B.H.M. Patel

Study on udder morphology and its relationship with production parameters in local goats of Rohilkhand region of India

An attempt was made here to study udder morphology and establish its relationship with milk production in 25 local goats of Rohilkhand region. Udder morphological traits recorded were udder length, udder row width, udder column width, udder depth, udder circumference, teat length, teat diameter, teat circumference, teat height from ground, distance between teats and udder volume. Total milk produced during 90 days was measured and average daily milk yield was calculated. Body weight was also recorded. The udder volume in primiparous and multiparous goats was 516.54± 74.52 and 940.76± 46.47 ml, respectively which differ significantly (P< 0.05). The values of all udder morphological parameters were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in multiparous than primiparous goat except Teat height from ground, where it is vice versa. Average daily milk yield was positive and significantly (P< 0.01) correlated with all udder morphological traits except for teat height from ground (THG) as correlation was found negative. All udder morphological traits had positive and significant (P< 0.05) correlation with does body weight at different intervals. It was concluded from this study that mammary system of this local goat is comparable with any other dual purpose Indian goat breed.

Genotyping of major histocompatibility complex Class II DRB gene in Rohilkhandi goats by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing.

Aim: To study the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II DRB1 gene polymorphism in Rohilkhandi goat using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and nucleotide sequencing techniques. Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from 127 Rohilkhandi goats maintained at sheep and goat farm, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly. A 284 bp fragment of exon 2 of DRB1 gene was amplified and digested using BsaI and TaqI restriction enzymes. Population genetic parameters were calculated using Popgene v 1.32 and SAS 9.0. The genotypes were then sequenced using Sanger dideoxy chain termination method and were compared with related breeds/species using MEGA 6.0 and Megalign (DNASTAR) software. Results: TaqI locus showed three and BsaI locus showed two genotypes. Both the loci were found to be in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), however, population genetic parameters suggest that heterozygosity is still maintained in the population at both loci. Percent diversity and divergence matrix, as well as phylogenetic analysis revealed that the MHC Class II DRB1 gene of Rohilkhandi goats was found to be in close cluster with Garole and Scottish blackface sheep breeds as compared to other goat breeds included in the sequence comparison. Conclusion: The PCR-RFLP patterns showed population to be in HWE and absence of one genotype at one locus (BsaI), both the loci showed excess of one or the other homozygote genotype, however, effective number of alleles showed that allelic diversity is present in the population. Sequence comparison of DRB1 gene of Rohilkhandi goat with other sheep and goat breed assigned Rohilkhandi goat in divergence with Jamanupari and Angora goats.

Effect of drinking water temperature on physiological variables of crossbred dairy cattle at high altitude temperate region of Himalayas.

Aim: The objective of study was to investigate the effects of drinking water on certain physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and, ruminal motility (RM). Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out on 18 farm bred lactating crossbred cows. The animals selected for the study were divided into three groups of six animals each on the basis of milk yield and parity and were allotted to three treatment group of six each such as ambient drinking water temperature at 10.25±0.28°C (ambient water, T1), drinking water temperature at 15-20°C (T2) and drinking water temperature at 35-40°C (T3). All the managemental practices were kept similar during experiment except drinking water temperatures physiological variables such as HR, RR, RT, and RM of the individual cow was measured and recorded twice in a day at 800 h and again at 1400 h two consecutive days in a week 15 min after providing drinking water. Result: HR and RR at morning and at evening recorded were within the normal physiological level for all the treatment groups. However, RT at morning was comparable in all the treatments whereas at evening it was significantly (p<0.01) higher for cows consuming in T2 and in T3 than cows consumed (T1). The RM during morning among the treatments were non-significant as compared to the rumen motility at evening was significantly higher for (T1) and (T2) than for cows in (T3). Conclusion: It can be concluded that offering warm drinking water at 35-40°C to crossbred lactating dairy cow is beneficial during winter at high altitude temperate region.

