Hilal Musadiq Khan

Pathomorphological effects of Alloxan induced acute hypoglycaemia in rabbits

Abstract Alloxan 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.

STUDY OF PRODUCTION TRAITS AND HOUSING PRACTICES IN VOGUE AMONG BUFFALO FARMERS IN TEMPERATE HIMALAYAN REGION OF KASHMIR VALLEY

The study was conducted in Kashmir valley in two geographically isolated districts of Anantnag in south Kashmir and Baramulla in north Kashmir. In each district 200 buffalo rearing farmers were selected. The information was collected through personal visit on the basis of a pre-formulated and tested questionnaire. The overall means daily milk yield, peak milk yield, lactation length, lactation milk yield, service period and calving interval were 3.94±0.07 kg, 6.96±0.11 kg, 9.53±0.09 months, 1128.79±28.30 kg, 13.52±0.13 months and 23.37±0.20 months respectively. The maximum proportion (61.50%) of the farmers were having kaccha type animal house followed by pucca type (37.25%) and tin shed (1.25%) with no proper orientation of animal house was found in majority of respondents (60.50%) followed by north south (21.25%) and east west orientation (18.25). Majority (84.00%) of the respondents were having semi-intensive rearing system. Majority (99.50%) of the respondents were seen, having kaccha floor, tin as roof material (92.25%) and leveled floor (98.25%) in the animal houses. Considerable (52.50%) proportion of respondents were having double slopped roof of their animal houses followed by single slopped roof (47.50%). Almost 98.75 percent farmers were not using protection during inclement weather conditions and only 1.25 percent of respondents were using bedding and gunny bag during inclement weather.

Disorders compromising reproductive health and their therapeutics in dairy animals. A review

The profitability of dairy farm gets augmented with the reproductive performance of dairy animals. Reproductive performance gets compromised by multifaceted and multifactorial reproductive disorders. Besides these, general health problems like hypocalcaemia and ketosis cause parturition associated problems as dystocia, retained placenta which cause metritis, delays uterine involution and compromises the future reproductive life of the animal. Prompt diagnosis and therapeutics ensure the reproductive health in dairy animals.

Clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical alterations due to spontaneously occurring pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broiler chicken reared under temperate climatic conditions of Northern Himalayas

The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical, haematological, and serum biochemical alterations in commercial broiler chickens affected with pulmonary hypertension syndrome. Clinical signs were recorded. Haematological indices were investigated using a MS-4 automatic haem-analyser (MELET Schloesing Laboratories, France). Serum biochemical indices were studied using diagnostic kits (Aspen Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Rapid Diagnostic Group of Companies, Karnal Road Industrial Area, Delhi, India) and semi-automatic blood chemistry analyser (model SFRI-BSA 3000, Lieu dit Berbanton, France) as per manufacturer’s literature. The specific clinical signs for pulmonary hypertension syndrome included potbelly with frog sitting posture, gasping, tortuous and distended blood vessels, prolonged bleeding, occasional diarrhoea, and cyanotic comb. Haematological profiling revealed significant increase in haemoglobin, haematocrit, TEC, MCH, and MCHC; and lymphocytic leukocytosis in clinically ascitic chicken as well as non-ascitic birds from ascitic flocks. Serum biochemical profiling showed significant increase in blood glucose, A:G ratio, serum bilirubin, AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, BUN, and creatinine levels; significant decrease in total protein, albumin, globulin, and HDL cholesterol levels; and non-significant changes in total cholesterol.

Profitability Assessment of Sheep Farming Under Field Conditions in Temperate Himalayan Climate of Jammu and Kashmir

Present study was conducted in the hilly district of Bandipora of Jammu and Kashmir. The district was divided into low-lying (Sonawari), medium altitude (Bandipora) and High altitude (Gurez) regions. A total of 477 respondents were considered for the survey. Information on varied aspects of sheep economics was sought from the respondents (sheep rearers) based on a pre-tested questionnaire. The total annual expenditure for 19 ewes and followers under prevailing production system was Rs 75083.63 while it was Rs 153032.24, Rs 291480.5 for a sheep unit of 34 ewes and 1 ram, 63 ewes and 2 rams, respectively. Cost of feeding was the major cost component representing more than 70% of total expenditure. Profitability increased with increase in flock size. Under prevailing production system, a sheep unit consisting of 63 ewes and 2 rams was more profitable than sheep units with lower flock size. Net income/year and net income/animal/year was highest in Sonawari followed by Bandipora and least in Gurez region. Present study showed that annual returns on sheep production increase with increase in flock size and feeding expenses represent the single largest component of expenditure on sheep rearing. Further, a sheep unit of 60 above flock size is more or less sufficient to sustain a medium sized family under prevailing production system.