Pathological Effects of Aflatoxin and Their Amelioration by Vitamin E in White Leghorn Layers

White Leghorn layer breeder hens, 30 weeks of age, were divided into 12 groups (A-L). Group A was kept on basal feed and served as control, while group B was offered feed supplemented with vitamin E (100 mg/Kg). Groups C-G were offered feed containing 100, 500, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 µg/Kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), respectively, whereas groups H-L were offered same dietary levels of AFB1 along with vitamin E (100 mg/Kg). The experimental feeds were offered for three weeks and afterward all the groups were switched over to basal feed for next two weeks. Body weight, absolute and relative weights of liver and kidneys of AF fed birds were significantly higher than control group. Pathological lesions in aflatoxin (AF) fed birds included enlarged, pale and friable liver, swollen kidneys and hemorrhages on different organs. Histopathological lesions in liver included fatty change, congestion and hemorrhages, while in kidneys tubular necrosis, cellular infiltration, congestion and hemorrhages were found in groups fed AFB1 at 500 μg/Kg and higher doses. In AF fed hens, no significant ameliorative effects of vitamin E could be observed upon AF induced decrease in feed intake, gross pathology and histopathological alterations and organ weight except body weights. It was concluded that the vitamin E ameliorated the AFB1 induced toxic effects in some of parameters studied

Pyrethroid-Induced Reproductive Toxico-Pathology in Non-Target Species

Pesticides used against agricultural pests and ecto-parasite infestation in animals may also induce injurious effects in humans, pets and farm animals. The pyrethroid pesticides are rapidly replacing other insecticides due to relatively lower toxicity for mammals. However, they have now become an environmental issue due to excessive use in agriculture, livestock production, leather industry and shampoos etc. In addition to various clinical, hemato-biochemical, immunosuppressive and neuro-toxicological effects of pyrethroids, more danger has been suspected with respect to reproductive toxicity. The fetal resorption and early fetal mortality rate were found to be significantly increased in female animals allowed mating with males exposed to pyrethroids. The testicular and epididymal sperm counts and serum testosterone concentrations in pyrethroid treated animals were decreased. Moreover, abnormal spermatozoa, degenerated spermatozoa, arrested spermatogenesis and connective tissue proliferation in testes, and tailless spermatozoa in epididymis were reported with pyrethroid exposure. A decrease in pregnancy rate, number of implantation sites and total number of recovered fetuses have also been reported in female animals receiving pyrethroid treatment during gestation and allowed mating with untreated male rabbits. The progeny of pyrethroid exposed parents also showed toxic effects. Disruption of certain steroidogenic enzymes and nuclear receptors in has been reported in pyrethroid exposed animals. This review concludes that pyrethroid exposure is responsible for endocrine disruption and decreases fertility in both sexes of various non-target species and produces fetal mortality, which may be prevented by vitamin E supplementation due to its anti-oxidant potential

QUARTER-WISE COMPARATIVE PREVALENCE OF MASTITIS IN BUFFALOES AND CROSSBRED COWS

The present study was designed to determine the quarter-wise comparative prevalence of mastitis in buffaloes and crossbred cows. Milk samples collected from 50 dairy buffaloes and 50 crossbred cows were tested for subclinical mastitis by Surf Field Mastitis Test. In addition, all milk samples were processed for isolation and identification of pathogens. In buffaloes, overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 27%, clinical mastitis 4% and blind quarters 10%. In crossbred cows, subclinical mastitis was observed in 36%, clinical mastitis in 5.5% and blind quarters in 8% quarters. Prevalence was higher (32%) in hindquarters of crossbred cows than those of buffaloes (29%). Among the isolates, Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest (45%) frequency, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae (23%), E. coli (18%) and Bacillus spp. (14%) in buffaloes. In case of crossbred cows, Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus agalactiae , E. coli and Bacillus spp. were isolated from 48, 30, 13 and 8% milk samples respectively

Combining ability Analyses for Protein Content and Maturity Traits in Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Combining ability analyses were carried out for protein content, days to 50% heading, days to 50% heading in growing0 days (GDD), days to 50% flowering, days to 50% flowering in growing0 days (GDD), days to 50% physiological maturity, days to 50% physiological maturity in growing0 days (GDD), No. of grains/ spike, 1000 grain weight and grain yield/ plant in spring wheat. Additive as well as dominance gene action was responsible for expression of these traits. Most of the genotypes were found to be superior general combiners for protein content and other traits studied. Like wise, crosses involving diverse parents showed significant SCA effects for protein content and other traits. To ensure further increase in protein content with optimum maturity duration, combinations of desirable component traits is advocated. Biparental and/or diallel selective mating design would be useful methods  for further improvement of protein content with optimum level of maturity time and  grain yield in spring wheat

