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ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF MULTI-NUTRIENT BLOCK SUPPLEMENTATION AND RUBBER MAT ON THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY ANIMALS UNDER FIELD CONDITION(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) PAWAN KUMAR; ARUN KUMAR MISRAThe present study was carried out in Yamunanagar district of Haryana and Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh to assess the effect of multi-nutrient block (MNB) supplementation and rubber mat bedding on the milk production, milk quality, reproduction, health and welfare of dairy animals. Thirty eight lactating crossbred cattle and 38 lactating buffaloes were selected for first objective (12 from Pinjori, 12 from Malimajra and 14 from Patlion) whereas, for second objective, 24 crossbred cattle and 24 buffaloes (12 from Pinjori and 12 from Malimajra) were selected. The animals were divided into two groups as: control (T0) and treatment (T1) based on milk yield, body weight and parity of animals. In study area, majority of dairy farmers were marginal and small farmers with less than two hectares of land. The average herd size was in the range of 4 to 6.8. Result shows that MNB supplementation to post-partum dairy animals significantly (P<0.05) increased dry matter intake (T0: 12.46±0.03; T1: 12.73±0.04 kg/h/d), average daily milk yield (T0: 11.13±1.35; T1: 12.47±1.89 kg/ h/d), fat percent (T0: 4.12±0.14; T1: 4.31±0.14) and SNF percent (T0: 8.60±0.03; T1: 8.70±0.02) in crossbred cattle, whereas, milk yield (T0: 9.67±1.19; T1: 10.81±0.99 kg/h/d) and fat percent (T0: 7.49±0.05; T1: 7.59±0.09) in buffaloes in the study area. Supplementation of MNB was significantly (P<0.05) reduce the days of first post partum estrus (T0: 94.76±1.46; T1: 74.22±3.62 days), service period (T0: 128.37±2.16; T1: 103.85±6.05 days), and number of service per successful conception (T0: 2.24±0.06; T1: 1.35±0.07) in crossbred cattle. Significant (P<0.05) reduction in service period (T0: 150.20±9.31; T1: 115.83±7.34 days) and number of service per successful conception (T0: 2.42±0.08; T1: 1.58±0.09) was recorded in buffaloes. The MNB supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased blood urea (mg/dl) in crossbred cattle (T0: 10.86 ±0.06; T1: 12.82±0.03) and buffaloes (T0: 10.93 ±0.34; T1: 13.21±0.18). Non-significant (P>0.05) effect of MNB on reducing subclinical mastitis incidences (CMT and somatic cell count), body weight (kg), average DMI (percent body weight and total DMI) and hematological parameters were observed in crossbred cattle and buffaloes. Significant (P<0.05) increase in cow cleanliness score was observed due to rubber mat bedding in crossbred cattle (T0: 2.54±0.01; T1: 3.22±0.042) and buffaloes (T0: 2.59±0.02; T1: 3.14±0.01). Rubber mat bedding also significantly reduces the incidence of hock and knee injury in treatment group of crossbred cattle (T0: 2.19±0.16; T1: 1.52±0.06) and buffaloes (T0: 2.13±0.09; T1: 1.50±0.03). Similarly less subclinical mastitis incidences were recorded in treatment group of crossbred cattle and buffaloes as compared to control group. Rubber mat bedding had non-significant (P>0.05) effect on milk yield, milk fat, SNF, milk protein, body weight, BCS, reproductive performance and hematological parameters of crossbred cattle and buffaloes. It can be conclude that MNB supplementation improved the productive and reproductive performance of dairy animals and rubber mat bedding had improved the quality of milk and welfare of dairy animals.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL AND FLAXSEED SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH AND HEALTH STATUS OF CROSSBRED GOAT KIDS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) SRASHTI DIXIT; RAMESH CHANDRAThe present study was conducted at Livestock Research Centre of ICAR-NDRI to study the effect of supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal and Flaxseed on growth and health status of Alpine X Beetal kids. Thirty-two female kids of 3 months age were divided into four homogenous groups, 8 in each. The kids were supplemented with Moringa leaf meal and flaxseed for 120 days to study the effect of concentrate replacement on body growth, nutrient utilization, blood parameters, biochemical parameters. Four different diets were offered: Basal diet of 60:40 fodder and concentrate offered to control group without any replacement (T0); in second group (T1) concentrate was replaced with 20% MOLM; in third group (T3) concentrate was replaced with 20% flaxseed and in fourth group (T3) concentrate was replaced with 10% MOLM + 10% flaxseed. There was (P<0.05) increase