Temporal effect of flaxseed oil in boar's diet on semen quality, antioxidant status and in-vivo fertility under hot humid sub-tropical condition.

The present study investigates the temporal effects of flaxseed supplementation on boar semen quality, antioxidant status, and in-vivo fertility under high-temperature humidity index (THI) conditions in a sub-tropical climate. Twelve Hampshire crossbreed boars were randomly assigned to control and treatment groups, with the treatment group receiving flaxseed oil supplementation. Semen samples were collected and analyzed for semen quality parameters, sperm kinematics, and antioxidant status. Fertility outcomes were assessed through in-vivo mating trials. Flaxseed supplementation resulted in time dependent significant improvements in semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive sperm motility, sperm quality parameters, and antioxidant status. Fertility outcomes, including farrowing rates and litter sizes, were also enhanced in the flaxseed-supplemented group. These findings highlight the potential of flaxseed supplementation to improve boar fertility under high ambient stress conditions, with implications for optimizing reproductive performance in swine production systems.

Indigenous chicken production system in different agro-ecology of Indian Himalayan Region: implication on food and economic security.

The indigenous chicken production system (ICPS) has several use values and ecosystem services. In the last few years, ICPS has been recognized for its possible contribution to household food security, income generation, wildlife protection, and bettering the women's lives. This study aimed to collect, for the first time, comprehensive information about ICPS in three different agro-ecologies (tropical, sub-tropical, and sub-temperate) of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and its role in food and economic security of traditional communities. In this study region, ICPS is semi-extensive, providing homegrown feed and temporary night shelter. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, females owned non-significant (p = 0.170) more indigenous chicken flocks than males. Households in sub-temperate agro-ecologies had significantly (p ≤ 0.001) larger flock sizes and tropical livestock units (chicken-TLU). However, the livestock diversity index (LDI) was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in tropical and subtropical agro-ecology. The households in the sub-temperate region highly (p ≤ 0.001) valued indigenous chicken because of its survivability and adaptability. In absolute numbers significant (p ≤ 0.001) higher numbers of adult birds died in past 1 year in sub-temperate agro-ecology. The mortality rate of adult birds in sub-temperate agro-ecology was 9%, and it was 14 and 15% in tropical and sub-tropical agro-ecologies, respectively. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, larger flock size translated into significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) egg production and subsequently a significant (p ≤ 0.001) higher egg consumption per household per month. In sub-temperate agro-ecology, households' dietary diversity score was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher. Similarly, the average annual income from ICPS was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in sub-temperate agro-ecology and accounted for 18% of household income. ICPS' marketing chain was relatively short in the sub-temperate region. In all agro-ecologies, indigenous chicken and egg demand was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.001) in the winter. ICPS litter is used as farmyard manure, enhancing ecological resilience. In all agro-ecologies, the three most frequently cited obstacles to extending the indigenous chicken production system are illnesses, predators, and a lack of chicks availability. ICPS contributes to food and nutritional security, economic stability, and ecological resilience in this hilly and fragile ecosystem. Even though the system is self-sustaining, management and health interventions can increase production and productivity.

Linseed oil in boar's diet during high temperature humidity index (THI) period improves sperm quality characteristics, antioxidant status and fatty acid composition of sperm under hot humid sub-tropical climate.

Environmental heat stress in sub-tropical climates negatively impacts boar semen production and its quality. The present study aimed to examine the heat stress alleviating effects of dietary linseed oil on semen quality and antioxidant status of boar, in the summer and winter seasons in sub-tropical climate. Six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed with 90 mL linseed oil (treatment) whereas six boars of the same breed were fed 90 mL vegetable oil (control) for sixteen weeks during both season. Sperm quality was assessed for motility, viability, abnormality, acrosomal integrity, and Hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). Sperm velocity attributes were assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase; GPx, catalase; CAT, total antioxidant capacity; TAC and nitric oxide; NO) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) were measured in seminal plasma and serum. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the estimation of fatty acid composition of seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Feeding linseed oil to the boars significantly (p < 0.05) improved sperm quality at the fresh stage and after 72 h of liquid storage in both season. There was a significant (p < 0.01) effect of treatment and season on semen quality parameters. Significant boar (p < 0.05) effect was recorded on reaction time, semen volume, sperm abnormality, acrosomal integrity and HOST reactive sperm. There was a significant (p < 0.01) effect of treatment and season on the velocity attributes viz. VAP, VSL, VCL, ALH, BCF and STR%. Linseed oil supplementation significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced antioxidant and lowered MDA levels in serum as well as seminal plasma. The concentration of alpha-linolenic (ALA), arachidonic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in seminal plasma and sperm after linseed oil supplementation. In conclusion, linseed oil supplementation to boar during high THI months improved the semen quality parameters viz. semen volume, sperm concentration, and progressive motile sperm, along with enhanced antioxidant capacity.

