Comparative Expression Profiling and Sequence Characterization of ATP1A1 Gene Associated with Heat Tolerance in Tropically Adapted Cattle.

Climate change is an imminent threat to livestock production. One adaptation strategy is selection for heat tolerance. While it is established that the gene and its product play an important role in the response to many stressors, there has been no attempt to characterize the sequence or to perform expression profiling of the gene in production animals.

Diets for Dairy Cows with Different Proportions of Crude Protein Originating from Red Clover Silage versus Soybean Meal: Ruminal Degradation and Intestinal Digestibility of Amino Acids.

The purpose was to assess the effect of exchanging crude protein (CP) of soybean meal (SBM) with red clover silage (RCS) in total mixed rations (TMR) on ruminal degradation and intestinal digestibility (ID) of essential amino acids (EAA). Four TMR and their individual feed components were studied. The TMR were composed of forage and concentrates (75:25), with proportions of RCS in TMR of 0.

and determination of the protein value of feeds for ruminants.

The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of post-rumen crude protein (prCP), a precursor to metabolisable protein for ruminants, of feeds and feed mixtures using an and method, and to contrast the results of both approaches. For this, 34 samples were examined: 9 feeds, 13 feed mixtures made thereof and 12 feed mixtures provided by commercial dairy farms. As a minor aspect, additivity of protein values from feeds was evaluated by comparing measured and calculated values of feed mixtures.

Microenvironment of the male and female reproductive tracts regulate sperm fertility: Impact of viscosity, pH, and osmolality.

Background: Terminally differentiated mammalian sperm are exposed to gradients of viscosity, pH, and osmolality both in the male and female reproductive tract during their perilous journey to quest the ovum. The complex physicochemical factors play an integral role in preparing sperm for the fertilization process.

Objectives: To elucidate the influence of the reproductive tract microenvironment especially viscosity, pH, and osmolality in regulating sperm functional and fertilization competence.

Effect of boron supplementation on laying performance of White Leghorn hens fed diet with and without adequate level of calcium.

This study was conducted in White Leghorn layers to ascertain the effect of boron (B) supplementation to calcium (Ca) inadequate diet under standard managemental practices. A total of 80 commercial White Leghorn hens, 25 weeks old with a uniform body weight, were randomly assigned to one of the 4 groups of 20 hens/replicates in each dietary group viz., normal calcium (NC)/Ca adequate, low calcium (LC)/Ca-inadequate, normal calcium with 40 ppm B (NCB) and low calcium with 40 ppm B (LCB).

Dairy production in an urbanizing environment-Typology and linkages in the megacity of Bengaluru, India.

Urbanization is a main driver of agricultural transition in the Global South but how it shapes trends of intensification or extensification is not yet well understood. The Indian megacity of Bengaluru combines rapid urbanization with a high demand for dairy products, which is partly supplied by urban and peri-urban dairy producers. To study the impacts of urbanization on dairy production and to identify key features of dairy production systems across Bengaluru's rural-urban interface, 337 dairy producers were surveyed on the socio-economic profile of their household, their dairy herd and management, resources availability and, in- and output markets.

Comparison of enteric methane yield and diversity of ruminal methanogens in cattle and buffaloes fed on the same diet.

An in vivo study was conducted to compare the enteric methane emissions and diversity of ruminal methanogens in cattle and buffaloes kept in the same environment and fed on the same diet. Six cattle and six buffaloes were fed on a similar diet comprising Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) green grass and concentrate in 70:30. After 90 days of feeding, the daily enteric methane emissions were quantified by using the SF6 technique and ruminal fluid samples from animals were collected for the diversity analysis.

Body status and blood metabolites profiles during resumption of postpartum ovarian activity in yak (Poephagus grunniens).

