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The biologically important complexes of aluminium(III) and gallium(III) derived from 1-acetylferrocenehydrazinecarbothioamide (L1H) and 1-acetylferrocene carbodithioic acid (L2H) were prepared and investigated using a combination of microanalytical analysis, melting point, electronic, infrared, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral studies along with X-ray powder diffraction studies. Aluminium and gallium isopropoxides interact with the ligands in molar ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 (metal:ligand), resulting in the formation of coloured products. The ligands are coordinated to aluminium(III) and gallium(III) via the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolic sulfur atom. On the basis of X-ray powder diffraction study, one of the representative gallium(III) complexes was found to have orthorhombic lattice, having the following lattice parameters: a=8.9200, b=14.6000 and c=7.0000. On the basis of the above studies, for the aluminium(III) and gallium(III) complexes, pentacoordinated structure for 1:1 complex and hexacoordinated structure for 1:2 and 1:3 complexes were assigned. The antimicrobial activities of the ligands and complexes were screened in vitro against bacteria Pseudomonas cepacicola and Bacillus substilis and fungi Collectatrichum capsici and Fusarium oxysporum. The complexes have higher activities than the free ligands do. In vivo studies of the ligands and their corresponding complexes have also been carried out to assess their antifertility activity. The results of these activities indicate the antiandrogenic nature of these complexes.

Reactions of 2-hydroxy-N-phenylbenzamide with semicarbazide hydrochloride and thiosemicarbazide resulted in the formation of new ketimines, semicarbazone and thiosemicarbazone of 2-hydroxy-N-phenylbenzamide, respectively. The organogermanium(IV) complexes have been synthesized by reacting trimethylgermanium chloride and triphenylgermanium chloride in a 1:1 molar ratio with these ketimines using microwave as well as conventional heating method for comparison purposes. The authenticity of these ligands and their complexes has been established on the basis of elemental analysis, melting point determinations, molecular weight determinations, infrared, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet, and mass spectral studies. These studies showed that the ketimines coordinated with the germanium atom and, accordingly, the trigonal bipyramidal environment around the metal atom has been established for the complexes. Both the ketimines and their complexes have been screened for their antimicrobial activities against a variety of fungal and bacterial strains and were found positive in this respect. The pesticidal activity of both the ligands and their metal complexes against the Corcyra cephalonica has also been tested.

Casein constitutes approximately 80% of the total protein in bovine milk and is regarded as a high-quality dietary protein embracing all the nine essential amino acids. However, the contested physiological effect of a bioactive peptide released upon digestion of a β-casein milk protein variant originating from a cow of a particular genetic makeup has evoked wide interest in research and industry. Present investigations were carried out to genotype the polymorphism in milk β-casein gene, delineate the seasonal, periodic, and parity variations in production and reproduction traits, and examine the genetic association between β-casein genotypes and production, and reproduction traits in Vrindavani crossbred cows. The study revealed that all three types of genotypes viz. A1A1, A2A2 and A1A2 were present in the Vrindavani crossbred population with genotypic frequencies of 12.3%, 39.6% and 48.1% respectively. The least-squares analysis revealed that the season of calving, period of calving, and parity affected several production and reproduction traits of Vrindavani cows significantly. It was found that β–Casein A1/A2 genotype had a significant effect on economic traits viz. LL (p ≤ 0.05), MY/LL (p ≤ 0.05), and Fat% (p ≤ 0.05) in Vrindavani crossbreds. The findings uncover the genetic constitution of the crossbreds for β-casein locus and emphasize its relationship with important economic traits that can aid in devising selection goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii is an important zoonosis and has great public health significance. A total of 905 clinical samples from 387 cattle [serum (n = 387); vaginal swabs (n = 387); milk (n = 131)] and 59 serum samples from humans were collected from gaushala (cattle shelter) and screened for anti-C. burnetii IgG antibodies in the sera using an indirect-ELISA kit. Further, the samples were tested for C. burnetii DNA employing TaqMan real-time and conventional PCR assays targeting the com1 gene. In ELISA, 9.56% and 6.78% of animal and human sera samples were positive for anti-C. burnetii antibodies, respectively. Upon pathogen detection, 3.87% sera, 1.81% vaginal swabs, and 6.87% milk samples from cattle tested positive in TaqMan real-time PCR and 1.55% sera, 0.52% vaginal swabs, and 3.05% milk samples were found positive in conventional PCR. In humans, one serum sample was positive in both the PCR assays. The PCR positive samples (n = 12) were partially sequenced