Mycotoxic effect of Medicinal Plants Against Helminthosporium sativum and Aspergillus niger

hirty-nine extracts from 10 medicinal plants were tested against Helminthosporium sativum and Aspergillus niger for their fungitoxicity in vitro. Methanol leaves extracts of Lawsonia inermis, Withania somnifera, Datura metel, Datura stramonium and stem bark extract of Bauhinia racemosa significantly inhibited mycelia growth of both target fungi. Some extracts exhibited greater fungitoxicity than that of synthetic fungicide Dithane M-45

HAEMATOLOGICAL AND PLASMA PROTEIN PROFILE IN FAYOUMI HEN SUFFERING FROM ASCITES

A 9 months old Fayumi layer, having 2.5 kg body weight with distended abdomen was examined. On physical examination, the hen was found anaemic, dyspnoeic and recumbent with pulpy abdomen distended with fluid. Upon aspiration, about 800 ml of straw-coloured fluid was collected which contained proteinitious casts but no fibrin. Haematological examination revealed that RBC counts, haematocrit and WBC counts were 3.5 x 1012/L, 25% and 50 x 109/L, respectively. Differential leukocytic counts revealed that heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils were 50, 26, 18 and 6%, respectively, without any basophils. The concentrations of plasma proteins and fibrinogen were 7.9 g/dL and 312 mg/dL, respectively. The hen was given supportive therapy along with antibiotics and flusher

CHARACTERISTICS OF RURAL SUBSISTENCE SMALL HOLDER LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN MOUNTAINOUS AREAS OF NWFP, PAKISTAN

A study was conducted in the rural mountainous areas of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan to characterize small holder’s subsistence livestock production system. Livestock farmers (n=82) were interviewed in 16 villages of Batagram and Mansehra districts. The farmers were keeping on an average 4 buffalos, 1 cattle, 12 sheep or 13 goats per household. More than 94% farmers were keeping 4 buffaloes per household as compared to only 40% keeping 1 or 2 cattle. Buffaloes were main dairy animals producing 7.9 liters of milk/day or 2370 liters per lactation of 300 days. Local non-descript cows were producing only 2.5 liters of milk per day. Animals of all species were found to be underfed, as they depended mostly on self growing local grasses for grazing. Only milking animals were offered some concentrates in the form of cottonseed cake and wheat bran. Milk was mostly consumed at the household level or converted into butter oil. Age at first calving and calving interval of buffaloes were longer than those of cows. Incidence of livestock diseases was high in the area. Major diseases in cattle and buffaloes were haemorrhagic septicaemia and internal parasites. Pleuropneumonia and parasitism were major disease problems in small ruminants. It was estimated that gross profit averaged Rs. 32475 per buffalo, Rs. 3320 per sheep and Rs. 5314 per goat per year. Gross margin for cattle was negative and the farmers were sustaining a loss of Rs. 1960 per cow per year. Keeping in view the poor production environments, the overall performance of animals was encouraging and offered considerable scope for improvement

Citric Acid-catalyzed Solvent Free, an Efficient One-pot Synthesis of 2, 3-Dihydro-1H-1, 5-Benzodiazepine Derivatives

2,3-Dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepines are synthesized by reaction of o-Phenylenediamine with ketones (acyclic / cyclic) under solvent free conditions in the presence of citric acid in short reaction time with excellent yield

Polymers at Interfaces: Biological and Non-biological Applications

Polymer is a long chain macromolecule comprising of several monomers. The interface is the dividing region between two phases. In this article the authors describe about the polymers at interfaces. The interfacial behaviour of polymers is an area of active research and holds immense potential for technological advances. Polymers can adhere to an interface either by physisorption or by chemical grafting. This article discusses and summarizes important work in the literature regarding the various technological applications of polymers at interfaces. They are explored cutting across disciplines and emphasizing the versatility of the interfacial behavior phenomenon. The fields of colloidal stabilization and bridging flocculation, detergency and biomedical applications are explored and latest developments in these areas are focused.  The emphasis is on practical issues rather than on the theoretical ones, as there are quite a few review articles available on the latter. This article will be a valuable source of information for the researchers who are starting their career in polymers related to biotechnology and chemical engineering

EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID AND ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS EXPOSED TO HEAT STRESS

A total of 100, day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 5 equal groups and kept under elevated temperature (93-97oF) to see the effect of ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid on the feed conversion ratio (FCR), immune status and ratio of weight of bursa, thymus and spleen to body weight. Heat stress increased the FCR but decreased the immune response and ratio of bursa, thymus and spleen to body weight of the birds. Ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid supplementation during heat stress had beneficial effects on FCR, immune status and ratio of bursa, thymus and spleen to body weight. Grossly, bursa, thymus and spleen of heat stressed birds were atrophied but in ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid supplemented birds these organs were not atrophied. No specific histopathological changes were observed in all groups