Browsing by Author "Philomina, P T"

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Assessment of mineral status during pregnancy in crossbred cattle
(Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Shibu K Jacob; Philomina, P T
Twenty, healthy crossbred heifers stationed at Kerala Agricultural University - Cattle Breeding Farm, Thumburrnuzhi, were utilized for the study. The parameters estimated in the experimental animals comprise of serum profile of certain macro and microelements as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, .potassium, iron, copper, zinc and haematological parameters like red blood cells count, haemoglobin content, volume of packed red cells and erythrocyte indices before conception and at different stages of pregnancy viz., from third month to ninth month at monthly intervals and first month of lactation. The serum calcium level showed significant variations during the period of study, which decreased from the control level till fifth month of pregnancy and then increased from sixth month of gestation and reached the highest level by ninth month of gestation thereafter, decreased during first month of lactation (table 1). The increased serum calcium level from sixth month of pregnancy and early lactation could be due to an increased demand of this element for the formation of fetal skeleton and organogenesis as well as for drainage into the milk Serum inorganic phosphorus concentration was increased from third month of pregnancy and the highest level was attained by fifth month of pregnancy. Later the level of serum inorganic phosphorus gradually declined from sixth month to ninth month of pregnancy. These fluctuations in serum phosphorus during pregnancy might be due to the mobilisation of calcium and phosphorus from the dam's skeleton or due to an increased G.I tract absorption during the period. Besides the utilisation of calcium for fetal growth, calcium and phosphorus play a vital role in the action of hormones and enzymes at subcellular levels in an integrated fashion in reproduction of young heifers. During first month of early lactation still lower content of serum inorganic phosphorus was observed which could be due to its drainage into milk. There was an increase in the serum magnesium concentration from the preconception level during different stages of pregnancy and the same was significantly higher from sixth to ninth month of pregnancy which later dropped a little during first month of lactation as observed in the case of serum calcium. The increased magnesium level during the period of gestation could be due to the increased gut absorption in order to meet increased metabolic demands of this mineral, as many of the enzymes of glycolysis and citric acid cycle require magnesium as a cofactor. The serum concentration of sodium' showed an increasing tendency whereas that of potassium showed a decreasing tendency from third to ninth month of pregnancy. However the values of sodium encountered during third to sixth month and that of potassium from third to eighth month of pregnancy were lower than pre conception values which might be due to an increased permeation of these electrolytes into the uterus and fmally drainage into the fetoplacentary unit. The serum sodium and potassium level reached highest values during ninth month of pregnancy which further decreased during first month of lactation due to an increased transfer of these electrolytes into milk .. An increasing trend was observed for serum levels of iron and copper from third to fifth month of pregnancy. The increased level of serum iron during the first half of pregnancy might be due to an increased absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It was observed that both these minerals reach their peak serum level by fifth month of pregnancy and towards late pregnancy the iron level decreased which might be either due to its incorporation into the fetus or an increase in plasma volume so that haemoglobin content of blood also got apparently decreased. Serum copper concentration which decreased during the period of sixth to eighth month of pregnancy might be due to an increased blood volume and further increase in serum copper level during the ninth month of pregnancy might be due to the increase in estrogen level during that period as estrogen induce denovo synthesis of ceruloplasmin and thereby increased serum copper value during this period. During the first month of postpartum, serum iron level was found decreased while copper concentration increased. As far as serum zinc levels was concerned it was noticed that throughout the pregnancy its level increased when compared to control value. This could be due to an increased concentration of several enzymes involved in steroidgenesis and carbonic anhydrase, a zinc containing enzyme encountered during pregnancy. Eventhough serum zinc content exhibited a decreasing trend from third to eighth month of gestation, eventually it got increased during ninth month which might be due to higher levels of circulating prostaglandins during this period as zinc is required for their transport. A further increase in serum zinc level was noticed during first month of lactation.
Effect of choline deficiency on the chemical composition of the skeletal muscles of chicks
(Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,mannuthy, 1976) Philomina, P T; Venugopal, G
The results and conclusions drawn from a study carried out to determine the effects of choline deficiency on the chemical composition of the skeletal muscles of chicks are presented. The levels of choline viz., 1500 mg. 75 mg and 100 mg per kg were added to a choline extracted but an otherwise normal ration and were fed to three groups. Twentyfour, one – day old chicks were allotted to each treatment. Data on growth rate, weight gains, and feed efficiency were significantly lower for choline deficient chicks, indicating the importance of choline in poultry. All the chicks on deficient diets exhibited typical symptoms of perosis, either unilateral or bilateral from 24 days of age. Creatine phosphate, phospholipids and cholesterol levels of gastronomius muscles of chicks affected by perosis were lowered either due to interference or impairment in their formation. Reduced SDH activity, observed might be due to the impared oxidative metabolism. Slight increase in lipid content might be due to the lowered SDH level. The reduced activity of GOT and GPT and total protein content probably attributed to the lowered growth rate in choline deficient chicks. ALP and ACF values were lowered which can be attributed to the interference in the synthesis of their prosthetic groups. Poor muscular efficiency was revealed by the affected muscles.
