<div><strong>Background:</strong> The negative energy balance around calving and in early lactation is the major cause of increased incidence of postpartum metabolic disorders, reduced milk production and impaired reproductive performance. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of rumen protected choline, fat supplementation and Vit-E and selenium&nbsp; injections on plasma endocrine profile, postpartum productivity, fertility and economics in transitional Gir cows.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Forty advanced pregnant multiprous Gir cows of an organized farm were randomly distributed into five equal groups (T1 to T5; n=8 each) and were fed and managed individually from 30 days prepartum till 60 days postpartum. Cows in T1 (control) group were fed basal diet, while cows in treatment groups received basal diet + supplementation of rumen protected choline-RPC @ 45 g/d/cow (T2), rumen protected fat-RPF @ 80 g/d/cow from -30 to +15 days peripartum and then @ 10 g/kg milk yield (T3), RPC and RPF in combination @ as above (T4) and&nbsp; Inj. E-Care Se<sup>(R) </sup>10 ml i/m (Vit-E 500 mg and Se 15 mg) on days -30, -15, 0, +15, +30 and +45 peripartum (T5) along with blood samples for estimation of plasma levels of insulin, IGF1, PGFM, estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>), progesterone (P<sub>4</sub>) and cortisol. The puerperal events and fertility parameters were recorded till 10 months postpartum.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>The fortnightly plasma P<sub>4</sub> concentration decreased, while E<sub>2</sub>, PGFM and cortisol increased gradually and significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 30 days prepartum to day of calving and thereafter P<sub>4</sub>, E<sub>2</sub> and cortisol remained basal or very low, while PGFM decreased till 45-60 days postpartum, overall and in all groups. The treatment effect was significant (P&lt;0.01) only for E<sub>2</sub> and PGFM, with higher values of E<sub>2</sub> in T3 and T4 groups and of PGFM in T1 and T2 than in T5 group. The insulin and IGF1 concentrations fluctuated insignificantly during prepartum phase with significantly lowest values till 15 and 30 days postpartum and thereafter only IGF1 increased significantly by day 60 postpartum. The treatment effect was also significant at some intervals with overall highest values of both the metabolic hormones in T1 followed by T5 and T2 than T3 and T4 groups. The uterine involution was significantly earlier in all treatment groups than in control. The first heat postpartum (days) was significantly earlier in group T5 (33.6&plusmn;3.4), delayed in group T1 (63.5&plusmn;9.5) and intermediate in Group T2 to T4. The conception rates postpartum were 50.0, 75.0, 62.5, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups T1 to T5, respectively, with significantly reduced service period (days) in T5 (96.3&plusmn;14.6), followed by T2 (137.3&plusmn;11.2), than T1, T3 and T4 groups (187 to 214 days). The overall net returns over feed cost of milk yield and reduced service period in T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups over control T1 were Rs. +15898, +6150, +7165 and +24060, respectively. The findings reflected the beneficial and economic role of RPF alone or in combination with RPC and of Se + Vit E supplementation on peripartum endocrine profile and improved postpartum fertility in Gir cows.</div>


<p>Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant Jaffarabadi buffaloes (n=40) of 2-4 parity selected on an organized farm were divided equally into control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 150-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 6 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and PGF2a metabolites on days -45, -30, -7, 0, +7, +15, +30, +45 and +60 peripartum as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. Half of the buffaloes in both the groups also received parenteral microminerals (Inj. Stimvet 5 ml i/m) twice, 45 days before and on the day of calving. Again half of them were treated with ecbolic (Exapar) 2 boli bid for first 4 days postpartum. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;4 ng/ml) on day 45 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 7 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 15, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 7 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 45 and 60 postpartum. The levels of cortisol were significantly higher on the day of parturition as compared to values on day 7 pre- and post-partum. The plasma concentration of PGFM was low on day 45 prepartum, which increased gradually and significantly by almost 10-folds to reach peak values on the day of calving in both control and treatment groups and then declined gradually and significantly till day 45 postpartum. The rise was little more in nutrients supplemented group with higher mean values at most intervals peripartum than in control group. The periods for uterine involution, first postpartum estrus, and days open were significantly shorter with higher conception rate in nutrient supplemented group. It is concluded that the peripartum nutrient supplementation in Jaffarabadi buffaloes is beneficial and has positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma progesterone and PGFM profile.</div>

