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Background: Riemerella anatipestifer (R. anatipestifer) is a gram negative, microaerophilic, non-motile, bipolar bacteria. High genetic diversity and molecular differentiation were reported among field isolates. Although the bacterium causes one of the most economically important duck diseases in the north-eastern region of India, little work has been done on isolation, identification and molecular characterization of the bacteria. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken with a view to characterize the R. anatipestifer isolates from ducks of Assam. Methods: Phenotypic and molecular identification of R. anatipestifer isolates from domesticated ducks of Assam, India were carried out during the period from February, 2019 to January 2020. A total of 624 samples (Ocular swab, throat swab, liver, spleen, kidney, brain, heart, lung) from ducks comprising of apparently healthy, ailing and dead ducks were collected from five districts of Assam, India were processed to isolate and identify the bacteria. The tentative identification of the bacteria was done based on phenotypic characteristics viz., colony morphology, growth characteristics and biochemical reactions. All the phenotypically positive isolates were further subjected to molecular identification based on PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA gene and ERIC sequence. Result: The bacteria could be isolated from different field samples. The highest percentage of the samples that yielded the bacteria are from brain (76%) followed by spleen (74%) of dead ducks and less number of ocular swab (33%) from apparently healthy ducks were found positive. Sequencing of the amplified product of the selected R. anatipestifer isolates targeting 16S rRNA gene revealed homology percentage of 96.5-100%. Further, sequences representing five geographical locations were submitted to NCBI gene bank. Phylogenetic studies of the isolates indicated that there is prevalence of at least two genetically different strains of R. anatipestifer in the study area. The study suggested that the R. anatipestifer infection is endemic in Assam causing varying rate of morbidity (39%) and mortality (53%) and molecular based confirmation is necessary besides phenotypic identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ghungroo is the first registered pig breed of indigenous origin in India. The work was designed to develop a reference dissection method for carcasses by establishing bi-lateral symmetry and to determine whether or not differences exist between right and left sides of pig carcasses for some precisely measured physical and chemical traits. Carcass evaluation procedures could be simplified if selected measurements from one side accurately reflect the composition or meat quality of the entire carcass. Forty pigs of Ghungroo breed were selected to represent equally two sexes and two market weight groups. The pigs were slaughtered and after the carcasses were chilled they were carefully split into left and right sides. Least correlation coefficient (0.961) was observed for carcass length. The weights of all the five muscles evaluated differed slightly, but the left and right averages were not significantly different. Similarly, the mean difference for total intramuscular fat between left and right units of a muscle pair was not significant for any of the five muscles studied. Thus, the data obtained from left side of a Ghungroo pig carcass apparently was sufficiently accurate for most experimental purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcass composition and meat quality were evaluated for Asha, a triple cross pig (Ghungroo x Hampshire x Duroc, G25H25D50), which was developed and released by ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig as a fattener pig variety. A total of 14 gilts and 20 barrows from triple cross pigs were slaughtered at the age of 10 months for evaluating the different parameters. Instrumental colour measurement indicated that the coordinates were in the following range: lightness (L*), 38.91 – 53.75; redness (a*, red ± green), 6.83 – 11.96; and yellowness (b*, yellow ± blue), 11.38 – 18.49. The mineral contents in the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum were in the following range: potassium, 268 - 334 mg/100g; zinc, 0.59 - 0.83 mg/100g; copper, 0.04 – 0.1 mg/100g; manganese, 0.01 - 0.06 mg/100g and magnesium, 4.53 - 7.74 mg/100g. Significant (P>0.05) differences were not observed in the concentration of any of the estimated amino acids between the sexes. Fatty acid profiling of M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum indicated that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were in the range of 31.14% - 38.65% and 60.27% - 69.49%, respectively. Results further indicated a concentration of 0.91% – 1.70% omega-3 fatty acids; 15.87% - 22.13% omega-6 fatty acids and 15.66% - 24.17% essential fatty acids in the muscle tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to detect the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine parvo virus (PPV) in 54 porcine aborted foetuses, stillborns and mummified foetuses. Foetal tissues of heart, lung, spleen and lymphnodes were used for extraction of total DNA and the presence of viral pathogens were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Out of 54 samples, nine (16.6%) samples were positive for PCV2, eight (14.8%) samples were positive for PPV while co-infection with PCV2 and PPV was detected in four (7.4%) samples. The histopathological changes in the foetuses were found to be mostly necrosis in the cells of the developing organs viz. lungs, kidney, liver, heart, brain, spleen and lymphnodes. Lymphoid depletion was observed in the lymphoid follicles of the lymphnodes. Meningoencephalitis in the cerebrum was also seen in both PPV and PCV2 infected foetuses. The results indicated that PPV and PCV2 could be an important infectious agent in cases of porcine stillbirths, abortions and mummified foetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out on two different genetic groups of pig viz. Duroc and Hampshire maintained at pig breeding farm of National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati. Effect of different genetic group and non-genetic factors (year and season of farrowing and parity) were estimated by least squares analysis of variance for different litter production, weight and pre weaning growth rate. Genetic group and parity revealed highly significant (P<0.01) effect on all the traits under study. However, effect of year and season of birth was non significant in most of the cases. The pre weaning mortality of Hampshire pigs was found to be less than Duroc. The performance of litter production and weight traits of Hampshire pigs were found to be better than Duroc pigs in the farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]