in the overall body weight (kg) and ADG (g) of the T1 (17.27 and 102.08), T2 (16.39 and 86.22) and T3 (16.57 and 86.50) group than control (15.96 and 76.86), T1 being the highest. There was (P<0.05) increase in digestibility and intake of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF in treatment groups than the control. The dry matter intake (DMI, g/d) was higher (P<0.05) in T1 (500.73), T2 (473.02), T3 (479.69) than control (460.56). There was no difference (P>0.05) in DMI percentage of body weight in T1 (2.81), T2 (2.77%), T3 (2.80%) and control (2.82%). Feed conversion efficiency was higher (P<0.05) in T1 (0.20) than T2 (0.18), T3 (0.18) and control (0.16) and Feed conversion ratio was lower (P<0.05) in T1 (4.91) than T2 (5.47), T3 (5.53) and control (5.57). Nitrogen balance (g/d) was higher (P<0.05) in T1 (5.61) than T2 (3.66), T3 (3.78) and control (2.16). Hb%, RBC (106/mm3) and PCV% were higher in (P<0.05) in T1 (10.12, 11.15 and 29.69) than T2 (9.71, 10.66 and 28.64), T3 (9.85, 10.79 and 28.87) and control (9.65, 10.60 and 28.46). The glucose (mg/dL) was higher (P<0.05) in T1 (61.80) than T2 (61.03) and control (60.89) but statistically similar to T3 (61.18). Plasma albumin (g/dL) was higher (P<0.05) in T1 (3.39), T2 (3.27) and T3 (3.25) than control (3.05). T1, T2 and T3 were statistically similar. Total protein (g/dL) was higher (P<0.05) in T1 (6.83) than T2 (6.64), T3 (6.63) and control (6.45). Plasma globulin (g/dL), Albumin: Globulin and Cortisol (ng/mL) were statistically similar in four groups. IgG-1 (mg/mL) were statistically similar in T1 (9.70) and T2 (9.71) but higher (P<0.05) than T3 (9.66) and control (9.05). Total antioxidant activity (μmol/mL) was found (P<0.05) higher in T1 (90.19±0.2) than T2 (84.12±0.6), T3 (82.03±0.5) and control. The Benefit: cost ratio was found higher in T1 (4.53) and T3 (3.36) than T2 (33.4) and control (3.19). Therefore all the findings were significantly higher in treatment groups and T2 and T3 being non-significant, it can be concluded that replacing the concentrate with 20% MOLM or 20% flaxseed or their combination (1:1) improves the body growth, nutrient intake and digestibility of kids. The replacement of concentrate with 20% MOLM improves the blood profile and antioxidant level of kids. The concentrate replacement with 20% MOLM or Flaxseed improves the immunity in kids. The replacement with 20% MOLM reduces the cost of rearing per weight gain of kids.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF LAMENESS IN DAIRY ANIMALS USING INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY AND ACTIVITY METER(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) INZAMUL ALAM; MUKESH BHAKATLameness is the third most costly disease after mastitis and reproductive problem. The early identification of lameness has immense importance. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess lameness in crossbred cattle using infrared thermography (DarviDTL007 camera, TAK Technologies, Pvt. Ltd) and activity meter (Developed by IIT, Delhi in collaboration with NDRI). The study was conducted with the following two objectives, and a total of three experiments were conducted under two objectives. Under Objective 1: Assessment of temperature change and activity of dairy animals with different degrees of lameness, two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, generated data for IRT-based ocular and feet temperature of 80 crossbred animals categorized into healthy and four different lameness groups taken twice daily for three consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from all five groups of animals to estimate the Haptoglobin, Serum Amyloid A, Cortisol, and haematological parameter. Significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in the IRT eyeball temperature (°C) of lame animals as compared to that of healthy animals. But, no significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between healthy, mildly lame, moderately lame, and severely lame animals. An increase in eyeball temperature was recorded in cases of mildly lame (0.39 °C), moderately lame (0.34 °C), lame (0.69 °C), and severely lame (0.51 °C) animals as compared to healthy animals. Significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in the IRT temperature (°C) of R1 region of lameness affected animals as compared to healthy animals. Increase of 1.46 °C, 2.78 °C, 3.18 °C and 3.48 °C was observed in R1 region of mildly lame, moderately lame, lame and severely lame animals as compared to that of healthy animals, respectively. Significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in the IRT temperature (°C) of R2 region of lameness