<div>Background: Curcuma caesia Roxb. is a zingiberaceae plant and their rhizomes have been used for various medicinal properties based on the presence of alkaloid, glycosides, essential oils and vitamin. But, the studies on medicinal properties of rhizomes of the plant in inorganic component are very limited. The trace elements and certain elements present in medicinal plants are important for safety of herbal drugs and also to help in establishing the structure in phytochemistry and chelating therapy. The present study emphasises to investigate the presence of nutrient and trace elements in the rhizome of the plant quantitatively, as deficiency or excessiveness leads to various health issues.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Curcuma caesia rhizomes were collected from Thoubal District, Manipur, North-East India during the month of November-December, 2017. Rhizomes powder was investigated for the determination of various elements by instrumental techniques like, Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Carbon - Hydrogen - Nitrogen - Sulphur (CHNS).&nbsp; 
 
Result: After comparison of the various results given by FAAS, ICP-MS, SEM, EDX and CHNS Techniques, 17 elements consisting of both major and minor elements viz.&nbsp;C (7.705 wt.%), H (1.22wt.%), N (4.41 wt.%), O (36.97 at. %), Na (5.5 &micro;g/mL), K (15.8 &micro;g/mL), Mg (1.3 &micro;g/mL), Fe (0.53 &micro;g/mL), Ca (0.46 &micro;g/mL),&nbsp; Co (&lt;2 ng/mL), V (&lt;2 ng/mL), Cr (6 ng/mL), Ni (30 ng/mL), As (&lt;5 ng/mL), Mn (82 ng/mL), Cu (42 ng/mL) and Pb (10 ng/mL) have been determined in Curcuma caesia rhizome (&micro;g/mL means micro gram per millilitre while ng/mL means nano gram per millilitre). A comprehensive elemental analysis data Curcuma caesia rhizome of such kind is not yet reposted earlier. The study will be very helpful in further study of the medicinal values of the rhizome.&nbsp;</div>

Assessment of Elements in Curcuma caesia Rhizome through Various Instrumentation Techniques

Background: Hepatotoxicity is an adverse complication in 5-Fluorouracil cancer treatment. Inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and DNA damage are essential in the pathogenesis of liver damage. The present study evaluated the ameliorative effect of Naringenin (NG) in 5-FU at two different intervals in hepatic damage. 
 
Methods: Total (n=48) Albino Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (N=12), Control-normal saline (group-1)&nbsp; per oral, 5-FU (group-2) @ 20 mg/kg b.wt was injected intraperitoneal (IP) for first 5 days, NG (group-3) @100 mg/kg b. wt/day orally for 28 days. Another group-4 was concurrently treated with NG along with 5-FU for 28 days and sacrificed on the 14th&nbsp;and 28th&nbsp;day of the experiment. 
 
Result: On exposure to 5-FU, biochemical variation of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP and TP) were significantly increased while NG treatment significantly reduced these biomarkers in group 2 on 14th&nbsp;day and 28th&nbsp;day of the experiment. Furthermore, NG treatment significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increases the antioxidant profile. It also significantly reduced elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumour necrosis factor (TNF-&alpha;), interleukin -1&beta; (IL-1&beta;), interleukin-6 (IL-6) with increased concentrations of interleukin-10 (IL-10) along with reduced immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-&kappa;B) and Caspases -3 (Cas-3) by NG. On histopathology, pathological lesions were observed to support biochemical variations in group-2 rats. In group-4 rats, NG ameliorates liver enzymes, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative indices through an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic property. 
&nbsp;

Ameliorative Effect of Naringenin in 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Hepatotoxicity: An Experimental Study on Albino Wistar Rats

Background: The livestock industry is a growing field where assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro embryo production (IVEP) enhance production efficiency. However, in vitro embryos show lower developmental competence due to stress and suboptimal culture conditions. Supplementing culture media with growth factor, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) can improve embryo development. This study investigates the effect of IGF-1 on the developmental competence of oocytes and early embryonic development. 
 
