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Semen quality may be affected by several genetic and environmental factors. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of age on semen quality, kinematic properties, and frozen semen production potentialities of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) bulls. Eighty-eight (88) ejaculates from 12 breeding bulls (4 bull/group) of RCC breed were used in this experiment. The bulls were categorized into three groups based on their age (Group 1: 2.5-4.0 years, Group 2: 4.0-6.0 years, Group 3: 6.0- 8.0 years). Semen was collected once/week regularly in the early morning (6-6.30 AM) with an AV set. Different motility, morphology, and kinematic properties of sperm were evaluated by Computer Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA). One-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's multiple range post-test was used to assess differences among the mean using SPSS (25.0) software. Bull age has no significant effects on semen volume and concentration. Although a higher volume was found for group 3 (4.36±1.00) followed by group 2 (4.13±1.28) and group 1 (4.02±1.00). Sperm concentration increases with the increase of bull age. There were no significant differences found (p>0.05) for none of the motility parameters in fresh and frozen RCC bull semen irrespective of age. Significantly higher distal droplet (%) was observed for older bulls followed by group 2 and group 1 bulls. All breeding bulls irrespective of their age have more than two folds higher proximal droplet % than the normal value. Bull age has no significant difference in sperm kinematics and dose/ejaculates (p>0.05). With the increasing age of the bull, the number of dose/ejaculates (418.91±166.11 in group-3 vs. 384.75±137.33 in group-1) increases. In this experimental condition, RCC breeding bulls can be used for breeding purposes for up to 8 years with similar efficiency as a younger bull if the bulls have proper physical fitness for mounting and semen collection.

Buffalo semen collected from Murrah bull were cryopreserved and evaluated for different motility parameter, kinematics and plasma membrane integrity. Buffalo bulls were maintained uniform standard management and nutritional practices. Semen was collected regularly twice a week semen collection schedule from four (04) Murrah bull. Collected semen was immediately transported to laboratory and evaluated for different macroscopic parameter (color, volume and thickness). Fresh semen was then diluted with saline solution and evaluated for sperm concentration, motility, sperm kinematics and morphology. Semen samples that fill all the standard were selected for freezing and diluted with Tris-egg yolk citrate diluter. Diluted semen was equilibrated, cryopreserved and finally evaluated for post thaw sperm quality. Different motility parameter (total, progressive, static and slow motility) varied significantly (p

The in vitro embryo production (IVP) technology has emerged as a potential biotechnological approach to multiply genetically high yielding dairy cows. Its commercial application is increasing in many developed and developing countries over the years. Bangladesh livestock Research Institute (BLRI) adopted in vitro embryo production protocol from bovine ovaries of slaughterhouse. However, the risks of transmission of contagious diseases like Brucella abortus with embryos are not evaluated so far. Considering these facts, the present experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of in vitro embryo production protocol with slaughterhouse ovaries as well as risk of contamination of produced embryos with Brucella abortus. To identify sources of contamination of embryos with Brucella abortus (if any), the laboratory water, different media used in the IVP process, semen, and follicular fluids were evaluated for confirmation of the organisms. In addition, vaginal swabs were collected from 2 buffaloes aborted due to suspected Brucella abortus infection. Molecular test were used to detect Brucella abortus contamination. Brucella abortus specific PCR product was not detected on agarose gel electrophoresis. The efficiency of IVP measured by cleavage and blastocyst development rates were 75.5±2.7% and 16.6±3.9%, respectively. The present study inferred that the in vitro produce embryos are free from Brucella abortus infection. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&2), 2020: P. 105-112

Remnants of some of the planet’s most ancient life forms, stromatolites in the late Mesoproterozoic sea of the Chattisgarh Basin, India, preserve a conspicuous sinuous pattern. They occur as successive biostromes, 10–30 cm thick, separated by 2–5-cm-thick marly layers and discrete bioherms up to several metres thick and 20 m across. Stromatolite columns in the Chandi Formation are 5–10 cm high, sinuous, inclined and straight, with both branched and non-branched types. These stromatolites are composed of calcite micrite and show well defined light and dark laminae with evidence of erosion between lamina sets. The column sinuosity probably originated as a response to changes in direction and strength of currents. Successive flat beds of stromatolite (biostromes), separated by marl/clay horizons, impart a rhythmic pattern to the succession. The Chandi sinuous stromatolite columns resemble those occurring in China, North America and Siberia, of a comparable age, suggesting that similar marine conditions of stromatolite formation might have been operating in the late Mesoproterozoic seas worldwide. However, the petrographic and sedimentological analyses of these stromatolites indicate their development throughin situproduction of carbonate with some trapping and binding of detrital sediment. As a result of the presence of terrigenous material within the stromatolites, whole-rock geochemical analyses for trace elements and rare earth elements cannot be used for interpretation of seawater chemistry and the redox conditions at the time.

Fresh and frozen semen quality of Murrah and Nili-Ravi bulls in comparison with indigenous buffalo bulls was evaluated by Computer Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA). Semen was collected regularly once a week semen collection schedule from six (two/group) buffalo bulls. Fresh semen was evaluated for sperm concentration, motility, sperm kinematics, morphology and dose/ejaculate. Semen was diluted in a commercial extender (AndroMed), equilibrated, cryopreserved and finally evaluated for post-thaw sperm quality. On-station Artificial Insemination (AI) was carried out in naturally estrus indigenous buffalo cows at their second or third parity. Semen volume and concentration did not vary significantly (p>0.05). In fresh semen, total, static and slow motility differed significantly among the groups (p

This study was conducted to know the biomass yield, nutritional qualities and production costs of hydroponic sprout of maize, wheat and oats compared to their whole grains as feed. Weighed amount of seeds were soaked in water for 12, 24 and 2 hours, respectively followed by wrapping in cotton cloths for 48 h for maize and wheat, and 24 h for oats to germinate.Then germinated seeds were spread on plastic trays fitted in hydroponic racks for 7 days. At harvest, fresh yield was found 2.74, 3.5 and 2.5 kg for maize, wheat and oats, respectively from each kilogram of respective seed (p0.05) in wheat sprout (900.7 vs 872.0 g/kg) compared to their respective grain. In contrary, concentration of CP was significantly increased in wheat (126.1 vs 183.3 g/kg DM; P