affected animals as compared to healthy animals except mildly lame animals. There was significant difference (p<0.05) observed in the IRT temperature (°C) of R1-R2 region of healthy, mildly lame and moderately lame animals with lame, severely lame animals. There was significant increase (p<0.05) observed in the IRT temperature (°C) of R1 and R2 region between the healthy and affected leg of moderately lame and lame animals, whereas R1 region in case of mildly lame animals. Increase of 0.96 °C and 0.92 °C for mildly lame animals, 1.61 °C and 1.65 °C for moderately lame animals, 1.66 °C and 0.93 °C for lame animals was recorded in R1 and R2 region and 2.62 °C in R1 region of severely lame animals in affected leg as compared to healthy leg. Hb (gm/dl), PCV (%) and TEC (x106 /μL) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in case of lame and severely lame animals as compared to healthy animals. Neutrophils (%) and Monocytes (%) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in case of lame and severely lame animals as compared to healthy animals. Cortisol levels increased 2.5, 2.3, 4.6 and 4.5 folds in case of mildly lame, moderately lame, lame and severely lame animals, compared to healthy animals. Haptoglobin and SAA level increased 7, 7.7, 11.9, 14 folds and 1.9, 1.8, 3, 3.3 folds in case of mildly lame, moderately lame, lame and severely lame animals compared to healthy animals. In Experiment 2, 22 healthy and 40 lamenessaffected animals' activity (number of steps/hr.) was recorded using a pedometer for eight hours in a day. Pedometer activity (no. of steps/hr) was increased by 6.09 % in case of mildly lame animals and decreased significantly (p<0.05) by 32.39 % in case of moderately lame animals; 52.73% in case of lame animals and 74.13% in case of severely lame animals as compared to healthy animals. Under objective 2: Early detection of lameness using Infrared Thermography, one experiment was conducted. IRT feet temperature of lactating 121 crossbred animals was generated during 103 days period and out of 121 crossbred animals 31 animals was identified as lame animals with various degree of lameness. Lamenessaffected animals' IRT data was used for the experimental group, and healthy animals' IRT data was used for the control group. Milk Yield (kg/day) of lameness affected animals were also taken for -10 days and + 10 days of onset of lameness. Significant increase (p<0.05) of R1 and R2 region temperature (°C) in moderately lame, lame and severely lame animals during 10 days before and 10 days after lameness detection was observed when compared to healthy animals. Decrease of 0.62 kg/day in case of mildly lame animals, 2.41 kg/day in case of moderately lame animals, 2.93 kg/day in case of lame animals and 1.15 kg/day in case of severely lame animals was recorded between 10 days before and 10 days after lameness detection. IRT and activity meter can be used as an efficient tool to identify moderately lame, lame and severely lame crossbred animals.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF AGE ON LIPID COMPOSITION AND SEMEN QUALITY IN MURRAH BUFFALO BULLS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) MIR MUNEEB RAFIQ; S.S. LATHWALThe age of the bull is widely accepted to influence the sperm production, affecting the amount and quality of semen. The goal of the current study was to find out the reason behind the variation in semen quality in bulls of different age groups. For this study, eighteen Murrah buffalo bulls were selected and classified into three groups (n=6 in each group) group A1 (<3 years), group A2 (3-8 years) and group A3 (>8 years) based on age. Bulls were fed as per the ICAR (2013) Feeding Standard. The semen of these bulls was collected once a week and total six ejaculates from each bull. The semen ejaculates were collected during the spring season to avoid the effect of seasonal variation. Thirty-six ejaculates from each group of bulls were collected and subjected to sperm quality analysis, further after centrifugation sperm cells and seminal plasma was stored at -200C for fatty acid analysis by Gas Chromatography (GC). For body weight, scrotal circumference and scrotal temperature, 18 observations per group were taken; for sperm kinetics, oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity 18 samples per group were analysed; six samples were taken per group for serum testosterone profiling by CMIA (Chemiluminescence Microparticle Immunoassay) method. The data so obtained in the experiment was subjected to statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software version 26.0 to draw scientific inferences. The results revealed that scrotal