Maternal lineage of Nicobari pig (Sus scrofa nicobaricus) correlated with migration of Nicobarese, a native tribal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

Nicobari pig is reared by Nicobarese, a native tribal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Nicobari pig has maintained its genetic identity due to geographical isolation. This communication is the first report on maternal inheritance of Nicobari pigs. DNA polymorphism data showed seven haplotypes. D-loop sequence information and mitogenome analysis were able to earmark Nicobari pigs to Asian clade. The domestication process of pigs and its expansion pattern help to understand human migration pattern. Based on this hypothesis, this communication elucidates the probable origin of Nicobarese. Earlier studies indicated that Nicobarese had genetic affinities to races distributed in China, Malaysia and Thailand. Our data on maternal inheritance of Nicobari pig correlates with the data on migration of Nicobarese. Moreover, we could establish a novel connection of Nicobarese with people of Northeastern parts of India, Philippines and Vietnam through phylogenetic signal and geographical provenance of Nicobari pig. We further concluded that migration of Nicobarese happened during Western route of migration (WRM) ∼4000 years before present. Therefore, we propose one wave hypothesis of peopling of Nicobar based on our study and existence of Ausrtroasiatic language, Mon-Khmer in these islands.

Tri-Model Therapy: Combining Macrocyclic Lactone, Piperazine Derivative and Herbal Preparation in Treating Humpsore in Cattle.

Stephanofilariasis or humpsore is a chronic parasitic dermatitis of cattle. Various treatment regimens were attempted in the past but were found to be partially effective. Here, we claim a successful treatment regime using an FDA-approved macrocyclic lactone, a piperazine derivative, and an herbal preparation. Twenty-four cattle (18 affected and 6 unaffected) were selected and divided into Gr 1: positive control (infected without treatment; n = 6), Gr 2: treatment group (infected with treatment with ivermectin; n = 6), Gr 3: treatment group (infected with treatment with tri-model therapy including ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine citrate, and an herbal ointment, n = 6), and Gr 4: negative control (non-infected animals; n = 6). In Gr 2 and Gr 3, treatment to the ailing animals were given for 30 days. Lesion was significantly reduced in day 15 of post-treatment and completely healed on day 30 of post-treatment in Gr 3. Tri-model therapy recorded significant improvement in the surface area of the sore as compared to ivermectin administration alone. Antioxidants were increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) and cortisol concentrations were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in Gr 3 than in untreated control group at day 14, 21 and 28. Histopathological changes in infected animals were characterized by parakeratotic hyperkeratosis along with presence of nucleated keratinocytes. There were infiltrations of polymorphonuclear cells specially eosinophils along with a few monomorphonuclear cells. Microfilarial organism was observed beneath the epidermis, which was surrounded by fibrocytes and infiltrated cells. In the tri-model-treated animal after recovery, the skin revived a normal architecture. Therefore, tri-model therapy has the potential to cure humpsore.

Host-Parasite Interaction in Sarcoptes scabiei Infestation in Porcine Model with a Preliminary Note on Its Genetic Lineage from India.

The burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes scabies in humans or mange in animals. It infests a wide range of mammalian species including livestock, companion animals, wild animals, and humans. Differential diagnosis of Sarcoptes varieties is key for epidemiological studies and for formulation of an eradication program. Host-parasite interaction at the systemic level is very important to understand the pathogenicity of the mite. This communication deals with the preliminary report on the genetic characterization of S. scabiei from India. Moreover, the effect of S. scabiei infestation on host physiology with special emphasis on serum biochemical parameters, lipid profile, oxidant/antioxidant balance, stress parameters, and immune responses were evaluated in a porcine model. Cytochrome C oxidase 1 and voltage-sensitive sodium channel based phylogenetic study could distinguish human and animals isolates but could not distinguish host or geographical specific isolates belonging to animal origin. An absence of host-specific cluster among animal isolates argues against the hypothesis of delineating S. scabiei as per host origin. Elevated levels of markers of liver function such as albumin, AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH in infested animals indicated impaired liver function in infested animals. S. scabiei infestation induced atherogenic dyslipidemia indicated by elevated levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and a decreased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Oxidative stress in infested animals was indicated by a high level of nitric oxide and serum MDA as oxidative stress markers and low antioxidant capacity. S. scabiei triggered stress response and elevated levels of serum cortisol and heat shock proteins were recorded in infested animals. S. scabiei infestation increased the serum concentration of immunoglobulins and was associated with up-regulation of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-1ß, and IL-4 indicating both Th1 and Th2 response. The results of the study will be helpful for a better understanding of host-parasite interaction at the systemic level in crusted scabies in pigs.

Cholesterol Loaded Cyclodextrin Supplementation Enhances the Cholesterol-to-Phospholipid Ratio and Diminishes Oxidative Stress in Jack Spermatozoa During Cryopreservation.

