<div>Background: Limited biosecurity measures in smallholder poultry facilities expose birds to various pathogens as a result, poultry products particularly raw ones are reported to be responsible for cases of human foodborne diseases. The aim of the study was to profile and characterise the zoonotic bacterial pathogens in water, poultry mouth and rectal swabs in a value chain project of Capricorn district, Limpopo Province, South Africa. 
 
Methods: A total of 74 samples comprising of 14 water samples, 60 mouth and rectal swab samples were collected from the farms. The samples were screened for the presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. through selective cultivation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The study revealed that the water resources, mouth and rectal swab samples of chickens were contaminated by coliform bacteria. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., were dominant isolates. E. coli strains that were isolated from the water sources, mouth and rectal swabs of the chickens showed strong resistance to gentamycin, neomycin, penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. K. pneumoniae showed resistant to neomycin; penicillin; erythromycin while K. oxytoca and E. absuriae showed similar antibiotic resistance profile as penicillin, erythromycin, nalidixic acid and ampicillin.</div>

Presence of Coliforms in Water, Poultry Mouth and Rectal Swabs from Selected Smallholder Poultry Farming Projects of Capricorn District, South Africa

Selenium was believed to be toxic to animals, however, in 1957, selenium was reported as a dietary vital nutrient. Selenium is available in inorganic and organic forms. In 1974, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated the supplementation of selenium in poultry diets. In 1994, the National Research Council recognized selenium as a dietary essential nutrient for laying hens. The maximum allowed selenium addition level is 0.30 mg/kg. One of the most common supplements used is sodium selenite (SS), the inorganic selenium source. However, in 2000, the FDA approved the use of the organic source of selenium, Se-enriched yeast (SY) in poultry diets. Selenium has valuable effects on animal immune status, growth parameters, production and reproduction. Experimentally, it has been indicated that SY benefits more than that of SS due to its more bioavailability. Selenium inclusion in food-animal diets has an extra nutritional advantage to human consumers of Se-enriched food-animal products.&nbsp;

Organic and inorganic selenium in poultry: A review

<div>Background: Paratyphoid infection of poultry is caused by non-host adapted motile salmonellae and are responsible for numerous cases of food borne illness worldwide. The present study was carried out from July 2019 to February 2020 in Jabalpur to know the occurrence and pathology of paratyphoid bacteria in poultry. 
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Methods: Whole blood agglutination test was performed to know the prevalence of salmonellosis in and areas surrounding Jabalpur region and pooled fecal samples were collected from poultry farms to perform microbe culture and biochemical characterization. Serotyping of Salmonella isolates was done using polyvalent antisera. Necropsy examination was conducted to observe gross and histopathological lesions.&nbsp; 
 
Conclusion: Rapid whole blood agglutination test determined the percent prevalence of Salmonella as 28.0% from 25 private poultry outlets. The percent prevalence of salmonellosis by collecting pooled fecal samples from 15 broiler and 11 layer farms was recorded as 20.0% and 45.4% respectively. Salmonellosis was recorded in 1.58% of total necropsy cases of birds examined for gross and histopathological studies. Polyvalent antisera diagnosed 27.27% motile paratyphoid salmonellae, out of which 18.18% tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis while 9.09% tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium. Birds with paratyphoid infection showed hepatomegaly, discoloration, hemorrhagic and necrotic foci in liver and various grades of hemorrhagic to catarrhal enteritis were recorded.</div>

​Incidence and Pathology of Paratyphoid Infection in Poultry

Animal raising activities have become one of the enormously flourishing sectors in Indian agriculture. Within livestock sector, the poultry husbandry started from a backyard venture and became a commercial agro-business generating revenue to the farmers. Poultry farming, comprising of Layer farming and Broiler farming, not only enhances food security, but has also been a remunerative source of income. The present paper is an attempt to give an overview of poultry farming in India, with special reference to Punjab. The poultry farming is a complete scientific process as it includes breeding, brooding, incubation, housing, rearing and feeding. The study revealed that poultry farming has been rising 5 times more than that of the agriculture crop production, which in turn pushed India to attain a substantial position in the world market. The percentage of poultry birds, production of eggs and meat registered an upswing. Due to its peculiarities of low investment, short gestation period and adaptability with different climatic conditions, it&rsquo;s in the reach of the farmers.&nbsp;