Small intestinal mucosal cells in piglets fed with probiotic and zinc: a qualitative and quantitative microanatomical study.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics and zinc are commonly used and beneficial in pig production. This work aimed to assess the effects of probiotic and zinc on the mucosal cells of the small intestine in respect to digestive capacity and immunity in pre- and post-weaned piglets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided equally into control and treatment groups. The piglets were maintained in standard management conditions and were weaned at 28 days of age. The treatment group of piglets fed a mixture of probiotics orally at 1.25 × 109 CFU/day and zinc at 2000 ppm/day from birth to 10 days of age. At three different age-groups viz. day 20 (pre-weaning) and, day 30 and day 60 (post-weaning), the animals were sacrificed. For histomorphology, the tissue samples were processed and stained with Mayer's haematoxylin and eosin for routine study, combined periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian blue for mucopolysaccharides and Masson-Hamperl argentaffin technique for argentaffin cells. The stained slides were observed under the microscope. The samples were processed as per the standard procedure for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted. RESULTS: The mucosal epithelium of villi and crypts were lined by enterocytes, goblet cells, argentaffin cells, microfold (M-cell) cells, tuft cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The multipotent stem cells were located at the crypt base. The length of the enterocyte microvilli was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in the treatment group of piglets. The number of different types of goblet cells and argentaffin cells was more in treated piglets irrespective of segments of intestine and age. The intraepithelial lymphocytes were located in apical, nuclear and basal positions in the lining epithelium of both villus tip and base with their significant increase in the treatment group of piglets. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the frequent occurrence of tuft cells in the lining mucosa of the small intestine in treated piglets. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc induced the number of different mucosal cells of villi and crypts in the small intestine that might suggest the greater absorptive capacity of nutrients and effective immunity in critical pre and post-weaned piglets.

Applied anatomy and clinical significance of the maxillofacial and mandibular regions of the barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor).

BACKGROUND: There is no previously reported information on the applied anatomy and clinical significance of the maxillofacial and mandibular regions of the barking deer and sambar deer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therefore, the present study was designed to provide some important clinical landmarks related to tracking of the infraorbital, mental and mandibular nerves with its clinical implications in regional anaesthesia in both the species. RESULTS: In the present study, the distance between the most lateral bulging of the facial tuberosity to the infraorbital foramen and from the latter to the root of the alveolar tooth directly ventral to it was found to be 2.65 ± 0.01 cm and 0.90 ± ± 0.02 cm in males; 2.75 ± 0.01 cm, 1.11 ± 0.01 cm in females of barking deer and 4.57 ± 0.01 cm and 1.83 ± 0.02 cm in males; 4.52 ± 0.02 cm and 1.76 ± 0.02 cm in females of sambar deer. The infraorbital foramen was small, elliptical and was located at the level of first superior premolar teeth in barking deer and sambar deer. The facial tuberosity was located above the third superior premolar teeth in the barking deer but was located at the level of the first superior molar teeth in sambar deer. The distance between the lateral alveolar root of the third inferior incisor tooth to the mental foramen was 2.84 ± 0.01 cm in males, 2.78 ± 0.01 cm in females of barking deer and 3.04 ± 0.02 cm in males, 2.96 ± 0.01 cm in females of sambar deer which is an important landmark for achieving the location of the mental foramen nerve for the regional nerve block in both the species. The mandible of both the species showed oval-shaped mental foramen with unossified mandibular symphysis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that most of the parameters showed a statistically significant difference between the sexes in barking deer and sambar deer; however, from the practical point of view, these differences were meager. The results were discussed with regard to their clinical applications in various regional anaesthesia performed in maxillofacial and mandibular regions of both the species.