Effect of induced stress and antistress agents on the physiological parameters in broiler chicken
(Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Srinivas Reddy Bellur; Philomina, P T
Effect of season and antistress agents on physiological and biochemical parameters of Broiler Chicken Under Stress
(Department of veterinery physiology, College of veterinary and animal sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Karthiayini, K; Philomina, P T
Influence of coconut oil and sunflower oil on plasma and liver lipid profile and production performance in Japanese quail (Coturrix coturnix japonica)
(Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Mini, K P; Philomina, P T
Metabolic and endocrine profile of crossbred pre-ruminant calves under extended colostrum feeding
(Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Babitha, V; Philomina, P T
Physiological evaluation of dietary supplementation of steroid hormones and alpha-tocopherol in broiler chicken
(Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Cyel V Yohannan; Philomina, P T
Thirty two, day old broiler chicks of Vencob strain were divided into four groups containing eight chicks in each group as G-I (control), G-II, G-III, and G-IV (treatments) and reared under identical management conditions for a period of four weeks with standard broiler ration as per BIS (1992). From fourth to eighth week of age, birds of group G-I (control) fed with Standard broiler finisher ration, G-II fed with Standard broiler finisher ration + Ethinylestradiol and Levanorgestrel incorporated @ 66.3 mg & 331.5 mg respectively per 100 kg of feed, G-III fed with Standard broiler finisher ration + dl-α-tocopherol @ 25 g per 100 kg of feed and G-IV fed with Standard broiler finisher ration + dl-α-tocopherol @ 25 g and a combination of Ethinylestradiol and Levanorgestrel @ 66.3 mg & 331.5 mg respectively per 100 kg of feed. Birds were regularly monitored for clinical health status, feed intake and individual weight (weekly intervals). Blood samples (5 ml each) were collected with and without anticoagulant at fortnightly intervals from fourth week to the end of experiment and analysed hematological parameters, plasma protein profile, lipid profile, enzymatic activity such as gama glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), superoxide desmutase (SOD), catalase and lipid peroxidation and serum concentration of calcium, phosphorus, copper and iron were also analysed. Histomorphology of liver adrenal and breast muscles were conducted. Liver and breast muscles were analysed for enzymes as GGT, tissue peroxidation, and crude protein and ether extract. Data were analysed statistically with appropriate tools. Results obtained showed that dietary supplementation of ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel and dl-α-tocopherol failed to elicit any noticeable influence on the growth and feed efficiency and mineral status (serum calcium, phosphorous, copper and iron levels) in the experimental birds. Ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel supplementation significantly lowered (P<0.05) total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb) and volume of packed red cells (VPRC). Ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel supplementation significantly (P<0.05) lowered the plasma concentration of total lipids, total cholesterol and LDL (birds of G-II group) while dl-α-tocopherol did not bring such an effect. Ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel and dl-α-tocopherol either alone or in combination significantly increased the plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in birds from sixth to eighth week of age. Ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel and dl-α-tocopherol alone or in combination caused reduction in plasma VLDL and triglyceride values. There was a lower level of ether extract in muscles of all the treatment groups compared with control. Liver from birds of ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel treated birds (G-II) had lower fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel fed group G-II (P<0.05) had the highest and the birds of dl-α-tocopherol supplemented group G-III had the lowest plasma GGT and AST activity at sixth and eighth week of age. These effects might be due to the effects of ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel on the biliary system resulting in an elevated enzyme activity in plasma. Similarly ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel caused significant increase in GGT levels only in the liver of G-II birds while there was no such change in breast muscles. Dl-α-tocopherol alone (G-III) or when combined with ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel (G-IV) caused a significant increase (P<0.05) in catalse activity while ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel and dl-α-tocopherol alone (G-II and G-III respectively) or in combination (G-IV) also showed lowered lipid peroxidation which indicated a better antioxidant status. Predominant effect of ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel was observed on the plasma lipid profile (reduction in the level of plasma total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL cholesterol) while, -tocopherol showed its antioxidant properties. However, ethinylestradiol +levanorgestrel caused the damage to the biliary system resulting in elevated levels of enzymes such as GGT and AST. Dietary supplementation of ethinylestradiol+levanorgestrel and dl-α-tocopherol failed to elicit much anticipated effect on growth and other performance indices.
Quantification of amylase, lipase and protease in the digestive tract of Japanese quail
(Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Beena, V; Philomina, P T
Structure and function of the shell gland in Japanese quail under different levels of dietary calcium
(Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Philomina, P T; Ramakrishna Pillai, M G