• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1732-1737
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding transgenic cottonseed (Bt.) vis-a-vis non-transgenic (non-Bt.) cottonseed on blood biochemical constituents in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Twenty Murrah buffaloes in mid-lactation were divided into 2 groups of 10 each. Animals of group I were fed with 39.5% non-transgenic cottonseed in concentrate mixture while the same percentage of transgenic (Bt.) cottonseed was included in the concentrate mixture fed to the animals of group II. Animals of both groups were fed with concentrate mixture to support their milk production requirements. Each buffalo was also offered 20 kg mixed green fodder (oats and berseem) and wheat straw ad libitum. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 35 days. There was no significant difference in the dry matter intake between the two groups of buffaloes. All the buffaloes gained body weight, however, the differences were non significant. Total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and packed cell volume were $9.27{\pm}0.70${\times}10^6/{\mu}l$, $13.01{\pm}0.60gdl$ and $34.87{\pm}1.47%$, respectively in group I with the corresponding figures of $8.88{\pm}0.33$, $12.99{\pm}0.52$ and $31.08{\pm}1.52$ in group II. The values of total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content and packed cell volume did not differ significantly between the two groups of buffaloes. The concentration of plasma glucose, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein were non significantly higher in buffaloes fed non-transgenic cottonseed than in buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. The cholesterol concentration was significantly (p<0.01) higher in buffaloes of group I ($136.84{\pm}8.40mg/dl$) than in buffaloes of group II ($105.20{\pm}1.85mg/dl$). The serum alkaline phosphotase, glutamic-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic-pyruate transaminase activities did not differ significantly between two groups of buffaloes. However, serum glutamic-pyruate transaminase activity was considerably high in buffaloes fed nontransgenic cottonseed as compared to buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. Bt. proteins in serum samples of animals of group II were not detected after 35 days of feeding trial. It was concluded that transgenic cottonseed and non-transgenic cottonseed have similar nutritional value without any adverse effects on health status of buffaloes as assessed from haematobiochemical constituents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1278-1287
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• 2002

To record the prevalence of macro-minerals deficiency in buffaloes, a survey was conducted in certain parts of Northern India. The prevalence of soil Ca, P, Mg, Na, P and K deficiency was 21.35%, 23.30%, 28.64%, 3.61% and 6.84%, respectively while that of fodder Ca, P, Mg, Na and K deficiency was 13.88%, 16.55%, 19.72%, 3.54% and 4.86%, respectively. The overall prevalence of serum (buffalo) Ca, P, Mg, Na and K deficiency in certain parts of northern India was 25.48%, 24.66%, 24.36%, 4.42% and 3.28%, respectively. The correlation coefficient of Ca, P, Mg, Na and K in soil, fodder and serum was significant and in most of the cases the values were above 0.6. The highest deficiency of macro-minerals i.e. Ca, P, Mg, Na and K was found in plain regions, followed by Tarai (foot hill of Himalayas) region and finally the hilly region. For therapeutic studies, three types of mineral mixture were prepared according to deficiency obtained and fed to three groups of deficient animals. Observations were recorded on 0, 30, 60 and 75 day. In group A animals normal mineral mixture was provided, where as in group C and D 10% and 25% more of Ca, P, Mg were provided, respectively. There was an increase in body weight, milk yield, haemoglobin concentration, and total erythrocyte count. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase in group D animals. There was a decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate and alkaline phosphatase in group D animal after mineral supplement. Thus showing the efficacy when supplements 3 provided to group D animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1130-1134
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• 2005

An experiment was performed using 20 calves of about one-month old to investigate the effect of chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate ($CaNa_2$EDTA) alone or along with antioxidant $\alpha$-tocopherol in lead loaded calves on blood trace minerals, erythrocytic sulfahydryl groups and some haematobiochemical parameters. Fifteen calves were given lead orally at a daily dose of 7.5 mg of 99% pure lead acetate/kg body weight for 28 days. Then the lead was withdrawn on day 28 and the calves were randomly divided into three groups. Each group of five animals was either treated with $CaNa_2$EDTA alone at the dose rate of 110 mg/kg body weight in two divided doses for 4 days or along with $\alpha$-tocopherol at the dose rate of 100 mg/kg body weight orally daily for 7 days, keeping the remaining five calves as lead-exposed untreated controls. Blood samples were collected at the end of the lead exposure (day 0) and thereafter on day 2, 4, 7 and 10 from the start of the chelation treatment. The treatment with EDTA alone led to slow but non-significant improvement in blood copper level, but incorporation of antioxidant $\alpha$-tocopherol in chelation therapy resulted in its significant decline, as recorded on day 7-post treatment. Withdrawal of lead or treatment with $CaNa_2$EDTA alone or along with $\alpha$-tocopherol enhanced the erythrocytic thiol contents and the levels of T-SH and P-SH became statistically (p<0.05) comparable to those of lead-exposed controls by day 7 and 4, respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) change in serum urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin levels between the treatment groups. It is concluded from the present investigation that treatment with $CaNa_2$EDTA at the present dose rate is safe to be used for chelation in lead loaded calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.357-365
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• 2002

A survey was under taken of six district of Northern India viz. Bareilly, Pilibhit, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Almora and Rampur. The age, breed, sex and physiological status recorded. A total number of 854 cattle examined out of which lactating (274 cases), non lactating (302 cases) heifers (128 cases), calves (82 cases) and adult male (68 cases) were examined. An incidence of 4.92 percent (42) of microfilarisis was recorded. The highest prevalence was observed in Rudrapur District of Udham Singh Nagar (33.33%, 4/12), followed by Lalkaun in Nanital District (21.74%, 10/46), Rampur (12.50%, 2/16), Bareilly (8.16%, 8/98) and Pilibhit (1.22%, 1/82). No infection was observed in Almora region. Amongst 854 cattle of different group incidence was highest in adult male (12.20%, 10/82), followed by non lactating (3.82%, 12/314) and lactating (2.70%, 2/74), (7.64%, 12/157) was found in Heifers. For haemeto-biochemical, serum minerals estimations and therapeutic study 32 animals suffering from filariasis and 18 healthy animals were taken. 16 animals were treated with ivermectin $@200{\mu}g/kg $ body weight. Effect of this disease on production has also been estimated for which body weight and milk production was observed. The main clinical manifestations observed were anaemia, loss of appetite, debility, oedematous swelling especially in the abdominal region, increased heart rate, and respiration rate. Haematological changes indicated decrease in hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, erthrocyte fragility and neutrophil, whereas there was significant increase in erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), total leukocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte and eosinophils. Biochemical changes showed significant reduction in the values of serum albumin, A : G ratio, where as there was significant increase in blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), globulin, total lipid, total cholesterol, phospholipids, serum bilirubin. Serum mineral profile also altered markedly, which indicate a significant decrease in Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn with increase value of Na and Cl. There was no significant change in P and K values. Enzyme pattern in micro filaria infected animal indicated increased level of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, ornithine carbamyl transferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. In blood gas values and acid/base balance, there was an increase in $PVCo_2$ and $PVo_2$. It has been observed that microfilaria infected cattle showed decrease in body weight and milk production. Animal treated with ivermectin showed the return of these above values toward normalcy.