Background: Saponins have been considered to affect the digestion of animal because of its relatively complex compound. Regarding the effect of saponins on animal production performance, different animals or the same animals with different physiological periods are different. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary alfalfa saponins (AS) on the digestive physiology of piglets.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: 72 weaned piglets (Duroc &times; Landrace &times; Large white pigs) were weaned at 28 days of age with an average weight of 7.5 kg and assigned randomly to 4 treatment groups. Diets containing 0, 0.5%, 1%, 2% alfalfa saponins were fed to piglets.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results showed that: Alfalfa saponins increased daily gain and decreased diarrhea in piglets to some extent. It tended to decrease the pH value of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the pH value of the jejunum (P&lt;0.05), ileum and cecum (P&lt;0.05). AS had no obvious inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli, but had an increasing trend on the number of intestine Lactobacillus, especially Lactobacillus in jejunum increased significantly by adding 2% AS (P&lt;0.05). Adding 2% alfalfa saponins can improve the digestive physiology of piglets.&nbsp;

Effects of Dietary Alfalfa Saponin on Digestive Physiology in Weaned Piglets

<div>Background: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is one of the most important legume crops cultivated throughout the world. Cowpea is used as food, feed, forage, fodder, green manuring and vegetable. It&rsquo;s seed is a nutritious component in the human diet, as well as for livestock. Seed hardening and pelleting are seed enhancement&nbsp;techniques used to improve seed&nbsp;germination&nbsp;and seedling vigour and growth by altering the physiological&nbsp;state of the seed. This alteration may improve the vigor or the physiology of the seed by enhancing uniformity of germination. Seed enhancement techniques like hardening and priming include use of chemicals that trigger systemic acquired resistance or improve stress tolerance whereas the pelleting treatments improve seed handling and planting. They also enhance nutrient availability or provide inoculates by delivering materials needed during sowing, germination and seedling establishment. Hence in order to study the combined effect of seed hardening and pelleting on growth, yield and resultant seed quality of cowpea under natural saline conditions, the present study was taken up. 
 
Methods: The present field and laboratory investigations were carried out to study the effect of seed hardening, seed pelleting and their combined effect on growth, physiology, yield and resultant seed quality of cowpea under natural saline conditions. The fresh seeds of cowpea seeds cv. CO (CP) 7 were hardened with KCl @ 1%, CaCl2 @ 1% and both KCl and CaCl2 @ 1% and then the hardened seeds were further pelleted with pungam leaf powder @ 100, 150 and 200 g kg-1 of seed. Then the treated seeds were evaluated for their seed productivity and resultant seed qualities using untreated seeds as control. Observations on growth, leaf chlorophyll content, gas exchange parameters, yield and resultant seed quality parameters were recorded.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The experimental results revealed that among the treatments, seeds hardened with KCl @ 1 % + CaCl2 @ 1 % and pelleted with pungam leaf powder @ 200 g per kg recorded higher growth, yield parameters, leaf chlorophyll content, gas exchange parameters and resultant seed quality when compared to control and other treatments.</div>

<div>Effect of Seed Hardening and Pelleting on Growth, Yield, Physiology and Resultant Seed Quality of Cowpea under Natural Saline Conditions</div>

Background: Drought is an important factor restricting the development of agriculture. In recent years, plant growth regulators have achieved more results in improving crop stress resistance. The physiological mechanism of exogenous application of mepiquat chloride on soybean seedlings has undergone significant changes under drought stress. 
 
Methods: In order to study the effect of exogenous chlorine on the physiology of soybean under drought stress., &lsquo;Heinong 65&rsquo; was used as the experimental material, 15% PEG-6000 was used to simulate drought stress and different concentrations of mepiquat chloride solution (100, 300, 500, 700 mg/L) were sprayed at the three-leaf stage of soybean growth by pot method. The dry matter accumulation, auxin (IAA), zeatin (ZA), gibberellin (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity of soybean were determined. 
 
Result: The results showed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD, CAT and APX in soybean leaves under drought stress were significantly increased by the treatment of appropriate concentration of mepiquat chloride solution. IAA, GA3 and ZA endogenous hormone levels increased, dry matter accumulation increased, root-shoot ratio and ABA endogenous hormone levels decreased significantly. It can be seen that mepiquat chloride treatment can improve the antioxidant capacity, promote the growth of soybean seedlings under drought stress and effectively alleviate the inhibition of drought stress on soybean growth and development.