Methods: In this study, cattle oocytes were aspirated from 3-8 mm ovarian follicles, washed and matured in maturation media supplemented with different concentrations of IGF-1 (0, 10, 25, 50, 100 ng/ml) for 24 hours at 38.5oC 5% CO2. Frozen-thawed sperm were used for in vitro fertilization of matured oocytes in fertilization media supplemented with IGF-1. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in IGF-1-supplemented mCR2aa media and embryos were monitored for 8 days until the blastocyst stage. The experiment was replicated six times and data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test using SPSS. Results are presented as means&plusmn;standard error with graphs generated by GraphPad Prism. 
 
Result: IGF-1 @ 50 ng/ml significantly enhanced embryo development, with highest cleavage rates at 2-cell (85.35% &plusmn;2.24) and 4-cell (86.10% &plusmn;1.90) stages and improved morula (32.53% &plusmn;5.11) and blastocyst formation (15.81%&plusmn;1.07) and IGF-1 @ 100 ng/ml showed moderate benefits, while at lower concentrations i.e. 0 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml and 25 ng/ml had minimal effects. Overall, @ 50 ng/ml IGF-1 was the most effective in promoting oocyte maturation and early embryonic development.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Supplementation and Early Embryonic Developmental Competence of Immature Cattle Oocytes

The study was designed at evaluating early postpartum ovarian activity through plasma progesterone profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days, followed by induction of estrus in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows (n=18) using Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR treatment protocols with FTAI (6 cows in each protocol), keeping six normal cyclic cows as control. The plasma P4 profile (ng/ml) varied in the range of 0.15&plusmn;0.03 to 1.70&plusmn;0.80 in treatment groups and 0.62 &plusmn;0.19 to 4.09&plusmn;1.60 in control group up to 90 days postpartum. The mean P4 concentration on the day of calving was low (&lt;1 ng/ml) in all the groups, which gradually increased to reach peak levels by day 40 in cyclic control (4.09&plusmn;1.60 ng/ml), Ovsynch (1.70&plusmn;0.80 ng/ml) and CIDR (1.68&plusmn;0.47 ng/ml) and by day 20 in Ovsynch + CIDR (1.09&plusmn;0.23 ng/ml) groups. Most of the cows turned into subestrous or anestrous condition between days 40 and 90 postpartum. The estrus induction response in Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 per cent, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus were 16.66, 33.33 and 16.66 per cent, and overall of 3 cycles 33.33 (2/6), 50.00 (3/3) and 33.33 (2/6) per cent, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rates at first cycle and overall of 3 cycles were 33.33 and 50.00 per cent. The mean plasma P4 (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (1.41 &plusmn;0.10), CIDR (4.92&plusmn;0.83) and Ovsynch + CIDR (3.87&plusmn;0.84) protocols as compared to their corresponding values on day 0 and day 9/10 (AI). The mean values of plasma P4 from days 20 to 40 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than in non-conceived cows of CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups, compared to the animals in Ovsynch and normal cyclic groups. It is opined that the use of different protocols, mainly CIDR, may serve as an effective tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows.

Effect of estrus synchronization on plasma progesterone profile and fertility response in postpartum suckled anestrous Kankrej cows*

Background: The developmental competency of in vitro matured oocytes to the blastocyst stage is a big concern in laboratory conditions. This study aims in finding the best combination of growth factors for enhancement of cleavage as well as early embryonic developmental rates in cattle. 
 
Methods: Fresh cattle ovaries were obtained from the nearest slaughterhouse in 0.15 M freshly prepared saline (35-38&deg;C) supplemented with penicillin (400 IU/ml). A total of 924 COCs were aspirated from ovaries and transferred to maturation media for incubation (5% CO2) at 38.5&deg;C with maximum humidity for 24 h. After maturation, the matured oocytes were co-incubated with the capacitated sperms for in vitro fertilization in the FBO medium for 16 h. After fertilization, the cumulus cells were removed from the presumptive zygotes and incubated in the mCR2aa medium for 45-48 h. The cleavage rates of the zygotes were observed and further cultured in the blastocyst medium for 7-10 days. After every 24 h, 80% of culture media was replaced with fresh media. Three different combinations of growth factors (PDGF+IGF, EGF+FGF and T3+T4) used in this study.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Supplementation of growth factors in culture media increased cleavage rate and blastocyst rate significantly (p&lt;0.05). PDGF+IGF @ 10 ng/ml+75 ng/ml, EGF+FGF @ 20 ng/ml+10 ng/ml and T3+T4 @ 100 ng/ml+100 ng/ml showed the best results in terms of cleavage rates and blastocyst development.