circumference and testosterone concentration were significantly (p<0.05) lower in group A1 (<3 years) as compared to A2 (3-8 years) and A3 (>8 years) age groups of Murrah buffalo bulls and no significant difference was observed between to A2 (3-8 years) and A3 (>8 years) age groups. Ejaculate volume and mass activity were found to be lower (p<0.05) in group A1 (<3 years) as compared to group A2 (3-8 years) and A3 (> 8 years) and no variation in A2 (3-8 years) and A3 (>8years) group of bulls was found. Significantly (P<0.05) higher progressive motility, HOST percentage and acrosomal integrity were found in the semen of A2 (3-8 years) than both A3 (> 8 years) and A1 (<3 years) group of bulls but, viability percentage improved (p<0.05) in A2 (3-8 years) than by A3 (>8years) and A1 (<3 years) in fresh semen. Higher (P<0.05) post-thaw progressive motility and sperm viability of frozen semen was obtained in the A2 (3-8 years) age group bulls followed by A3 (> 8 years) and then A1 (<3 years) age group of bulls. There was a higher (p<0.05) HOST percentage and acrosomal integrity in the A2 (3-8 years) than both A3 (> 8 years) and A1 (<3 years) age groups of bulls in frozen semen. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in total motility(%), progressive motility (%), VAP(μm/s), VSL(μm/s), VCL(μm/s), ALH(μm) and BCF(Hz) in frozen semen of A2 (3-8 years) age group with respect to both A1 (<3 years) and A3 (>8years) group and non-significant between A1 (<3 years) and A3 (>8 years) age group of Murrah buffalo bulls. However, there was a non-significant difference in SRT (%) and LIN (%) throughout the age of Murrah buffalo bulls. Non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (FRAP assay) in seminal plasma was found significantly (p<0.05) lower in group A1 (<3 years) as compared to group A2 (3- 8 years) and no difference was observed in A3(> 8 years) with respect to A1 (<3 year) and A2 (3-8 year) but, in sperm pellet antioxidant capacity was found significantly (p<0.05) lower in group A1 (<3 year) as compared to both A2 (3 to 8 year) and A3 (>8years) group of bulls. No significant difference was observed in scrotal temperature, sperm concentration, oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential and fatty acid composition between the three age groups. From this study, it can be concluded scrotal circumference, serum testosterone level and semen quality varied with age whereas testicular temperature and fatty acid composition did not show any difference with the age of Murrah buffalo bulls. Bulls of 3-8 years of age have greater scrotal circumference, higher serum testosterone concentration and better semen quality and productivity compared to other bulls.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF DIETARY FLAXSEED SUPPLEMENTATION ON SEMEN QUALITY DURING STRESSFUL SEASONS IN SAHIWAL BULLS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) MANOJ SHARMA; PAWAN SINGHThe aim of this study was to address the issue of poor semen quality production of Sahiwal bulls during extreme seasons through flaxseed supplementation in their diets. For this, ten Sahiwal mature breeding bulls of 4-7 years of age were selected from the Sahiwal bulls kept at ABRC and grouped based on the monthly semen quality performance projection, during the year 2019-21. These bulls were found producing poor quality semen during stressful winter and summer seasons and were divided into two groups - control and treatment. Control group of bulls were fed as per the ICAR (2013) Feeding Standard and bulls of treatment group were provided @500 g roasted grounded flaxseed/bull/day as dietary supplement in addition to the standard feeding. Sexual behaviour parameters – reaction time (sec), libido score, temperament score, erection score, protrusion score, intensity of thrust, dismounting time (sec) and total time taken in mounts (sec) of these bulls was observed using CCTV and analyzed fortnightly coinciding with semen collection. Semen quality parameters in fresh semen – ejaculate volume (ml), sperm concentration (million/ml), mass activity (0-5), individual motility (%), sperm viability (%), HOST (Hypo-osmotic swelling test) (%), acrosome integrity (%), sperm abnormalities (%) and frozen semen – post-thaw motility (%), sperm viability (%), HOST (%), acrosome integrity (%), MMP (Mitochondrial membrane potential) (%) and oxidative stress (%) was analyzed fortnightly from January to July. Serum testosterone and cortisol were estimated at monthly interval during stressful months of the year by CMIA (Chemiluminescence Microparticle Immunoassay) method. The data so obtained in experiment were subjected to statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software version 26.0 to draw scientific inferences. Results showed that flaxseed supplementation fortnightly did not affect (p<0.05) sexual behavior and hormonal profile of Sahiwal bulls between the groups across the fortnights. The higher (p<0.05) values of sperm concentration (1208.31 ± 65.45 and 1490.67 ± 75.02 million/ml), mass activity (2.72 ± 0.11 and 3.10 ± 0.10), individual sperm motility (70.73 ± 1.40 and 76.03 ± 1.27 %), sperm viability (79.88 ± 1.28 and 85.20 ± 1.01 %), hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) reacted spermatozoa (63.20 ± 0.90 and 67.53 ± 0.85 %) and acrosome integrity (88.43 ± 0.78 and 89.95 ± 0.65 %) in fresh semen was obtained in control and treatment group, respectively. The similar trend was also shown in post-thaw motility (57.69 ± 1.26 and 62.32 ± 1.49 %), sperm viability (68.30 ± 1.15 and 73.73 ± 1.18 %), HOST reacted spermatozoa (41.44 ± 0.47 and 46.33 ± 0.62 %) and mitochondrial membrane potential (45.29 ± 2.44 % and 50.64 ± 3.15 %) in cryopreserved semen in control and treatment groups, respectively. The higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acid (3.43 and 40.81 %) and lower of saturated fatty acids (22.80 and 18.39 %) was obtained in control and treatment groups, respectively. From this study it can be concluded that supplementation of flaxseed in the diet of Sahiwal bulls has improved the quality of fresh as well as frozen semen during stressful seasons of the year.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of black bengal kids' behavior and performance associated with winter stress management(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) Das, Ajoy; D.K. MANDALThe present study conducted at experimental goat shed, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal during the months of December, 2021 to April, 2022. This study assessed the Black Bengal kids’ behavior and performance associated with winter stress management. Six pregnant does were selected and transferred from general herd to the experimental goat shed 4 weeks prior to expected date of parturition. Twelve kids (8 males and 4 females) were born from six does. After birth, kids were distributed randomly into control (n=6, 4 males and 2 females) and experiment groups (n=6, 4 males and 2 females) along with their mothers. Kids of the experiment and control groups were kept in the intensive housing system but the only difference was that the experiment group kids were provided with one kid barrel (KB: 100 cm length, 65 cm height and 65 cm width). The microclimatic variables viz. minimum temperature, dry and wet bulb temperature, relative humidity, THI and floor surface temperature of the KB was always higher than the goat shed except maximum temperature, which was higher in the goat shed. Body weight of kids during pre-weaning (3.92±0.30 vs 3.19±0.24 kg) and post-weaning (7.02±0.25 vs 5.90±0.28 kg) periods were significantly (P<0.01) higher in kids managed with KB than kids managed without KB. Body morphometric parameters viz. corpus length, body length, heart girth, rear girth, height at back and height at wither during pre- and post-weaning periods was significantly higher in kids of experimental group than in control group. Post-weaning roughage intake, total DMI, and overall organic matter intake were significantly higher in kids in the experimental groups than in the control group. Pre-weaning ADG (68.50±4.01 vs 56.48±4.41 g/d; P<0.05) and pre-and post-weaning overall ADG (51.72±3.38 vs 42.20±3.30 g/d; P<0.01) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group kids. Pre-weaning faecal parasitic load of OPG and post-weaning EPG and OPG were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group kids. Pre-weaning haematological analysis of PCV (%) of the experimental group was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group (30.17±0.88 vs 25.50±0.98 %) kids. All behavior activities (duration of time spent in the KB, duration of time spent outside KB standing outside KB, walking outside KB, lying outside KB, frequency of entry and exits from KB) of kids were affected by time periods of the day. In conclusion, modifications in the housing system of kids through providing a warm environment with KB for protection from the cold stress in the winter season helped to enhance their growth performance, improve health status, reduce faecal parasitic load and positively influence behavioral responses.