Effects of Mepiquat Chloride on Physiology of Soybean under Drought Stress

<div>Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major cereal staple food crops consumed by more than 50 per cent of the world&rsquo;s population. Due to global climatic changes, the crop has to withstand higher temperatures in the near future. In India, rice cultivation is more affected by climate change and it contributes to yield loss and in severe cases results in crop failure both of which leads to economic losses. Grain yield declined by 10% for each 1oC increase in minimum temperature in the dry season whereas the effect of maximum temperature was insignificant. Significant variation exists among rice germplasm in response to high temperature stress. Producing an economically significant yield under heat stress conditions depends on floral biology of rice and several plant physiological parameters and mechanisms that contribute to heat tolerance in the field, such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature depression and concomitant increases of transcripts coding for proteins involved in protection. According to the objectives of this study, the literature pertaining to the aspects of heat tolerance and effect of high temperature on floral biology and physiological parameters in rice is briefly reviewed.</div>

Heat Tolerance and Effect of High Temperature on Floral Biology and Physiological Parameters in Rice: A Review

Background: 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; 
 
Methods: Based on amount and time of feeding colostrum after birth, 24 Surti buffalo calves were divided into four groups as T1 (7%; 0-4), T2 (7%; 4-8), T3 (10%; 0-4) and T4 (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. 
 
Result: 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.

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

<div>Background: Ketamine is rarely used alone because of its association with poor muscle relaxation, tachycardia, catalepsy or muscle rigidity and therefore commonly used in combination with alpha 2 agonist or opioid to minimize the untoward effects. The aim of the present anaesthetic study was to evaluate the clinico-physiological effects of ketamine alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine or butorphanol for inducing adequate anaesthesia in dogs. 
 
Methods: The present anaesthetic study was conducted on 18 (eighteen) healthy dogs of either sex and randomly divided into three groups (K, DK and BK) with six animals in each group. Atropine sulphate @ 0.04 mg/ kg was administered intramuscularly 15 minutes prior to anaesthetic study to all the animals. In group K, ketamine HCl alone was administered @ 5 mg/kg by slow i/v and kept as control. In group DK and BK, after administration of atropine sulphate 15 minutes later dexmedetomidine @ 10 &micro;g/kg i/m and butorphanol @ 0.2 mg/kg i/m were administered respectively. Ten minutes later ketamine HCl was administered @ 5 mg/kg slowly intravenously in both group DK and BK to induce surgical stage of general anaesthesia. The following clinical parameters were recorded viz., onset of sedation, onset of anaesthesia, degree of analgesia, extent of muscle relaxation, duration of anaesthesia and complete recovery. The physiological parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate) were recorded before anaesthetic study at 0 min. and at 10 minutes after preanaesthetic administration and then at 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after ketamine anaesthesia. All the data were analyzed using SPSS v 15.0 statistics software program and presented as mean&plusmn;Standard Error. 
 
Result: The onset of sedation was quicker in group DK followed by group K and BK. Duration of anaesthesia and complete recovery in group DK was significantly (p&lt;0.01) longer than in group K and BK. The degree of analgesia was excellent in group DK and good in group K and BK. The extent of muscle relaxation was excellent in group DK, good in group BK and was poor in group K. The physiological parameters showed transient changes which compensated and remained within normal range during the observation period. The above anaesthetic study suggests that ketamine in combination with dexmedetomidine or butorphanol can be safely used for inducing adequate anaesthesia in dogs. However, dexmedetomidine-ketamine can be used safely for longer duration of surgical procedures in dogs.</div>

Evaluation of Clinico-physiological Effects of Ketamine Alone and in Combination with Dexmedetomidine or Butorphanol in Atropinized Dogs

<div>Background: The beneficial effects of myo-inositol to mammals on physiological and reproductive functions and treatments of malfunctions have been reported. The aims of present study were to assess the efficacy of myo-inositol supplementation on physiological and reproductive performances through blood parameters, oocyte quality and embryo transfer in mice. 
 
Methods: Seventy-five virgin female mice were classified into three equal groups; control group (T1) versus two myo-inositol groups (T2 receive 30 mmol/l and T3 receive 60 mmol/l). Changes of body temperature, blood oxygen and glucose, heart rate, blood parameters (RBCs, WBCs, hematocrit, glucose and total protein), oocyte quality (cumulus enclosed, diameter and brilliant cresyl blue stain) and reproductive performances (litter weight and size) were determined.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results indicated that myo-inositol supplementation resulted in significant increase in values of RBCs, WBCs, hematocrit and total protein in addition to significant hypoglycemia. The quality of oocytes in case of cumulus enclosed, diameter and brilliant cresyl blue staining and reproductive performances were improved due to myo-inositol supplementation. Furthermore, myo-inositol supplementation effectively alleviated hypothermia and hyperglycemia following general anaesthesia.</div>

<div>Effects of Myo-inositol on Physiological and Reproductive Traits through Blood Parameters, Oocyte Quality and Embryo Transfer in Mice</div>

Background: Saline-alkali soil seriously restricts plant growth. Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.) is a high-quality leguminous forage with strong adaptability and stress resistance. However, current research on Caucasian clover under saline-alkali stress remains limited. The purpose of this study is to use NaHCO3 solution to carry out alkali stress on Caucasian clover plantsand to understand the changes of plant growth and physiological characteristics under stress, which is of great significance for its popularization and cultivation in alkaline soil. 
 
