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2011 - 201950
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Subject: Zoology × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2011 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Testing of ready to use zinc phosphide formulation under field and storage conditions
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Simarpreet Kaur; Babbar, B. K.
    The present study on the testing of ready to use new (1.6%) zinc phosphide against lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis was carried out in the Department of Zoology, PAU, Ludhiana. Standard already recommended bait of 2% (old) zinc phosphide and 1.6% (new) zinc phosphide baits were prepared. Results revealed that with increase in time of preparation of old 2% zinc phosphide bait, time to death increased and percent mortality reduced. However 100% mortality was recorded with new 1.6% zinc phosphide bait within 24 hours even after four months of its preparation. Exposure of both old and new ZP baits to varying moisture and pH for different durations revealed 100% mortality with new ZP bait exposed for 3 and 7 days to 50% moisture but old ZP bait was effective for 3 days only at 50% moisture. Even at 80% moisture, 66.7% mortality was recorded with new ZP bait while with old ZP bait, mortality was nil. Estimation of phosphine gas content (mg/mole) in freshly prepared baits, packed baits and those exposed to varying moisture and pH for 7, 15 and 30 days of preparation also revealed that the release of phosphine was less from new (1.6%) ZP bait as compared to old (2%) ZP bait indicating new ZP bait is more stable as compared to old ZP bait. Testing of both baits in crop fields and grain stores also revealed that new ZP bait is more effective in reducing rodent population as compared to old ZP bait. From the above results, it is concluded that the new 1.6% ZP bait is more stable, effective as rodenticide and acceptable by the rodents as compared to old 2% ZP bait.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Amelioration by ascorbic acid in Cyprinus carpio (Linn.) exposed to chromium
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Manmeet Pal Kaur; Jasjit Kaur
    Ascorbic acid is known for its ability to attenuate the toxic effects caused by metal pollutants. Chromium is one of the metal pollutants which when present beyond permissible limits in water can lead to deleterious effects in fishes. So, the present study was planned to assess the ameliorative effects of ascorbic acid (AsA) on chromium induced alterations in fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio L. following chronic exposure for 28 days. Static bioassay test revealed 96hr LC50 for chromium to be 176.97ppm. Fingerlings of C. carpio were exposed to two sublethal concentrations (1/10th and 1/5th LC50) of chromium for 28 days, with and without dietary supplementation of AsA. Chromium toxicity resulted in decrease of TEC, Hb and Ht values whereas, an increase was recorded in TLC, MCV, MHC and MCHC values. The blood parameters were observed to be restoring towards normal levels in fishes provided with AsA supplemented diet. A significant increase in the activities of oxidative stress enzymes viz. SOD, CAT, GR, GST, GPx LPO and aminotransferases (AST and ALT) was noticed. However, the increase in enzyme activity was less pronounced in AsA supplemented groups. Similarly, the protein content in liver and flesh while the lipid content in flesh recorded a decrease which was found to improve with AsA supplementation. Liver revealed chromium induced degenerative changes like vacuolization, pyknosis, and degenerated hepatocytes. Kidney and gills also showed histological alterations like degeneration of tubules, glomeruli and damaged lamellae. Dietary ascorbic acid reversed the effects to some extent in all the three tissues. The exposure to chromium resulted in its bioconcentration in fish flesh which was ameliorated by AsA supplementation. Complete elimination of accumulated chromium in surviving fishes was recorded after ten days of depuration in chromium free water. In conclusion, the results of present study revealed ameliorative effects of ascorbic acid against the chromium induced toxicity in common carp.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Population status, feeding behaviour and breeding biology of brown-headed barbet (Megalaima zeylanica) in districts Ludhiana and Moga
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Shivangi, ..; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
    Present investigations were carried on population status, feeding behaviour and breeding biology of Brown-headed Barbet (Megalaima zeylanica) at three selected locations i.e. Punjab Agricultural University campus (location I), Kot Ise Khan (location II) and Baranhara (location III) from June 2018 to May 2019. The relative abundance of Brown-headed Barbet was 1.70%, 0.26% and 0.25% at location I, II and III respectively. At location II, bird data taken on three ponds had revealed 25 species. Brown-headed Barbet was observed feeding on figs/ berries/ drupes of twelve indigenous and one exotic tree species. Breeding season of Brown-headed Barbet was recorded from February to end of August. Detailed observations on 11 nests of Brown-headed Barbet (11 first brood and 7 second brood) were taken. Nest excavation period was from 6-9 days. Clutch size (3 to 4 eggs), nest depth (25.70 cm to 30.50 cm), nest hole diameter (4.7 cm to 5.1 cm) and incubation period (16 to 20 days) was recorded. Brown-headed Barbet was observed to utilize six indigenous and one exotic tree species for nesting. Inter-species conflict of Brown-headed Barbet with Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psitacula krameri) had led to failure of second brood rearing at location I while predation led to nesting failure at all the studied locations. Plantation of indigenous trees might help in providing suitable habitat for Brown-headed Barbet in semi urban and agro ecosystems.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Response of Rattus rattus towards conspecific urinary pheromones