Oestrus synchronization in goats using impregnated intravaginal progesterone sponge and buck effect

A study was conducted with the objective to compare the efficacy of the intravaginal progesterone sponge and buck effect on oestrus synchronization, conception rate and oestrous behaviour during non-breeding season in non-descript goats. The study was carried out from November, 2015 to February, 2016 and does (n=18) were divided into three equal groups. T1 group was treated with intravaginal progesterone (P4) sponge kept in situ for 15 d (350mg P4/sponge) and T2 group was teased with a sexually active aproned buck for 6 h/dy for 15 d. The does in control group were kept without any treatment. The does in T1 group exhibited 100% oestrus as against 50% in T2 group within 72 h of treatment. The interval between removal of sponge and onset of oestrus was significantly (P<0.05) shorter in T1 (36.00±5.58 h) than introduction of buck in T2 (174.5±73.52 h) and control (245.30±79.90 h) groups. The conception rate (CR) between control (50%) and T1 (100%) group differed significantly (P<0.05). The study revealed that the intravaginal progesterone sponge synchronized the oestrus and fertility.

Factors affecting survivability of local Rohilkhand goats under organized farm

Aim: To study the pattern of mortality as affected by age, season and various diseases in local goats of Rohilkhand region maintained at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly. Materials and Methods: Post-mortem records of 12 years (2000-01 to 2011-12) were used, and total 243 mortality data were collected and analyzed. The causes of mortality were classified into seven major classes viz. digestive disorders, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal disorder, parasitic disorders, mixed disorders (combination of digestive, respiratory, parasitic, and cardiovascular disorders) and miscellaneous disorders (cold, hypoglycemia, emaciation, endometritis, traumatic injury, etc.). Results: The average mortality was 10.93%. The overall mortality was more during rainy season followed by winter and summer season. The mortality in 4-6 months of age was high (2.52%) followed by 0-1 month (2.34%) and 2-3 months (1.35%). The average mortality among adult age groups (>12 months) was 3.42%. The mortality showed declining trend with the advancement of age up to 3 months and then again increased in 4-6 months age group. The digestive diseases (3.51%) followed by respiratory diseases (1.89%) and parasitic diseases (1.48%) contributed major share to the total mortality occurred and the remaining disorders were of lesser significance in causing death in goats. There is significant (p<0.01; χ2=55.62) association between year with season and age with the season (p<0.05, χ2=16.083) found in the present study. Conclusion: This study confirms that overall mortality rate averaged 10.93% (ranged between 1.10% and 25.56%) over 12 years under semi-intensive farm condition. It was generally higher in rainy season. The mortality remains higher in kids particularly under 1 month of age. The digestive diseases contributed major share to overall mortality.

Effect of Different Heat Ameliorating Measures on Micro-Climatic Variables in Loose Houses During Hot Humid Season in Murrah Buffalo Heifers

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of heat ameliorating measures on micro-climatic variables in the loose houses during hot-humid season. In the study different heat ameliorative measures viz. control (T0), cooling jacket (T1), cooling jacket + forced ventilation (T2) and sprinkler + forced ventilation (T3) were utilized to ameliorate the thermal stress in Murrah buffalo heifers (n = 24). Daily maximum and minimum temperatures relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI) of both micro and macro climate were measured at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm of Indian Standard Time (IST) by using maximum and minimum and dry and wet bulb thermometer. Significantly (P<0.05) lower maximum temperature was observed in T3, T2 and T1 groups (29.93 ± 0.19, 30.43 ± 0.18 and 31.27 ± 0.19°C, respectively) as compared to T0 group (32.25 ± 0.19°C). However, significantly (P<0.05) lowest minimum temperature was found in T3, T2 and T1groups (25.28 ± 0.22, 25.81 ± 0.23 and 26.60 ± 0.23°C, respectively) and higher minimum temperature in T0 group (27.60 ± 0.22°C). We observed significantly (P<0.05) lower RH in T3 and T2 groups (69.84 ± 0.57 and 71.93 ± 0.51%, respectively) than those of T0 (77.18 ± 0.49) at 2.00 pm. During the peak hot period significantly (P<0.05) lower temperature humidity index (THI) was reported in T3, T2 and T1 groups (78.89 ± 0.24 and 79.43 ± 0.25 and 81.39 ± 0.23, respectively) as compare to T0 group (82.36 ± 0.20). Therefore, it can be concluded that forced ventilation with sprinklers or cooling jacket is an important mean to protect animals from thermal stress under loose houses during hot-humid season.

