20% of their daily dry matter requirement, respectively. The result indicates that the supplementation of concentrate feed to sheep significantly (p&lt;0.05) improved the production and reproduction performance of sheep in terms of body weight gain during late pregnancy and early lactation, conception rate, lambing percentage, birth weight and ADG of lambs in group (G3) when compared to concentrate feed supplementation @ 10 % of dry matter requirement (G2) or non-supplemented groups (G1). It is concluded that the net profit available per ewe was more in G3 followed by G 2 and G1 groups.</div>

Effect of concentrate feed supplementation during different physiological stages in Madras Red Sheep

<p style="text-align: justify;">A total sixteen female Black Bengal goats (BBG) considering average live weight were randomly divided into four equal treatments to study the effect of different level of concentrates supplementation on production and reproduction performance of BBG. The animals were assigned to adlibitum green grass and supplemented with different levels of concentrates at 150, 200, 250 and 300 g respectively. Live weight gain, Dry matter (DM) intake, Crude protein (CP) intake were increased significantly (p&lt;0.01) with concentrate supplementation. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein conversion ratio (PCR) were not significant on level of concentrate. The value of services per conception, birth weight of kids and growth rate of kids showed a positive effect on level of concentrate supplementation but not significant. Average daily milk yield of doe were increased significantly (p&lt;0.01). Supplementation of concentrate mixture with 300 gm could be beneficial for BBG in Bangladesh condition.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


<p>Influence of concentrate supplementation on production and reproduction performance of female Black Bengal goat</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Bio potency of trace elements is very important in animal growth and reproduction. Among the trace minerals, zinc is very important as it is required for many normal physiological functions. It also plays an essential role in testicular steroidogenesis androgen metabolism and interaction with steroid receptors. Testes have a strict zinc requirement and severe zinc deficiency compromises spermatogenesis, sperm viability, motility and fertility in human beings. Zinc depletion studies in mice resulted in oligospermia with poor Leydig cell function and lowered testosterone concentration and was reversed by zinc supplementation. But, relatively few studies have been conducted on male animal responses to supplementation of important mineral like zinc at their critical phase of growth and reproduction. The present investigation was taken up to study the effect of zinc supplementation in two different doses with a view to assess its implication in testicular and epididymal sperm morphology during growth period in Wistar rats.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The study was conducted in 72 weaned Wistar male rats for a period of 8 weeks from 4 to 12 weeks of age, which were procured from Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, CSIR Laboratory, Jammu. The experimental rats were divided in to three groups as control: rats fed diet without zinc supplementation, T1 (treatment 1): rats fed diet containing zinc sulphate @ 50 mg/kg body weight/day and T2 (treatment 2): rats fed diet containing zinc sulphate @ 100 mg/kg body weight/day. They were provided standard pelleted ration and clean drinking water <em>ad libitum</em> and maintained under standard managemental conditions. On 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of experiment, the rats were sacrificed after induction of proper anaesthesia. The reproductive organs (testes and epididymidis) were collected from each rat and tissue pieces from testes and three parts of the epididymis<em> viz</em>. caput, corpus and cauda, were fixed separately in 10 per cent Neutral Buffered Formalin solution and processed for paraffin sections by alcohol- xylene method. Sections 5 &mu; thickness was stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (Luna, 1968) for histological studies.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Elongated spermatids were seen in the seminiferous epithelium only in treatment (T1 and T2) groups at 6 weeks of age, not in the control rats. At 8 weeks of age, maximum number of spermatozoa were seen in the seminiferous tubular lumen in the T1 group as compared to T2 treatment group. At 10 weeks, spermatozoa were seen in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules in all the rats under study. The epididymis revealed no sperm pack in cauda epididymis in all group rats at 6 weeks of age. However, at 8 weeks of age, the sperm pack was seen in the lumen of the epididymal tubules of the cauda epididymis of T1 and T2 groups. The significant finding was that in T1 rats the sperm pack was very compact at 10 weeks in cauda epididymis as compared to T2 and control group rats.</div>


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

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of a Phyto-supplement on Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

The Role of Bole (Lake Soil) as a Mineral Supplement to Arsi-Bale Sheep Fed Natural Grass Hay and Concentrate Supplement

Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E, zinc, and chromium supplementation on growth performance and hematological characteristics of broiler chickens

Effect of mineral supplementation on humoral immunity against rabies vaccine in dog pups

Effect of concentrate feed supplementation during different physiological stages in Madras Red Sheep

Influence of concentrate supplementation on production and reproduction performance of female Black Bengal goat

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Histomorphology of Testis and Epididymis in Male Wistar Rats