Appropriate thyroid gland function and thyroid hormone activity are considered crucial to sustain the productive performance in domestic animals (growth, milk or hair fibre production). Changes of blood thyroid hormone concentrations are an indirect measure of the changes in thyroid gland activity and circulating thyroid hormones can be considered as indicators of the metabolic and nutritional status of the animals. Thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in the mechanisms permitting the animals to live and breed in the surrounding environment. Variations in hormone bioactivity allow the animals to adapt their metabolic balance to different environmental conditions, changes in nutrient requirements and availability, and to homeorhetic changes during different physiological stages. This is particularly important in the free-ranging and grazing animals, such as traditionally reared small ruminants, whose main physiological functions (feed intake, reproduction, hair growth) are markedly seasonal. Many investigations dealt with the involvement of thyroid hormones in the expression of endogenous seasonal rhythms, such as reproduction and hair growth cycles in fibre-producing (wool, mohair, cashmere) sheep and goats. Important knowledge about the pattern of thyroid hormone metabolism and their role in ontogenetic development has been obtained from studies in the ovine foetus and in the newborn. Many endogenous (breed, age, gender, physiological state) and environmental factors (climate, season, with a primary role of nutrition) are able to affect thyroid activity and hormone concentrations in blood, acting at the level of hypothalamus, pituitary and/or thyroid gland, as well as on peripheral monodeiodination. Knowledge on such topics mirror physiological changes and possibly allows the monitoring and manipulation of thyroid physiology, in order to improve animal health, welfare and production.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/4FFE9A3AF1BBAD021CF18F1830FFD6C9/S1751731107000262a.pdf/div-class-title-thyroid-hormones-in-small-ruminants-effects-of-endogenous-environmental-and-nutritional-factors-div.pdf

Thyroid hormones in small ruminants: effects of endogenous, environmental and nutritional factors.

Eugenol, a phytogenic bioactive component is frequently found in diversified herbal plants possessing well-defined functional attributes. Prominent sources of eugenol are clove, cinnamon, tulsi and pepper. Various extraction methods have been practiced globally for the extraction of eugenol and other nutraceutics from plants. The most extensively employed approaches in this regard include solvent extraction, hydro-distillation, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and ultrasound-based extraction. Eugenol has been approved to encompass numerous beneficial aspects against a capacious spectrum of life threatening indispositions including oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, elevated cholesterol level, neural disorders and cancer. In addition, eugenol has also shown strong potential as an antimicrobial agent against wide ranges of pathogenic and spoilage causing microorganisms. Predominantly, the principle mechanistic approaches associated with the therapeutic potential of eugenol include its free radical scavenging activity, hindrance of reactive oxygen species' generation, preventing the production of reactive nitrogen species, enhancement of cyto-antioxidant potential and disruption of microbial DNA & proteins. Consequently, this article is an attempt to elucidate the general properties, sources, extraction methods, therapeutic role and associated mechanisms of eugenol.

/pdf/essential-oil-eugenol-sources-extraction-techniques-and-2w5qrj34yw.pdf

Essential oil eugenol: sources, extraction techniques and nutraceutical perspectives

https://www.personales.ulpgc.es/aarguello.dpat/trabajos/trcab1.pdf

Effect of Pregnancy and Extended Lactation on Milk Production in Dairy Goats Milked Once Daily

This project was designed to study some biochemical constituents of ovarian follicular fluid (FF) and peripheral blood in buffaloes. For this purpose, ovaries were collected from adult buffaloes immediately after slaughter, FF was aspirated and stored at -4°C. Blood samples were also collected from these buffaloes before slaughter, plasma was separated and stored for further analysis. Samples were classified into two groups according to the follicle diameter i.e. small (3-10 mm) and large (11-20 mm). The FF and plasma samples were analyzed for various biochemical constituents, including glucose, cholesterol, total proteins, albumin, globulin, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, triiodothyronine and thyroxine contents, using commercial kits. The results showed that small follicles had significantly lower (P<0.05) glucose contents than large follicles, while blood plasma had significantly higher (P<0.05) glucose contents than fluid from both classes of follicles. The differences in concentrations of cholesterol, total proteins, albumin and globulin between small and large follicles were non-significant. The concentrations of these compounds were higher in the blood than in FF, except albumin, which was higher in FF than in the blood. Contents of electrolytes and trace elements did not vary between the two follicle classes. However, the plasma levels of these electrolytes and trace elements, except potassium and zinc, were significantly higher (p<0.05) than their levels in FF. The level of potassium was significantly higher (P<0.05) in FF than in the plasma, while serum zinc level did not differ from FF. The differences in concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in fluid from small and large sized follicles were non-significant. Likewise, the levels of these hormones were non-significantly higher in blood plasma than in FF. It was concluded that FF levels of glucose differed between small and large follicle groups, while blood levels of most of constituents were higher than their levels in FF.

Studies on some biochemical constituents of ovarian follicular fluid and peripheral blood in buffaloes.