This study aimed to identify the genetic variation among different generations of BLRI Cattle Breed-1 (BCB-1) and its relationship with indigenous Pabna cattle. A total of 20 ISAG-FAO recommended microsatellite DNA markers were used for this study. Blood samples were collected randomly from fifteen animals of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation of BCB-1, Pabna cattle and RCC as reference cattle breed. The DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification by using microsatellite markers and finally capillary based fragment length analysis was performed by genetic analyzer. The allele number per locus ranged from 5 to 14 in the studied populations. The mean numbers of alleles ranged from 4.95 in 3rd generation of BCB-1 to 7.55 in indigenous Pabna cattle. The mean numbers of alleles per locus decreased in 3rd and 4th generation. Both observed and expected heterozygosity decreased in subsequent generations in BCB-1. The observed heterozygosity decreased in BCB-1 from 2nd to successive generations (0.7257 in 2nd generation to 0.6232 4th generation). The average observed heterozygosity was highest in indigenous Pabna cattle (0.7393). Genetic distance between 3rd and 4th generation of BCB-1 are very low they are more homogenous. Indigenous Pabna cattle and RCC showed more genetic distance from all generations of BCB-1. Dendrogram based on DA genetic distance using unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means (UPGMA) indicated segregation of the four generations of BCB-1 into cluster 1 and 2 which are grouped together and separated from the cluster 3 of indigenous Pabna cattle and cluster 4 RCC population. According to genetic structure of BCB-1, it may treat as a unique cattle population of Bangladesh. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 26 (1&2), 2019: P. 8-14

This study was conducted to investigate basic biometric information on organs of female reproductive system of indigenous cows. Ovaries were grouped on the basis of corpus luteum (CL) and ovarian position in the tract. Visible follicles were counted and graded as small (8.0mm). Oocytes were recovered from all visible follicles and graded into four groups (grade 1 to 4). Results showed that the oviduct, horn, body of the uterus and cervix of cow’s reproductive system were longer and wider than heifers, respectively. Except length, the width and visible follicle numbers in the ovary did not vary with ovarian position or CL. Weight of left and right ovaries did not differ. Weight of ovary was increased (P>0.01) in presence of CL. Each ovary possessed 9.65±5.91visible follicles belonging to small (5.38±0.37), medium (3.57±0.23) and large (0.72±0.07) groups. Oocyte recovery rate was 62.16±1.46%. Among the recovered oocytes 52.01±1.63% were belonging to grade 1 and 2. This study provides baseline on biometry of female reproductive system along with follicular statistics of indigenous cows. Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 20(1-2): 1-7, Jan-Dec 2013

Buffalo is a highly potential animal species in terms of milk and meat production but traditionally they are regarded as poor breeder. In vitro embryos production technology has been introduced in many countries to improve reproductive efficiency of buffalo. Considering the above fact, the present study was undertaken aiming to produce in vitro buffalo embryo in the laboratory. Ovaries of slaughtered buffaloes were collected from abattoir and transported to the laboratory within 4 to 5 hr of slaughter. Cumulusoocyte- complexes (COCs) possessing an even cytoplasm and covered with minimum 3 layers of compact cumulus cells was selected for in vitro maturation (IVM) for 24 hr (5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C with maximum humidity). After IVM, the presumptive matured COCs were co-cultured with capacitated fresh spermatozoa for 18 hr After IVF, the presumptive zygote were denuded, washed and transferred in to in vitro culture medium (IVC 1) for 3 days. After three days cleavage were recorded and 4 cell embryos were transferred in to in vitro culture media II for next 2 days. The development of embryos was evaluated on day 6. A total of 227 buffalo ovaries were collected from the slaughterhouse and categorized into 2 groups based on presence (n=83) or absence (n=144) of corpus luteum (CL). A total of 1464 follicles were counted on the ovarian surface, 1066 being from CL absent and 398 from CL-containing ovaries. A significantly higher (P

Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) is one of the renowned varieties of cattle which is indigenous and most potential type of domestic animal genetic resource in Bangladesh with distinct phenotypic characteristics. Reproductive management might be a process for multiplying this cattle variety. Therefore, the goals of this study were to characterize the follicular waves of RCC and to determine the Progesterone (P4), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) profile during three consecutive estrus cycle. Follicular wave emergence (Day 0) was identified using trans-vaginal ultrasound technique and follicular growth was then monitored from Day 0 to Day 23 during three consecutive estrus cycle and blood samples were collected. After measuring the growth and diameter of the follicles, hormonal assays of collected blood samples were performed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). We found that, both RCC cows and heifers showed two waves inter-ovulatory intervals. The length of inter-ovulatory intervals and the diameter of the ovulatory follicle of RCC cows and heifers were slightly different from each other. The identification of the dominant follicle was confirmed from the start of its deviation from other subordinate follicles till it reached to the maximum diameter and identified as dominant follicle which increases linearly for approximately six days (growing phase). This dominant follicle is remained approximately same size for five days (static phase), and then begins to regress (regressing phase) decreasing the antral diameter. The follicular waves are first detectable as 4 - 5 mm follicles approximately at day 0 and day 10 both for RCC cows and heifers which showed two waves inter-ovulatory intervals. The circulating varied concentrations of LH, FSH and P4 were determined using ELISA in case of both cows and heifers and the concentration curves followed the similar pattern of change during the estrus cycle. Hence, the knowledge about ovarian follicular waves will create a base line for reproductive management of RCC as well as to allow reproductive biotechnologies to improve and multiply this cattle variety.