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant healthy HF crossbred cows (n=20) of 2-4 parity were equally divided in to control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 100-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 2 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and metabolites on days -14, -3, 0, +3, +14, +28 and +42 as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;6 ng/ml) on day 14 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 3 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 14, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 28 and 42 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 3 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 35 postpartum. However, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in either of the hormones, except on day 42 postpartum. The levels of cortisol and PGF2 a Metabolites (PGFM) were 3-8 times higher on the day of parturition as compared to values at day 14 pre- and postpartum, and declined further till day 42 postpartum reaching to prepartum levels. The plasma cholesterol gradually decreased as parturition approached and increased in postpartum days to reach the highest value (p&lt;0.01) at day 42. The nutrients supplemented cows had significantly (p&lt;0.01) higher plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol values than the control cows around parturition. However, no such variation was noted in plasma protein profile. The period of uterine involution in control and supplemented groups was identical (31.97&plusmn;1.82 and 30.27&plusmn;1.41 days), yet the cows in treatment group resumed estrous cycle earlier (38.00&plusmn;1.95 vs 42.32&plusmn;4.14 days, p&lt;0.05) and had shorter service period (85.22&plusmn;7.17 vs 100.67&plusmn;5.60 days) with improved pregnancy rate (80 vs 60 %) as compared to those in control group. Thus, the peripartum nutrient supplementation in crossbred cows was beneficial and had positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol profile.</div>

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows&nbsp;

<div><strong>Background:</strong> Dairy cows during late pregnancy, parturition or early lactation may be subjected to oxidative stress or the production of reactive oxygen metabolites. An imbalance between increased production of ROS and reduced availability of antioxidant defenses near the time of parturition increases oxidative stress and may contribute to peri-parturient disorders in dairy cows therefore in present investigation, of biomarkers of oxidative stress during peri-parturient period in Gir cows were studied.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>Total 42 peri-parturient Gir cows were included in the present study. Ten apparently healthy Gir cows were also selected (which were outside the peri-parturient period) to have base line data on levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress for the comparison and analysis. The study was conducted in southern part of Rajasthan.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>The mean values of malondialdehyde (n mol/g Hb), super oxidase dismutase (U/mg Hb), reduced glutathione (mM) and catalase (&micro;mol of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> consumed /min/mg Hb) during pre-partum period and post-partum period in Gir cows was 227.34&plusmn;9.48 and 255.85&plusmn;11.15; 72.97&plusmn;4.96 and 56.13&plusmn;4.30; 2.72&plusmn;0.15 and 2.27&plusmn;0.15 and 139.85&plusmn;3.81 and 121.57&plusmn;4.65, respectively. Determination of levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress revealed that level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased during peri-parturient period in Gir cows whereas, levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced Glutathione (GSH) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased. The level of catalase was also significantly (P&lt;0.01) decreased during peri-parturient period in Gir cows.&nbsp;</div>


<p>​Assessment of the Levels of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress during Peri-parturient Period in Gir Cows</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">India has a rich diversity of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge on herbal medicine to treat the animals has both curative and preventive roles. Immunity of the animals affects the is production potential. Strengthening of non-specific immunity of the parturient animals can be used as an alternative approach to overcome the incidence of diseases in the peri and postpartum period where in these animals are more prone. One of the promising technologies is the use of immunomodulators to boost the immunity of animals during the transition period. Immunomodulators can be of natural or synthetic origin, which helps in boosting up the immunity for overcoming stress-related ailments, inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation and scavenging of free radicals to ensure the general wellbeing of animals. In the recent years, several different approaches have been examined to investigate the effect of various herb extracts and minerals as immunopotentiator separately. In literature many plants have been listed having immunomodulatory effect and some of them have been proved to have active principles with immunomodulatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antipyretic and antimicrobial properties. The present compilation deals with some of such medicinal plants like Anethum graveolens (Sowa), Elettaria cardamomum (Bari elaichi/Cardamom), Foeniculum vulgare (Saunf), Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain), Zingiber officinale (Sundh) and Trigonella foenun- graceum etc.</div>

Potentiating immunity of dairy animals during transition period through&nbsp;herbs - A review