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Garg, Nidhi; Singla, Neena
    Urinary pheromones being chemical signals play an important role in communication among the individuals of same species. Present study aimed to observe the response of mature male and female Rattus rattus towards conspecific natural urine and synthetic urinary compounds of same and opposite sexes. Urine of mature and immature as well as of individual and grouped male and female rats and of mature female rat different stages i.e. proestrous, diestrous, estrous, metestrous, preganancy and lactation was collected and exposed to both the mature male and female rats. Different concentrations (2, 3, 5 and 7%) of synthetic urinary compounds namely, 1-chlorodecane, 1-nitropentane, n-hexane and cyclo-hexane were also exposed to mature male and female rats. Rats were exposed to urine under laboratory conditions, in maze experiments and under simulated storage condition. Effect of urine on behaviour of rats was determined in the form of bait consumption from treated and untreated sides. Results revealed a characteristic behaviour of both the mature male and female rats towards the urine. The mature female rats showed strong attraction towards the urine of individual and grouped mature male rats and the urinary compound 1-chlorodecane. The mature male rats were attracted towards urine of individual and grouped mature female rats, females at different stages except in pregnant stage, and urinary compounds 1-nitropentane and n–hexane. Study suggests the use of urine/urinary compounds in mitigating poison bait and trap shyness in R. rattus thereby managing their population.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Toxic and anti-fertility effect of Calotropis procera leaf extract on Bandicota bengalensis
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Kiran Rani; Babbar, B.K.
    Calotropis procera has strong insecticidal, fungicidal, toxic (hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and cardiotoxic) and anti-fertility effects But no data is available regarding its toxic and antifertility effect on male Bandicota bangalensis. Three different C. procera dry leaf powder extract and fresh leaf juice based treated baits were tested against male bandicoot rat, B. bengalensis in bi-choice feeding tests. Results demonstrated no lethal or acute toxic effects with all C. Procera leaf based treated baits when given to rats continuously for three days. Therefore, the duration of experiment was increased to 30 days to determine the anti-fertility and chronic toxicity effects of same treated baits as used in acute toxicity determination experiment. There was a significant reduction in consumption (g/100 g b wt.) of treated baits as compared to untreated bait. Out of three treated baits, average consumption of active ingredient was maximum with treated bait 2 and percent acceptance of this bait ranged from 47.66 % to 60.67 %. Results also revealed significant reduction in the weights of male reproductive organs (testes, cauda epididymis, corpus epididymis and caput epididymis), sperm motility, viability and sperm concentration and increase in sperm abnormalities in rats fed on treated bait 2. The histomorphological study of testis revealed significant reduction in the diameter of seminiferous tubules and thickness of germinal epithelium because of reduction in number of both germ and Sertoli cells in different stages of seminiferous epithelial cycle in rats fed on treated bait 2 indicating efficacy of treated bait 2 as antifertility agent. However nephrotoxic effect and oxidative stress was not recorded in same rats fed on treated bait 2.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Toxicological effects induced by acephate in female wistar rats
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Jain, Ekta; Vashishat, Nisha
    The present study was carried out to study the toxicological effects of the organophosphate acephate in female wistar rats. The rats were divided into four groups, each group containing six rats. Acephate was administered for 45 days to the rats by oral intubation at dose level of 1/50th of LD50 value (866 mg/kg b.w.) to first group, 1/25th of LD50 value to second group, 1/10th of LD50 value to third group and the fourth group served as control group. Commercial formulation of acephate (STARTHENE 75 SP) was used for the treatment. Feed intake was decreased significantly in the highest dose group of rats. The weights of kidney, uterus and oviduct decreased significantly in treated groups. The cyclicity was disturbed in rats of all the treated groups. Biochemical parameters such as total protein, total lipids, cholesterol and phospholipids were estimated. The activity of antioxidative enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were estimated from the tissue homogenates. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were also estimated. A significant decrease in total proteins and total lipids was observed in the medium and high dosed rats. Excessive generation of free radicals was observed to be the toxicological effect of acephate which was evident from the significant alterations in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. A change in lipid peroxidation levels was also observed in the treated rats when compared with control rats. Hence, overall changes were observed in the biochemical parameters in the treated rats by the application of pesticide. Histological examinations of ovary and uterus showed significant changes when compared with control rats. DNA damage was estimated from the bone marrow cells of the rats. The appearance of tail in the highest dose rats indicated DNA damage. There was absence or less concentration of antibodies in the serum. Hence it was concluded that acephate intoxication caused major changes in biochemical and histopathological parameters in female wistar rats.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of Arsenic on common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linn.) And its Amelioration by Ascorbic acid
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Tuteja, Chetanjyoti; Hundal, S.S.