The study was conducted to investigate the genetic relationships among indigenous sheep population of Bangladesh (Barind, Jamuna river basin, Coastal and Garole sheep) using microsatellite markers. A total of 96 blood samples were collected from adult sheep of Barind (24), Jamuna River Basin (24), Coastal (24), Garole(10) and available Chotanagpuri (10) sheep. Chotanagpuri sheep was used as an outgroup population. DNA was extracted from blood samples using QIAGEN DNA Mini extraction kit and was quantified using a nanodrop. FAO recommended 13 labeled microsatellite markers were used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR product was confirmed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized by staining with ethidium bromide.The exact allele sizes in each primer were determined by GeneMaker V1.85 demo. Microsatellite tool kit and Dispan software package were used for calculation of allele frequency, number of alleles per locus, observed and expected heterozygosity and genetic distances (DA). The Dispan software was used to calculate inter-individual genetic distances. These distance values were used to construct an UPGMA tree. Results showed that average number of polymorphic alleles per locus varied from4 in HUJ616 to 12 in MAF70. Observed heterozygosity was also varied from 0.54±0.04 in Coastal to 0.63±0.03 in Barind sheep population. Genetic distance between Jamuna river basin and Barind was lowest (0.01) and between Garole and Costal was highest (0.17). Garoleand Chotonagpuri sheep has higher genetic distance from other three sheep populations. Phylogenetic dendogram showed that sheep of Jamuna river basin and barind were belonged to same genetic group. Whereas, coastal, garole and Nagpur sheeps were shown higher genetic distances from Jamuna river basin and coastal sheep. Considering findings of this study it may be concluded that the Barind and Jamuna river basin sheep belongs to a similar genetic group while, Garole and Coastal sheep are belonging to two distinct genetic groups. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2019. 48 (1): 17-22

Evidences of Mesoarchean crustal reworking are not very common in geological records, being only found from Precambrian terrains like Kaapvaal and Pilbara Cratons where it is preserved as anorogenic/post-collisional granitic activity of 3–3.2 Ga age. The present study focuses on a granitoid unit of similar age, found near the eastern margin of the Precambrian Singhbhum Craton of eastern India. This ellipsoidal, N-S trending, well-foliated granite-gneiss body is found within the polydeformed, metasedimenatry rocks of Singhbhum Group, belonging to the North Singhbhum Mobile Belt. LA-ICP MS U-Pb analysis of zircon grains from one sample give crystallization ages ranging from 3079.4 ± 6.8 Ma to 3115 ± 10 Ma. These rocks hereby dubbed as “Bangriposi Granite Gneiss”, are composed of quartz, alkali feldspar, ferroan biotite (Fe/Fe + Mg: 0.7–0.9), titanite, illmenite, hastingsite, apatite, and numerous U-Th-REE- bearing accessory phases. They have high SiO2 (67–77 wt%) and Na2O + K2O (8.19–9.01 wt%), low CaO (0.35–1.5 wt%), MgO (0.05–0.36 wt%) and shows enrichment of Nb, Rb, Zr, Y, Th, and REEs, and depletion of Cr, Ni, U, with high FeOt/FeOt + MgO (~0.9), Ga/Al (2.04–3.51), (La/Yb)N (6.5–13), and low Eu/Eu* (0.11–0.47). Geochemically and mineralogically they are categorized as metaluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/CNK: 0.9–1.1) ferro-potassic alkali feldspar granites. These rocks show unequivocal affinities towards ‘A-type” granites and from geochemical evidences it is suggested that the parent magma was produced in response to crustal anatexis under low fO2 with P-T estimates of ~900 °C and 7–8 kbar. Geochemical modelling has revealed that the probable source was lower crustal amphibolites belonging to the Paleoarchean Older Metamorphic Group, which suffered low degrees (5–15%) of melting. Negative ƐNd values (−0.5 to −1.5) are also in favour of reworking of older crust and their Nd isotopic signature bears similarities with other coeval anatectic granites. Bangriposi Granite-Gneiss, along with Mayurbhanj Granite and Bonai Granite, represent a major phase of Mesoarchean anorogenic/post-collisional granitic activity in Singhbhum Craton, indicating the onset of its stabilization. Similar Mesoarchean crustally reworked felsic units are encountered in Pilbara and Kaapvaal cratons suggesting a possibility of correlation with the hypothesized “Vaalbara” supercontinent.

Simple Summary Indigenous cattle have extraordinary adaptation capability to diverse environments under low input production system. However, the population size is declining rapidly in Bangladesh due to massive imports of high yielding dairy breeds. The genetic diversity measures are important for assessing population architecture as well as for development of conservation strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic variability and population structure of indigenous cattle genetic resources of Bangladesh using Illumina Bovine SNP50K BeadChip genotyped data. Similar to other zebu populations, low genetic diversity measures were found in Bangladeshi cattle populations. Our findings revealed their distinct genetic structure but showed low levels of genetic differentiation among the six indigenous cattle populations. Moreover, admixture and phylogenetic analysis highlighted historical gene flow among the studied populations. Altogether, our findings provide a comprehensive genomic information on indigenous cattle populations of Bangladesh that could be utilized in their future conservation and breeding research. Abstract Understanding the genetic basis of locally adapted indigenous cattle populations is essential to design appropriate strategies and programs for their genetic improvement and conservation. Here, we report genetic diversity measures, population differentiation, and structure of 218 animals sampled from six indicine cattle populations of Bangladesh. Animals were genotyped with Illumina Bovine SNP50K BeadChip along with genotyped data of 505 individuals included from 19 zebu and taurine breeds worldwide. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed clear geographic separation between taurine and indicine lineages where Bangladeshi indigenous cattle clustered with South Asian zebu populations. However, overlapped clusters in PCA, heterozygosity estimates, and Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree analysis revealed weak genetic differentiation among the indigenous cattle populations of Bangladesh. The admixture analysis at K = 5 and 9 suggests distinct genetic structure of the studied populations along with 1 to 4% of taurine ancestry. The effective population size suggested a limited pool of ancestors particularly for Sahiwal and North Bengal Grey cattle. In conclusion, these findings shed insights into the genetic architecture of six indigenous cattle populations of Bangladesh for the first time and suggested as distinct gene pools without potential admixture with zebu or taurine populations.