Effect of Different Growth Factors on in vitro Developmental Competence and Quality of Cattle Oocytes

Background: The study elucidated the effects of reproductive hormones on the developmental potential of oocytes in Hainan lamb/adult goats by analyzing the changes in the concentrations of reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, 17&beta;-E2) in Hainan lamb/adult goat serum. 
 
Methods: The experiment used radioimmunoassay to detect follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oestradiol (17&beta;-E2), concentrations in the serum of Hainan goats (3-month-old/18-month-old) during different oestrous cycles and to analyze the changing pattern of hormones. 
 
Result: The results showed that the number of follicles obtained in lambs was significantly higher than in adult goats (P&lt;0.05), but the quality of follicles in lambs was poor and the number of available oocytes in them was lower than in adult goats. During the estrous cycle, adult black goats exhibit peak serum concentrations of FSH and LH on the 13th&nbsp;day, reaching 2.73 ng/mL and 5.69 ng/mL, respectively. In lamb goats, FSH reaches its peak concentration on the 15th&nbsp;day at 2.56 ng/mL, while LH peaks on the 13th&nbsp;day at 5.13 ng/mL. On the 15th&nbsp;day, both adult black goats and lamb goats experience the lowest serum concentrations of 17&beta;-E2, at 4.42 ng/mL and 7.63 ng/mL, respectively. The serum concentrations of FSH and 17&beta;-E2&nbsp;in adult black goats are significantly higher than those in lamb goats (P&lt;0.05) In summary, FSH and 17&beta;-E2&nbsp;can promote the maturation and development of oocytes in Hainan 3-month-old lamb goats, which can be injected with the corresponding concentration of hormones on the 15th&nbsp;day during the synchronized estrus in Hainan 3-month-old lamb goats, to improve the quality and quantity of oocytes, to better utilize the in vitro embryonic production performance of the young animals and to accelerate the acquisition of good livestock breeds.

Differential Effects of Reproductive Hormones on the Developmental Potential of Oocytes in Hainan Black Lambs/Goats

<div>Background: Elective cesarean section (CS) is an appropriate therapeutic modality in high risk pregnant dogs and it is scheduled following a drop in serum progesterone to less than 2ng/ml. However, a series of progesterone assays are required to confirm this drop in serum progesterone levels and this voluntary waiting period often results in foetal loss. The present study aimed to assess the innocuity of elective CS in dogs before the prepartum decline of serum progesterone, without administration of any priming agents. 
 
Methods: Elective CS was performed on an estimated day 63 of ovulation in seven high risk pregnant dogs with a serum progesterone level between 2-5 ng/ml (Group I) and maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed in comparison with nine dogs that underwent elective CS at serum progesterone less than 2 ng/ml (Group II). Histopathological examination of lung tissue from dead neonates was performed to ascertain the presence of type II pneumocytes for assessing lung maturity. 
 
Result: Even though progesterone levels were above 2 ng/ml in dogs of Group I at the time of elective CS (3.11&plusmn;0.29 ng/mL), the live birth rate was 96.97 per cent with acceptable neonatal survival. The histopathology of lung tissue from dead neonates from Group I revealed the presence of type II pneumocytes. The study suggested that elective CS in dogs could be done on day 63 after ovulation without compromising foetal lung maturity and a drop in serum progesterone level to less than 2 ng/ml was not mandatory for puppy survivability.</div>

Maternal and Neonatal Outcome Following Elective Cesarean Section based on Progesterone Levels in High Risk Pregnant Dogs