We examined the changes in body weight (BW), back-fat thickness (BFT) and blood metabolites in relation to postpartum (PP) ovarian activity status in twenty female yaks raised under semi-intensive system. BFT and ovarian activities, like follicle development, ovulation (OV) and corpus luteum (CL) development, were monitored from 4 to 15 weeks (wk) PP using ultrasonography. Resumption of ovarian activity was confirmed with ovulation of dominant follicle (DF) and subsequent CL development, and >1 ng/ml progesterone concentration in blood plasma sample after 1week of ovulation.

Goat as the ideal climate-resilient animal model in tropical environment: revisiting advantages over other livestock species.

In the agriculture sector, livestock are considered extremely resilient to climate change and are tipped to play a significant role in ensuring food security to meet the increased demands of growing human population by 2050. Compared to other domestic species, goats are considered the ideal animal model for climate change due to its high thermal and drought resilience, ability to survive on limited pastures, and high disease resistance. This review is therefore a revisit to the advantages of rearing goats over other livestock species under current and future trends of changes in climate, particularly to cope with recurrent multiple stressors such as heat load, and lack of water and feed.

Organic mineral supplementation on differential protein profile of Osmanabadi bucks (Capra hircus).

The present study aimed to determine the differential protein profile of seminal plasma proteins of bucks supplemented with trace minerals. Forty bucks of uniform size and body weight were assigned as ten groups (n = 4). The control group (T1) was fed with the control diet (concentration mixture and roughages) whereas the remaining groups were supplemented the control diet with Zn20 mg (T2), Zn40 mg (T3), Zn60 mg (T4), Cu12.

Exocrine Pancreatic Maturation in Pre-term and Term Piglets Supplemented With Bovine Colostrum.

Pre-term infants have an immature digestive system predisposing to short- and long-term complications including feeding intolerance, maldigestion and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Optimal feeding strategies are required to promote maturation of the gut including the exocrine pancreas. Little is known about age- and diet-related development of pancreatic exocrine enzymes following pre-term birth.

Organic Zinc and Copper Supplementation-Associated Changes in Gene Expression and Protein Profiles in Buck Spermatozoa.

Mineral supplementation has greater impact on male reproduction; however, the mechanism of action has not been studied in detail. The present study was aimed to deal with the lacuna in mechanism of action of mineral supplementation on improvement in sperm characteristics. A group of 40 bucks (aged 5 months) were assigned to 10 groups (4 in each group) based on their body weight and fed with concentrate mixture: basal roughage (minimal diet) in equal proportion to all the bucks.

Exploration of plant products and phytochemicals against aflatoxin toxicity in broiler chicken production: Present status.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are a class of mycotoxins produced by the toxigenic Aspergillus fungi and are common contaminants of foods and feeds. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most potent aflatoxin, is well characterized to reduce productive performance and mortality in broilers. This exclusive review summarizes the efficacy of various plant products and phytochemicals to counteract AFB1 toxicity in broilers.

Estimation of diet organic matter digestibility in grazing dairy cows.

Precise and continual information on the energy supply from pasture is mandatory for managing grazing ruminants. Therefore, estimating the organic matter (OM) digestibility from faecal crude protein concentration using the regression equation, OM digestibility [%] = 79.76-107.

Sperm phenotypic characteristics and oviduct binding ability are altered in breeding bulls with high sperm DNA fragmentation index.

In the present study, we standardized an in vitro oviduct explants model for cattle and assessed the oviduct explants binding ability and phenotypic characteristics of spermatozoa obtained from breeding bulls with high- and low-sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI%). Cryopreserved spermatozoa from Holstein Friesian crossbred breeding bulls (n = 45) with known field fertility were assessed for DFI% and were classified into either high DFI% or low DFI% category. Flow cytometry was used to assess sperm membrane integrity, acrosome reaction status, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentrations.

Climate-Resilient Dairy Cattle Production: Applications of Genomic Tools and Statistical Models.

The current changing climate trend poses a threat to the productive efficacy and welfare of livestock across the globe. This review is an attempt to synthesize information pertaining to the applications of various genomic tools and statistical models that are available to identify climate-resilient dairy cows. The different functional and economical traits which govern milk production play a significant role in determining the cost of milk production.

