Supriya Shukla

Studies on patho-epidemiology of Johne's disease in buffaloes of Malwa region

In the present study, 250 buffaloes of 2 to 7 years of age slaughtered at Cantonment Board slaughter house, Mhow and Indore were examined for chronic enteritis. The incidence of chronic enteritis was found to be 74.4% (186/250), based on the observation of gross and microscopic lesions in intestine and mesenteric lymph nodes. Among 186 cases of enteritis, 5(2%) were of mycobacterial origin (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis), 22(8.8%) of other bacterial origin, 39(15.6%) of parasitic origin and 120(48%) were of non-specific origin. The main difference of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis group with the remaining groups of chronic enteritis was that the intestinal wall was found variably thickened and mucosal corrugation, especially in proximity to the ileo-caecal junction. Histopathology revealed focal aggregates of epithelioid cells in the form of microgranulomas in the small intestine with infiltration of plasma cells in the lamina propriaand granulomas in the paracortical regions of the mesenteric lymph nodes. ZiehlNeelsens staining showed presence of acid-fast bacilli both in impression smears and tissue sections. On histochemistry tissue section of intestine showed depletion of glycogen and increased mucin activity. Hematological values of Johnes disease cases did not differ significantly from enteritis of other origins, with only moderate difference in the monocyte values. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase biochemical tests showed highly significant changes compared to normal values. Total protein and C-reactive protein values were variable.

A comparative therapeutic management of anoestrus in buffaloes using insulin and GnRH.

Aim: Anoestrus is one of the most common functional disorders of the reproductive cycle in buffaloes. In spite of technical advancement, there is no single cure for the management of anoestrus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out the efficacy of gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) and metabolic hormone for the management of true anoestrus in buffaloes. Materials and Methods: The experimental animals were selected on the basis of history, gyneco-clinical examinations and progesterone estimation. Deworming was done with Fenbendazole and thereafter mineral mixture was given @ 50 g per animal per day for 10 days in all the selected buffaloes before the start of treatment. The selected buffaloes were randomly divided into four groups (n=25). In Group I, buffaloes were administered 20 µg of buserelin intramuscularly. Buffaloes of Group II were administered long-acting insulin @ 0.25 IU/Kg body weight subcutaneously for 5 consecutive days. In Group III, buffaloes were treated with a combination of insulin and buserelin in the above-mentioned doses whereas buffaloes of Group IV were kept as untreated control. Results: The higher oestrus induction (64% vs. 28%) was found in Group III and differed significantly (p<0.05) as compared to control group. The conception rate (69.23% vs. 66.66%) was also found higher in Group III but did not differ significantly among the treated groups. The mean time taken for the onset of oestrus was recorded significantly shorter in insulin (8.80±0.69) and GnRH (7.60±0.92 days) alone and as compared to other (Group III, 14.43±0.83 and Group IV, 20.57±1.69 days) groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated better fertility response using Insulin plus Buserelin in true anoestrus buffaloes under field conditions.