This investigation is a new attempt to utilize the low cost chicken fat and waste chicken eggshell as catalyst for the production of chicken oil biodiesel and optimizing the transesterification process parameters. The performance, combustion and emission characteristics of the diesel engine have been analyzed by using the produced biodiesel. Esterification is carried out to reduce the free fatty acid of the chicken oil below 1 mg KOH/g of oil. The transesterification process variables are optimized using response surface methodology and the experiments are conducted based on central composite design. The optimum transesterification conditions are 1:13 M ratio, catalyst concentration of 8.5 wt.% of oil, 5 h reaction time, 57.5 °C reaction temperature and fixed agitation speed of 500 rpm. The most significant factor affecting biodiesel yield is identified as molar ratio. Validation of the model shows that the maximum biodiesel yield 90.41% is close to the predicted value 92.29%. Reusability study of the recovered catalyst has been done. The engine emission study shows carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and filter smoke number of the pure biodiesel and its blend are lower than diesel. The heat release rate for diesel is higher than all other test fuels. Finally, the experimental work reveals that chicken fat and eggshell as catalyst could be a suitable feedstock for biodiesel production.

Eggshell as heterogeneous catalyst for synthesis of biodiesel from high free fatty acid chicken fat and its working characteristics on a CI engine

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of period of turmeric powder supplementation and ration quality on egg production in quails. One hundred and fifty female quails were assigned into a completely randomized design with a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement. The first factor was ration quality consisted of two levels i.e., ration with high carbohydrate (standard protein) and ration with high protein (standard carbohydrate) contents. The second factor was a period of turmeric supplementation (at a dosage of 54 mg/quail/day) consisted of 5 levels i.e. (1) Without turmeric supplementation (control) (2) 30 days at the age of 14 to 44 days (3) 30 days at the age of 45-75 days (4) 30 days at the age of 7-8 months and (5) 8.5 months at the age of 14 days to 9 months. Each experimental unit consisted of 15 quails. Parameters measured were feed and water consumptions, total number of egg production, follicle hierarchy, liver functions, oviduct weight and length and blood metabolites. The results showed that quails supplemented with turmeric for 30 days prior to sexual maturity and for 8.5 months started before sexual maturity gave the highest egg production (20 and 17%, respectively), liver function, vitellogenin secretion, follicle development and blood metabolites. Ration with high carbohydrate with standard protein content gave the best egg production, liver function and blood metabolites. It was concluded that improvement of liver functions could increase total egg production by increasing yolk precursors synthesis and their depositions in the developing follicles.

/pdf/increased-egg-production-of-japanese-quail-cortunix-japonica-56oivlw82n.pdf

Increased Egg Production of Japanese Quail (Cortunix japonica) by Improving Liver Function Through Turmeric Powder Supplementation

This experiment was conducted to determine the role of turmeric powder in lipid metabolism andits influence on the quality of the first quail’s egg. Sixty female quails were assigned into a completelyrandomized design with four treatments (levels of turmeric powder i.e., 0; 13.5; 27; and 54mg/quail/day) and each treatment used 15 quails. The treatment was conducted for 60 days. Parametersmeasured were proximate analysis and the quality of the first layed eggs. At the end of the experiment,serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, abdominal and pectoral fat weights, and feedconsumption were measured. Chemical analysis showed that turmeric powder contained 7.97%curcumin. Supplementation of turmeric powder lowered serum cholesterol and triglycerideconcentrations, egg fat and protein contents, haugh unit and yolk index, but did not affect feed intake,abdominal and pectoral fat weights, egg weight, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, and egg shellindex. However, quails supplemented with turmeric powder showed a variation in egg laying delayranging from 1 to 16 days. Quails supplemented with 54 mg/d turmeric powder had the highest follicleshierarchy. It was concluded that supplementation of turmeric powder with the level of 54 mg/quail/daydecreased lipid content of the egg and improved the other egg quality parameters.

/pdf/the-role-of-turmeric-powder-in-lipid-metabolism-and-its-m8fx3dy7cq.pdf

The role of turmeric powder in lipid metabolism and its effect on quality of the first quail’s egg

Effect of fetal number on the concentrations of circulating maternal serum progesterone and estradiol of does during late pregnancy

Forty eight gilts with average body weight of 107.83 + 5.08 kg were used in experiments to study the use of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) as superovulation agent in gilts to increase piglet production. Four groups of twelve gilts were injected with PMSG dan hCG dose levels of 0, 600, 1200, and 1800 IU/gilt. Injections were conducted three days before estrus. During gestation, gilts were placed in colony pigpens. On days 15, 35, and 70 of gestation, gilts were slaughtered in order to measure the number of corpus luteum, growth and development of the uterus and placenta. Blood samples were collected to determine progesterone and estradiol concentrations. The resuts showed that superovulation dose levels of 600 to 1200 IU/gilt increased progesterone and estradiol secretions, growth and development of the uterus and placenta in gestation ages of 15, 35, and 70 days. It is concluded that superovulation with dose of 600 to 1200 IU can improve the gilts reproduction. Key words: gilts, superovulation, gestation, progesterone, estradiol, corpus luteum

https://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/hayati/article/download/228/94

Growth and Development of the Uterus and Placenta of Superovulated Gilts

Maternal serum concentrations of total triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine and cortisol in different status of pregnancy during late pregnancy in Ettawah-cross does

Nastiti Kusumorini

Papers

Increased Egg Production of Japanese Quail (Cortunix japonica) by Improving Liver Function Through Turmeric Powder Supplementation

The role of turmeric powder in lipid metabolism and its effect on quality of the first quail’s egg

Effect of fetal number on the concentrations of circulating maternal serum progesterone and estradiol of does during late pregnancy

Growth and Development of the Uterus and Placenta of Superovulated Gilts

Maternal serum concentrations of total triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine and cortisol in different status of pregnancy during late pregnancy in Ettawah-cross does