<p><strong>Background:</strong> The development of new protocols has become a priority today in the context of the adverse effects of conventional treatments. Zeolite falls into this category due to its numerous applications reported in the specialized literature. In this study, the main expected objectives were to demonstrate that intrauterine administration of zeolite can contribute to improving the indicators underlying the development of pathologies during the postpartum period.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> To determine the dosage and potential toxic effects on the uterine mucosa, we conducted a study on rats, to which we administered different doses on the second day after delivery. Ultrasound measurements of the uterus, collection of bacteriological samples and uterine tissue were performed at 7, 14 and 21 days. The results were satisfactory in terms of tissue effects, with the 20% dosage being the most suitable. Following the completion of the preliminary study, we grouped the animals into two equal groups (n=32). Intrauterine administration of zeolite was performed on the second day after delivery and monitoring of uterine involution was carried out on days 7, 14 and 21 of the puerperium. At 14 days, we collected samples to determine the number of bacteria and uterine tissue.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The data obtained indicate that the group receiving intrauterine zeolite (n=16) experienced a decrease in the number of bacteria, significantly faster uterine involution on days 14 and 28, a more favourable uterine score and a significantly shorter service period. However, no significance was established regarding the number of doses of seminal material used.</p>


<p>The Effect of Intrauterine Administration of Zeolite on the Puerperal Period in Dairy Cows</p>


<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>


<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background:</strong> Dry period duration of dairy cow is considered as an important factor to maintain udder health and milk production.&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>To investigate the effect of dry period duration (DPD) on udder health, milk production and body condition of dairy cows at lower Gangetic tropics, observations were taken from 25 Jersey crossbred cows which were divided into 2 comparable group viz: 1st group (11 cows), having 50 to 60 days DPD and 2nd group (14 cows), having more than 60 days DPD.&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>Statistically analyzed data revealed that milk somatic cell count, MCMT, milk pH and EC were significantly (P&lt;0.01) varied between two group from second month onwards and continue up to 4th months of lactation. Critical analysis of battery tests clearly confirmed the diagnosis for occurring of subclinical mastitis with poor udder health status in 2nd group. &nbsp;Total milk production/day/cow were almost similar in both group in first month but second month onwards significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher milk production was recorded in 1st than 2nd group. The milk composition parameters revealed non-significant difference between groups whereas milk quality parameter significantly (P&lt;0.01) better in 1st than 2nd group. Initial BCS of dry cow of both groups were similar. But BCS at calving was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in 2nd than 1st group with higher negative changes in BCS % in 2nd group as compared to 1st group. It can be concluded that dry period duration of 50-60 days is better over to prolonged dry period (&gt;60 days). Suitable changes in BCS from dry period to calving is beneficial to get higher milk production, quality, better maintenance of body condition and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at &nbsp;tropical &nbsp;lower Gangetic region.</div>


<p class="ql-align-justify">Effect of Dry Period Duration on Udder Health, Milk Production and Body Condition of Jersey Crossbred Cows at Lower Gangetic Tropics</p>

<div><strong>Background:</strong> Transition period is a critical period&nbsp; in which most dairy animals undergo a period of negative energy balance (NEB), hypocalcemia, insulin resistance, hypoglycemia and susceptibility to infectious diseases. The critical changes in biochemical indicators are well reported in dairy cows whereas; in dairy buffaloes limited data related to alterations in hemato-biochemical changes have been reported so far. The current study aimed to evaluate the hemato-biochemical changes in buffaloes during transition period.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods: </strong>A total number of 210 buffaloes aged between 3 to 14 years with parity ranged from 1<sup>st</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup>, divided in three groups (n=70; each) during transition period were used for the study. Three groups <em>viz </em>Group I (-30 days), Group II (0 days) and Group III (+30 days) were subjected for evaluation of hemato-biochemical parameters.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> Our study showed significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in WBC (103/&micro;l), lymphocytes and granulocytes count at the time of calving. Significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in the level of RBC, Hb and HCT were seen in Group-I and II. In biochemical analysis, parameters like albumin, total protein, triglyceride and A:G ratio showed significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease from Group-I to II. Calcium and Ca:P ratio decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) along with suppressed levels of sodium and potassium levels in Group-III. Thus, the present study showed significance of hemato-biochemical analysis during transition period for possibility of occurrence of production diseases.</div>


The Effect of Intrauterine Administration of Zeolite on the Puerperal Period in Dairy 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

Effect of Dry Period Duration on Udder Health, Milk Production and Body Condition of Jersey Crossbred Cows at Lower Gangetic Tropics

Haemato-biochemical Profiling in Buffaloes in Relation to Metabolic Changes during Transition Period