In FY 2014-15, the buffalo population was 1.46 million indicating 3 per cent of the total ruminants (small & large) produced in the country, but its’ socioeconomic importance is remarkable. So, the present study was attempted to identify the socioeconomic profile of the buffalo keeping farmers as well as to estimate the profitability from buffalo farming. To achieve the objectives 10 (ten) districts namely: Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Moulvibazar, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Tangail and Sirajganj were selected purposively on the basis of buffalo population density and project implementation areas and 01 (one) Upazila was taken from each district. A total of 500 (50 from each district) buffalo farmers were interviewed following simple random sampling technique. Data were collected during the month of January 2016 to April 2016 and analyzed using STATA software tools. In this study, ‘Logit model’ was adopted using binary dependent variable. Study revealed that the highest per cent of farmers were in age group 31-45 years and engaged in agriculture sector as primary occupation. The highest number of farmers had primary level education and had above 15 years of experience of rearing buffalo. Average farm size was calculated 1.05 hectare; average family size was 6.17 persons per family. Per lactation total cost was estimated BDT 24,507, lactation period was 255 days and average milk production per day was 2 liters. The highest return from milk production was BDT 27,189 and the BCR was 1.31(undiscounted). It was found that about 64 per cent farmers had access to artificial insemination (AI) and seventy per cent farmers vaccinated their buffaloes where 66 per cent FMD, 24 per cent BQ and 20 per cent HS. Ninety-eight per cent farmers feed colostrum to the new born buffalo calves and almost 90 per cent farmers had done D-warming practices. Buffalo population was found highest in Ramgoti and lowest in Haluaghat and on average per farm buffalo number was 18.91. The highest (33%) family income was derived from buffalo rearing followed by service, business, farming and livestock (except buffalo). Measurement of benefit cost ratio (BCR) from buffalo rearing was estimated greater than unity indicated that buffalo rearing is a profitable enterprise. The value of coefficient of Binary Logistic Regression Model showed that most of the prediction was justified and statistically significant and buffalo development program was helpful and necessity for the buffalo farmers. &nbsp

The objective of this research was to generate baseline information on follicular statistics of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC).Ten heifers and ten regular breeder RCC cows were selected randomly from BLRI Research Herd. The ovary was grasped by inserting left hand through the rectum and the follicles were visualized by inserting a sectorial probe through the vagina. Ovarian follicles were visualized and recorded by counting on the screen of ultrasonography machine. All visible follicles (>2.0mm) were counted and graded as small (8.0mm). The follicles were measured 3 times at a 3-day interval period without considering the stage of the reproductive cycle of the experimental animals. During this experiment, a total of 137 follicles (66 in Heifers and 71in cows) were observed from 10 heifers and 10 cows. The corpus luteum was observed either in the left or right ovary of 25.0% heifers and 35.0% cows. In heifer, 40.91, 45.45 and 13.64% of the observed follicles were belonged to small, medium and large groups, respectively. The percentage of small, medium and large follicles in the cow ovaries were 54.93, 39.44 and 5.63% accordingly. The number of follicles in an ovary did not vary (P>0.05) between right and left ovary of a heifer or cow. The diameter of the largest follicle on the ovary was smaller (P

Cr-spinel bearing wehrlite rocks of Bangriposi are found within the multiply deformed metasedimentary rocks of Singhbhum Group belonging to North Singhbhum Mobile Belt of eastern India. Detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies reveal that these rocks have suffered a two-stage alteration involving a deeper level modal and cryptic metasomatism and a subsequent shallower depth pervasive hydrothermal alteration. Cryptic metasomatism is defined by elevated LREE contents of the wehrlite and its clinopyroxne grains. Metasomatism induced changes in the modal mineralogy of the rocks include the absence of primary orthopyroxene grains, presence of secondary diopside-phlogopite (now present as vermiculite) defining disequilibrium reaction textures and secondary orthopyroxene rims around serpentinized olivine. The mineralogical and geochemical changes due to the metasomatic event present a contrasting picture in regard to the metasomatic history of the rocks. Possible scenarios involving a single stage or multiple stage metasomatism events have been discussed while explaining the metasomatic reactions that took place. An attempt has been made to estimate the REE concentrations of the final equilibrating melt from REE contents of clinopyroxene grains of the wehrlite. The possibility of the LREE-enriched equilibrating melt of the wehrlite rocks (the deeper level metasomatic agent) being similar to residual melts from the E-MORB type parental melts of nearby gabbro suite has been ruled out by geochemical modeling. REE abundance patterns of several natural enriched melts have been compared with REE pattern of calculated LREE-enriched equilibrating melt of the wehrlite and most resemblance has been observed with calcic and potassic melts. It is therefore suggested that the Cr-spinel bearing wehrlite rocks of Bangriposi has been affected by a calcio-potassic melt in deeper level, prior to the shallow level serpentinization event. Keywords: Wehrlite, Modal metasomatism, Cryptic metasomatism, Vermiculite, Carbonated alkaline melt

A N-S trending, lenticular, and dismembered ultramafic unit is found emplaced within the multiply deformed metapelites of the North Singhbhum Mobile Belt, belonging to the Singhbhum Craton, eastern India. Their occurrence in an orogenic belt, lack of evidences of intrusive activity and close proximity to the Singhbhum Shear Zone suggest emplacement by thrust control. These rocks have experienced extensive serpentinization which has obscured and obliterated some of the features of the protolith. Relict areas of the Bangriposi wehrlite rocks indicate that the protolith might have been a cumulate clinopyroxene-dunite/wehrlite from an oceanic magma chamber. Detailed petrography and mineralogy reveal numerous metasomatic features which are separate from the serpentinization event: (i)Very high Ni-content of the relict olivines which does not correlate with Fo contents, (ii) Presence of secondary clinopyroxene (Cpx2) rims around primary olivine and replacing primary clinopyroxene (Cpx1), which have major and trace element compositions similar to clinopyroxenes from diopsidites of crustal origin (iii) Occurrence of secondary calcic hornblendes as tiny blebs within the Cpx2 rims (iv) Occurrence of secondary Mg-chlorite as interstitial patches between olivine rimmed by Cpx2 and inter-mixed with antigorite in the matrix, (v) Modifications of original Cr-spinels to ferri-chromite cores rimmed by magnetite. These features indicate these rocks have experienced fluid-rock interaction at temperatures above the serpentinization process. Primary Cpx1 grains exhibit elevated LREE compositions and can either reflect effects of cryptic metasomatism or crystallization from an enriched melt. Both groups of clinopyroxenes exhibit LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion. P-T estimates from Cpx1 and Cpx2 yield values of ~1200 °C and 0.5–1.2 GPa. The calcic hornblendes provide more realistic estimates of ~1000 °C and ~ 1.0 GPa, which suggest that the Cpx2 + hornblende assemblage formed during high temperature fluid-rock interaction. Presence of interstitial chlorite, chlorite+antigorite in the matrix and Cr-spinel recrystallization suggests successively decreasing temperatures during the fluid-rock interaction episode. Modeled trace element characteristics of fluids which are supposed to be in equilibrium with Cpx2 show similarities with high-temperature, ore-forming basinal brines. Similar basinal brines formed Cu-U ores in the Singhbhum Shear Zone and was likely the metasomatic agent of the Bangriposi wehrlite rocks. These rocks were originally cumulate ultramafic units from an oceanic crustal magma chamber, which experienced prolonged fluid-rock interaction in a retrogressive regime, until its emplacement as a dismembered unit in an orogenic belt.

