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Purpose: This paper explored the impact of prolonged lockdown caused by coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic on the academic aspects of veterinary students of India and its relationship with their socio-economic status. Design/methodology/approach: We conducted a study with 224 first-year veterinary students engaged in e-learning system from four veterinary colleges of India at the end of 7th week of lockdown using Google Forms questionnaire in a set of multiple-choice questions. The primary data were analysed using the non-parametric chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficients using the SAS software. Findings: The pandemic situation exerted an effect over the socio-economic and academic aspects of the students. The alternate e-learning system of education was adapted to the veterinary students and the teachers. The techniques of e-learning were mostly useful for the students from less affected family with sound income. Practical implications: The study suggests the decision-making for adopting e-learning system of education and also helps to assess the impact of lockdown in versatile socio-economic and diversified institutional infrastructural stratum of India. Theoretical implications: Any education is effective when it results in changes of behavioural components such as knowledge, attitude, skill and action of an individual. Based on this basic theory, the study has been conducted, which will help the policy makers to make a strategic plan for the implementation of e-learning system as an effective alternative in teaching and learning of agricultural education system. Originality/Value: This study provides a clear dimension about the degree of adoption of the e-learning system as a substitute of physical classroom teaching during crisis situation apart from any gender or institutes.

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cryopreservation of semen alters the sperm motion and mobility characteristics, resulting in poor or failure of conception rate after artificial insemination (AI). Melatonin an antioxidant is able to modulate the effect of ROS and prevents spermatozoa by reducing the oxidative stress during freezing process. Eight ejaculates from eight healthy HF bulls diluted with Tris egg yolk glycerol extender were divided into five equal aliquots. The Computer Assisted Semen Analyser (CASA) results showed no significant difference between the control—post‐ thaw samples and melatonin‐treated samples; however, the velocity of spermatozoa with regard to the VAP, VSL showed highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT‐treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT treated semen except for VCL where velocity increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The vigour of spermatozoa regard to BCF, STR and LIN recorded highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT‐treated semen except for the ALH where vigour increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The electron micrography images illustrated that the addition of 0.1 mM melatonin protected the plasma membrane and acrosome region and maintained the ultrastructure integrity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa when compared to control group, whereas the electron micrography of spermatozoa treated with 0.2 and 0.25 mM melatonin illustrated highest damage to the plasma and acrosome membrane. Thus concluding that inclusion of melatonin to sperm extender can improve the post‐thaw quality of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]