» Division of TEMPERATE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Salient Achievements

• Isolation, cloning and sequencing of major cytokine genes of caprine and ovine viz. IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-18, IL-12 p35 and IL-12p40 genes were carried out
• Expression of caprine IL-2, IFN- and IL-18 cDNAs and ovine IFN-γ in E. coli was achieved. Conditions for high level protein expression and subsequent purification using affinity column were optimized
• Cloning and sequencing of GRA1, GRA4 and ROP7 genes of Toxoplasma gondii
• Division maintained experimental cattle herd (Crossbred and Brindavani), goat herd (local, Pashmina, Jamunapari and Jhakhrana), laboratory animals (laboratory mice, G. Pig and rabbits) and equines as well for various research purposes. From these animals every year a considerable amount of revenue has been generated through sale of milk and milk product, auction of animals, draft power etc
• Poultry rearing at high altitude of Himalayas (7500 feet above msl) have been initiated in collaboration with Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar
• Seasonal incidence and worm burden (GI parasitism) in cattle and small ruminants have been studied in detail for control of parasitic infestation in animals
• The avermectins groups (ivermectin and doramectin) were found highly effective (>95%) against GI nematodes of goat as well as cattle
• Tick infestation, a major ectoparasitic problem in crossbred cattle, has been effectively controlled at institute cattle herd, using different acaricides periodically (Flumethrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Ivermectin and Doramectin) and a positive effect on milk production was observed
• Effects of PGF2α as an effective, flexible and economical method for induction of estrus in hill goats with high fertility rate have been evaluated
• Role of Insulin as an adjunct therapy in the management of post partum anoestrus cattle have been studied. Insulin treatment was found to increase the pregnancy percentage in animals (77.77%)
• Analysis of milk samples (fat, protein, SNF, density and water) of hill cattle (n=300) and buffaloes (n=200) at farmers door step and cross bred animals of IVRI (n=600) on different occasions have been evaluated and information generated have been documented as well. Analysis revealed morning and evening variation in fat, protein and SNF content in cross bred animals
• PCR based test(s) have been optimized for the genus level diagnosis and molecular identification of Haemonchus contortus as well as for Toxoplasma gondii
• The nutritive values of local grasses have been recorded (6-7% CP and 60% TDN) and it has been observed that these grasses are little deficient in CP, but a good substitute to replace the concentrate moiety of the ration and may thus require some protein supplement for sustaining production
• Relative decline in Hb, PCV, total protein and glucose concentration during lean season in crossbred animals have been recorded. But the effect of season has had less influence in indigenous cattle. The altitudinal variation (2000 vs 1800 m above msl) has had significant effect on TLC showing higher value
• Rumen microbial flora of local and cross bred cattle has been documented. The total ciliate population was quite low (4.3 × 104/ ml SRL) in both indigenous and crossbred cattle fed on local grass alone or in combination with wheat straws and oak leaves
• Increased levels of supplementation of oak (Quercus semecaprefolia) leaves to a basal diet of local grass hay decreased total volatile fatty acid and acetate concentration but increased fibrolytic and proteolytic enzyme activity and ammonia-N, total N and TCA precipitable N concentration in the rumen liquor
• The feeding practice based on grass hay and oak leaves at 1:2 ratios was observed to meet the major nutritional requirements (CP, DCP, TDN, ME) of animals having minimum level of production.
• The supplementation of concentrate- protein-rich oil cakes would have been the right option to meet the protein requirement and with added mineral mixture will help in alleviating deficiency.
• The rumen and blood metabolic profile of animals was indicative of a positive nutritional state in high OL fed animals and a reduction in ciliate protozoa population was indicative of alteration in rumen ecology due to existing feeding pattern.
• The stress related hormones (cortisol, T3 and T4) indicated minimal variation in altitudinal stress between 6000-7200 ft, but there was apparent climatic stress in animals. The parameters T3, T4 and cortisol were higher in winter compared to other seasons. The significant difference between locations may be attributed to other stress related factors, principally being the nutritional stress.
• The common health problems of animals in surrounding villages have been documented. The major health problem in animals were external (tick, lice and mites) and internal parasitism (GI parasites), nutritional deficiencies, diarrhoea, mastitis, lameness and bloat were observed. However, some specific diseases / out breaks like ecthyma in sheep and goats, haematuria and teat papiloma in cattle were also recorded and treated.
• Pasture shifting along with anthelmintic intervention in the Jhakharana and Jamunapari goats led to the significant reduction in GI-parasitism.