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Background: Dairy cows during late pregnancy, parturition or early lactation may be subjected to oxidative stress or the production of reactive oxygen metabolites. An imbalance between increased production of ROS and reduced availability of antioxidant defenses near the time of parturition increases oxidative stress and may contribute to peri-parturient disorders in dairy cows therefore in present investigation, of biomarkers of oxidative stress during peri-parturient period in Gir cows were studied. Methods: Total 42 peri-parturient Gir cows were included in the present study. Ten apparently healthy Gir cows were also selected (which were outside the peri-parturient period) to have base line data on levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress for the comparison and analysis. The study was conducted in southern part of Rajasthan. Result: The mean values of malondialdehyde (n mol/g Hb), super oxidase dismutase (U/mg Hb), reduced glutathione (mM) and catalase (µmol of H2O2 consumed /min/mg Hb) during pre-partum period and post-partum period in Gir cows was 227.34±9.48 and 255.85±11.15; 72.97±4.96 and 56.13±4.30; 2.72±0.15 and 2.27±0.15 and 139.85±3.81 and 121.57±4.65, respectively. Determination of levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress revealed that level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased during peri-parturient period in Gir cows whereas, levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced Glutathione (GSH) were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased. The level of catalase was also significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased during peri-parturient period in Gir cows.

Background: The positive effect of fenugreek and onion and their active components on the digestion process has been reported in several studies. The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplementation of Fenugreek sees powder and Onion powder on haemato-biochemical and carcass charactistics of broilers. Methods: Day-old, 210 broiler chicks (Vencobb-400) were randomly allotted to seven treatment groups. The T1 i.e., control group was fed on basal diet, while, group T2 and T3 were supplied with 1% and 2% fenugreek seed powder, respectively. Whereas group T4 and T5 were supplied with 1% and 2% onion powder, respectively and group T6 and T7 were supplied with 0.5% fenugreek seed powder and 0.5% onion powder and 1% fenugreek seed powder and 1% onion powder, respectively in the basal broiler pre-starter, starter and finisher ration. Result: Haemoglobin, PCV, TEC, TLC, total serum protein and creatinine levels were higher (P less than 0.01) in T6 group while highest level of blood glucose was found in T6, but the variation was statistically non-significant for blood glucose. Whereas serum cholesterol level was higher (P less than 0.01) in control group. Non-significant effect was observed on dressing percentage but numerically highest in T6 group and eviscerated weight percentage was higher (P less than 0.05) in T6 group. The gizzard (P less than 0.01), heart (P less than 0.01) and giblet weight (P less than 0.01) were found statistically higher in T5 and liver weight (P less than 0.01) was statistically higher in T7 group.

Background: Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) has anti-bacterial activities and immuno modulatory activities which contribute to better growth performance in broilers. Ajwain can be promoted as a natural growth promoter in the broiler industry to produce quality meat without antibiotics in a very cost-effective manner. Keeping in view these facts, the present experiment was conducted to find out the effect of Ajwain seeds at various levels as feed additive on growth performance and carcass characteristic of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 150, day-old broiler chicks were weighed and randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design and each treatment with three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were fed on fairly isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets of varying levels of Ajwain seeds. The inclusion levels of Ajwain seeds in diets T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, respectively. Chicks at different phases were fed as per the recommendations of BIS. During the experimental period, the chicks were reared under standard management practices including feeding, watering and disease control. Result: The addition of Ajwain to the diet did not affect the total dietary intake and protein efficiency ratio in the chicks. However, average daily body weight gain, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio and performance index of broiler chicks significantly (P less than 0.05) increased by Ajwain seed supplementation. Birds fed on 1.5% Ajwain diet showed heaviest body weight with the best FCR. Results revealed significantly (P less than 0.01) higher carcass yield, eviscerated yield and giblet weight in Ajwain supplemented groups as compared to control. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of Ajwain seeds @ 1.5% is effective in improving the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks.

Background: Technology advancement has introduced hydroponics technology for green fodder production. The present investigation was undertaken to study the growth performance of Gir cattle calves fed hydroponics maize fodder (HMF) with and without supplementation of probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Methods: A feeding trial of 120 days was conducted on 36 male Gir calves divided into nine groups. Group T1 was treated as control. In group T2, T3, T4 and T5, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of CP supplied through concentrate mixture was replaced by HMF, respectively. Whereas in group T6, T7, T8 and T9, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of CP supplied through concentrate mixture was replaced by HMF with probiotic, respectively. Result: There was highly significant (P less than 0.01) effect of treatments i.e. feeding of HMF with and without supplementation of probiotic as well as period (age of calves) on periodical body weight and ADG. There was significantly higher mean periodical body weight (kg) and ADG (g/d) in calves fed HMF and probiotic than control. The highest overall mean body weight and ADG was observed in group T8, followed by T4 and lowest in control group. Overall mean body measurements viz. BH, BL and BG was highest in group T8 and lowest in group T1 but the variation was statistically non-significant for BG. Highly significant (P less than 0.01) effect of treatments and period were observed on FCR also. Lowest FCR was recorded in group T8, followed by T4 and highest FCR was recorded in control group. It was concluded that better growth performance was evoked in Gir cattle calves fed 75% CP of concentrate mixture replaced by hydroponics maize green fodder with probiotic.

Background: Moringa leaves have wide range of medicinal value including antimicrobial property. Therefore, it could be an alternative of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry but the presence of phytate and other anti-nutrients can reduce the bioavailability of certain nutrients. Enzymes may reduce anti-nutrients effect, break down non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), reduce intestinal viscosity and ultimately improve digestibility of nutrients by improving gut performance. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal with multienzyme on the performance, carcass characteristics and economics of broiler chicks. Methods: Day-old, 150 broiler chicks (Vencobb-400) were randomly allotted to five treatment groups. The T1 i.e. control group was fed on basal diet, while, T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatment groups were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% of moringa leaf meal in combination with multienzyme @ 50g/100kg feed in the basal broiler starter and finisher ration, respectively.Result: Body weight gain was higher (P less than 0.01) in broilers fed diet supplemented with 1.5% Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) and multienzyme at 3 or 6 weeks of age. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) at the starter phase was recorded in the T2 group and over the entire period of the trial T4 treatment group had the best FCR. Significant increase in dressing yield percent and relative weight of giblet was observed in broilers fed diet with 1.5% level of moringa leaf meal and multienzyme. Supplementation of MOLM with multienzyme was profitable in terms of reduction in feed cost per kg gain. It was concluded that supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal @ 1.5% with multienzyme at 50g/100Kg dose in the diet was effective in improving the performance and net profit in broiler chicks.