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Cadmium (Cd) is often associated with reproductive disorders of mammals. Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is a natural food product made of swiftlet's salivary secretion used to make their nests and it has been consumed as a tonic food for decades. This research aimed to study the protective effects of EBN against Cd-induced uterine toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty (30) female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into five groups as follows: group 1- negative control (NC) received distilled water; group 2 - positive control (PC) administered with CdCl2, 5 mg/kg BW; while groups EBN-1, EBN-2, and EBN-3 received CdCl2 (5 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 60, 90 and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively. After four weeks of daily oral treatment, rats were euthanized to collect the uterus for evluations of histopathological changes, Cd concentrations and Metallothionein (MT) expressions using H&E stain, inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Blood samples were collected for superoxide dismutase (SOD) analysis using SOD assay kit. Results revealed that the CdCl2 without EBN supplement (PC) group had elevated levels of Cd in the uterus along with increased MT expressions and decreased SOD enzyme activity as compared to the NC group. Moreover, uterine histopathological changes, including glandular cysts and loss of normal structure of luminal epithelium (LE) and glandular epithelium (GE) were found in the PC group. Interestingly, groups treated with CdCl2 along with EBN (EBN1, EBN2, EBN3) showed lower levels of uterine tissue Cd deposition and MT expression, lower degenerative changes with normal histomorphology of glands, and increased SOD activity as compared to the PC group. Overall, the findings revealed that oral exposure to Cd at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW resulted in significant alterations in the rat's uterus. However, the toxicity effect was averted by EBN treatment in a dose dependant manner; highest protection achieved with EBN 120 mg/kg BW, through a possible detoxification mechanism and prevention of Cd deposition.

Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle plays a significant role for beef industry in Malaysia. KK cattle is a well-adapted local breed reared by traditional farming system with low quality feeds. KK cows normally produce a calf per year, which attracts farmers for commercial production. Currently, KK cattle is playing an important role for profitable beef production in Malaysia since the imported exotic breeds, crossbreds, and synthetic breeds of cattle could not perform to their full potential for sustainability of the livestock industry in the country. Consequently, nowadays, importance of the unique Malaysian beef breed (KK) has been increasing gradually in consideration to the changing climatic situation and adaptibility. Meanwhile, it is required to know the productive and reproductive performance of KK cattle for a further long term sustainable breeding program. As such reviewing growth performance, age at puberty and maturity, semen quality, scrotal biometry, libido efficiency, conception rate, service per conception, and calving interval are fundamental. There exist limited systemic studies and in-depth reviews based on these key reproductive, growth characteristics, and indexes for KK cattle. Therefore, reproductive key parameters of KK cattle were reviewed with the aim of understanding the challenges on the production of KK cattle and to suggest possible strategies to alleviate those challenges.

The study was aimed to reveal the morphological features of local Pabna cattle at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Regional Station, Sirajganj and community levels. Data of various morphological features were collected from total 24 cattle from on-station and 8 cattle from community. It was observed that most of the morphological features were not varied between the studied cattle populations except body length, height at wither, pelvic length, tail dock circumference and mouth circumference (p

A comparative agronomical trial was conducted to know the effect of two different soil types on growth and production performance of BLRI Napier-4 fodder production at BLRI regional station, Baghabari, Shahzadpur, Sirajganj. Soil components are the determinant factors for growing any crops or fodders. Soil samples from sandy soil and normal soil (loamy) were analazed for soil pH, nitrogen, organic matter, salinity, Ca, K, S, Zn, Pb, Co, Mg, Fe etc. at the Central Laboratory of Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI), Dhaka. Data were recorded on plant height, stem length, leaf length, number of leaf per stem, number of till per hill, yield per hill and total biomass yield per plot. Plant height, stem length and leaf length produced in normal soil were significantly higher (p0.05) between two cuttings. It can be concluded from the present findings that BLRI Napier-4 cultivar may be produced in the sandy soil.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2017, 3(2): 182-185

The present study was designed with a view to study the effects of enrofloxacin antibiotic on ISA brown layer performance. A total of 1,80,000 laying hens (ISA brown) received and supplied enrofloxacin antibiotic in the dose of 0 mg, 10mg and 20 mg/kg BW with normal diet. Each layer was fed 120 g feed/day from 42 to 48 weeks of age. Antibiotic made significant differences in egg production (p

The research was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mymensingh to evaluate the effect of different levels and sources of calcium on egg production and egg shell quality of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) up to 23 weeks of age. For that purpose a total number of 108 Japanese quails aged 20 week were fed on diets containing different levels (2.5%, 2.75% and 3.0%) of dietary calcium from different sources eg. Oyster shell, limestone and Calcium premix. They were placed in the experimental cages. Six birds were considered for a replication of each treatment. The birds were reared in clean laying cages an open sided house. The experimental quails were exposed to identical care and management throughout the experimental period. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Eggs were collected twice daily at morning and evening. The number of eggs laid by birds in each replication was recorded daily. The external quality of collected eggs were measured weekly from each treatment and level randomly. No significant difference (p>0.05) in egg weight, shell weight, shell percentage, except egg production and shell thickness was noted due to variation of different levels and calcium sources. But as the birds were getting older calcium premix produced better shell quality than oyster shell and limestone. It was concluded that any of these calcium sources can be considered for laying Japanese quail but calcium premix produces better shell quality at later age. This result also suggested that a level of 2.5% calcium increases egg weight and shell thickness, while 2.75% increases body weight and shell weight and 3% increases egg production and shell percentage.

Objective: The present research work was undertaken with the objectives to investigate the prevalence and molecular detection of the causal agents of sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) in cows at milk shed areas in Sirajganj and Pabna districts, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 300 milk samples were randomly collected from Baghabari milk shed areas of Sirajganj and Pabna districts. The milk samples were subjected for California Mastitis Test (CMT) for identifying SCM. Total 81 positive samples were then used for the isolation and identification of associated bacteria and fungi using conventional microbiological examination and biochemical tests, followed by confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. Besides, universal primers were used for amplification and sequencing of PCR products where specific primers were not used. Results: The overall prevalence of SCM was 51% (n=153/300). Based on bacteriological examination and biochemical tests, several bacteria were identified in this study; the orgnaisms included Staphylococcus sp. (45.68%) , Streptococcus uberis (14.81%) , Escherichia coli (9.88%), Proteus sp. (19.75%) , Salmonella sp. (1.23%) , Acinetobacter sp. (7.41%), and fungus (1.23%). PCR technique confirmed the bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus (279-bp), Streptococcus uberis (884-bp), E. coli (16SrRNA 585-bp, stx 1 606-bp, rfbO157 497-bp) and Salmonella sp. ( Inv-A gene796-bp). Conclusion: This study reveals that SCM in dairy cattle is persisting in Sirajganj and Pabna districts of Bangladesh. Hygienic practices should be improved, and providing technical intereventions may reduce the rate of SCM in the study areas. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2017.d238