Effect of reduced floor space allowances on performance of crossbred weaner barrows

Study was conducted in 36 crossbred (Landrace x Desi) weaned male piglets (6 weeks of age) divided into three groups (n=12) based on space allocation viz. T1 {0.9 m2/weaner pig- as per Indian Standards (IS)}, T2 (0.6 m2/pig- 33% reduction of IS) and T3 (0.45 m2/pig- 50% reduction of IS). The average initial (6 week) and final (14 week) body weight of weaner barrows were 8.67±0.26, 9.01±0.33, 9.13±0.36 kg and 19.57±1.19, 21.02±1.22, 21.55±1.28 kg for T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. Average total body weight gain during the experimental period was 10.90±1.09, 12.01±0.97 and 12.42±1.19 kg for T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. Average daily gain (ADG) of weaner barrows during the experimental period was 194.72±19.46, 214.44±17.37 and 221.73±21.23 g/day for T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. The overall feed conversion efficiency (FCE) for T1, T2 and T3 groups for whole period was 0.477±0.009, 0.447±0.006 and 0.461±0.011, respectively. Main economic indicators like ADG, FCE and health indicators like mean total lesion score and mean lesion score of body parts (except head and ears) did not differ significantly among groups and these values were within the acceptable limits. Even lowest k value (coefficient used for floor space allocation based on body weight of pigs) i.e. for T3 group, was higher than suggested critical k value in western countries and performance of animals of this group were also not affected. Therefore, weaner barrows of up to 20 kg body weight can be reared in economically efficient manner using 0.45 m2/pig space allowance in Indian conditions.

Study on buck's mating behaviour, libido score and semen biology in local goat of Rohilkhand Region, India.

The experiment was conducted to record normative sexual behaviour, libido test along with physico- morphological characteristics of semen in bucks of local goats maintained at sheep and goat unit, Indian Veterinary Research Institute Izatnagar Bareilly. Available bucks were categorized in to Group I: Experienced (2yrs), Group II: Non experienced Adolescence (1 year), Group III: Pubertal (6 -12 months). Six males from each group utilized for the normative sexual behaviour. Each male was observed 3 times for recording sexual behaviour for 30 min. Semen collection using artificial vagina was done using bucks from group II. Mean time spent in licking and vocalization was higher in Gr2, followed by Gr1 and Gr3. Irrespective of group sniffing and licking were predominant courtship activities observed. False mounting was higher in Gr3, followed by Gr2 and Gr1. Mounting and number of ejaculation was higher in Gr1 followed by Gr2 and Gr3. The time spent in standing without any mating activities was highest in Gr3 followed by Gr2 and Gr1. Introductory ejaculatory latency (IEL) for Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 was 0.72±0.38, 1.75±0.94 and 6.91±1.73 min. respectively. The lowest IEL was in Gr1 followed by Gr2 and Gr3. The same trend was observed for 1st, 2nd and 3rd post ejaculation interval (PEI). Mean values was lowest in Gr2 followed Gr1 and Gr3 for 4th PEI except Gr3 for 2nd PEI. 5th onwards there was no particular trend followed which might be due to less number of males which exhibited the mating (Gr2). However, the number of bucks which showed the mating was higher in Gr1. Initial mount latency (IML) for Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 was 0.20 ±0.02, 0.31±0.04 and 0.68±0.27 min., respectively. However, there was no particular trend observed in Gr2 and Gr3.The probable reason for no trend in Gr2 and Gr3 was due to inexperienced bucks. Further, the numbers of bucks showed 4th mating onwards were less. Therefore, Gr1 showed the increment in the refractory period in a consistent manner except 6th and 7th refractory period. Libido score was almost similar in Gr1 and Gr2 but it was higher than Gr3, which differed significantly (P