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF FENUGREEK SEED SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BLACK BENGAL GOAT(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) BED SINGH; CHAMPAK BHAKATIn order to investigate the effect of Trigonella foenum (Fenugreek seeds) on productive performances of Black Bengal goat, an experiment was conducted on 18 female goats (3-4 months aged) which were divided into three comparable groups viz: T0 (control), T1 (treatment-1), T2 (treatment-2). With respect to T0 group goats, standard feeding practice (SFP) were followed according to NRC-2007. But in T1 group, along with SFP, Trigonella foenum seed @ 2 % of concentrate DM and in T2 group, along with SFP, Trigonella foenum seed @ 4% of concentrate DM were supplemented for a period of 8 fortnights (120 days). The extraction of phytochemicals of Trigonella foenum seeds samples like total phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids were done at every month and found proper concentration in each sample. Statistically analysed data of farm experimentation revealed that, supplementation of Trigonella foenum seeds to treatment group (T1 and T2) goats lead to significant (P<0.01) increase in growth parameters viz: BW, ADG, BCS in treatment as compared to control group but non-significant (P˃0.05) differences were found in cardinal physiological responses viz: rectal temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate. Some morphometric parameters (BL, HG, WH, HH) were showed significant (P˂0.05) difference but punch girth was non-significant (P˃0.05) among treatment and control group. Some intake parameters like concentrate intake, TCPI, TDMI/kg metabolic body size, TCPI/kg metabolic body size, DMI/100 kg BW, FCR, FCE, CPI and DMI through concentrate were significantly (P<0.01) varied but fodder intake, TDMI, DMI and CPI through fodder were non significantly (P>0.05) varied among three groups. The egg per gram (EPG), faecal DM% and faecal score were found to be non-significant (P˃0.05) among three groups. The haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC) and biochemical parameters (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin globulin ratio, BUN, SGPT/ALT, SGOT/AST) were also found to be non-significant (P˃0.05) among three groups. The correlation study revealed that coefficient of correlation among BW and BL, HG, HW, PG, HH, ADG, BCS were highly, positively and significantly (P<0.01) correlated to each other. Reproductive behavioural parameters like occurrence of first estrus and associated signs were recorded earlier as well as significantly (P˂0.05) higher number of animals showed estrus signs in treatment as compared to control group. No deviation from normal and no significant differences (P> 0.05) were observed with respect to feeding and general behaviour among goats of three groups. Digestibility coefficient of DM, CP, EE, OM, ADF, NDF, hemicellulose, T-CHO were significantly (P<0.01) but and of TA non-significantly varied among treatment and control groups. DCP intake and TDN intake significantly (P<0.01) increased in treatment than control group. Economic analysis revealed that feed cost Rs/kg BW gain was less, but BCR and net profit were found to be higher in treatment (T1 and T2) as compared to control (T0) group. Therefore, the study can be concluded that supplementation of Trigonella foenum seeds @ 2 % and 4 % of concentrate DM to Black Bengal goats for 120 days improves growth, productive and reproductive performances and it’s addition @ 2-4 % of concentrate DM does not altered much of important physiological, haematological and biochemical parameters without showing any deleterious effect.ThesisItem Open Access CHARACTERIZATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF RECYCLED MANURE SOLIDS AS COW BEDDING MATERIAL(ICAR-SRS-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) PRIYANKA MEENA; MUKUND A. KATAKTALWAREThe present study was conducted to characterize the physicochemical and bacterial properties of recycled manure solids (RMS) vis-à-vis select conventional bedding materials and to standardize RMS as cow bedding material. The water holding capacity (g.gm-1) was lowest in the sand (0.16±0.007) and highest in sawdust (3.27±0.06). The bulk density (kg/m3) was highest in the sand (1146.92±18.37) and lowest in ragi straw (63.12±5.70). The pH, total N (g/kg), C (g/kg), C: N, ash (%), and organic matter in RMS were 8.07±0.02, 1.71±0.1 35.91±0.77, 21.12±1.61, 28.16±1.557 and 1.83±1.55, respectively. In RMS, the total bacterial count, Coliform counts, E. coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. counts (log10 cfu/g) were 21.16±2.28, 8.43±0.33, 11.85±4.4, 15.55±1.12, and 16.99±2.37, respectively. The C: N was highest in sawdust (129.49±22.48) and lowest in RMS (21.12±1.61). On the 10th day, RMS bedding