Assessing the Potential of Diverse Forage Mixtures to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions In Vitro.

Methane emissions from ruminants are a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, eight different forage species were combined in binary mixtures with in increasing proportions, in vitro, to determine their methane reduction potential in ruminants. Species were sampled in two consecutive years where possible.

Heat Stress and Goat Welfare: Adaptation and Production Considerations.

This review attempted to collate and synthesize information on goat welfare and production constraints during heat stress exposure. Among the farm animals, goats arguably are considered the best-suited animals to survive in tropical climates. Heat stress was found to negatively influence growth, milk and meat production and compromised the immune response, thereby significantly reducing goats' welfare under extensive conditions and transportation.

Copper and Selenium stimulates CYP19A1 expression in caprine ovarian granulosa cells: possible involvement of AKT and WNT signalling pathways.

The role of copper and selenium on activation of estradiol synthesis pathways viz. PKA/AKT/WNT is not clearly elucidated. On this background we attempt to elcuiated the role of copper and selenium on mRNA expression of genes associated with estradiol synthesis in caprine ovarian granulose cell models.

Complete mitogenome of endemic plum-headed parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala - characterization and phylogenetic analysis.

Psittacula cyanocephala is an endemic parakeet from the Indian sub-continent that is widespread in the illegal bird trade. Previous studies on Psittacula parakeets have highlighted taxonomic ambiguities, warranting studies to resolve the issues. Since the mitochondrial genome provides useful information concerning the species evolution and phylogenetics, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of P.

Deciphering the complexity of sperm transcriptome reveals genes governing functional membrane and acrosome integrities potentially influence fertility.

Deciphering sperm transcriptome is the key to understanding the molecular mechanisms governing peri-fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy establishment. This study aimed to profile sperm transcriptome to identify signature transcripts regulating male fertility. Semen samples were collected from 47 bulls with varied fertility rates.

Goat milk protein digestibility in relation to intestinal function.

Background: Milk is an important high-quality animal protein source in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although the true ileal digestibility and absorption of milk has been shown to be high in French adults, this may be lower in individuals from LMICs who are at risk of environmental enteropathy.

Objective: To determine the true ileal indispensable amino acid (IAA) digestibility of intrinsically labeled goat milk protein in South Indian women of reproductive age (WRA), using the dual-isotope tracer technique, and to measure intestinal absorption of amino acid and inert sugar in the same participants using L-allo-isoleucine and a dual-sugar assay.

Semen quality and total microbial load: An association study in important Indian Goat breeds during different seasons.

The invasion of the male urogenital tract by microorganisms, and its subsequent effects on sperm fertilising ability, has not been well discussed in bucks. The present study was conducted to assess the bacterial load in fresh semen of the 2-6 years old bucks. For conducting the experiment, semen ejaculates from 18 bucks (6 from each breed namely Jakhrana, Jamunapari and Barbari) were used.

Establishment of bioinformatics pipeline for deciphering the biological complexities of fragmented sperm transcriptome.

Despite the development of several tools for the analysis of the transcriptome data, non-availability of a standard pipeline for analyzing the low quality and fragmented mRNA samples pose a major challenge to the computational molecular biologist for effective interpretation of the data. Hence the present study aimed to establish a bioinformatics pipeline for analyzing the biologically fragmented sperm RNA. Sperm transcriptome data (2 x 75 PE sequencing) generated from bulls (n = 8) of high-fertile (n = 4) and low-fertile (n = 4) classified based on the fertility rate (41.

Nano zinc supplementation in goat (Capra hircus) ration improves immunity, serum zinc profile and IGF-1 hormones without affecting thyroid hormones.

The trial was aimed at evaluating probable superiority, if any of nano zinc (NZn) over inorganic zinc (Zn) on immunity, serum minerals and T , T , and IGF-1 hormone profiles in goats. NZn was synthesized by using 0.45 M aqueous solution of Zn nitrate and 0.