<div><strong>Background: </strong>Weed populations reduce crop yields by influencing the pattern of crop growth and development throughout the season and by directly competing with the crop for limiting precious resources, like light, water or nutrients. A number of the factors that influence magnitude of crop yield losses from weed interference include the timing of weed emergence relative to the crop, weed density, pattern of weed growth and development. Weed management is one among the foremost critical factors influencing crop yield. By providing a window of weed-free growth early within the season, the size advantage that crop seedlings have over weeds can be utilized to reduce the intensity of direct competition for resources at the stages of crop development when yield is being determined. Weeds are identified as a significance drawback since they create biotic stress in realizing the genetic yield potential of this valuable crop.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2010-11 to 2014-15 at ICAR- National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan to estimate the yield losses because of weed infestation and to work out the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in fenugreek (<em>Trigonella foenum-graecum</em> L.). There were 14 treatments comprising of initial weedy periods of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and weed free period upto 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 DAS along with weedy till harvest (un-weeded check) and weed free till harvest (weed free check). The treatments were replicated three times in a randomized block design.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Maximum pod length (cm), number of pods/plant, number of seed/pod, test weight (g), seed yield (kg/ha), straw yield (kg/ha) and harvesting index (%) to the tune of 9.47, 41.2, 16.67, 12.60, 2297, 4954 and 31.73 were recorded at weed free throughout growth period. Weed infestation up to 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 DAS and weedy throughout growth period reduced the seed yield significantly to the magnitude of 567.3, 801.7, 913.3, 1253.3, 1393.7 and 1736.3 kg/ha. Yield losses in fenugreek increase from 2.95 kg/ha/day at 15 days weed infestation to 12.31 kg/ha/day at 135 days weed infestation. Maximum gross return (<strong>`</strong>104248/ha), net return (`67018/ha) were obtained at weed free throughout growth period with the B:C ratio 2.80 among the weed free treatments. The employment of response curves with weed free or weed competition period showed that seed yield of fenugreek&nbsp;were&nbsp;the highest with the field&nbsp;free&nbsp;from weeds throughout the growth period and the critical period of weed/fenugreek competition was 32 days after sowing and lies between 30-45 days after sowing. In regression approach for fenugreek seed yield and weed free or weed competition period the quadratic function was fitted to estimate the expected yields which had the high significant with the data recorded and have the highest values of R<sup>2</sup>. If we predict the seed yield losses based on the quadratic model for weed free period model, it declined from 42.04 at 0 DAS to 0.0% at 135 days. Similarly, weed infestation period model predicted the seed yield losses increased from 0.00 at 0 days weed infestation to 73.42% at 135 days. Critical period for weed competition in fenugreek was found to be 32 days after sowing. The CPWC is helpful for making decisions on the necessity for and timing of weed control.</div>


