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

Background: The study aimed to appraise the clinical findings and thyroid profile changes in hypothyroid dogs associated with neuromuscular disorders. 
 
Methods: The study comprised seven (7) healthy dogs (Group I) and 21 hypothyroid dogs with neuromuscular disorders (Group II). The serum concentration of Total Triiodothyronine (TT3), Total Thyroxine (TT4) and free Thyroxine (fT4) was assessed using Radioimmunoassay (RIA), while Canine thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration (cTSH) was measured using a canine-specific TSH ELISA kit. 
 
Result: The study reported that the neuromuscular signs associated with hypothyroidism were nystagmus (n=1/21, 4.76%), seizures (n=2/21, 9.52%), proprioceptive ataxia (n=3/21, 14.29%), head tilt (n=3/21, 14.29%), paraparesis (n=3/21, 14.29%), facial asymmetry (n=5/21, 23.81%), regurgitation due to megaesophagus (n=5/21, 23.81%) and tetraparesis (n=6/21, 28.57%). The mean serum concentration of TT3, TT4, fT4&nbsp;and cTSH in hypothyroid dogs associated with neuromuscular disorders was 0.89&plusmn;0.04 (nmol/L), 9.45&plusmn;0.94 (nmol/L), 7.72&plusmn;0.37 (pmol/L) and 1.59&plusmn;0.20 (ng/mL), respectively. The study found significantly (p&le;0.01)&nbsp; lower TT4&nbsp;and fT4&nbsp;concentrations in hypothyroid dogs associated with neuromuscular disorders and significantly (p&le;0.01) elevated cTSH levels compared to healthy dogs.

Studies on Clinical Findings and Thyroid Profile in Hypothyroid Dogs Associated with Neuromuscular Disorders

Background: Dietary fiber can be effectively incorporated into processed meat products along with binders, extenders and fillers. Using millet in meat products can balance the enormous demand and supply for affordable, wholesome, dietary fiber enriched and healthful meat products. 
 
Methods: The duck meat sausages were developed by incorporating three different levels of roasted foxtail millet flour (FTMF) i.e. 5%, 10% and 15% and coded as T1 (5%), T2 (10%) and T3 (15%). The proximate composition, texture profile, colour profile and microbiological qualities of the control and treated sausages were estimated.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The moisture, crude protein, ether extract and calorie value of the sausages declined significantly (p&lt;0.05) with increasing levels of FTMF in the treated sausages. In the case of texture profile, a significant (p&lt;0.05) difference was observed in the springiness, hardness, chewiness and resilience (p&lt;0.05) of the sausages between the control and treated groups. However, no significant difference in cohesiveness was observed between the control and the treated products. The colour profile revealed no significant (p&gt;0.01) difference in lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). TVC and TVPBC showed a significantly (p&lt;0.01) decreasing trend from control to treated products. However, the bacterial load increased during the storage for up to 15 days. No colititre, yeast, or mould were detected during the entire storage period.&nbsp;

Effects of Foxtail Millet Flour (Setaria italica) on the Proximate Composition, Texture Profile, Colour Profile and Microbiological Qualities of Duck Meat Sausages

Background: Tinospora cordifolia is a common climbing shrub that grows on other trees. It is native to India. Its root, stems and leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine. 
 
Methods: Experimental animals (n=10) were equally divided into two groups of five animals each (average body weight 16.53 kg), designated as control (C) and treatment (C + T. cordifolia) group. A 60 day growth trial was conducted after giving adaptation period of 20 days. A 7-day metabolic trial was conducted towards the end of the experiment using standard protocol. Blood samples were collected at the end of study to determine biochemical and antioxidant profile. Rumen liquor samples were collected by oral intubation and used for quantification of microbial population. 
 
Result: T. cordifolia supplemented at the rate of 2% of DM intake in the total mixed ration of goat kids reduced the relative abundance of methanogens in the rumen, without any significant effect on nutrient digestibility, N balance, blood biochemical profile, cell mediated immune response and growth performance.