The study was conducted to standardize the desire level of papaya ( Carica papaya ) latex on quality of cottage cheese prepared from buffalo milk. Cheese sample was prepared using whole milk collected from Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd. Dairy farm. This experiment was conducted on five treatments named as sample BC 2 : buffalo control; A 2 : 5 drops (0.16g); B 2 : 6 drops (0.18g); C 2 : 7 drops (0.21g); and D 2 :8 drop (0.24g). Overall score of cheese samples, B 2 was highest (91.67±0.58) and A 2 was lowest (77.67±9.29). Chemical analysis showed that, highest protein value 24.00±1.00 was found in B 2 and lowest value 21.00±1.00 was in C 2 . On the other hand C 2 content the maximum fat percent18.00±1.00 and A 2 content the minimum fat percent 12.00±1.00. Results indicate that carbohydrate, ash and acidity have significant differences (p

The present study focuses on six mafic–ultramafic units from eastern Indian Singhbhum craton: (i) gabbroic rocks of Galudih, (ii) dolerite from North of Bisoi, (iii) Bangriposi wehrlite (BW), (iv) dolerite from North of Kuliana, (v) Kuliana-layered gabbro (KLG) and (vi) dolerite of Jashipur. These rocks had been grouped earlier as a co-genetic unit titled ‘early proterozoic gabbro-anorthosite suite’. Dolerites of Jashipur, North of Bisoi and North of Kuliana are found as undeformed intrusives into the Mesoarchaean Mayurbhanj granite (MBG) unit and show hydrothermal alteration features and variable LREE enrichment. Multiply-deformed gabbroic rocks of Galudih also intrude the MBGs with similar hydrothermal alteration features and comparatively lower REE abundances. KLG and BW are found as dismembered rocks, emplaced within a multiply-deformed metasedimentary assemblage of Mid-Proterozoic North Singhbhum mobile belt. Through a critical assessment of their field features, petrography, mineralogy and geochemistry, the earlier grouping was found to be invalid. Instead, these rock units should be categorised into three groups: Group I (Galudih), Group II (Jashipur, North of Bisoi, North of Kuliana) and Group III (KLG and BW). Group I rocks are the oldest among them, but their stratigraphic affinity remains unclear. Group II mafic rocks possibly belong to the Proterozoic newer dolerite dykes, whereas Group III represents fragments of oceanic crust and mantle.

Dismembered, kilometer-scale slices of gabbroid and serpentinized wehrlite rocks are found emplaced within metapelites of Chaibasa Formation, belonging to the North Singhbhum Mobile Belt, Singhbhum Craton, India. Zircon grains from the gabbroid body yield an average U-Pb crystallization age of 1881.1 ± 8.4 Ma. The undeformed gabbroid body exhibits modal and cryptic layering, and both units exhibit cumulate texture. The presence of dismembered cumulate and layered mafic–ultramafic rocks within a mobile belt assemblage is enigmatic and has potentially far-reaching implications. The gabbroid rocks are moderately evolved with Mg# (100 Mg/Mg + Fe) ranging from 48 to 63, low alkali, TiO2, U, Th, Zr, and high Al2O3, Pb, Ba, Rb, with unfractionated rare earth elements patterns. The serpentinized wehrlite (Mg# 65–71) hosts secondary minerals (clinopyroxene rims, amphibole blebs and interstitial Mg-chlorite) and has LREE enriched rare earth element patterns, which suggest complex fluid-rock interaction history. The gabbroid rocks have 87Sr/86Sr(t) 0.70600–0.71099, 143Nd/144Nd(t) 0.510130–0.510294, and ƐNd(t) 1.8 to −1.4. The serpentinized wehrlite displays extreme enrichment with 87Sr/86Sr(t) 0.71045–0.72640, 143Nd/144Nd(t) 0.509120–0.509706, and almost upper crust-like ƐNd(t) of −9.7 to −21.2. The cumulate nature of the mafic–ultramafic rocks with other petrographical and geochemical evidences suggest formation in a magma chamber. Additionally, their field characteristics, stratigraphic constraints and E-MORB like character of calculated equilibrium melts of the gabbroid rocks, indicates affinity towards formation in an oceanic magma chamber and possible emplacement by obduction. Mineral chemistry, whole-rock geochemistry and clinopyroxene trace elements of the serpentinized wehrlite reveal progressive fluid-rock interaction from very high-temperature to low-temperature regimes, and deep crustal affinity of the modeled metasomatic fluid. Isotopic character of the gabbroid rocks can be explained by 30%-50% mixing between a depleted and an enriched domain in the lithospheric mantle, whereas isotopic nature of the wehrlite has been perturbed by the prolonged metasomatic event. Their occurrence within the Chaibasa intra-continental rift basin indicates rift-drift transition and formation of incipient oceanic crust at 1.88 Ga. A 1.86 Ga orogenic event caused closure of the basin and obduction of these remnant oceanic fragments onto the mobile belt assemblage. This is the first discovery of oceanic crustal fragments in Singhbhum Craton, which fits into the model of rift-dominated tectonics, widespread continental amalgamation, and ophiolite emplacement during the Columbia supercontinent cycle in Paleoproterozoic.