The present study was conducted with the hypothesis that addition of cholesterol to the extender would stabilize the sperm membranes by increasing the cholesterol-to-phospholipid (C:P) ratio and would result in an improved post-thaw semen quality and reduce oxidative stress in the jack (Martina franca) semen. Forty-eight ejaculates from six jacks were collected and analyzed for the present study. The freshly collected semen sample of each jack stallion was divided into five equal fractions after addition of the primary extender without cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) (C) and with 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 mg/mL CLC to obtain 120 × 106 sperm/mL spermatozoa concentration. The semen was cryopreserved using customized freezing protocols. Evaluation of seminal parameters, the C:P ratio, and the oxidative status of jack spermatozoa was analyzed at all stages of cryopreservation. The oxidative status in the jack semen was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity levels. The results indicated that the mean percent values for various seminal quality parameters and the oxidative parameters were found to be significantly higher (P < .05) in CLC-treated groups with the highest values for 2 mg of CLC/120 × 106 spermatozoa. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the supplementation of CLC before cryopreservation has significantly reduced the oxidative stress and also increased the C:P ratio during semen cryopreservation process. Furthermore, a reduction in lipid peroxidation levels, reduced damage to the sperm plasma and acrosome membranes and improvement in the post-thaw sperm integrity as well as stability were recorded.

Ameliorative Effect of Ascorbic Acid and Glutathione in Combating the Cryoinjuries During Cryopreservation of Exotic Jack Semen.

The present study was designed to study the adverse effects of cryopreservation and evaluation of the cryoprotective effect of reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on exotic jack semen in combination or alone. For this, 24 semen samples from four adult and fertile jacks were collected via artificial vagina using an estrus jenny as dummy. After semen collection, the semen was evaluated for various qualitative and quantitative parameters in fresh, cooled, and frozen-thawed semen. The semen pellet was extended with the freezing extender containing either AA (0.9 g/L), GSH (2.5 mM), or combination of both (AA 0.9 g/L + GSH 2.5 mM), and another aliquot was kept as control without adding the antioxidants. The jack semen underwent cryodamage, which was evident by the observation of significant (P < .05) decline in the seminal quantitative parameters at various stages of cryopreservation process. Prefreeze and postthaw semen evaluation revealed that the values of plasma membrane, acrosome integrity, and chromatin integrity were found to be significantly higher (P < .01) in the group of samples supplemented with the combination (0.9 g/L AA +2.5 mM GSH) than AA- and GSH-alone or control groups. Supplementation of antioxidants to the freezing extender improved jack prefreeze and postthaw semen quality with the superiority of GSH over AA alone. From the present study, it was inferred that, exotic jack spermatozoa are susceptible to injuries because of cryopreservation, but these cryo-induced damage can be ameliorated significantly (P < .05) with the use of antioxidants and contribute to the improvement of semen cryopreservation procedures.

Biochemical components of seminal plasma and their correlation to the fresh seminal characteristics in Marwari stallions and Poitou jacks.

AIM: To investigate various biochemical components of seminal plasma in Marwari stallions and Poitou Jacks and to find out their correlation with that of the seminal characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, semen was collected from six Marwari stallions and six Poitou jacks aged from 4 to 6 years and with known fertility status. The semen collection from the stallions were collected during the breeding season, i.e., between the months of April and June. From the collected semen ejaculates, we estimated the values of some biochemical components, viz., total protein content, total lipid content, and enzymes such as glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, total calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) and correlations among different seminal parameters were statistically examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In this study, we found positive correlations between semen volume as well as sperm concentration and GOT, GPT, ALP and ACP for both the group stallions. Significant correlation between motility and glucose, GOT and GPT could be an indication for their role metabolism and protection against free radicals to the spermatozoa. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it is concluded that there is a positive correlation between some biochemical values such as glucose, Ca, ALP, and LDH and seminal parameters which play a key role in capacitation and onward movement of the spermatozoa.

Risk factors and impact of retained fetal membranes on performance of dairy bovines reared under subtropical conditions.

The risk factors and impact of retained fetal membranes (RFM) on productive and reproductive performance of crossbred cattle, Zebu cattle, and Murrah buffalos were evaluated using data spread over 12 years. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors and to quantify their odds ratio (OR). Overall incidence of RFM in crossbred cattle, Zebu cattle, and Murrah buffalos were 26, 16, and 13 %, respectively; and significant risk factors for RFM in crossbred cattle were abortion (OR = 3.9), dead calf (OR = 4.1), dystocia (OR = 4.3), pluriparity (OR = 1.5), and shorter gestation length (OR = 4.3). In Zebu cattle, abortion (OR = 4.0), dead calf (OR = 3.7), dystocia (OR = 3.9), lower birth weight of calf (OR = 1.6), and shorter gestation length (OR = 6.4) were significant risk factors for RFM. In Murrah buffalos, abortion (OR = 19.2), dead calf (OR = 4.4), dystocia (OR = 4.7), pluriparity (OR = 1.7), shorter gestation length (OR = 12.7), and calving during summer season (OR = 1.8) were the risk factors for RFM. Although the occurrence of RFM did not affect fertility parameters, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in 305-day milk yield and total milk yield was observed in RFM-affected crossbred cattle. Taken together, it may be concluded that increased parity, abnormal calving, and short gestation length were the main risk factors for RFM in dairy bovine.