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Effect of Supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia on Nutrient Utilization, Blood Biochemical Profile, Cell Mediated Immune Response and Rumen Microbial Profile in Beetal Goat Kids

<div style="text-align: justify;">Present study was carried out to ascertain the influence of different seasons on hormonal profiles in Hallikar cattle. Two groups (control and supplemented) of healthy female Hallikar cattle with six animals in each group selected from Madabal Village of Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India, were utilized for the present study. Selected animals were exposed to environmental stressors during three different seasons (winter, summer and rainy) by allowing them for grazing daily. Animals of control group received no supplementation but supplemented group received oral supplementation of vitamin E and selenium, during the study period. Blood samples collected from all the animals at monthly interval during three different seasons were processed to obtain the plasma which were stored at - 80 &ordm;C until they are utilized for determination of hormones like triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), insulin and cortisol using radioimmunoassay technique. In the present study, triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels reduced significantly (P&lt;0.05) during summer season compared to other seasons in control group animals. In both control and supplemented group, plasma insulin levels declined significantly (P&lt;0.05) and plasma cortisol levels increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) during summer compared to other seasons. Form the study, it was concluded that the summer stress reduces the thyroid and pancreatic activity leading reduced secretion of thyroid hormones and insulin. Further, the summer stress stimulates the adrenal cortical activity leading to enhanced secretion of the cortisol in Hallikar cattle. &nbsp;</div>

Effect of antioxidants supplementation on plasma hormonal profiles in Hallikar cattle during different seasons

<div>Background: The previously reported information on the ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of the camel is meager as compared to other domestic animals; thus, the present study was designed to provide the ultrastructural features of the thyroid gland in the camel.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The thyroid glands were collected from naturally died sixteen camels (n=16) of both sexes from Veterinary Clinical Complex, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the thyroid gland was done at Sophisticated Analytical Instrumental Facility (SAIF), Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The standard protocol of AIIMS, New Delhi, was followed for electron microscopy.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The thyroid gland of the camel consisted of thyroid follicles comprised of cuboidal thyroid follicular cells. The follicular cells contained a nucleus with heterochromatin concentrated marginally on the nuclear membrane and the euchromatin was well dispersed in the nucleus with well-marked nucleoli. The nucleus of the follicular cell was rounded. The apical regions of the plasma membrane in follicular cells consisted of microvilli, which were numerous, thinner and finger-like in outline. The mitochondria appeared as round, oval, rod-shaped and dumbbell-shaped. The rough endoplasmic reticulum was visible as elongated, irregular, elliptical cisterns. The Golgi complex was well marked and consisted of flattened sacs, vacuoles and small vesicles. The parafollicular cells were found in small numbers and positioned basally between two follicular cells, close to the basement membrane. It can be concluded that the ultrastructure of the thyroid gland of the camel does not differ from that of other mammalian species.</div>

<div>Ultrastructural Studies on the Thyroid Gland of Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius)</div>

<div>Background: The thyroid gland is vital endocrine gland which secretes three hormones i.e. thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and Calcitonin hormones. The thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones are biologically active and are required for maintenance of normal levels of metabolic activity. The thyroid also produces calcitonin from the parafollicular cells which act directly on osteoclast to decrease the bone resorption which lower the blood calcium level. Deficient or excessive production of thyroid hormones may lead to serious pathological states with outward symptoms.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The gross anatomical and biometrical studies were conducted on thyroid gland of buffalo, sheep and goat (n=12) collected immediately after slaughtering from slaughter house and local meat shop. The weight of thyroid gland was measured by weighing balance, volume by water displacement method, length and width of lateral lobes and isthmus by calibrated scale and inelastic thread and thickness of lateral lobes and isthmus was measured by digital vernier calliper. The data was analysed statistically. 
 
