North Eastern Hill University

About: North Eastern Hill University is a education organization based out in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 2318 authors who have published 4476 publications receiving 48894 citations.

Role of GnIH in photoperiodic regulation of seasonal reproduction in the Eurasian tree sparrow.

Abstract: Seasonal reproductive cycles of most birds are regulated by photoperiod via neuroendocrine control. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in the hypothalamus has been reported to act as neuroendocrine integrator of photoperiodic cues. In this study, both captive and field investigations were carried out to understand the effects of photoperiod and seasonality on GnIH expression in subtropical tree sparrows. Monthly observations of GnIH mRNA and peptide expression in wild birds over a year revealed a significant increase in GnIH mRNA level and number of GnIH-ir neurons during the non-breeding season when compared with their expression in the breeding season. GnIH-ir neurons were found primarily in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) with their fibers projecting into the median eminence and some other areas of the brain. In an 8 month-long experiment, birds exposed to short days had higher GnIH expression compared with birds exposed to long days regardless of sampling month. Long-day birds with regressed testes had similar GnIH levels to short-day birds. Though the number of GnIH peptide-expressing neurons ran almost parallel to the levels of GnIH mRNA, they were inversely related to gonadal size in both sexes under natural and artificial photoperiodic conditions. These results clearly indicate an inhibitory role of GnIH in photoperiodic regulation of seasonal reproduction in the tree sparrow.

Low birth weight in relation to sex of baby, maternal age and parity: a hospital based study on Tangsa tribe from Arunachal Pradesh.

Abstract: Records of 151 Tangsa singleton live births over a period of 4 years at the Nampong Primary Health Centre of Nampong Circle of the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh were analysed to examine the effect of sex of baby, mother's age and parity on the incidence of low birth weight. The occurrence of low birth weight was 28.48% and only 4.64% of newborns weighed 2000 g or less. The mean birth weight was found to be 2806.95 +/- 39.32 g. Female babies had a significantly higher incidence of low birth weight than male babies. Parity was found to be significant influence on the incidence of low birth weight. An increase of low birth weight babies was noticed after 4th parity and the best outcome was also observed at this parity. The higher incidence of low birth weight was found in the 5+ parity. Young mothers (< 20 years) had also higher incidence of low birth weight and mother's age had no significant effect on the incidence of low birth weight.