and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using com1 gene sequences (n = 42) from a different host and geographical areas. The study highlights infection of cattle and their human contacts in gaushala and identifies relationships between strains identified in the gaushala and those in other parts of the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CD209 gene with the occurrence of bovine paratuberculosis (PTB) disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in Indian cattle. A total of 213 animals were preliminarily selected on the basis of physical body condition score, which was then screened by a panel of diagnostic tests viz. Johnin, ELISA, fecal microscopy, and fecal culture, for the establishment of a case–control resource population. A total of four SNPs viz. rs208222804, rs211654540, rs208814257, and rs210748127 in CD209 gene were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. All SNPs, except rs210748127, were polymorphic in our population. Genotypic–phenotypic associations were assessed by the PROCLOGISTIC procedure of SAS 9.3. The SNP rs208814257 yielded three genotypes viz. CC, CG, and GG, which were significantly (p < 0.05) different in case as compared to the control population. The odds of CC and CG in comparison to GG genotype were 1.21 and 0.40, respectively. The CG genotype was significantly higher in control population, indicating that this genotype may provide resistance against PTB in our resource population. Upon validation in an independent, larger test population and following biological characterization, SNP rs208814257 can be incorporated in marker panel for selection of animals with greater resistance to MAP infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk β-casein has attracted extensive research interest in the dairy industry and animal breeding as a source of high-quality protein for human diet; however, adverse health effects have been ascribed to A1 β-casein variant consumption. A study was conducted to genotype the polymorphism in milk β-casein gene and examines the potential association between β-casein genotypes and milk production and reproduction traits in population of Frieswal cows. β-Casein A1/A2 genotype had significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on several production traits including Total Milk Yield (TMY) (P ≤ 0.05), Milk Milk yield 300 days (MY300) (P ≤ 0.05), Lactation Length (LL) (P ≤ 0.01) and Peak Yield (PY) (P ≤ 0.01). β-Casein A1A1 genotype cows had significantly lower TMY, MY300, PY and DP as compared to A1A2 and A2A2 genotypes. A1A2 genotype had highest TMY, MY300, PY and DP; however, A2A2 and A1A2 genotypes were not significantly different from each other. The results pointed towards the superiority of A2 β-casein variant for several production traits in crossbreds. Further, with higher price of A2 milk, the inclusion of β-casein A1/A2 genotype in the selection of crossbreds offers higher profitability from dairy enterprise as well as provides a nutritional wellness product for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of genetic predispositions to susceptibility towards bovine tuberculosis (bTB) for the purpose of improving herd resistance to bTB through marker/genomic selection has been one of the thrust areas of research in animal production. Immune response genes, such as Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) which are involved in mycobacterial recognition and activation of innate and adaptive immune responses and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) which is a vital pro-inflammatory cytokine with pleiotropic roles in immune response that enables mounting of a strong microbicidal action, are potential strong candidates for exploring genetic basis of resistance. Present investigation was aimed at exploring the association of three SNPs (rs43702940, rs68343175 and rs55617317) in TLR1 gene and one SNP (rs109967811) in TNFa gene with susceptibility to bTB infection in cattle. In a case-control population of bTB established using single intradermal tuberculin test, three of the investigated SNPs were found to be polymorphic while rs43702940 revealed monomorphism. SNP loci rs109967811 in TNFa gene was found to be significantly (P < 0.01) associated with susceptibility to bTB in the study population. These findings suggest that SNPs rs109967811 located in exonic region of TNFa can likely serve as a potential marker against bTB infection in cattle upon validation in independent, larger resource population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FecG (GDF9) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, have been shown to be essential for follicular growth and ovulation. Different mutations in FecG gene caused increased ovulation and infertility in sheep. The present study was designed for screening polymorphism of FecG gene in 250 selected ewes from different sheep flocks representing Balangir (100), Shahabadi (100) and Bonpala (50) by employing forced PCR-RFLP technique. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood of Balangir, Shahabadi and Bonpala matured ewes with average litter size varying from 1.00± 0.00 to 1.14±0.02 at different parities. Digestion of FecG (GDF9) gene with DdeI restriction enzyme resulted into FecGHH homozygous genotype. In all three sheep breeds, genotypic frequencies of FecGHH were 100% and gene frequency of H allele was unity. This indicates that the FecG gene is fixed in the Balangir, Shahabadi and Bonpala population in the natural habitat. Litter size of Balangir and Bonpala sheep breeds were single but in Shahabadi sheep twin was recorded. In present study all the animals of three breeds were homozygous for FecG and there was no infertility observed in above mentioned breeds in field condition and organized farm, which is not in consonance with previous report. The observed effects could be caused by linkage disequilibrium with other nearby loci. The study revealed that FecG gene is not a reliable genetic marker for selection of high prolificacy in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present work was to identify the b - casein gene polymorphism in Tharparkar and Gir breeds of cattle. The beta - casein constitutes up to 45 % of the casein of bovine milk. The majority of beta-casein in dairy cattle breeds are found A1 and A2, while B is veryless common. The β-casein A1 variant was associated with the incidence of diabetes mellitus type -1, coronary heart disease and autism. The A2 variant reduces serum cholesterol. The present study was conducted on 72 cows (Tharparkar - 36 cows, Gir - 36 cows). Bovine genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood by using the method of phenol - Chloroformdeproteinization and ethanol precipitation and used in order to estimate β - casein genotypes by means of the PCR-RFLP method. The studied populations revealed detection of two genotypes -heterozygote genotype (A1A2) and homozygote genotype (A2A2) with frequencies of 0.11 and 0.89 in Tharparkar breed; 0.13, and 0.87 in Gir breed respectively. It is observed that both the breeds Tharparkar and Gir, contained a higher frequency of allele A2 (0.95 and 0.94) with that of allele A1. The present study revealed that A2 variant of beta casein is predominant over the A1 variant (very low frequency) in the studied population of Tharparkar and Gir breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Boorola FecB mutation gene in 250 selected ewes from different sheep flocks representing Balangir(100), Shahabadi(100) and Bonpala (50) by forced PCR-RFLP method. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood of Balangir, Shahabadi and Bonpala matured ewes with average litter size varying from 1.00± 0.00 to 1.183± 0.04 at different parities . Digestion of FecB gene with AvaII restriction enzyme resulted FecB+ + in all samples of Balangir and Bonpala but in Shahabadi 76(76%) were FecBB+ and 24(24%) were FecB+ + . Sequencing of representative samples of FecB gene from each breed showed absence of point mutation i.e., A to G at 110th position. The overall average of litter size in Balangir, Shahabadi and Bonpala was 1.00± 0.00, 1.41± 0.02 and 1.00± 0.00, respectively. Thus, the association between litter size and FecB+ + genotype among Balangir and Bonpala sheep breeds were in unity. Analysis of variance indicated that the effect of genotype on litter size was highly significant. FecB gene might have introgressed in Shahabadi sheep breed from Garole but the FecB gene has not been fixed in this breed. It needs further introgression of FecB gene through marker assisted introgression , so that each individual animal will lamb twins in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii is an important zoonosis and has great public health significance. A total of 905 clinical samples from 387 cattle [serum ( n  = 387); vaginal swabs ( n  = 387); milk ( n  = 131)] and 59 serum samples from humans were collected from gaushala (cattle shelter) and screened for anti- C. burnetii IgG antibodies in the sera using an indirect-ELISA kit. Further, the samples were tested for C. burnetii DNA employing TaqMan real-time and conventional PCR assays targeting the com 1 gene. In ELISA, 9.56% and 6.78% of animal and human sera samples were positive for anti- C. burnetii antibodies, respectively. Upon pathogen detection, 3.87% sera, 1.81% vaginal swabs, and 6.87% milk samples from cattle tested positive in TaqMan real-time PCR and 1.55% sera, 0.52% vaginal swabs, and 3.05% milk samples were found positive in conventional PCR. In humans, one serum sample was positive in both the PCR assays. The PCR positive samples ( n  = 12) were partially sequenced and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using com1 gene sequences ( n  = 42) from a different host and geographical areas. The study highlights infection of cattle and their human contacts in gaushala and identifies relationships between strains identified in the gaushala and those in other parts of the globe.

Two antigens ('cattle' type and 'Indian Bison' type) of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis were evaluated for diagnosis of Johne's disease (JD) in a gaushala (cattle herd). Of the 160 cows of Sahiwal and Hariana breeds screened, 81 (50.6%) tested positive in ELISA and 66 (41.8%) in AGPT test. Using the two antigens, 33.5% tested positive in both the tests while 41.1% tested negative. Exclusively, only 8.2% tested positive in ELISA while 17.1% tested positive in AGPT. Two antigens together detected 58.9% prevalence of MAP in the gaushala. Individually, indigenous ELISA using antigen from native source of MAP proved superior to AGPT in the diagnosis of JD in cows.