Result: The lateral lobes were roughly triangular in buffalo and elongated in sheep and oval in goat. The surfaces were granular and rough in buffalo but smooth in sheep and goat. It extended from thyroid cartilage to 2nd tracheal ring in buffalo, 1st to 6th tracheal ring in sheep and 1st to 7th tracheal ring in goat. The left lobe was larger than the right lobe in all the three species studied. The thyroid gland was biggest in buffalo followed by goat and smallest in sheep. The density of isthmus was more than the lobes in sheep and goat but not in buffalo.</div>

​Comparative Gross Anatomical and Biometrical Studies on Thyroid Gland of Buffalo, Sheep and Goat

<div>Background: Chabro is a strain of poultry birds especially designed for backyard farming and is more adoptive to climatic variations in the tropics. The thyroid gland plays an important role in controlling basal metabolic rate. Histochemical changes of the gland in association with seasonal changes have not been studied so far in Chabro chicken. The present study describes the season related variations in the histochemistry of thyroid gland.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Methods: The histochemical study was conducted on thyroid gland of eight to ten weeks old 24 apparently healthy Chabro chickens procured from Poultry Farm, DUVASU, Mathura. The birds were divided into two groups consisting of 12 chickens in each group reared in summer and winter seasons. 
 
Result: The capsule showed mild reaction for PAS, protein and glycogen. Follicular cells showed intense reaction for bound lipids, protein and alkaline phosphatase. The colloid in summer season showed strong reaction for PAS at periphery and very strong reaction at center while in winter colloid showed strong PAS positive activity. The Chabro chicken thyroid was functionally more active in winter as compared to summer season because of increased diameter of all follicles and concentration of thyroid hormones level in winter season.</div>

<div>The Histochemical Study of the Thyroid Gland of Chabro Chicken Reared in Summer and Winter Seasons</div>

<div>Background: Anestrus is one of the most commonly encountered infertility problems in cattle and buffalo in India. Jaffarabadi is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world and is a native of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The breed is known for poor reproductive efficiency. To improve its reproductive efficiency, this study was undertaken on acyclic Jaffarabadi animals employing double Ovsynch protocol and its assessment through ovarian dynamics and blood biochemical and endocrine profile on a farm.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study included acyclic post-pubertal Jaffarabadi heifers (age 42&plusmn;2 and 48&plusmn;2 months; Gr-I and Gr-II, n=6 each) and the postpartum lactating acyclic buffaloes (Gr-III, n=6) using a double Ovsynch protocol, which consisted of i/m injections of 20 &micro;g Buserelin acetate on days 0, 10, 17 and 26 and 500 &micro;g Cloprostenol sodium on days 7 and 24, with a timed insemination on day 27. Ovarian dynamics was monitored by performing ultrasonography using real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner together with blood sampling for hormonal and biochemical profile on each day of hormone therapy and then on days 0, 12, 21 and 35 post-AI. The animals inseminated at induced estrus/FTAI were followed for return to estrus, if any. Pregnancy was confirmed in non-return cases on day 35 by ultrasonography and on day 70 by per rectal examination. The findings on ovarian dynamics, plasma endocrine and biochemical profile were compared statistically between groups and periods and fertility rates between groups. 
 
Result: In animals of treatment group I and II, a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in numbers of small follicles was observed on day 26. Number of large sized follicles was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher on day 26 in comparison to day 0 and day 7 in group III animals. Large and subordinate follicular diameters increased gradually, but the differences between periods were significant (p&lt;0.001) only in group III with the highest diameter of large follicle on day 17. Plasma FSH and LH concentrations differed significantly (p&lt;0.001) among groups at all-time intervals. Plasma LH in group I and III differed significantly (p&lt;0.001). Plasma estrogen level was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group II than group III. Plasma progesterone concentrations in group I and II animals were significantly higher on day 35 post-AI. Plasma insulin levels were significantly (p&lt;0.01) lower on all days for group III animals than group I and II. Blood glucose level was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher in group I on day 17 as compared to group II and III. Plasma total cholesterol was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in group III as compared to group I and II. The conception rates at first service/FTAI in double Ovsynch treated animals of group I, II and III were 66.66, 83.33 and 16.66 %, respectively. Thus it was concluded that ovarian structures and the plasma endocrine profile reflected the ovarian response to different hormonal injections and that double Ovsynch protocol could be a better choice for improving conception rate in post-pubertal acyclic Jaffarabadi buffalo heifers as compared to multiparous acyclic buffaloes.</div>

Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility

<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>