Search

Aim: To study the effect of supplementation of different levels of selenium as nanoparticles/sodium selenite on blood biochemical profile and humoral immunity in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The experimental research was conducted at Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar. 63 male Wistar rats were divided into 9 equal groups on the basis of their mean body weight (BW) (124.3±3.1 g BW) following completely randomized design. Experimental feeding was similar in all the groups except for the source and level of selenium (Se) in the diet. While Group 1 (control) was fed a basal diet with no Se supplementation, in Groups 2 and 3, 150 ppb Se was supplemented either as sodium selenite or Se nanoparticles, respectively. In Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7, Se was supplemented as its nanoparticles at 50%, 25%, 12.5% and 6.25% levels respectively i.e. at 75 ppb, 37.5 ppb, 18.75 ppb and 9.375 ppb levels respectively. In Groups 8 and 9, 300 ppb Se was supplemented either as Se nanoparticles or sodium selenite, respectively. Experimental feeding was conducted for a period of 91 days. At the end of the experimental trial, blood samples were collected to analyze the blood serum biochemical profile (serum glucose, serum total protein (TP), serum albumin, serum globulin, serum albumin: globulin ratio [A:G ratio], serum total cholesterol) and humoral immunity. Results: The levels of serum glucose, serum TP and serum albumin were comparable (p>0.05) among the nine groups of male Wistar rats. The mean serum total cholesterol was significantly (p

A total of 40 male guinea pigs (462.0 ± 9.3 g body weight) were divided into four equal groups and fed a basal diet consisting of concentrate mixture (ground maize grain (30.5%), Bengal gram (25%), wheat bran (24%), soya bean meal (18%), mineral mixture (2%; without selenium (Se)), common salt (0.5%) and ascorbic acid (0.05%)) and 10-20 g of available green fodder. While group 1 was fed basal diet alone, without any Se supplementation, groups 2, 3 and 4 were supplemented with 150 ppb of Se, as nano-Se, sodium selenite and organic Se, respectively, for 70 days. Results revealed that the serum Se levels significantly (P

India has the largest population of dairy cattle in the world at over 48 million animals, yet there has been little formal assessment of their welfare reported. Through observations of dairy cows on 38 farms in Kerala, India, we aimed to investigate the welfare of these animals and the practicality of animal-based assessments within common farming systems. Substantial welfare challenges were identified. All cows were close-tied (less than 1 m length) via a halter that pierced the nasal septum when housed, which was for the entire day (50% of farms) or part thereof. When outside access was available, it was also usually restricted by close-tying, longline tether, or hobbling. Ad libitum water was only available on 22% of farms and food access was also restricted (mean of 4.3 h/day). Future work should focus on encouraging dairy farmers in India to improve the welfare of their dairy cattle by: ceasing to tie and tether cattle (or at least providing tied and tethered cattle with exercise opportunities), providing unlimited access to drinking water and a readier supply of food (especially quality green forage/fodder), cleaning housing more frequently, providing strategies to prevent heat stress, breeding cattle suited to environmental conditions and with increased resistance to heat stress, and carrying out welfare assessments more regularly using a validated protocol and rectifying the causes of poor welfare. Such changes could substantially improve the welfare of tens of millions of cattle.