An association of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG), other granitoids and greenstones constitute the Paleoarchean-Mesoarchean Singhbhum craton in India. The deformed and metamorphosed greenstone succession of Badampahar-Gorumahisani belt (BGB) in eastern Singhbhum consists of mafic–ultramafic volcanics, intercalated chemical sediments in the lower part and clastic sediments in the upper part. Geology, structure and geochemistry of BGB mafic volcanics, contemporaneous TTG and slightly younger intrusive granite have been integrated to constrain the tectonic setting of Paleoarchean felsic crust generation and coupled deformation of granite-greenstone. Subalkaline, low-K BGB metabasalts show distinct tholeiitic trend of differentiation from komatiitic basalt parent magma. BGB metabasalts with LILE enrichment, negative Nb anomaly, and Ti/V ratio in the range 10–20, are comparable to island arc tholeiites, though the associated komatiites and high-Mg basalts suggest plume related origin. Limited crustal contamination of a komatiitic basalt magma cannot be ruled out altogether. Singhbhum granite batholith with older tonalite-trondhjemite and younger granite-granodiorite plutons were derived from low- to high-K mafic source, together with some TTG reworking for younger granites. With low HREE, higher primordial mantle normalized La/Yb ratio, insignificant Eu anomaly, and coupled depletion of Y and enrichment of Sr, older strongly deformed plutons compare well with the Archean TTG suite. The younger intrusive granites show weak positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* ~ 1.3–1.7) and strongly positive Y anomaly. Geochemical discrimination (e.g. Rb vs Y + Nb) suggests comparison with volcanic arc granites, which is also supported by enrichment of LILE (K, Rb and Ba) and LREE, and relative depletion of HREE and HFSE. However, structural geometry of BGB and adjoining granitoid plutons, association with komatiite, absence of typical signatures of derivation from subduction wedge, and heterogeneity of source for the BGB mafic volcanics, suggest Paleoarchean crustal accretion by mantle plume activity as well as local shallow subduction or subcretion under a transitional tectonic regime.

A layered gabbro suite was emplaced around Kuliana (lat 22°3ʹN and long 86°38ʹE), Orissa, eastern India, within deformed metasedimentary rocks of the north Singhbhum mobile belt. This magmatic suite does not have any exposures of feeder dikes, chilled margins, or other evidence for an intrusive character. Because the cumulate layers do not provide information about the parent magma of this suite, the equilibrium distribution method has been utilized in this study to estimate trace element concentrations of melts in equilibrium with the cumulate solid products. The mineralogical and chemical evolution of the layered suite has been carried out on the basis of both calculated parent magmas and chemical data of cumulate layers. The magmatic differentiation of the layered suite was guided by fractional crystallization and punctuated by an event of magma chamber replenishment. The calculated parent melts exhibit enriched light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, marked depletion of Ti...

This study was designed to adopt in vitro embryo production (IVP) protocol using abattoir ovary. Ovaries were collected from local abattoir; cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were aspirated from 3 to 8 mm diameter follicles using a 10 ml disposable syringe attached with a 21G needle. The COCs were selected based on morphological characteristics and selected COCs were transferred into in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for 22 to 24 hrs. The matured COC were fertilized in vitro (IVF) using fresh semen capacitated through incubation with heparin sodium salt (20 ?g/ml). After IVF, the presumed denuded zygotes were cultured in in vitro culture medium-I (IVC-I) for 3 days. After 3 days, the ?8 cell embryos were transferred into IVC-II medium until day 8 of embryonic development (day 0: day of IVF). Cleavage and blastocyst development rates were evaluated at day 3 and day 7. The maturation rates of COC were examined through detection of first polar body and cumulus cell expansion. Results showed that 74.16 ± 5.49% of the total immature COCs were matured as detected by the presence of first polar body. The diameter of matured COC was 2.21 times higher than that of the immature COC. Moreover, about 64.30 ± 6.71% COC showed full expansion of their cumulus cell. The cleavage rate of presumed zygotes was 62.05 ± 7.07%. Among the cleaved embryos, 26.67 ± 11.78%, 10.84 ± 6.13%, 22.51 ± 9.57% and 39.98 ± 5.25% embryos were at 2-, 4-, 8- and 16 to 32-cell embryonic stages, respectively at day 3. Blastocyst development rates were 14.95 ± 4.39%. This study inferred that the BLRI adopted culture system supports development of bovine embryo in vitro.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (1): 31-35

The Singhbhum Craton in eastern India preserves the records of Paleoarchean - Mesoarchean oceanic crust dominated by ultramafic-mafic extrusive rocks (greenstones), and sialic rafts composed of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite, together with younger granitoids constituting the composite Singhbhum granite batholith. The greenstone sequences, intruded by younger granitoids are entrained as synformal keels in the batholith. The lower greenstone sequence of eastern Iron Ore Group (IOG) is composed of peridotitic komatiite, and komatiitic basalt with minor chert and BIF, whereas the upper sequence has tholeiite to tholeiitic andesite. Here we report results from first direct dating of the Karanjharan spinifex-textured komatiite from the lower part of Badampahar greenstone sequence of IOG. LA-ICPMS U-Pb analysis of zircon grains in the komatiites yielded consistent weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 3340 Ma, with closely similar Hf depleted mantle age (TDM) between 3357 Ma and 3432 Ma. The high MgO (25–35%), and low Al2O3/TiO2 (

The northern part of the Nellore–Khammam schist belt and the Karimnagar granulite belt, which are juxtaposed at high angle to each other have unique U–Pb zircon age records suggesting distinctive tectonothermal histories. Plate accretion and rifting in the eastern part of the Dharwar craton and between the Dharwar and Bastar craton indicate multiple and complex events from 2600 to 500 Ma. The Khammam schist belt, the Dharwar and the Bastar craton were joined together by the end of the Archaean. The Khammam schist belt had experienced additional tectonic events at $$\sim $$ 1900 and $$\sim $$ 1600 Ma. The Dharwar and Bastar cratons separated during development of the Pranhita–Godavari (P–G) valley basin at $$\sim $$ 1600 Ma, potentially linked to the breakup of the Columbia supercontinent and were reassembled during the Mesoproterozoic at about 1000 Ma. This amalgamation process in southern India could be associated with the formation of the Rodinia supercontinent. The Khammam schist belt and the Eastern Ghats mobile belt also show evidence for accretionary processes at around 500 Ma, which is interpreted as a record of Pan-African collisions during the Gondwana assembly. From then on, southern India, as is known today, formed an integral part of the Indian continent.