    Arsenic, a metalloid has become a potent toxicant in aquatic ecosystems because of wide range of anthropogenic activities which has resulted in hazardous impact on aquatic fauna and eventually humans who are a part of food chain.The present study aimed at examining the toxicity of arsenic in Cyprinus carpio by conducting acute and chronic toxicity bioassays and evaluating the ameliorating potential of ascorbic acid to combat arsenic toxicity. Acute toxicity bioassay resulted in 96hr LC50 of 107.05 mg/l. Chronic toxicity bioassay was conducted by exposing fishes to 1/0th and 1/5th LC50 of arsenic. Fishes were divided into six experimental groups viz. Negative control, Positive control, 1/5thLC50As, 1/10thLC50As, 1/5thLC50As+AA and 1/10thLC50As+AA. A significant decrease in the TEC, Hb, Hct and a significant increase in TLC was reported in 1/5th and 1/10thAs exposed groups when compared with negative control and a significant improvement was observed in the blood indices of As+AA treated groups. Antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST was found to decline in response to arsenic exposure while an increment in their activity was recorded in As+AA treated fishes. Lipid and protein content in the flesh of fish declined significantly in 1/5th and 1/10th As treatment whereas the decline in ascorbic acid supplemented groups was found to be significantly less in comparison to the respective arsenic groups. Accumulation of arsenic was found to be significantly higher in 1/5th and 1/10th As treated groups. Uptake of arsenic was found to decrease on ascorbic acid supplementation and depuration of arsenic was found to be 100% in 1/0th LC50 arsenic treated groups. Histomorphologcal alteration observed in gills, liver and kidney were also found to be less intense in As+AA than their respective arsenic treated groups. The results of present study indicate that ascorbic acid is an effective ameliorating agent against deleterious effects of arsenic in fish fauna and rehabilitation proves to be an effective method for complete depuration of arsenic from fish flesh.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Diversity and seasonal incidence of aquatic insects of ponds in South-West Punjab
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Sukhpreet Kaur; Hundal, S.S.
    A comparative study was conducted dealing with diversity and seasonal incidence of aquatic insects of ponds in South-West Punjab. Aquatic insects are group of arthropods that spend some or almost full life in water. They act as bioindicators and help in determining water quality of different water bodies. The sample collection was done fortnightly from 3 villages of Faridkot district viz. Pakka, Chambeli and Bhana from June 2018 to May 2019. The insect specimens were got identified and confirmed from ZSI, Kolkata and analysis of water samples for physico-chemical parameters was done using standard methods. A total of 1103 individuals of aquatic insects belonging to 4 orders (Coleoptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, and Diptera) were collected from three village ponds. The maximum number of aquatic insects was recorded from village Pakka (373) while minimum number was recorded from village Bhana(311). Hemiptera was the most dominant order in all three village ponds. Various water quality parameters like temperature, pH, EC, DO, BOD, alkalinity etc. were analysed. It was observed that there were slight variations in water quality parameters in three ponds. The result of study indicated high diversity of aquatic entomofauna in pond of village Pakka and suggests the possibility of using aquatic insects efficiently for biomonitoring purposes.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phone towers on breeding biology of birds
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2019) Navjot Kaur; Vashishat, Nisha
    Birds are one of the most diverse and evolutionary successful groups which occupy almost every habitat on earth. Birds act asbiological indicator of an environment because of their tiny head with thin cranium, non-conducting plumages, high mobility and practice of inhabiting zones having high electromagnetic field. The present study deals with the impact of electromagnetic radiations emitted from cell phone tower on diversity and breeding biology of birds at two locations; location 1- Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana and location 2- village Baude, Moga. Three sites each with cell phone tower in the centre were selected at two locations and one site without any cell phone tower was selected as control site. The bird diversity was recorded within 200 m radius of cell phone tower and artificial nest boxes were installed to study the breeding biology of birds at selected sites. The maximum bird diversity was recorded at site II (17 bird species) of location 1 than the control site (12 bird species). In spite of the presence of cell phone tower there was significant difference amongst the bird diversity at site II and other selected sites under study which showed minimal effect of electromagnetic radiations on the avian diversity.This may be because the birds observed during the present study were not restricted to this area only and therefore were not under the continuous exposure of electromagnetic radiations. Common Myna occupied artificial nests at all the four selected sites under location 1 (PAU). Common Myna and House Sparrow occupied the artificial nest boxes for breeding at selected sites of location 2. The breeding success of Common Myna was ranging from 50-100% at control sites and 50-75% at sites having cell phone towers. House sparrows occupied 10-40% nests at sites of village Baude but further egg laying was not seen in these occupied nests. This may be attributed to the impact of continuous exposure of these birds to EMR (electromagnetic magnetic radiations) during the breeding season.