Poultry Farming in India with Special Reference to Punjab: An Overview

<div>A distinct mechanism of generating metagenome is metagenomics which includes sequencing the whole DNA extracted from an environmental sample, mapping it to a reference database followed by gene annotation. Advancement in sequence-based metagenomics has significantly reduced processing costs and has acquired a rapid pace. Metagenomics has been crucial in investigating &ldquo;hidden&rdquo; genetic characteristics and construction biotechnological processes through the discovery of novel genes, enzymes, pathways and bioactive molecules with entirely different or improved biochemical functions. Metagenomics is a fairly recent addition to the molecular toolbox and is the simplest, impartial way of challenging the adaptive ability of microbial populations. Metagenomics is beneficial in recognising the complex consortium of bacteria, protozoa, archaea, fungi, etc. and association amongst them resulting in higher feed utilization and productivity of animals. It allows formulating probiotics feed materials, as well as in immunomodulation in both livestock and poultry. This review emphasizes significant recent achievements in metagenomics, offers insights into the possibilities, modern-day challenges and its utility in livestock and poultry.</div>

Metagenomics: A Novel Tool for Livestock and Poultry Improvement: A Review

Background: Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H. Hurter and Mabb. (S. catechu) is a versatile leguminous tree of the Fabaceae family. Commonly termed &quot;khair,&quot; it is widely distributed across the country occurring naturally and as a plantation crop. This species flourishes in the Sub-Himalayan region of India, ranging from an altitude of 300 to 1,300 meters. Species is commercially valuable due to the extraction of Katha and cutch, apart from various other uses in traditional medicine. However, natural regeneration is severely hampered in wild due to seed dormancy resulting from the hard seed coat. 
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Methods: Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H. Hurter and Mabb. seeds were sorted into two size categories i.e. small (L1) and large (L2) and then subjected to eight presowing treatments to evaluate their effect on germination and initial seedling development in split plot&nbsp; design at Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. The treatments were replicated thrice. 
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Result: Large seed size (p&le;0.05) significantly took lesser number of days taken to emergence (4.79 days), higher germination per cent (71.04%), maximum germination energy (30.57%). Large size seeds also exhibited superior growth and seedling biomass parameters. Amid the presowing treatments, cow dung slurry for 3 days (T8) showed lesser number of days taken to emergence (3.00 days), higher germination percentage (78.33%), germination value (18.46) and germination rate index (2.30 per cent/days) and minimum mean germination time (8.03 days). Maximum seedling growth and seedling vigour index were found in seeds treated with cow dung slurry for 3 days (T8).Further, this study seeks to explore the research avenues for conservation and utilization of Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H. Hurter and Mabb. in central and sub mountainous region of Punjab and other parts of India.

Effect of Seed Size and Presowing Treatments on Germination, Early Seedling Growth and Seedling Vigour of Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H. Hurter and Mabb. in Nursery Condition

<div>Background: Non-typhoidal Salmonellae (NTS) are the predominant source of foodborne Salmonellosis in humans. Livestock and poultry are important reservoirs of NTS. In the context of food safety, this study was undertaken to characterize Salmonella species isolated from livestock, poultry and fish for antimicrobial resistance.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 620 fecal and food samples were randomly collected from different places. Isolation and identification of Salmonella species were done employing microbial and molecular tests. Phenotypic AMR pattern was studied as per the CLSI guidelines and AMR genes were detected by PCR.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Salmonella spp. were detected in 39(6.29%) out of 620 samples. Salmonella isolates were 100% sensitive to aztreonam, cefepime, cefpodoxime, followed by cefoxitin (97.43%), ceftazidime (94.43%), piperacillin/tazobactam (94.87%) and ciprofloxacin (71.79%). However, resistance to ampicillin (53.84%), colistin (66.66%), tetracycline (58.57%), amoxyclav (33.33%) and sulfafurazole (23.07%) was observed. Out of 39 isolates, 7(17.94%) were ESBL positive strains and blaTEM was detected in the two ESBL positive isolates. Quinolone- resistant QnrS gene was present in 3(7.69%) isolates. KPC, AmpC and MBL positivity and genes encoding mobile colistin resistance (mcr) were not detected. The presence of virulent and drug-resistant strains of Salmonella in livestock and poultry may poses environmental, food safety and public health risks.</div>

Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Salmonella Species Recovered from Livestock and Poultry

<div>Background: Use of organic manures to meet the nutrient requirement of the crop would be an inevitable practice for sustainable agriculture. Since organic manures generally improve the physical, chemical and biological properties along with conserving soil moisture and thus resulting in enhanced crop productivity along with maintaining the quality of crop production. Organic farming in recent years is gaining significance due to the realization of inherent advantages it confers in sustaining crop production and also in maintaining dynamic soil nutrient status and safe environment. Organic farming is also concerns to produce the quality food and human health, so that this research and studied the interaction effect of vermicompost and poultry manure on groundnut crop in Chitrakoot condition. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted at Rajola Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot in kharif 2019. The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of poultry manure and vermicompost applications. The morphological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in experimental farm and departmental laboratory. 
 
