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The transition period (3 weeks before to 3 weeks after parturition) is a pivotal time in the life of a dairy cow when they face tremendous metabolic and physiologic changes. It is of importance to notice the dynamic changes in metabolites and lipid profile of indigenous parturient Sahiwal cows for rational managemental intervention during the periparturient period. Remarkable alterations in serum metabolites (calcium, glucose, urea and creatinine) enzymes activities (aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and lipid contents (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein) were recorded during the transition period of parturient Sahiwal cows. Albeit, parturient Sahiwal cows are predisposed to negative energy balance and hypocalcemia for few weeks post-partum, they have a quicker metabolic adaptive potential to recoup the altered metabolites and lipids dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apparently healthy, eight parturient Sahiwal cows were enrolled and blood samples were collected five times: at enrolment −14, −7, 0 (day of parturition), +7, and +14 days of parturition. Another eight healthy non-pregnant Sahiwal cows in mid-lactation (>90 days of lactation) have served as standard base value control. The transition Sahiwal cows were found to have significantly lower interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and higher interleukin-10 levels at day −7, 0, +7 and +14 of parturition as compared to their own day −14 values. Significant elevation in non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) level was estimated in these cows at the day of parturition as compared to their own day −14 values. A marked elevation in the beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) level was also estimated at day 0, +7, and +14 as compared to the day −14 and −7 values in the transition cows. As compared to the standard base value, significantly lower IFN-γ and elevated IL-10 levels were estimated at day −7, 0, +7, and +14 in the transition cows. The NEFA level in the transition cows was also significantly higher at the day of parturition when compared with standard control values. In conclusion, the zebu Sahiwal cows face marked immuno-metabolic dents during the transition period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted inHarianaandSahiwalcows to study neutrophil functional dynamics during different seasons (summer, rainy and winter) in terms of expression of toll like receptor 2 & 4, neutrophils’ apoptosis in terms of caspase 3, 7 activities, and transmembrane mitochondrial potential. Blood samples were collected fromHariana(n = 10) andSahiwalcows (n = 10) throughout the year to evaluate the effects of season on neutrophil dynamics. In each season, eight blood samples were collected from each animal (twice in each month). Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 expressions were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in neutrophils during summer season as compared to rainy and winter seasons. Significantly, (p < 0.05) higher caspase 3 & 7 activities and significantly higher per cent of neutrophils with low transmembrane mitochondrial potential indicating its enhanced apoptosis were found during extreme summer and lowest during winter. BothSahiwalandHarianabreeds exhibited similar trends in neutrophil apoptosis. The results of the study evidently indicate that neutrophil competence varies from season to season in zebu cattle and could determine the possible incidences of infections in these cows. Hot-humid season could be conducive for microbial infections owing to accelerated apoptosis of neutrophils and down regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 of immune cells of zebu cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

21 bovine calves aged between 15 to 60 days naturally infected with Theileria annulata were inspected ardently for clinical markers. Clinical manifestations of generalized lymph nodes enlargement, pallor mucous membrane, reduced appetite and pyrexia were revealed by more than 75% of infected calves. While, clinical manifestations of pica, coughing and respiratory distress, lacrimation and exophthalmia were revealed by more than 50% of infected calves. Clinical manifestations of petechiae and/or ecchymoses on sclera, conjunctival mucous membrane, tongue and ear pinna, lateral recumbency and submandibular and/or ventral edema were revealed by more than 25% of infected calves. While, less than 25% of infected calves revealed clinical manifestations of diarrhea, melena, haemoglobinuria and yellow mucous membrane. The study indicated that generalized lymph nodes enlargement, pallor mucous membrane, pyrexia, pica, coughing and respiratory distress, lacrimation and exophthalmia are the major clinical markers, pivotal for clinical diagnosis of theileriosis in field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the molecular diagnosis and surveillance of West Nile virus (WNV). It indicates the importance of the development of surveillance techniques such as reverse transcription loopmediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) assays for the detection of WNV. It mentions the significant role of horses in the epidemiological cycle of WNV.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative potential of quercetin (QC) against paracetamol (PCM)-induced oxidative stress and biochemical alterations in mice blood. A total of 36 mice were randomly allocated into six groups, six mice in each. Group I served as healthy controls, while groups II and III were administered with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and QC alone respectively. Group IV was administered with PCM alone. Groups V and VI were administered with PCM on day 0 followed by NAC and QC, respectively, for 6 consecutive days. On day 7(th) blood samples were obtained and subjected for the assays of oxidative stress and serum biochemical panels. Erythrocytic lipid peroxides contents of alone PCM-intoxicated mice were significantly higher, while reduced glutathione contents were found to be significantly lower in comparison with the healthy controls. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were also found to be singnificantly lower in these mice. Additionally, significantly increased activities of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, as well as levels of bilirubin, urea and creatinine were revealed by these mice. Postadministration with QC remarkably alleviated the over production of MDA and improved GSH levels in PCM-intoxicated mice blood. In addition, antioxidant enzymes; glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also improved significantly in these mice. QC had also considerably ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters toward normalcy. Thus, it can be concluded that QC may constitute a remedy against PCM-induced oxidative stress and reno-hepatic injuries.