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There is scanty information about the microbial composition of poultry manure processed through several bioprocessing interventions such as anaerobic digestion (AD) and vermicomposting. Here, we investigated the changes in microbial population and parasitic load of poultry manure (both litter and excreta separately) undergoing AD and vermicomposting . The study was conducted for a period of three months. Six biogas digesters and seven vermicompost units were used comprising of different treatments. Broiler litter was pretreated with 0.1 and 0.2 mol/L NaOH prior to AD while the layer excreta was subjected to different dilutions in water (1:6, 1:8, 1:10) for the production of biogas. Further, the substrates were also used for vermicompost production wherein similar treatment was given to the broiler litter while different carbonaceous materials (16-20 kg of leaves, rice husk, saw dust and wheat straw per 100 kg of poultry waste) were incorporated to the layer excreta. The microbiota changes were studied which comprised of changes in total bacterial count (TBC), coliform count and Salmonella spp. count in all the treatments at regular intervals. The parasitic load was also measured by counting eggs per gram (EPG) in all the treatments at regular interval. The results of the study showed a significant (P <0.01) reduction in the microbial populations of pathogens (upto 44-54%) as well as parasitic load (92-100%) with the advancement in time and proved AD and vermicomposting of broiler litter and layer excreta at the defined pretreatment conditions as an effective technique to treat poultry waste prior to safe disposal and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the farrowing kinetics of primiparous and multiparous sows belongs to Landly and Landrace breed was observed. The total number of 28 sows were studied comprising of 23 Landly (10 primiparous and 13 multiparous) and 5 Landrace (2 primiparous and 3 multiparous) sows. The farrowing kinetics of sows such a farrowing duration, placental expulsion and birth interval were recorded. During the study period, observed farrowing kinetics was in the normal range and there was no effect of parity and breed on farrowing duration, placental expulsion and birth intervals. Furthermore, Litter size at birth was positively correlated with farrowing duration (0.728), placental expulsion (0.566) and negatively correlated to birth interval (r = -0.493). Placental expulsion was positively correlated (r = 0.432) to farrowing duration. Hence, it was concluded that the parity and breed did not have any effect on farrowing kinetics but affected by the litter size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kisspeptin (Kp), an upstream regulator of GnRH release, is essential for the development and function of reproductive axis. Previously, we demonstrated the localization of Kp and its receptor (Kiss1r) in the active follicle in the bubaline ovary. Present study aimed to determine the effect of Kp on granulosa cell (GCs) functions, especially oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) production, and differential expression of genes regulating the proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis in the buffalo. The ovaries with 6–10 mm size follicles obtained from the cyclic buffaloes after slaughtering were used for isolation of GCs for in vitro study. The primary GCs culture was treated with Kp (0, 10, 50 and 100 nM) and incubated for 48 h. Production of E2 and P4 was estimated in the culture supernatant by ELISA. The expression of gonadotropin receptors (FSHR and LHR), steroidogenic genes (STAR, 3β‐HSD, CYP19A1), proliferation marker (PCNA), apoptotic factors (CASP3 and BCL2) and Kp signalling molecule (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, ERK1/2 and p‐ERK1/2) was studied in the GCs by qPCR. Significant E2 production was found in the Kp 50 and 100 nM groups (p <.05), whereas P4 production was reduced in Kp 100 nM group (p <.05). There was concomitant upregulation of FSHR, ERK1/2, STAR and CYP19A1 in the Kp 100 nM treated GCs. In addition, Kp at 100 nM stimulated the proliferation of GCs by upregulating the expression of BCL2 (5.0 fold) and PCNA (94.9 fold). Further, high immunoreactivity of p‐ERK1/2 was observed in the Kp‐treated GCs. It was concluded that Kp at 100 nM concentration stimulated E2 production by upregulating the steroidogenic pathway through ERK1/2, STAR and CYP19A1 and modulating PCNA and BCL2 expressions in the GCs. Further experiments are warranted using Kp antagonist in different combinations to establish the signalling pathway in Kp‐mediated steroidogenesis in the GCs for developing strategies to control ovarian functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In countries where farming is largely subsistence, no pedigree records of farm animals are maintained at farmers' herd and scientific mating plans are not observed which leads to the accumulation of inbreeding and loss of production potential. Microsatellites have been widely used as reliable molecular markers to measure inbreeding. We attempted to correlate autozygosity estimated from microsatellite data with the inbreeding coefficient (F) calculated from pedigree data in Vrindavani crossbred cattle developed in India. The inbreeding coefficient was calculated from the pedigree of ninety-six Vrindavani cattle. Animals were further grouped into three groups viz. acceptable/low (F: 0–5%), moderate (F: 5–10%) and high (F: ≥10%), based on their inbreeding coefficients. The overall mean of the inbreeding coefficient was found to be 0.070 ± 0.007. A panel of twenty-five bovine-specific loci were chosen for the study according to ISAG/FAO. The mean FIS,FST, and FIT values were 0.0548 ± 0.025, 0.012 ± 0.001 and 0.0417 ± 0.025, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the FIS values obtained and the pedigree F values. The locus-wise individual autozygosity was estimated using the method-of-moments estimator (MME) formula for locus-specific autozygosity. The autozygosities ascribing to CSSM66 and TGLA53 were found to be significantly (p <.01 and p <.05, respectively) correlated with pedigree F values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the effects of FMD vaccination on acute phase response and milk composition in the HF crossbred cows (n = 12) using a cross-over experimental design. In trial 1, one group (n = 6) received inactivated trivalent oil-adjuvanted FMD vaccine [day post-vaccination, (dpv) 0], while the mock-vaccinated group received saline (n = 6). After a cooling period of 15 days, the trial was repeated by swapping groups. The body temperature, dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield were recorded. Haemato-biochemical parameters, haptoglobin and cortisol concentrations were also assessed. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the neutralizing antibody response to FMDV serotype O and Asia1 indicated a positive immune response. A significant (p < 0.05) increase of 0.4° to 0.6°C in the body temperature, decrease of 0.7-0.8 kg in DMI along with an increase in the serum haptoglobin, total leukocyte count and neutrophils within dpv 2 indicated acute phase response in the FMD vaccinated group. Among the milk constituents, only milk fat (p = 0.053) was significant. It was concluded that FMD vaccination induced acute phase response within dpv 3 in the crossbred cows and caused a non-significant reduction in the milk yield on the day of vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, Porcine 60K SNP genotype data from 69 Landlly pigs were used to explore Copy Number Variations (CNVs) across the autosomes. A total of 386 CNVs were identified using Hidden Markov Model (HMM) in PennCNV software, which were subsequently aggregated to 115 CNV regions (CNVRs). Among the total detected CNVRs, 58 gain, 49 were loss type while remaining 8 events were both gain and loss types. Identified CNVRs covered 12.5 Mb (0.55%) of Sus scrofa reference 11.1 genome. Comparison of our results with previous investigations on pigs revealed that approximately 75% CNVRs were novel, which may be due to differences in genetic background, environment and implementation of artificial selection in Landlly pigs. Functional annotation and pathway analysis showed the significant enrichment of 267 well-annotated Sus scrofa genes in CNVRs. These genes were involved in different biological functions like sensory perception, meat quality traits, back fat thickness and immunity. Additionally, KIT and FUT1 were two major genes detected on CNVR in our population. This investigation provided a comprehensive overview of CNV distribution in the Indian porcine genome for the first time, which may be useful for further investigating the association of important quantitative traits in Landlly pigs. 115 CNVRs were identified in 69 Landlly pig population. Approximately 75% detected CNVRs were novel for Landlly population. Significant enrichment of 267 well-annotated Sus scrofa genes observed in these CNVRs. These genes were involved in different biological functions like sensory perception, meat quality traits, back fat thickness and immunity. Comprehensive CNV map in the Indian porcine genome developed for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexed semen facilitates additional female calf production for the expansion of a herd at a faster rate and also curtails the surplus production of unwanted male calves. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of sexed semen in indigenous Tharparkar cows based on 114 artificial inseminations (AI) performed at natural oestrus using two protocols i.e., single AI (n = 48) and double AI (n = 66). Overall, the first service conception rate (CR) was significantly higher in double (53.0%) than single (33.3%) AI protocol. The odds ratio of conception rate in double AI was 2.26 (χ2 = 4.4, df = 1, p =.04) with respect to single AI. The time that elapsed since the detection of oestrus to insemination was also analysed. In a single AI protocol, the CR was higher (p <.05) at 16 h (54.6%) than insemination at 8 h (27.0%) following the onset of oestrus. Yet, the CR using double AI protocol did not differ (p =.73) significantly when AIs were performed either at 8 h and 24 h (51.9%) or 16 h and 24 h (57.1%) post onset of oestrus. Besides, like the single AI protocol, the parity of the animals also influenced the CR, being higher in heifers (n = 22) than those of parous (n = 92) cows (72.73 vs. 40.43%, χ2 = 7.48, df = 1, p =.006) in the present study. The odds ratio of conception in heifers was 3.93 with respect to parous cows. Overall, the birth of female calf was 91.7%. In conclusion, the present study indicates a future promise of the sexed semen for the production of more female offspring from Tharparkar cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under Indian scenario poultry birds are mainly reared as broiler and layer for the production of meat and egg respectively. With the increase in poultry population in the country, the production of waste also increases. This waste was difficult to handle as it was having lower c:n ratio. C:N ratio is crucial factor in order to improve the utilization of waste or process it through any value-added technique. In the present study, different locally available carbonaceous materials were studied for adjusting the C:N ratio of poultry waste. Poultry waste was collected in the form of broiler litter and layer excreta from poultry farm, ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute. The composition of these wastes was determined and the carbon deficit was calculated. This carbon deficit was fulfilled with carbonaceous materials, which incudes wheat straw, rice husk, rice paddy, fallen dry leaves and wooden straw. The quantity of carbonaceous material required to adjust c:n ratio at 25:1 per 100 kg of broiler litter and layer excreta were ranging between 26.38 to 30.52 kg and 17.57 to 20.32 kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]