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The current study aimed to define the serum profile of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), testosterone and estradiol (E2) concentrations in Beetal goat kids from 10 days of age to puberty (175±12.6 days). The study was conducted from July 2018 to January 2019. Blood samples were collected from male kids (n=26) at 10 days interval from 10 days of age to puberty for measurement of AMH, testosterone and E2 concentrations. The body weight of all kids was measured at 10 days of age and then on monthly basis till puberty. The results showed that the mean body weight at 10 d after birth was 7.04±0.86 kg, and significantly increased till the onset of puberty (36.4±4.49 kg). The minimal plasma AMH concentration was seen at 10 d, gradually increased to its peak level (P<0.05) at 40 d and 100 d and then declined steadily till puberty. The serum testosterone level increased non-significantly from day 10 to day 50 and then gradually increased to its peak level at 170 and 180d (P<0.05). The serum E2 concentration was low at 10 days of age (5.76±0.78 pg/ml), increased to its peak level at 60d (74.3±6.26 pg/ml; P<0.05 compared with 10d), then declined till puberty. The serum AMH at early pre-pubertal age (40, 50, 70 and 80d) was positively correlated with pubertal age around 180d (r=0.99, 0.95, 0.99 and 0.94), whereas testosterone concentration was negatively correlated with serum AMH level at 60d, while positively correlated at 150 and 180d. In conclusion, goat kids exhibit a characteristic serum AMH profile along with testosterone and E2 during pre-pubertal life, such that serum AMH at an early pre-pubertal age could be used as a biomarker for predicting initiation of sexual behavior and onset of puberty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to higher fecundity rate over Beetal goats, it is assumed that Teddy goats have higher ovarian activity. Therefore, the current study tested the hypothesis that ovarian follicular population i.e. number of small (2-4 mm), medium (>4-6 mm) and large follicles (>6 mm), size of the ovulatory follicle, and ovulation rate (No. of CL/No of ovulated goats), using transrectal ultrasonography are different between Beetal and Teddy goats of Pakistani origin. Beetal (n=6) and Teddy (n=8) does were synchronized using double PGF2a injections 10 d apart and were scanned on Days -2, 0 (estrus) and +2. The onset of estrus was assessed by aproned bucks. Mean number of small follicles were higher (P<0.05) in Beetal goats, compared to Teddy goats, on days -2, estrus and +2. The ovulatory follicle diameter, and ovulation rate were found non-significant between Beetal and Teddy goats. It is concluded that Beetal goats have greater population of small follicles around estrus compared to Teddy goats. Future studies can be based on the follicle recruitment and atretic factors in Beetal goats to enhance the production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired antibiotic resistance in lactobacilli poses a significant threat to public health. This study presents phenotypic and molecular analysis of antibiotic resistance in lactobacilli of poultry gut origin. A total of 105 Lactobacillus spp. isolates including 59 from indigenous and 46 from commercial poultry were recovered. Lactobacilli were identified by genus specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16SrDNA-23S rDNA inter-spacer region. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of different antibiotics were determined by broth micro dilution method. Antibiotic resistance genes for erythromycin [erm(B)] and tetracycline [tet(M)] were amplified by PCR and sequenced for homology analysis. Antibiotic resistance against cephradine (67.39% vs 55.93%), cefuroxime (100% vs 77.96%), erythromycin (86.95% vs 38.98%), tetracycline (41.30% vs 32.2%), ciprofloxacin (91.30% vs 84.74%), levofloxacin (97.82% vs 81.35%) and ofloxacin (95.65% vs 88.13%) were comparatively higher in lactobacilli of commercial poultry origin as compared to indigenous poultry. Resistance against ampicillin was slightly higher in back yard (49.15%) as compared to commercial poultry (43.47%). Overall, a high level resistance against cefuroxime (87.61%), levofloxacin (88.57%), ofloxacin (91.42%), ciprofloxacin (87.61%), and moderate level resistance against cephradine (60.95%), ampicillin (46.66%), tetracycline (36.19%) and erythromycin (60%) was observed. Erythromycin and tetracycline resistant genes [erm (B), and tet(M), respectively] were successfully amplified from phenotypically resistant lactobacilli. Sequencing analysis revealed that erm(B) gene had >99% similarity with erm(B) gene of Enterococcus faecium while tet(M) had >99% similarity with tet(M) of E. coli. It is concluded that lactobacilli of poultry gut origin contain acquired antibiotic resistance and its transmission to other bacterial strains is a significant threat to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was designed to develop indigenous phytate hydrolyzing probiotic Lactobacilli to increase phosphorous availability in poultry gut with ultimate goal of efficient and enhanced poultry production. A total of 90 Lactobacilli were isolated from indigenous poultry droppings and homemade fermented milk products. Lactobacilli were screened for phytate hydrolyzing ability and enzyme activities were measured calorimetrically by ammonium molybdate assay. Out of 62 isolates showing phytate hydrolysis, 16 were confirmed by cobalt chloride staining. Out of 16, three isolates (PDP10, PDP24 and FYP38) were identified as Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactobacillus reutri and Lactobacillus fermentum respectively, and further selected for physico-chemical optimization of phytase production. PDP10, PDP24 and FYP38 showed highest phytase activity at 35°C (6.86±0.15, 5.12±0.12 and 5.65±0.13 IU/ml, respectively), pH 5.0 (6.86±0.15, 5.12±0.11 and 5.50±0.13 IU/ml respectively), 1% NaCl (4.78±0.14, 4.18±0.13 and 5.58±0.02 IU/ml respectively) and 0.3% bile salts (3.76±0.12, 1.12±0.11 and 2.21±0.15 IU/ml respectively). Glucose was optimum carbon source for phytate hydrolysis. Optimum nitrogen source was peptone for PDP10 and PDP24 while tryptone for FYP38. It is concluded that phytate hydrolyzing Lactobacilli reported in this study might be used as probiotics for increased phosphorous availability in poultry after further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study are to find out the effect of melatonin treatments (43μM & 430μM) on mRNA and protein expression of casein, and melatonin receptors in buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMEC) using reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Furthermore, by using specific inhibitors against mTOR (Rapamycin) and Jak2-Stat5 pathway (AG490), effect of melatonin treatment on translational level of casein was measured. The results showed that melatonin treatment (430 μM) significantly up-regulated casein level both at transcriptional (P<0.001) and translational (P<0.05) levels. Melatonin treatment significantly up-regulated mRNA expression of (P<0.05) melatonin receptor 1a (MT1) but melatonin receptor 1b (MT2) did not significantly varied. In the presence of mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, melatonin failed to up regulate (P<0.05) protein expression of casein but no significant difference was found in the level of casein in the presence of Jak2-Stat5 inhibitor (AG490). These results indicate the significance of melatonin in altering milk casein expression in mammary epithelial cells in buffalo. Keeping in view the seasonality of buffalo in tropical and subtropical region, this study is important in the establishment of melatonin as the key modulator in changing concentration of casein in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]