Pathomorphological effects of Alloxan induced acute hypoglycaemia in rabbits

AbstractAlloxan is one of the frequently used beta-cytotoxic agents for the induction of Type-1 diabetes mellitus in animal models and is the drug of choice in rabbits. Its beta-cytotoxic action results in a sudden release of insulin leading to severe hypoglycaemia and even mortality if glucose therapy is not given. In the present investigation the pathological effects of alloxan induced acute hypoglycaemia were studied in rabbits. New Zealand White rabbits, 1–1.5 kg body weight, were administered alloxan @100 mg/kg b.w., as a single intravenous dose. Blood glucose levels were monitored (0 h, 20 min, 1 h, and then hourly up to 5 h) and clinical signs noted. Rabbits dead due to hypoglycaemia were necropsied and histopathology performed. Severe histopathological changes were observed especially in the brain (neuronal degeneration and necrosis), kidneys (nephrosis, nephritis) and liver (hepatosis, hepatitis) and also, other organs. Histopathological observation of beta-cytolysis was suggestive that the drug induced hypoglycaemia is insulin mediated. It was concluded that acute hypoglycaemia causes severe pathological changes and the alloxan induced immediate hypoglycaemia if not managed in time, might exacerbate the pathological effects of hyperglycaemia in the induced diabetic models

Genetics of Disease Resistance in Chicken

Although poultry industry has gained momentum during the last few decades, there are still various impediments like improper infrastructure, unscientific management and above all various deadly infectious diseases which incur huge economic losses on poultry industry. These diseases include viral diseases like Avian Influenza, Marek’s Disease, New Castle disease and bacterial diseases like Colibacillosis, Pasteurellosis and Salmonellosis, etc. Development of disease resistant poultry has been found successful practice over the use of drugs or vaccines for disease control. Studies involving genome wide associations to figure out certain candidate genes that are involved in disease resistance have also been carried out. Single nucleotide polymorphism studies to unveil the mechanisms underlying disease resistance in chicken show that SNPs and other candidate gene approaches play a vital role in providing disease resistance. Also, understanding the genes and biological pathways that confer genetic resistance to various infections will lead towards the development of more resistant commercial poultry flocks or improved vaccines against various diseases. This chapter shall focus on various factors involved in disease resistance in chicken that interact with the pathogen and provide resistance against the pathogen

Feasibility and Product Maturity of Compost Developed from Poultry Waste in Temperate Agroclimate of Kashmir Region

Present work was carried out in the Department of LPM, FVSc and AH (SKUAST- Kashmir) to assess the feasibility and compost maturity in terms of temperature and bio-mineral (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) changes due to composting of poultry waste under the temperate agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir Valley. Poultry waste in the form of poultry carcass (including feathers) and litter manure was used for this study. Four treatment groups with four replicates each were formulated as: G1: Poultry carcass; litter manure, G2: Poultry carcass; litter manure; Paddy straw, G3: Poultry carcass; litter manure; effective microbes (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodopseudomonas palustris) and G4: Poultry carcass; litter manure; Paddy straw; effective microbes. During the primary stage of composting the group G4 had attained a significantly (P<0.05) highest peak temperature (0C) of 59.0±5.04 and 59.50±5.04 respectively during winter and summer seasons. Significantly (P<0.05) highest nitrogen content of 24.7 g/Kg was observed in group G4 at the end of secondary stage during summer season. The phosphorus content in end product of composting was significantly (P<0.05) highest (1.0 g/Kg) in group G4 during summer season. Similarly significantly (P<0.05) highest K content of 10.23 g/Kg was observed in group G4 during summer season. It was concluded that the addition of paddy straw and effective microbes assistant the composting process and yield better bio-mineral values and higher temperature gain

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasitic infections in Sheep of Kashmir valley of India

Background: Geologically the J&K state (2, 22, 800 sq. kms) is both complex and varied. Climatic conditions of the state ranges from sub-tropical (Jammu), temperate (Kashmir) to cold artic (Ladakh) zones and belongs to the great Himalayan mountain range, which exerts significant influence on its agro-climatic conditions. Gastrointestinal parasitism is a major problem in sheep production worldwide, these parasites cause diarrhea, anaemia, reduced weight gain and increased production costs. Materials and Methods: Five hundred fecal samples of sheep (Ovis aries) were taken from two farms. All fecal samples were examined to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Direct microscopic examination, Centrifugation floatation and Sedimentation techniques were used to examine fecal samples. Results: Overall prevalence rate was 62.9%. most commonly encountered parasites were Strongyle spp., Strongyloides spp., Eimeria spp., Nematodirus spp., and Monezia spp. was 24.61, 15.5, 9.8, 9.0 and 3.3%, respectively. The highest prevalence of G.I parasites was recorded during monsoon season (March- May) followed by summer season (June – August) whereas the lowest prevalence was recorded during winter season. Analysis of the data on the basis of sex revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the overall incidence of gastrointestinal parasites between male (75.6%) and female (44.8%) sheep. The maximum infection was observed in younger age groups compared to adults (P<0.05). The prevalence of different species o