The present study was conducted to see the impact of weaning ages on post-partum reproductive performance and stress level in buffaloes. Murrah buffaloes (42) were equally and randomly divided into ...three groups viz. group 1, suckling (control); group 2, Weaning of calves at birth and group 3, Weaning of calves at 45th day. Reproductive parameters were recorded from calving to 90 days post- partum. The average days of first post-partum heat and first post-partum artificial insemination (AI) were earlier in dams of group 2 than group 3 and group 1. However, the number of service per conception and first service conception rate were better in group 3 than group 2 and group 1. Keeping in view the early resumption of ovarian activity and better reproductive performance in weaned buffaloes, the weaning practice could be more successful at earliest possible time after calving (at birth).
Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of floor surface on lameness score and walking speed of crossbred cows under loose housing system. Crossbred cows (24) were selected and randomly ...assigned into one of the four groups (6 in each group) having different combination of flooring surface viz. T0-Concrete floor (in covered feeding area) + Brick paved (in open area), T1-Concrete (in covered feeding area) + Sand bed (in open area), T2- Rubber mat (in covered feeding area) + Sand bed (in open area) and T3- Rubber mat (in covered feeding area) + Brick paved (in open area). All experimental animals were scored for lameness using “Visual Lameness Scoring†(VLS) system on 1-5 scale. Walking speed of cows was also observed during experimental period. Lameness scores were significantly different between the groups. Lameness score were greater for cow housed in T3 and T0 group. However, lameness score were lower in cows housed in T1 and T2 group. Walking speed differed significantly between treatments and was greater in T2 and T1 than T3 and T0. Cow housed in T0 and T3 group walked slower compared to T1 and T2 group. Further, proportionally greater numbers of cows with higher lameness score were found in T0 and T3 group. It can be concluded that equipping open area with sand bed with either concrete or rubber mat in covered area improved animal welfare in term of decreasing lameness. While providing rubber mat alone with brick was comparable to concrete and brick.
Objective: To assess alcohol consumption practices amongst adult males in a rural block area. Materials and Methods: Using multi-stage random sampling frame, at least 12 households were identified ...from selected anganwadi centers (n = 27), and one resident adult male from each household was interviewed in confidence using pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured interview schedule after seeking informed consent. In households with more than one adult male respondent, the elder member was recruited. For operational purpose, a drinker was defined as a person who had consumed at least one alcoholic drink in 1 year immediately preceding the survey. Results: A total of 345 adult males were covered with a mean age of 46.6 (±14.2) years. Nearly 64.6% had 5 years of schooling, 46.4% were farmers, 54.2% lived in joint family system and 59.7% had monthly family income up to Rs 10,000. Nearly 150 (43.5%) subjects had some correct knowledge regarding adverse effects of alcohol consumption. Of all the study subjects, 326 (94.4%) males had consumed at least one alcohol-based drink and of which 66.3% consumed country liquor. Nearly 239 (73.3%) drank at either their respective homes or their friends′ homes. Two hundred and eighty-one (86.2%) procured alcohol from a shop within the village; average expenditure per month was Rs 500-900 for 132 (40.5%) respondents; and 38.3% subjects did not consume any snacks with alcohol intake. Drinking had become a habit for 194 (59.5%) males; however, based on self-assessment, 131 (40.2%) considered alcohol consumption as a problem and intended to stop drinking. Conclusion: Within study limitations, high prevalence of alcohol consumption was noted in this study, which may not only eventually lead to health/social issues but also adversely influence the younger generation for easy and early uptake of alcohol.