Vertebral scale system to measure heart size in thoracic radiographs of Indian Spitz, Labrador retriever and Mongrel dogs.

AIM: To establish reference values of vertebral heart score (VHS) in Indian Spitz, Labrador retriever, and Mongrel dogs; to assess applicability of VHS in these three dog breeds; to determine if breed, recumbency side, gender, body weight, and thoracic depth (TD) to thoracic width (TW) ratio has an influence on the VHS measurement in these dog breeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60, client owned, clinically healthy Indian Spitz (n=20, mean age = 4.25±2.15 years, body weight = 11.87±2.7 kg), Labrador retriever (n=20, mean age = 4.75±1.91 years, body weight = 27.31±5.43 kg), and Mongrel dogs (n=20, mean age = 4.25±1.52 years, body weight = 16.25±3.99 kg), having no radiological and clinical signs of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease were included in the study. All dogs were restrained manually and left lateral (LL) and right lateral (RL) radiographic views were obtained. The size of heart in lateral radiographs was calculated using VHS method. Besides, the TD, TW and TD: TW were calculated to determine the type of thoracic conformation in the dog breeds. In addition to this, the effect of breed, side of recumbency, gender, body weight, and TD to TW ratio on the calculation of VHS was determined. RESULTS: VHS was calculated in all the animals of the breeds. VHS in Spitz and Labrador retriever was significantly (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively) >9.7±0.5 v. RL and LL VHS in Mongrel dog was significantly (p<0.037) >9.7±0.5 v. Significant (p<0.05) differences in the VHS were observed among Spitz, Labrador retriever and Mongrel dogs, being higher for Labrador retriever followed by Spitz and Mongrel dogs. VHS in RL recumbency was significantly (p<0.001) greater than VHS in LL recumbency in all three breeds. LL and RL VHS correlated significantly with each other in Spitz (r=0.58; p=0.02), Labrador retriever (r=0.87; p<0.0001), and Mongrel dogs (r=0.93; p<0.0001). Significant (p<0.05) differences in the TD and TW were observed among Spitz, Labrador retriever, and Mongrel dogs. Non-significant effect of gender, body weight, and TD to TW ratio on the VHS measurement was observed in each dog breed. CONCLUSION: Breed-specific VHS reference ranges should be used for the objective measurement of heart size in dogs. Furthermore, the radiographic view should also be taken into consideration to avoid any erroneous interpretation of cardiac enlargement in dogs.

Serum metabolic and minerals profile in norgestomet primed postpartum anestrous surti buffaloes.

AIM: The study was undertaken to find out the serum metabolic and minerals profile in postpartum anestrous surti buffaloes treated with norgestomet ear implants alone and in combination with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 18 postpartum anestrous Surti buffaloes divided into three groups of six animals each at random to conduct the experiment. The buffaloes in Group-I and Group-II were implanted with Crestar ear implant for 9 days together with 2 ml injection of Crestar solution given i/m on the day of the implant insertion. In Group-II, additionally 500 IU PMSG was given i/m on the day of implant removal, whereas the buffaloes in Group-III served as anestrous control group and received 5 ml Normal Saline i/m on day 0 and 9 as a placebo treatment. RESULTS: The overall serum total protein values did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between time (days) intervals in any of the groups. The mean serum total cholesterol levels at 10(th) day and on the day of estrus were found significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the control group as compared to treatment Groups I and II. However, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) at 10(th) day and on the day of estrus between treatment groups (T1 and T2). The overall mean serum cobalt, zinc, iron, and manganese values did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between different time intervals among any of the groups, except copper which was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at 10(th) day in control group as compared to treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Microelements cannot be synthesized in the body. Hence, it is concluded that the mineral mixture should be supplied daily in the animals ration to suffice the requirement of the trace elements. The mean serum metabolic and micro-minerals profiles in treatment and control groups revealed that overall mean serum total protein, cholesterol, copper, and zinc levels were apparently higher in treatment groups whereas, mean serum cobalt, iron, and manganese concentration had no consistent trend between treatment and control groups of Surti buffaloes.