<div><strong>Background:</strong> Recent breakthroughs in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture technology have allowed for an increase in the number of offspring generated from genetically better females, but this progress is still hampered by critical factors affecting oocyte yield and quality. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the seasons on the rate of maturation and recovery of oocytes.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The ovaries were brought from the slaughterhouse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a 0.9% NaCl saline solution and brought to the laboratory within 2-3 hours at a temperature of 25-35&deg;C. Only the collected oocytes with two layers or more of cumulus cells (CCs) and uniform ooplasm were used. Five repetitions were made in each season of the year, followed by their ripening in the laboratory and a follow-up ripening after 24 hours. Observe the maturity rate after the stain and the expansion of cumulus cells and compare them with other seasons.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The mean maturation rates of MII and MI oocytes were not significantly different between all seasons. Additionally, there were no significant changes in the cumulus-oocyte complex before maturation in all seasons. However, after maturation, a highly significant difference (P&lt;0.001) was found between the spring season before and after maturation (156.31&plusmn;17.68 mm) and the rest of the seasons (summer; 169.89&plusmn;19.96 mm; autumn; 176.66&plusmn;20.14 mm; and winter; 188.84&plusmn;24.50 mm). In order to improve <em>in vitro </em>maturation for following investigations, such as <em>in vitro</em> fertilization or cloning and<em> in vitro</em> embryo development, the ideal season should be chosen for collecting oocytes.</div>


<p>Seasonal Influence on Oocyte Recovery Rate, Quality and <em>in vitro</em> Maturation in Cows</p>


<p><span style="background-color:rgb(252, 252, 252); color:rgb(96, 96, 96); font-family:open sans; font-size:15px">The present study was designed to evaluate the Pregnancy Diagnosis-Positive Rate (PD-PR) along with conception rate (CR) in an organised farm (Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal) to take effective management decision. One year record of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) and PD of dairy animals (N=1327; comprised 1003 cows and 324 buffaloes) was analysed. On an average, cows and buffaloes were presented for per rectal pregnancy diagnosis after 75.63 (38-119) and 76.3 (46-128) days, respectively of A.I. Overall PD-PR value of cattle was observed to be significantly higher compared to buffaloes (70.77 and 59.45%, respectively, prus symptoms as well as on CR.</span></p>


<p>Pregnancy diagnosis-positive rate and conception rate as indicator of farm reproductive performance</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>During lactation, mammary epithelial cells exhibit a high metabolic rate and thus produce large amounts of ROS and lipid peroxides <em>in vivo</em> (Jin <em>et al.</em> 2014; Ganguly <em>et al</em>., 2016). A surplus of ROS and the absence of optimal amounts of antioxidants (which neutralize these free radicals or ROS) results in oxidative stress (Lykkesfeldt and Svendsen, 2007). A clinical study was undertaken on Bovine Mastitis in Kashmir valley to study the relation between oxidative stress and clinical mastitis. An attempt was also made to see the effect of supplementation of self-formulated anti-oxidant trace mineral mixture on recovery and prophylaxis of Bovine mastitis through amelioration of oxidative stress.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>The oxidative stress was assessed through estimation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, blood trace mineral status for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) were also assessed in mastitic animals and compared with normal healthy lactating animals. The utility of anti-oxidants in clinical management of mastitis was measured through response to treatment with trace minerals like Cu, Zn, Mn and Se in addition to conventional antibiotic therapy. Two groups of mastitic animals received two therapeutic regimens. Group I animals received antibiotics and self formulated anti-oxidant mixture at therapeutic doses while as Group II animals &nbsp;received only antibiotics (at same dose rate and frequency). Clinical recovery was assessed on the basis of CMT point score, milk somatic cell count and milk biochemistry. For prophylactic study, forty recently parturated lactating animals having susceptibility to occurrence of mastitis were divided into two groups of twenty animals each. One group of animals was supplemented with self-formulated anti-oxidant mixture at prophylactic doses for a period of thirty days so as to see the effect of supplementation on oxidative stress parameters and occurrence of clinical mastitis.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> A significant decrease was found in the values of SOD, catalase, GSH and Cu, Zn, Mn and Se but a significant increase was found in the values of MDA and NO in clinical cases of mastitis as compared to healthy control group. Therapeutic regimen I proved efficacious than the therapeutic regimen II in treatment of clinical mastitis with higher recovery rates and lesser number of mean days required for recovery in group I than group II animals. The efficacy of prophylactic treatment was monitored by occurrence of mastitis during the course of therapy and one month after therapy. Group I animals did not suffer from clinical mastitis and showed considerable improvement in oxidative stress parameters, milk SCC and blood trace mineral status as compared to group II.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Amelioration of Oxidative Stress Through Supplementation of Self- formulated Anti-oxidant Mixture for Early Recovery and Prophylaxis of Bovine Mastitis in Kashmir Valley</div>


