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The experiment was planned to observe the influence of different semi intensive culture conditions i.e. organic and inorganic fertilizer with rice polish on the growth of carps during winter season. Two earthen ponds were selected and each pond was stocked with Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mori (Cirrhinus mrigala) at the ratio of 1:2:1 respectively with a total number of 44 fishes. Pond 1 was treated with poultry dropping and urea while pond 2 was treated with poultry dropping, urea and rice polish. The ponds were treated with at the rate of 0.2 g N/100g of wet body weight of fish. Fertilizers were added on weekly basis while rice polish was added daily. Total net fish production of pond 1 and pond 2 was remained 797.3 and 1033.0 kg/ha/year. The pond treated with fertilizer and artificial feed (rice polish) showed 3.6% more fish production than the pond treated only with fertilizer. The physico-chemical parameters were measured on weekly basis. Temperature, light penetration, pH and planktonic biomass showed non-significant difference in both ponds. Pond 2 which was treated with poultry dropping, urea and rice polish showed 1.26 times greater fish growth than pond 1 which was treated with poultry dropping and urea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of fungus in grains and feed is favored by improper humidity and temperature during storage contributing to loss of grain quality, infections among animals and humans and production of mycotoxins. Therefore, the current study was aimed to isolate and identify fungal species among stored grains and feedstuff of Potohar region of Pakistan. For fungal screening, ten different samples were collected from storage houses situated in different cities. These samples included wheat and corn grains from Taxila, Gujar Khan and Chakwal cities, while cattle feed samples were collected from Attock city. The investigation confirmed the presence of Rhizopus arrhizus in wheat from two different localities in Taxila and cattle feed, respectively, Aspergillus foetidus and Achaetomium globosum in wheat from Gujar Khan and Taxila, and Mucor indicus in maize from Chakwal. The most predominant fungal species was Rhizopus arrhizus. Here we are reporting the prevalence of pathogenic and toxigenic fungal species in stored grains and cattle feed of Potohar region for the first time. Inadequate storage conditions can lead to uncontrolled multiplication of fungus, so this study will assist in optimizing the storage conditions to curb its growth for assurance of healthy food for humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental effluents negatively affect the health and biochemical functions of tresterial and aquatic animals. It is crucial to ascertain the mechanisms of induction of adverse effects and applications of different natural and syenthetic antioxidants to mitigate the negative impacts in target and not target animals. Therefore, in this trial broccoli (Brassica oleracea) was used to ameleiorate the negative effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles in fish. Mono sex Nile tilapia (Tilapia niloticus), fish reared in different groups were treated with variable doses of zinc oxide nanoparticles alone (T1-T2) mg/kg feed and the fish of groups (T4-T6) were fed with variable doses of nanoparticles and broccoli in combinations for a total duration of 28 days in cemented tanks having 200L water. Tissues (kidneys and brain) were obtained at different intervals of experiment for estimation of oxidative stress, severity of histopathological lesions and antioxidant profile. Results showed that oxidative profile in term of ROS and TBARS escalated significantly (p<0.05), while antioxidants enzymatic parameters like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in treated fish. The induction of oxidative stress and histo-architectural alterations were partially reduced in fish of groups (T4-T6). Various histo-architectural ailments in kidneys (atrophy and obliteration of renal tubule, nuclear hypertrophy, edema ceroid formation and deterioration of glomerulus) and in brain (edema, atrophy of neuron, microgliosis, neuronal degeneration, congestion and necrosis of neuron) were examined in treated fish. In conclusion, the findings of our trial unveiled that the supplementations of broccoli partially improved the antioxidant enzymes in tilapia by modifying the severity of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poultry sector is facing multiple challenges among which infectious diseases are major hindrances. Coccidiosis, especially cecal coccidiosis is the most prominent disease because of its acute nature and high mortality. Controlling through synthetic chemicals and ionophores is becoming less effective, botanicals especially essential oils are being considered for the control of coccidiosis. In this study, broiler birds at day 10 of age were divided into 6 groups. Three concentrations of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) essential oil 1, 2 and 3% (v/w) were administered orally to estimate their anticoccidial effects compared to toltrazuril medicated, infected non-medicated, and non-infected non-medicated controls. Oocysts per gram of feces, oocyst score, fecal score, lesion score, feed conversion ratio, weight gain, complete blood profile, and liver and renal function-related serum parameters were evaluated. Analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used to compare the means and analyze statistically. The results showed that flaxseed essential oil had significant (p<0.05) anticoccidial activity in reducing oocysts per gram, oocyst score, fecal score, and lesion score. There was a significant decrease in mortalities, while weight gain and FCR were also improved by therapy of flaxseed essential oil at a concentration of 3%. Flaxseed essential oil also showed significant positive effects on red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and hemoglobin concentration. Total proteins and albumins were significantly (p<0.05) increased by the flaxseed essential oil while other serum-related parameters remained in the normal range. The results suggest that the flaxseed essential oil can be used for the control of coccidiosis in broiler birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]