Polyphenols and tannins have implications for health and nutrition because of their antioxidant activities. Foods with high content of phenolics, such as fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, show ...decreasing incidence of several diseases upon their consumption. However, there are limited reports on antioxidative properties of tannins present in legumes. Faba bean seed has been known for high content of condensed tannin which is attributed as one of the antinutritional factors in this highly proteinaceous pulse crop. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate and characterize the phenolic compounds in different tissues of this underutilized pulse and their antioxidative activities. Fairly good amount of phenolics were observed in all tissues extract which was quite evident from their high FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) value. It was further, observed that the extract prepared from its seeds presented a potent radical scavenger activity as indicated by its high capacity to reduce the free radical diphenylpicrylhydrazyl, whereas the tannin-free extract indicated loss of antioxidative activities. The seed extract also interacted with superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals as well as the oxidant species, hydrogen peroxide. Thus, our results provide evidence that the extract prepared from different tissues of faba bean shows antioxidant and radical scavenging activities largely because of its condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins).
This study aims to compare the efficacy and toxicity of chronomodulated concomitant chemotherapy using weekly Cisplatin at 0600 hour and 1800 hour along with radical external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) ...in the management of locally advanced head and neck carcinoma (LAHNC). Previously untreated, histopathologically proven 60 patients of LAHNC were taken for definitive treatment by concurrent chemo-radiation. These patients were randomly assigned either of two groups; group I, the 0600 hour cisplatin administration and group II, the 1800 hour cisplatin administration group, each in dose of 30 mg/m super( 2). EBRT was given as 66Gy/ 33Fr/ 6.5 weeks on telecobalt machine. At the end of treatment, complete tumor response (CRT) in group II were better and complete node response were comparable. Acute skin and mucosal reactions were 3.3% versus 10% each. Hematological toxicity: fall in hemoglobin was lesser in group II patients-3.3% versus 10% in group I, fall in total leukocyte count was observed up to grade 1 only in two patients of each group.
Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of concrete or rubber surface, in combination with open yard with either brick paving or sand bed on milk production and composition in crossbred ...dairy cows under loose housing system. Total 20 crossbred cows, were assigned to four treatment groups (5 per group) viz. Control group (T0): Concrete floor (in covered feeding area) + Brick paving (in loafing area); Treatment 1 (T1): Concrete floor + Sand bed; Treatment 2 (T2): Rubber mat + Sand bed; Treatment 3 (T3): Rubber mat + Brick paving. Milk yield did not differed significantly (P>0.05) among groups, but it was higher in T2 followed by T3, T0 (control) and T1. Fat %, SNF % and Total Solids % were almost similar (P > 0.05) in all the groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that provision of rubber mat or sand floor alone does not affect milk production and composition. However, floor combination of rubber mat and sand bed in loose houses showed higher production.
Bovine milk is regarded as nature's perfect food due to presence of vital nutrients. However some peptides are generated after proteolytic digestion of β-casein that have opioid properties and may ...increase the risk of chronic diseases. There are 13 genetic variants of bovine beta-casein; out of these A1 and A2 are the most common in dairy cattle breeds. The A1 and A2 variants differ only at position 67, which is histidine in A1 or proline in A2 milk. Earlier published reports have indicated that A1 β casein could be responsible for several health disorders like diabetes, coronary heart disease etc. while A2 β-casein is generally considered safe for human consumption. In the present study, an effort was made to sequence characterize β casein gene and identify allelic distribution of A1A2 alleles in native cattle of Ladakh region adapted to high altitude and low oxygen condition. The data showed 2 non-synonymous variations in coding region, while 5’UTR was completely conserved. The 3’UTR showed 2 more variations in Ladakhi samples. Further, the genotyping in 85 Ladakhi cattle for A1A2 alleles revealed that in Ladakhi cattle, A2 allele is predominantly present as reported for some of the other Indian breeds. The frequency of A2 allele was 0.90 and frequency of A2A2 genotype was found to be 0.79 in Ladakhi cattle. The present data strongly indicate that local cattle of Ladakh with higher frequency of A2 allele and A2A2 genotype is natural resource for A2 milk. Systematic efforts should be made for long term conservation and genetic improvement of this invaluable genetic resource of Ladakh.
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