<div><strong>Background: </strong><em>In vitro</em> embryo production in buffaloes has gained much importance in this current scenario due to ever increasing population and high demand of milk and meat. Slaughter house derived bubaline ovaries are a cheap and abundant source of cumulus oocyte complexes.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Oocytes from the buffalo ovarian follicles were recovered by aspiration technique as it facilitates quick recovery. Total 155 ovaries were used in the present study. Surface follicles were measured using vernier calliper and categorized into three groups <em>viz.</em> &lt; 3 mm, 3-5 mm and &gt; 5 mm based on follicular diameter and oocytes were processed for IVM, IVF and IVC using conventional non sorted semen.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Overall percentage of small, medium and large follicles in the ovaries were recorded as 16.29 &plusmn; 0.94%, 8.14&plusmn;0.60%, 5.35 &plusmn; 0.76%, respectively. Overall recovery rate of COCs was 38%. The percentage of these oocytes were 16.74% (A), 15.25% (B), 25.26% (C), 18.33% (D) and 29.87% (E) respectively. Maturation rate of oocytes were 81.96 &plusmn; 2.70%. Fertilization rate was 74.98 &plusmn; 3.87%, Cleavage rate % was 40.84&plusmn;2.51% and Blastocyst percentage was 21.57&plusmn;1.75% respectively. Application of in vitro embryo production technique using slaughter house ovaries can salvage the genetic potential of bubaline species.</div>


<div>Cleavage Rate of<em> in vitro</em> Matured Oocytes Fertilized with Conventional Semen in Buffaloes</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Co-administration of anesthetic adjuvants as continuous rate infusion (CRI) can be controlled and hence is considered safer, as it can reduce the cardiopulmonary alterations in horses and is also adaptable in field conditions. Hence this study was planned to evaluate the effect of CRI of dexmedetomidine, ketamine, butorphanol and midazolam during thiopentone TIVA in horses.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Thirty horses were randomly divided into five groups S, D, K, B and M having six animals in each. Premedication was done with Xylazine (1 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.05 mg/kg) intravenously. Ketamine (2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) were used IV for induction. CRI of normal saline alone, dexmedetomidine @ 2 &micro;g/kg/hr., butorphanol @ 0.2 mg/kg/hr., midazolam @ 0.2 mg/kg/hr. and ketamine @ 2 mg/kg/hr. were administered in groups S, D, B, M and K, respectively. Thiopentone sodium (5%) was given as a fast intravenous bolus whenever required to provide adequate anesthesia. Depth of anesthesia was evaluated on the based on clinical, haemato-biochemical, hemodynamic and endocrine variables.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> First head lift, sternal recumbency time, standing time and quality of recovery showed no significant difference between the groups. Heart rate, RR, RT, SBP, DBP, CVP and MAP, BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST, cortisol, ACTH and ghrelin did not show significant variation among groups. Hb, PCV, TLC, TEC and neutrophil found significantly decreased and blood glucose remained significantly higher than the baseline value in all groups post induction. CRI of ketamine produced a better quality of recovery and thiopentone sparing effect and was found suitable for moderating stress response to anesthesia, inflammation and metabolic changes in horses administered with TIVA.</div>