<div>Background: Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) plays an essential role in oocyte maturation and during early embryonic development. The present study aims to improve the in vitro cattle embryo production by supplementing culture media with LIF.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Fresh ovaries and oviducts were collected from an abattoir in 0.9% saline (30-35&deg;C) supplemented with antibiotics. Total 542 cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from ovaries and cultured in maturation media in 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5&deg;C with maximum humidity after 5-6 times washing. After 24 h matured oocytes were co-incubated with in vitro capacitated sperms in FBO medium. After 15-18 h cumulus cells were stripped off and presumptive zygotes were cultured in mCR2aa medium. After 40 to 42 h, cleavage was observed and embryos were cultured for 7-9 days. Culture media used to replace with fresh media after every 24 h. LIF was supplemented with 15, 30, 45 ng/ml. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Supplementation of LIF in culture media increased maturation rate, cleavage rate significantly (P&lt;0.05). LIF Supplementation @ 30 ng/ml during culture increased blastocyst development (in control group 7.0&plusmn;1.3 and 7.1&plusmn;1.2, 12.9&plusmn;0.4, 10.2&plusmn;1.5 in 15 ng/ml, 30 ng/ml and 45 ng/ml respectively) significantly.</div>

Enhancement of Developmental Competence of Immature Cattle Oocytes with Leukemia inhibitory Factor as a Culture Media Supplement

<div>The preliminary study to quantify the drop in milk production in cattle due to cold climate and subsequent nutritional amelioration in temperate Kashmir where the temperature in the winter months ranges from -4 to 10 0C was conducted at Mountain Live stock Research Institute (MLRI), SKUAST-Kashmir and in various dairy farms in the vicinity. In the treatment group, the animals were provided with 150 grams of jaggery and 200 grams of crushed fenugreek daily in addition to normal feeding schedule. The data regarding milk yield and associated parameters were compared between winter (December to February) and spring (March to May) months. The milk yield was recorded daily for 15 days and then presented as an average. The average milk yield in treatment group (6.41&plusmn;0.53 kg) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher as compared to control group (4.48&plusmn;0.21 kg) in the winter months. Similarly, the milk yield in the spring months was higher in treatment group (9.12&plusmn;0.22 kg) as compared to control group (8.68&plusmn;0.23 kg) but the difference was statistically non-significant. No significant changes were observed in milk composition in winter and spring months in both control and treatment groups. The overall milk production in the treatment group (7.76&plusmn;0.49 kg) was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in comparison to control (6.58&plusmn;0.39 kg). Prolactin was higher in treatment group in both winter and spring months but the difference was significant (p&lt;0.05) in winter months (7.20&plusmn;0.38 and 5.67&plusmn;0.13 ng/ml) only. Similarly, growth hormone in treatment group (5.53&plusmn;0.16 ng/ml) was significantly higher as compared to control group (3.34&plusmn;0.16 ng/ml) in winter months. Cortisol concentration was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in control group (33.04&plusmn;0.27 ng/ml) as compared to treatment group (24.33&plusmn;1.84 ng/ml) in winter months.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Accessing drop in milk production in cattle due to cold climate and subsequent nutrient amelioration in temperate Kashmir</div>

<div>Present study was carried out to find the effect of combining EGF with IGF, cysteine and sodium pyruvate singly as additive in a medium consisting of TCM-199 + 100 &micro;l/ml foetal bovine serum + 100 &micro;M/ml cysteamine + 1 &micro;g/ml 17&acirc;- Oestradiol + 5 &micro;g/ml pFSH + 5&micro;g/ml oLH + 10 per cent follicular fluid and 10 per cent oestrous goat serum on in-vitro maturation (IVM) of caprine oocytes on incubation at 38.50C for 24 hours in a CO2 incubator maintaining 5 per cent CO2 under humidified condition. The additives comprised 10 ng/ml EGF + 50 ng/ml IGF-1, 10 ng/ml EGF + 600 &micro;M/ml cysteine and 10 ng/ ml EGF + 0.2 mM/ml sodium pyruvate. The IVM rate of oocytes on the basis of cumulus cells expansion and nuclear maturation was found to be significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) with EGF + IGF-1 (88.74 &plusmn; 1.85% and 61.71 &plusmn; 1.61%) than with EGF + sodium pyruvate (82.86 &plusmn; 0.97% and 54.62 &plusmn; 1.88%), EGF + cysteine ( 78.58 &plusmn; 1.45% and 49.02 &plusmn; 1.52%) and without additive (control) (75.27 &plusmn; 1.58% and 43.03 &plusmn; 1.48%).</div>