The layered gabbro-anorthosite suite in the eastern Indian shield is ideal for a texture based study of the crystallization history of a mafic magma in a static magma chamber. The magmatic suite comprises 40–150 m thick persistent layers of different lithounits, which have been divided into two cycles. The lower cycle (I) is represented from bottom to top by gabbro, gabbronorite, leucogabbronorite, anorthositic gabbronorite and anorthositic gabbro. The upper cycle (II) is similar to cycle I, except that the anorthositic gabbronorite and anorthositic gabbro units are not present there. The characteristic textures of different lithounits in each cycle repeats with repetition in lithology. Distinctive textures observed in the suite have been classified into three categories, Types I, II and III. Adcumulus growth was the principle crystallization mechanism for Types I and III textures, which are characteristically present in the lower layers of cycle I and cycle II. The upper layers of cycle I show Type II texture, typically with bimodal size distribution of plagioclase, and pyroxene oikocrysts. Thus, Type II texture indicates a possible interplay between adcumulus growth and either polybaric crystallization or textural coarsening processes. Electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) data indicate uniform composition of plagioclase (An76–85), both from inclusions in pyroxene oikocrysts and from groundmass grains, hence ruling out the possibility of involvement of the polybaric crystallization in the layers with Type II texture. Crystal size distribution (CSD) analysis of plagioclase grains stands for textural coarsening process, and the graphical plots have been utilized to quantify the process. P-T calculation using EPMA data from selected pyroxene grains suggests that the textural coarsening took place at about 13.3 kb pressure and 990 °C temperature. We propose that adcumulus growth operating in a static magma chamber for a long period of time might have created conditions conducive for textural coarsening process to take place. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Pranhita-Godavari Basin in central eastern India is one of the Proterozoic “Purāna” basins of cratonic India. New geochronology demonstrates that it has a vast depositional history of repeated basin reactivation from the Palaeoproterozoic to the Mesozoic. U-Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry dating of detrital zircons from two samples of the Somanpalli Group—a member of the oldest sedimentary cycle in the valley—constrains its depositional age to ∼1620 Ma and demonstrates a tripartite age provenance with peaks at ∼3500 Ma, ∼2480 Ma and ∼1620 Ma, with minor age peaks in the Eoarchaean (∼3.8 Ga) and at ∼2750 Ma. These ages are consistent with palaeocurrent data suggesting a southerly source from the Krishna Province and Enderby Land in East Antarctica. The similarity in the maximum depositional age with previously published authigenic glauconite ages suggest that the origin of the Pranhita-Godvari Graben originated as a rift that formed at a high angle to the coeval evolving late Meosproterozoic Krishna Province as Enderby Land collided with the Dharwar craton of India. In contrast, detrital zircons from the Cycle III Sullavai Group red sandstones yielded a maximum depositional age of 970 ± 20 Ma and had age peaks of ∼2550 Ma, ∼1600 Ma and then a number of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons terminating in three analyses at ∼970 Ma. The provenance of these is again consistent with a southerly source from the Eastern Ghats Orogen and Antarctica. Later cycles of deposition include the overlying Albaka/Usur Formations and finally the late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic Gondwana Supergroup.

Understanding of the incompatibility of King's three-fold classification of the Proterozoic (‘Purana’) rocks of the Pranhita–Godavari Valley, south India, and renewed mapping and stratigraphic studies, reveal that syn-depositional basin dynamics, with differential uplift and subsidence, was the major control on basin evolution and the development of multiple unconformity-bound successions. The unconformities demarcate six major successions, the Mallampalli/Devalmari, Somanpalli, Mulug, Penganga, Albaka and Sullavai groups, each with a very distinctive set of sedimentological attributes. There are at least five different conflicting classification schemes so far. The major problems in the classification of the succession appear to lie in the recognition of unconformities and unconformity-bound successions, and in stratigraphic nomenclature. Based on field geology, available age data and the concept of the megasequence, the Mallampali, Devalmari, Mulug and Somanpalli groups have been grouped into the Pakhal Supergroup. The question of combining the rest of the groups has been deferred until the resolution of the Albaka–Penganga relationship is achieved beyond doubt. The relationships between different stratigraphic units have been critically examined to reconstruct the stratigraphic history, events of sea-level change and palaeogeographical evolution.

The study was executed to explore the present husbandry management practices of cattle rearing in selected areas of Bangladesh. A total 719 of samples were selected using simple random sampling technique from 14 selected upazilas of 9 districts. Data were collected through well-developed, pre-tested objective-based questionnaire and on-farm face to face direct interview. Data were analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS 20 software with descriptive statistics. From the study it was found that farmers were used half grazing (39.97%), full grazing (33.63%) and stall feeding (26.40%) cattle rearing systems. Most of the cattle sheds were found shabby type (47.89%). The average time of grazing and taking care of cattle were found 6.08 and 5.25 hours/day respectively. However, in intensive system straw and concentrate feed (8.04% and 14.94%) and in semi-intensive system grass and concentrate (5.67% and 7.47%) were provided. Most of the farmers (52.02%) used chopped roughage followed by balance ration (9.64%) of feeding technology. Moreover, most of the farmers irrespective of areas used wheat bran (65.07%) and rice police (49.92%) to feed their cattle. The scenarios of fodder cultivation of different study areas were found poor. Furthermore, the farmers had taken animal quarantine (24.19%), used cleaning farm premises (90.26%) and controlled rodents and external parasite (52.26%). Irrespective of areas regular cleaning, de-worming, vaccination, disinfect and did not take any kind of measure were 88.52%, 67.61%, 63.37%, 17.44% and 11.72% respectively. It may be concluded that there was a lack of knowledge found about scientific management practices in rearing cattle and scope for improvement of management practices of cattle for better milk and meat production in the context of Bangladesh.