<p>Effect of Constant Rate Infusion of Different Anaesthetic Adjuvants Undergoing Thiopentone Sodium Total Intravenous Anaesthesia in Horses</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">The growth rate and instability of mango production is studied for the period 1992-93 to 2013-14. For studying the growth rate, linear and compound models are fitted with and without spline. Spline model is fitted to take care of abrupt jumps in the data and evaluate the change in the trend of time series data.The entire period of study is divided into two sub-periods, 1992-93 to 2002-03 as sub period-I and 2003-04 to 2013-14 as sub-period-II as there is maximum percentage change in area, production and yield of mango in the year 2002-03. The best fitted model is selected by considering the model evaluation criteria, such as, Adj. R2 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The compound model without spline, compound model with spline and linear model with spline was found to be best fit forarea, production and yield respectively. The growth rate in area, production and yield is found by using the best fit model. &nbsp;The growth rate for area is found to be positive and significant but for yield it is found to be significantly negative for each sub period and for the entire period of study. For this, though the production shows positive growth rate but it is insignificant for sub-period-Iand also for the whole period. The instability in mango production is studied with the help of coefficient of variation.As coefficient of variation is affected by long term trend, it is computed after eliminating trend from the data.From study of instability, it is found that area under mango in India shows lesser instability than production and yield. Though there is increase in production of &nbsp;mango but the increase is mainly due to the positive growth in area under mango. The yield of mango is declining at a significant rate. Decomposition analysis carried out by hazel&rsquo;s decomposition technique reveals that change in mean area made a great positive contribution towards the change in mean production, whereas, change in mean yield and change in area &ndash; yield interaction both made negative contribution towards change in mean productionfrom sub-period I to II.</div>

Fitting of appropriate model to study growth rate and instability of mango production in India

<div><strong>Background: </strong>Chickpea is a cool season legume crop and is grown in several countries worldwide as a food source. Seed is the main edible part of the plant and is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates and minerals especially for the vegetarian population. The current study aimed to study the effect of seed rate and seed spacing on yield attributes of chickpea.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>The research was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Agriculture, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sadopur, Ambala during <em>Rabi</em> season in 2020-2021. The experiment was laid out in split plot design (SPD), with three replication and 9 treatments with two conditions<em> i.e</em>. three different seed rate (60, 75 and 90 kg/ha) and seed rate were design in main plot, where as in sub-plot three spacing (20, 30 and 40 cm) were tested.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The result revealed that seed rate of 75 kg/ha with row spacing of 30 cm in chickpea crop recorded maximum seed index (21.70 g), seed yield (23.26 q/ha), straw yield (26 q/ha), biological yield (49.16 q/ha) and harvest index (47%). The maximum number of pods per plant (107.63) and seeds per pod (2.13) were observed when the seed rate of 60 kg/ha and row spacing of 40 cm was used.</div>


<p>Effect of Seed Rate and Seed Spacings on Yield Attributes of Chickpea</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Under current scenario of High cost of Production of Sugarcane crop, it is need of time to decide specific seed rate for individual varieties. Sugarcane seed contributes to 10-20% of cost of production and farmers invests about Rs. 20000/- per acre on planting material. The costs of seed can be curtailed by optimizing seed rate. Similarly, seed rate varies with different varieties. In this view, a field experiment was carried out to optimize the seed rate of promising sugarcane clones.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> A field experiment was carried using randomized complete block design with factorial arrangements having three replications at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2016-17 and 2017-18.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>The results revealed that maximum cane diameter was recorded for S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 25000 and 50000 triple budded setts/ha. However; maximum number of canes/ha were recorded for S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 75000 setts/ha followed by HSF-240 at 75000 setts/ha. Maximum cane yield was noted for HSF-240 at seed rate of 75000 followed by S2008-AUS-133 at seed rate of 50000 and lowest can yield was recorded in S2003-US-127 at seed rate of 25000 triple budded setts/ha. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were higher for plant height (381.63, 133.91 cm) and cane yield (406.50, 330.65 kg/plot).Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variances were moderate for number of tillers (11.6%, 15.44%) and higher for cane yield (20.24%, 22.44%). It means that variability in 4 genotypes for cane yield was higher. Thus variety S2008-AUS-133 showed better performance at seed rate 75000 while during selection, number of tillers and height should be considered for further breeding program.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Optimizing Seed Rates and Effects of Direct and Indirect Selection Indices in Sugarcane Crop</div>