<div>Yield Losses Due to Weeds, Critical Period for Weed-crop Competition in Fenugreek (<em>Trigonella foenum-graecum </em>L.)&nbsp;</div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of the duration of the dry period (DP) on milk yield, milk composition, and reproductive performance of Murrah buffaloes in the subsequent lactation. High yielding Murrah buffaloes (n=48) were assigned to either shortened (30 to 45 d (n=16); and 45 to 60 d (n=16)) or traditional (&gt;60 days (n=16)) dry period lengths. The buffaloes were fed individually according to the production status. The buffaloes in &gt;60, 45 and 30 d dry period groups had similar (P&gt;0.05) milk yield, 6% Fat corrected milk (FCM), milk fat, and total solids; however, the former groups had an increased (P&lt;0.05) 6% FCM yield change, and SNF percentage of milk. The mean service period (days) was least (P&lt;0.05) with the higher number of services required for conception in buffaloes allocated to traditional dry period length compared to those assigned to shortened dry periods. Further, 6% FCM had a negative correlation with Serum Glucose (SG) values at 30 d postpartum, followed by a significant positive (P&lt;0.01) correlation at 60 or 90 d postpartum. It is concluded that extended DP of more than 60 days is not advantageous and would be a costly affair for the farmers in both productive and reproductive backdrop. &nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Shortened dry period in dairy Buffaloes: Influence on milk yield, milk components&nbsp;and reproductive performance</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Higher serum Non Esterified Fatty acid (SNEFA) concentration associated with negative energy balance (NEB) around calving has been used to predict dairy animals at risk for metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the SNEFA, Altered Non Esterified Fatty Acid percentage (ANEFAP) levels and Service period (SP) in forty eight dairy buffaloes allotted to three dry period lengths (&gt; 60 d (n=16); 46 to 60 d (n=16); and 30 to 45 d (n=16)). The serum NEFA and ANEFAP levels were influenced by length of dry period and pre and postpartum periods of the entire experimental study. The NEFA concentration showed an increased trend from the time of drying to 60 days postpartum, followed by a decreased trend from 60 to 90 days postpartum, irrespective of the groups. The NEFA concentration has increased (P&lt;0.05) with higher postpartum ANEFAP levels (P&lt;0.05), either pre or postpartum in the buffaloes allotted to traditional dry period group. SNEFA concentration was negatively correlated with serum glucose (SG) concentration (P&lt;0.01) and 6% FCM (P&lt;0.05) at 30 and 60 d postpartum, respectively. The mean days required for postpartum conception were highest (P&lt;0.05) in first group (144.38 &plusmn; 5.62) followed by second (105.00 &plusmn; 5.07) and third group (86.25 &plusmn; 5.39) buffaloes. Additionally, the success rate of insemination was less in group I compared to the other shortened dry period groups. In the present study, it is concluded that the buffaloes in shortened dry period groups adapt well to the negative energy balance compared to those allotted to conventional dry period lengths (60 or &gt; 60 days).<br />&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Extent of adaptation of high yielding murrah buffaloes to negative energy balance in response to various dry period lengths</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The aim of the study was to investigate the physical indicators of energy reserves mobilization (ERM) viz., Body weight (BW), Body Condition Score (BCS), altered BW percentage (ABWP) and altered BCS percentage (ABCSP) levels in forty eight dairy buffaloes allotted to three dry period lengths (60 or &gt; 60d; 46 to 60 d; and 30 to 45 d). Hybrid Napier and paddy straw, used as roughage, were supplied together with concentrate mixture; and the buffaloes were fed individually according to their requirements. The mean body weights of the group I, II and III buffaloes were 549.41 &plusmn; 4.36, 597.97 &plusmn; 6.20, and 584.54 &plusmn; 3.84, respectively. The BW, BCS, ABWP, and ABCSP levels were influenced by length of dry period, as well as pre and postpartum periods of the entire experimental study. The BW (kg) and BCS showed an increasing (P&lt;0.01) trend from the day of drying to calving with highest (P&lt;0.05) ABWP and ABCSP in traditional dry period group compared to shortened dry periods. Subsequently, the BW and BCS showed a decreasing trend (P&lt;0.01) from calving to 90 days postpartum with highest (P&lt;0.05) decrease of ABWP and ABCSP in group I. Further, 6% Fat corrected milk (FCM) production had a negative significant (P&lt;0.01) correlation with BCS at 30d postpartum, followed by positive (P&lt;0.05) correlation with BCS and BW at 60 or 90 d postpartum.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effects of shortened dry period on the physical indicators of energy reserves mobilization in high yielding Murrah buffaloes.</div>

<div><strong>Background: </strong>The Kankrej cattle is the heaviest and most priced of the Indian breeds of cattle. It is adapted to the geo-climatic conditions of North Gujarat and Kutch, which is normally hot and dry. It is reared in the district of Banaskantha in the state of Gujarat and also distributed in other parts of India and abroad. The experiment was carried out to study the effect of the summer season on the milk composition and physiological responses in lactating Kankrej cow compared to the thermoneutral period.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> For the experiment, total number of 16 clinically healthy Kankrej cows were randomly selected from Livestock Research Station (LRS), Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Banaskantha, Gujarat and categorized into two different groups according to seasons. Physiological responses <em>i.e</em>. respiration rate and rectal temperature were recorded and milk samples were collected from each animal during the summer and thermoneutral period at fortnight intervals. The milk samples were analyzed by using an automated milk analyzer.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The results demonstrate that fat, SNF and density were significantly higher in the summer season. The physiological responses include respiration rate and rectal temperature were found significantly higher during summer than thermoneutral period. Milk protein was significantly higher during the thermo-neutral period as compared to summer.</div>


<p>​Heat Stress-induced Changes in Milk Composition and Physiological Responses of Lactating Kankrej Cow during Summer Season as Compared to Thermo-neutral Period</p>


Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows

Assessment of the Levels of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress during Peri-parturient Period in Gir Cows

Potentiating immunity of dairy animals during transition period through herbs - A review

Yield Losses Due to Weeds, Critical Period for Weed-crop Competition in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Shortened dry period in dairy Buffaloes: Influence on milk yield, milk components and reproductive performance

Extent of adaptation of high yielding murrah buffaloes to negative energy balance in response to various dry period lengths

Effects of shortened dry period on the physical indicators of energy reserves mobilization in high yielding Murrah buffaloes.

Heat Stress-induced Changes in Milk Composition and Physiological Responses of Lactating Kankrej Cow during Summer Season as Compared to Thermo-neutral Period