Result:&nbsp;The combination dose of V3P3&nbsp;(6 ton ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost and 4 ton ha-1 poultry manure) was found to be best giving the maximum values. The effect of V3 on the number of pod per plant and number of seed per plant was maximum 15.20 and 3.22 and effect of P3&nbsp;on the number of pod per plant and number of seed per plant was maximum 14.156 and 3.11 respectively. The interaction of vermicompost and poultry manure of the V3P3&nbsp;combination was recorded maximum 17.13 per plant. Seed per pod interaction of vermicompost and poultry manure of the V3P3 combination also recorded maximum 3.66 per pod. Effect of vermicompost and poultry manure on 100 kernel weight was maximum in V3 (42.55 g) and P3&nbsp;(41.00 g) respectively. The shelling percentage also was recorded maximum in V3&nbsp;(69.77) and P3 (67.77) and interaction of both parameters was recorded non significance. Effect on yield (q/ha) was recorded maximum in V3 (1.05) and P3&nbsp;(0.99) and the interaction was recorded maximum in V3P3&nbsp;combination (1.27). The effect of vermicompost on oil percentage, protein percentage and oil yield (kg/ha) was recorded maximum 48.46, 21.33 and 1573.5 in V3 respectively. The effect of poultry manure recorded maximum in P3&nbsp;(48.03), 20.68 and 1411.2 kg/ha oil percentage, protein percentage and oil yield respectively. The interaction of vermicompost and poultry manure was recorded maximum with the combination of V3P3&nbsp;and found 49.52 oil percentage, 21.76 protein percentage and 1696.00 kg/ha oil yield. The results indicated that all these parameters were significantly increased due to vermicompost and poultry manure application. Their interaction was also significant. It was evident that a combination dose of V3P3 (6 ton ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost and 4 ton ha-1&nbsp;poultry manure) was found to be best giving the maximum values.</div>

Effect of the Vermicompost and Poultry Manure on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Rain-fed Condition

Background: Ovulation is a spontaneous process of releasing an egg from the ovaries of female animals on attainment of LH surge. However, in induced ovulators this could occur only after the stimulation by male animals or artificial induction. The big cats (Panthera tigris) are considered as induced ovulators in free range and semi- captivity. 
 
Methods: Therefore, the present study was designed to observe the changes in the hormonal profile of the big cats before and following mating. A total of nine adult female tigers were grouped into two groups namely unmated and mated for the study from zoos and National parks of Madhya Pradesh. Faecal and urine samples of female tigers were taken on weekly basis for up to 14 weeks which is approximately 03 months of the study. The faecal and urine samples were processed and examined for the hormones viz. estrogen, immunoglobin (Ig) J chain, LH and progesterone were analysed by using ELISA plate reader. Urine constituents were analysed viz. urobilinogen, bilirubin, ketone, nitrite, glucose, blood, protein, leucocytes, pH and specific gravity in the urine sample by using urine analyser.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Elevation in the concentration of the hormones have been observed in terms of estrogen, Ig J chain and LH, whereas, increase is observed in unmated group for up to 6th&nbsp;week pertaining to progesterone as well as very slight increase in the mated group after 6th&nbsp;week. Urinalysis revealed negative tests for urobilinogen, bilirubin, ketone, nitrite and glucose in all the samples. The samples were tested positive for presence of blood, protein and leucocytes in the urine sample, changes in the pH and slight in specific gravity have been found during the investigation. 
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Hormone Metabolites of E2, Ig J Chain, LH and P4 in Mated and Unmated Female Tigers (Panthera tigris)

<div>Background: Poultry enteritis is an important multifactorial disease. Chicken Astrovirus (CAstV) usually associated with enteritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of CAstV in poultry enteritis cases, its molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis and gross and microscopic examination of intestine and liver specimen affected with CAstV. 
 
Methods: Total 604 dead poultry birds from commercial poultry farms affected with enteritis were examined for presence of CAstV. Intestinal samples of four birds were pooled to make one biological sample. CAstV was detected by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) using ORF-1b gene specific primers. Molecular characterization was carried out by partial gene sequencing. 
 
Result: CAstV was detected in 20.52% (31/151) of samples. Highest prevalence (49.29%) was observed in 0-1 week old chicks. The partial molecular characterization revealed high similarity of the nucleotide sequence from India (97% to 93%) and from USA, Brazil, Poland and Korea (94 to 92%). Further similarity of amino acid sequences of CAstV from India (100% to 98%) and from USA, Brazil, Poland and Korea (98 to 97%) was observed. Histopathological examination revealed villous atrophy, congestion and atrophic cystic glands in sub-mucosa of intestine. Further severe congestion and hemorrhages along with infiltration of inflammatory cells in liver parenchyma was observed.</div>