<p style="text-align: justify;">Van cats are animals that often become the centre of attention due to their white hair, colourful eyes, and affectionate attitudes. However, it is nearly impossible to find research studies on the reproductive behaviours of Van cats. We conducted this study with the purpose of revealing the breeding efficiency properties and survival rates of Van cats. The study materials consisted of Van cats in the Van Cat Home of Y&uuml;z&uuml;nc&uuml; Yıl University&rsquo;s Van Cats Research Center. We determined the breeding efficiency properties using records obtained from 56 female cats over the course of four years. As a result of the study, we determined that the durations of oestrus, pregnancy, and lactation in Van cats were, respectively, 2.41&plusmn;0.09, 63.75&plusmn;0.27, and 98.45&plusmn;1.18 days. We also determined the average number of kittens per delivery and the mating per pregnancy as, respectively, 3.30&plusmn;0.19 and 13.71&plusmn;0.74. In this study, we recorded the presence of 56 delivering cats, with a total of 185 kittens, 22 of which were dead (11.89%), and an 88.11% survival rate (%). The most common delivery type was twin deliveries (30%), and the highest rate of stillbirths was 4.86% in quadruplet deliveries.</p>


<p>A retrospective examination of reproduction and survival rates of van cats</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Bull fertility is an important component of reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. PPP1R11 is a potent candidate gene for bull fertility being involved in the pathway of spermatogenesis. Present investigation was carried out in twenty Karan Fries (KF) bull to identify SNPs of PPP1R11 gene and their association with conception rate. Genomic DNA was extracted from frozen semen straws by phenol-chloroform method. Primer pair targeted to exonic II region of PPP1R11 gene was designed using Primer 3.1 software. PCR reactions were carried out in thermal cycler after optimizing. The PCR product was checked on 1.5% horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis to verify the amplification of target region. Samples were sequenced and SNPs were identified using multiple alignment programme with respect to reference sequence and visual inspection of chromatograms. Sequencing results revealed only two SNPs [G28708846A, T28708860C] at exonic II region of PPP1R11 gene in KF bulls. Each bull was genotyped with respect to each of the two identified SNPs. Association of SNP genotype with conception rate was analyzed using least square ANOVA taking genotypes as fixed effect. The result indicated that, only one SNP [T28708860C] had significant (p&lt;0.01) effect on conception rate. The bulls with TT genotype revealed significantly (p&lt;0.01) highest conception rate (53.20&plusmn;2.96%) followed by bulls with TC (43.12&plusmn;2.39%) and the lowest in bulls with CC (34.59&plusmn; 2.28%) genotypes. The results of present finding suggested that association of SNPs with conception rate after validation on large population might be useful in marker assisted selection for selection of bull with high fertility in future.</div>

Seasonal Influence on Oocyte Recovery Rate, Quality and in vitro Maturation in Cows

Pregnancy diagnosis-positive rate and conception rate as indicator of farm reproductive performance

Amelioration of Oxidative Stress Through Supplementation of Self- formulated Anti-oxidant Mixture for Early Recovery and Prophylaxis of Bovine Mastitis in Kashmir Valley

Cleavage Rate of in vitro Matured Oocytes Fertilized with Conventional Semen in Buffaloes

Effect of Constant Rate Infusion of Different Anaesthetic Adjuvants Undergoing Thiopentone Sodium Total Intravenous Anaesthesia in Horses

Fitting of appropriate model to study growth rate and instability of mango production in India

Effect of Seed Rate and Seed Spacings on Yield Attributes of Chickpea

Optimizing Seed Rates and Effects of Direct and Indirect Selection Indices in Sugarcane Crop

A retrospective examination of reproduction and survival rates of van cats

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of PPP1R11 gene with conception rate in Karan Fries bull