with 20 cm depth had significantly lower water holding capacity (1.59±0.41), porosity (86.12±0.06), and coefficient of friction (0.49±0.02) as compared to bedding with 10 cm (2.73±0.45, 90.03±0.83, 0.56±0.02). The bulk density of RMS bedding with 20 cm depth (214.2±10.26) was found to be significantly higher as compared to RMS bedding depth of 10 cm (153.2±11.78) and 15 cm (175.2±9.79). Total bacterial count (Log10 cfu/g) was significantly lower in RMS bedding with a depth of 20 cm on the 3rd (24.27±0.31), 5th (24.48±0.49), 7th (23.78±0.51) and 10th days (24.51±0.53) as compared to RMS bedding with 10 cm (26.68±0.84), (27.76±0.88), (26.05±0.89), (27.10±1.02) respectively. Addition of Ca(OH)2 on alternate days resulted in a lower bacterial count (log10 cfu/g) on day 5th (25.25±1.10), 7th (24.13±0.62), and 10th day (25.44±0.89). RMS bedding with the addition of Ca(OH)2 alternate days resulted in the undetectable level of E. coli on days 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th. It is concluded that the RMS bedding with 20% moisture, 20 cm depth, and application of calcium hydroxide (10%) on alternate days had a significantly lower E. coli count. The bacterial count in standardized RMS bedding remained lower till the 7th day.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF BULL BIOSTIMULATION ON ANESTRUS IN MURRAH BUFFALO HEIFERS(ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL, 2022) ADITYA CHANDRAKAR; M. L. KAMBOJAnestrus is one of the most common reproductive disorders in buffalo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of biostimulation on onset of estrus, estrus behaviour and reproductive performance of Murrah buffalo heifers. For this study, 24 heifers were allotted to 2 groups: T0 (control) and T1 (treatment) of 12 each for a period of 5 months from December 2021 to April 2022. In T0 the heifers were not exposed to the bull and in T1 group, the heifers were exposed to the bull directly for 6 hours daily (3hr in morning and 3hr in evening). Both groups of heifers were housed separately at a distance of about 0.5 km from each other. All the experimental animals were housed under a loose housing system and floor space (i.e., 4 m2 covered area, 8 m2 open area). The feeding of both groups of heifers were similar comprising of ad libitum feeding of seasonal green fodders and the concentrate mixture feeding. Data were analysed using SPSS software (Version 21.0) using t-test: two sample assuming equal variance. The average age and body weight of the T0 and T1 group before the start of the experiment was (25.85±0.32 months, 333.5±6.29 kg) and (25.94±0.48 months, 332.83±7.51 kg). The mean dry matter intake 10.43±0.24 and 10.72±0.28 kg per day in T0 and T1 respectively did not differ significantly between the 2 groups of heifers. The mean daily gain 507±28.1 gm/day and 605±19.34 gm/day in T0 and T1 respectively which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 group. The mean body weight 362.47±7.32 and 369.07±8.2 kg in T0 and T1 respectively did not differ significantly between the 2 groups of heifers. The average age at first estrus in T0 and T1 was 28.04±0.01 and 27.58±0.33 months. The average age at first service in the T1 group was 28.18±0.57 months and in T0 none of the heifers was inseminated. The conception rate in T1 group was 57.14%. The average frequencies of estrus behaviour including sniffing and licking on the day of estrus are (12.00±3.00 vs. 26.50±3.42), tail raising (9.00±3.00 vs. 20.12±2.64), chin resting (4.00±1.00 vs. 12.00±1.34), stand to be mounted (3.00±1.00 vs. 9.75±1.16) in T0 and T1 respectively. which was higher in T1 group. The mean frequency of standing in T0 and T1 was 678.25±4.43 and 722.57±4.93 minutes/day which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 group. The mean daily times spent on lying in T0 and T1 was 728.06±4.01 and 689.59±3.87 minutes/day which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T0 group. The mean frequency of eating and rumination in T0 and T1 was (249.04±2.27 and 260.89±2.14) and (375.80±5.36 and 396.22±5.25) minutes/day which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 group. The mean drinking frequency in T0 and T1 was 3.76±0.39 and 4.36±0.56 which did not differ significantly among the 2 groups of heifers. The mean allogrooming frequency in T0 and T1 were 9.94±2.49and 20.09±2.26 which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 group. It was concluded that the biostimulation of anestrus buffalo heifers through direct bull exposure was effective in bringing the most of the heifers into estrus with normal expression of estrus behaviour and better reproductive performance.