The present research was design to explore the socioeconomic conditions, the existing husbandry management practices along with the problems and constraints of native sheep rearing farmers at the field level. The data was collected from purposively selected 11 upazilas of 6 districts in Bangladesh. The data was collected through a pre-tested interview schedule from 1768 sheep rearing farmers by using simple random sampling technique and analyzed descriptively. The research revealed that 52.65% of farmers were literate in the study areas and most of them (32.52%) were studied classes 1 to 5. The literacy rate of the sheep farmers was the highest in Nikhongchari and Subornochar upazilas. The main occupation of sheep rearing farmer was agriculture (65.16%). However, the landholdings and annual income were found 122.01±8.85 decimal and BDT 80 thousand respectively. The highest landholding and annual income were found in Subornochar (373.19 decimal) and Copanigonj upazillas (BDT 215 thousand) respectively. Moreover, Subornochar and Copanigonj upazilas were found rich in livestock assets than the other surveyed areas. The highest herd size of sheep per household found 76.61±8.90 and 30.71±7.26 in Copanigonj and Subornochar upazilas respectively. In all irrespective of areas, the herd size per household was found 13.27±1.23. Among all types of sheep ewe (56.47%) was the highest because farmers normally kept ewes for further reproduction, ram and wither were sold early in the market. Furthermore, the existing management practices of native sheep found poor irrespective of areas. Most of the farmers have no separated shed and 21.50% of them used cow shed as the housing of native sheep. Hence, the feeding system was mostly the entire free movement system (49.33%) and the average time for field feeding was 9.33±0.05 hours/day. The farmers used open land (66.34%) and roadside (61.53%) as pasture land for their sheep. The highest 43.15% of farmers reported a shortage of natural feeding land followed by disease and treatment (41.00%) related problems. The organized efforts should be taken to incorporate a feasible and sustainable management system of native sheep and consequently to improve the socioeconomic conditions of rural poor farmers in Bangladesh.

The discussion of Saha et al. (Precambrian Research, 2012). doi:101016/j.precamres.2012.03.004, (2012) Tectono-magmatic evolution of the Mesoproterozoic Singhora basin, central India: Evidence for compressional tectonics from structural data, AMS study and geochemistry of basic rocks, in Precambrian Research, is placed within the broader context of what is known and what is unknown about the shallow crustal deformation structures and the interplay of deformation in the basement and cover rocks.

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is considered an efficient converter of poor quality forages into high quality milk and meat. This species is ubiquitous, with prevalence though in Asian and Mediterranean countries. From a genetic standpoint, the species is characterized by two main subspecies: river and swamp type. The former to be found predominantly in Mediterranean countries, whereas the latter is found only in the Asia continent. At present, the majority of the total world buffalo population is distributed in Asia, holding around 97% of the available stock. There, animals are mostly fed on low quality roughages and crop residues with poor nutritive value, resulting inevitably in reduced productive and reproductive performances. A distinctive differential production system is in effect between river and swamp type buffaloes, due to a significant production capacity of the two sub-species. An overview of production systems and their sustainability in the two sub-species with an emphasis on country of origin and feed availability is presented.

The Pranhita-Godavari Valley of central India preserves records of repeated opening and closing of Proterozoic and Gondwana rifts along the zone of NW-SE trending Neoarchean suture between the Dharwar and Bastar cratonic nuclei. The Proterozoic succession in the Valley comprises several major unconformity-bound sequences, each with a distinctive set of litho-assemblage, deposited under diverse tectonic environments with highly variable modes and tempos of sedimentation. Analysis of sedimentary attributes of unconformity-bound sequences indicates that Purana sedimentation in the Valley started with the deposition of stable platformal assemblage of carbonate-quartzarenite in an extensional sag basin. The basin opened at c. 1700 Ma. The stability of the craton was disrupted when the first major cratonic rift nucleated at c. 1620 Ma, and shortly evolved into an oceanic basin along the northeastern margin of the Valley with consanguineous deposition of a thick wedge of conglomerates, tidal sandstones and shales in the Mulug shelf, and a succession of graywacke, carbonate, siltstone-mudstone-black shale and tuff turbidites of the Somanpalli flysch in two parallel adjoining belts. The Somanpalli flysch is bounded by two shallow marine successions, analogous to several geosynclinal deposits preserved in orogenic belts, and was deposited in a deep oceanic basin along a rifted continental margin. Paleocurrent analysis reveals that siliciclastics in the flysch succession were derived primarily from a continental provenance to the southwest of the Mulug shelf, and were transported to the flysch basin across the margin. Coarse sands were deposited in large submarine fan complexes of graywackes and mixed carbonate-siliciclastics at several points. The voluminous carbonate turbidites in the flysch were also derived from the adjoining Mulug shelf. High quartz content of graywackes, their close association with tidally deposited arenites, and ocean-ward transport of sediments from cratonic hinterlands collectively attest to the deposition of the flysch in a trailing margin basin. Opening of the oceanic basin and deposition of the flysch were accompanied by extensive granulite facies metamorphism at deep crustal level indicating a genetic linkage between them, and the litho-tectonic elements were deformed into an orogenic belt during re-assembly of Dharwar and Bastar blocks. The orogenic belt girdled the northeastern margin of the PG Valley, wrapped around its southeastern corner making a syntaxial bend, and continued into the Ongole-NKSB orogenic belt which also had its peak metamorphism at c. 1600 Ma. The age of the orogeny is not well constrained, but was followed by a Neoproterozoic episode of extension, and formation of cratonic rift basin with the deposition of several thousand meters of quartz-rich sandstones of the Sullavai, Albaka and Usur sequences.

Ages of some key stratigraphic sequences in central Indian Proterozoic basins are based predominantly on lithostratigraphic relationships that have been constrained by only a few radioisotopic dates. To help improve age constraints, single grains of glauconitic minerals taken from sandstone and limestone in two Proterozoic sequences in the Pranhita-Godavari Valley and the Chattisgarh basin were analyzed by the 40 Ar/ 39 Ar incremental heating method. Analysis of the age spectra distinguishes between ages that are interpreted to reflect the time of glauconite formation, and anomalous ages that result from inherited argon or postcrystallization heating. The analyses indicate an age of 1686 ± 6 Ma for the Pandikunta Limestone and 1566 ± 6 Ma for the Ramgundam Sandstone, two units in the western belt of Proterozoic sequences in Pranhita-Godavari Valley. Glauconite from the Chanda Limestone, in the upper part of this sequence, contains inherited 40 Ar but is interpreted to reflect an age of ca. 1200 Ma. Glauconite from the Somanpalli Group in the eastern belt of the Pranhita-Godavari Valley gives an age of 1620 ± 6 Ma. In the Chattisgarh basin, glauconite from two units gives disturbed ages that suggest a period of regional heating in the Chattisgarh basin at ca. 960–1000 Ma. These new ages indicate that these sequences are 200–400 m.y. older than previously recognized, which has important implications for geochemical studies of Mesoproterozoic ocean redox conditions in addition to providing important constraints on regional tectonics and lithostratigraphy.