Methods: To study the effects of alkaline stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of Caucasian clover, plants were subjected to varying concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mmol/L) of NaHCO3 in pot experiments. Post-stress, parameters such as dry weight, root-to-shoot ratio, main root length, chlorophyll, malondialdehyde (MDA) contentand the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were measured. 
 
Result: This study demonstrated that alkaline stress significantly affected the growth and physiological characteristics of Caucasian clover. With increasing alkaline stress, the aboveground and underground dry weights, as well as the main root length, decreased significantly. Photosynthesis was inhibited, with chlorophyll content increasing under low alkaline stress but decreasing sharply at higher concentrations. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT) increased significantly under low stress but gradually decreased under higher stress levels. Meanwhile, MDA content increased significantly under high alkaline stress. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between SOD activity and CAT activity, as well as between aboveground dry weight and main root length (P&lt;0.01), while chlorophyll content was negatively correlated with MDA content (P&lt;0.05).

&nbsp;

Effects of Alkaline Stress on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Caucasian Clover

<div>The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram with an objective to assess the effect of seed invigouration with ZnSO4 and borax alone and along with Trichoderma viride on physiological parameters and nodulation of grain cowpea. Seed invigouration treatments had significant effect on physiological parameters as well as nodulation parameters in grain cowpea. Leaf area index and total chlorophyll content were found to be higher in seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.025 and 0.05 per cent for 4h at both 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). From 30 to 60 DAS, crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were the highest in seeds pelleted with borax 50 mg kg-1 seed and from 60 DAS to harvest, seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h registered the highest CGR and RGR. Total number of nodules and effective nodules per plant were found to be higher in seeds pelleted with borax 50 and 100 mg kg-1 seed. However, the nodule fresh and dry weight were the highest in seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h. Hence it can be concluded that compared to seed pelleting with borax, seed priming with ZnSO4 was found better for nodulation as well as better expression of physiological parameters in grain cowpea.</div>

<div>Effect of Seed Invigouration Treatments on Physiological Parameters and Nodulation of Grain Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]</div>

<div>Background: Growing demand for improving milk production and rising temperatures due to global warming has increased the thermal load on dairy animals. Physiological parameters such as respiration rate and body temperature mainly determine the adaptability of animals to climate stress. During genetic adaptation, Bos indicus cattle have acquired thermo tolerant genes and when exposed to heat stress conditions, the Bos indicus cattle have lower respiration rates and rectal temperatures than Bos taurus animals. The present study was aimed to study the effect of seasons on the physiological responses in Sahiwal and crossbred cows. 
 
Methods: A total of 50 crossbred cows maintained at Military dairy Farm, Secunderabad and 50 Sahiwal cows maintained at Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, PVNRTVU were utilized for the present investigation. The study was conducted during summer (THI = 83.71&plusmn;0.01), rainy (THI = 71.37&plusmn;0.01) and winter (THI = 66.69&plusmn;0.01) seasons. Changes in respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) were observed in different seasons in Sahiwal and crossbred cows. 
 
Result: RR (breaths/ min) in Sahiwal cows during summer, rainy and winter were 28.56&plusmn;0.38, 23.38&plusmn;0.38 and 20.54&plusmn;0.38 respectively whereas RR (breaths/ min) in crossbred cows were 44.58&plusmn;0.38, 25.94&plusmn;0.38 and 21.90&plusmn;0.38 respectively. In Sahiwal cows RT (&deg;C) during summer, rainy and winter were 38.52&plusmn;0.03, 38.23&plusmn;0.03 and 38.13&plusmn;0.03 respectively whereas RT (&deg;C) in crossbred cows were 39.22&plusmn;0.02, 38.72&plusmn;0.03 and 37.80&plusmn;0.03 respectively. The magnitude of increase in RR, RT and HTC were found to be higher during summer compared to other seasons in both Sahiwal and crossbred cows. It was observed that Sahiwal cows are less sensitive to heat stress and are better able to regulate their body temperature than crossbred cows when environmental temperature increases during summer. The HTC values were lower in Sahiwal cows in all the seasons studied indicating better thermo tolerance when compared to the crossbred cows.</div>