Effect Of Pre-freeze Addition Of Cysteine Hydrochloride And Reduced Glutathione On Post-thaw Sperm Parameters And Field Fertility In Jersey Crossbred Bull Semen

The present study was aimed to assess the effect of pre-freeze addition of cysteine hydrochloride and glutathione (GSH) on post-thaw sperm functional parameters and field fertility. The experimental bulls aged 4 to 6 years were used for the present study. A total of 36 ejaculates, 6 ejaculates from each bull (n=6) were collected and divided in to three groups, group I (control), group II (5mM cysteine hydrochloride) and group III (5mM GSH). The extended semen samples were added with @5mM additives, filled in mini straw using automatic filling and sealing machine (IMV, France) and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Post-freeze seminal traits were also recorded after thawing at 37oC for 30 seconds. Post thaw livability was significantly (p< 0.01) higher in GSH group as compared to cysteine and control groups. The loss of acrosomal integrity was significantly (p< 0.01) lower in GSH group than cysteine and control groups. Analysis of variance for post thaw motility parameters (Forward progressive and Total motility) has revealed that significant difference (p< 0.05) between the good and poor freezer in the group II and there was no difference in the group I and III under study at 0 and 1 hr incubation period and at 2 hrs the group III and at 4 hrs group I has revealed significance difference (p< 0.05).The curvilinear velocity (VCL) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) values were significantly (P<0.05) higher in GSH than the cysteine and control groups. The Mitochondrial membrane potential (per cent) had no significance difference between the treatment groups. The present study indicates that the addition of cysteine and GSH suggestive of reducing lipid peroxide levels. The conception rate (%) in glutathione (68) added semen was significantly (p>0.05) higher than cysteine (58) and control (49) groups. The post-thaw sperm progressive forward motility (r=0.4) had moderate but, no significant correlation with conception rate. However post-thaw VSL (r=0.7), loss of acrosomal integrity (r=-0.8) and mitochondrial membrane potential (r=0.9) had significant (p< 0.05) correlation with field fertility. The present study indicates that the use of glutathione as semen additives may be recommended for improving semen quality and overall augmentation of pregnancy in cows. The present study suggests that pre-freeze addition of glutathione was found to be better than cysteine in improving sperm fertility

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Not AvailableDoubling farmers’ income (DFI) by 2022 has been set as a target for Agriculture sector of India. Extensive deliberations have been made on application and adoption of technologies/packages as key forces to reach the target. The responsibility is with numerous stakeholders and the specic role of Research and Development (R&D) institutions in doubling farmers’ income has not been touched upon. As agriculture and allied sectors like aquaculture is a state subject, greater linkages have to be established by R&D institutions to achieve the target. The present study analysed the role of R&D institution in doubling farmers’ income, keeping technology as an effective tool, based on a case study of ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)-Khordha in Odisha State, India. The results of the study delineated the ways and means for ICAR-CIFA and KVK, Khordha to achieve the target of doubling farmers’ income by developing models with existing proven technology, upscaling proven extension approaches like Farmers Field Schools (FFS) replicated as Aquaculture Field Schools (AFS), best practices to be adopted and rationalising farm innovations.Not Availabl

EFFECT OF SODIUM SELENITE AND VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH AND SERUM MINERALS PROFILE OF PIGS (SUS DOMESTICUS)

To assess the effect of sodium selenite and vitamin E supplementation on growth and serum minerals, twenty male large white Yorkshire pigs of similar age (2-3 months) and body weight (14.96 ± 0.68 kg average) were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I served as control (without any supplementation), whereas animals in groups II and III were supplemented with 0.3 mg selenium kg-1 DM as sodium selenite, 100 mg of vitamin E as DL-α-tocopheryl acetate, respectively. Piglets in group IV were supplemented with both 0.3 ppm Se as sodium selenite and 100 mg of vitamin E as DL-α-tocopheryl acetate. This experimental feeding lasted for 120 days, during which fortnightly bodyweight changes were recorded. Blood samples were collected at day 0 and day 120. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in serum Se concentration in supplemented groups than control. Average daily gain and serum calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, manganese were similar (P>0.05) among the four groups. The results suggest that supplementation of 0.3 ppm Se as sodium selenite and 100 mg of vitamin E may enhance the serum Se concentration without affecting body weight gain and other serum minerals of pigs

Sources and variability of petroleum hydrocarbon residues in sediments of Chilika Lagoon, East Coast of India

The spatio-temporal distribution and the controlling factors of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in sediments of Chilika lagoon was investigated. Samples were collected during three seasons and quantified using UV-fluorescence spectroscopy. Concentrations of PHCs in surface sediments varies from 0.18 to 12.13 ppm (mean 3.71 ± 3.94 ppm). Compared to the lagoon, the monitoring stations adjacent to jetties with high boating activities tend to have higher PHC concentrations, suggesting that the contribution is likely to be from fossil fuel combustion and accidental seepage. The sediment organic matter (OM) of Chilika ranges from 0.26% to 6.23%. PHC maintains a positive correlation with OM (p < 0.05; f = 0.334), indicating the long term deposition of PHC as sediment OM. However, there is no significant relation between PHC and sediment texture, indicating its negligible control over PHC. The recorded PHC concentrations are below the threshold limit (70 ppm) as classified by United States (US) National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and also lower than those reported from similar ecosystems in India and overseas. Since the long term deposition and the bioaccumulation of PHC cannot be avoided, it is essential to monitor these parameters periodically