1. The present study was conducted to estimate genetic relatedness among Nicobari fowls (Brown, Black and White) and an exotic bird (White Leghorn) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymorphism. 2. A total of 25 decamer primers were screened among all the breeds of which 24 primers amplified the genomic DNA, generating 2000 to 200 bp bands. Ten primers generated reproducible and distinct RAPD profiles and were used for further analysis. 3. A total of 94 bands were amplified and 30 polymorphic bands (32%) were produced. The number of polymorphic loci ranged from 1 to 5 with an average of 3.0. 4. Among the native breeds Brown Nicobari showed higher genetic similarity (0.85) than Black Nicobari (0.80) and White Nicobari fowl (0.82). 5. Brown Nicobari showed high genetic similarity with Black Nicobari (0.87 +/- 0.029); least similarity was between White Nicobari and White Leghorn (0.77 +/- 0.028). 6. The RAPD profile of all Nicobari fowls on amplification with the primers PBG5 and PBA12 showed specific bands of molecular size 1050 and 785 bp, respectively. 7. The native breeds showed the least genetic distance with each other while White Leghorn appeared to be most distant from the native breeds.

the wing and limbs extended for a ventrodorsal view. A laterolateral view is also obtained with the extremities in extension. The bird is then fixed with tape onto the table; positioning may vary depending on the site of interest. A 450-mA portable neonatal x-ray machine and automatic film processor are used. An endoscopy is performed under gas anaesthesia. Induction with 3 per cent isoflurane in oxygen is followed by maintenance at 1-5 per cent. The method follows techniques described by Taylor (1994) for avian species.Blood samples are collected for haematology and biochemistry analysis. Blood (1 ml) is collected from the vena metatarsea medialis (Fig 3) in a calcium ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid tube for haematology. Packed-cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell, total leucocyte and differential leucocyte counts are performed routinely. The blood is also screened for parasites.Another 1 ml of blood is collected in a sodium-heparin tube for analysis of the blood chemistry. The routine blood parameters are aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, uric acid and urea. The interpretation of changes in the blood values follows the description by Hochleithner (1994). Blood samples are also taken for genetic studies, to study the genetic diversity of falcons from different subspecies.Satellite telemetry enables the worldwide location of birds over an extended period, so each falcon is anaesthetised under isoflurane, as described before, and fitted with a satellite transmitter on its back. Saker falcons are fitted with a 30 g battery and peregrine falcons with a 20 g battery.Birds finally selected for release are maintained in isolation facilities for at least one month before release. All the birds are given extensive training following falconry methods. During the hunting season all the birds have proven that they were able to catch live prey from the wild. The mode of transportation to the release site depends on the behavioural screening results. Usually, the birds are hooded and perched on a padded carrier, or placed in a ventilated and darkened carton which has a plastic grass carpet on the bottom, and a sponge perch fixed to the centre of the box. Plastic water spray pumps are used for cooling, soaking and to provide drinking water during transport.On the day of release, the birds are once again assessed for any signs of transportation stress or damage to feathers. All birds are fed a full crop early in the morning, and release is performed over the whole day. With a distance of approximately 10 km between release sites, two falcons are released together.In total, 305 falcons, 215 saker falcons and 90 peregrine falcons were released between 1995 and 1998. From the initially selected birds, five were removed from the final release project: of these, one was positive for Chlamydia psittaci, two for aspergillosis, one for kidney gout and one for pox lesions; however, ther...

The present study evaluates the effect of dietary zinc supplementation on reproductive and productive performance of Teressa goat, an indigenous species ofAndaman and Nicobar Islands.

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) is a medicinal plant widely distributed in the tropical regions of India, Indonesia and Malaysia and has a long history of treating a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetes. The present investigation was designed to evaluate blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant effects in calves fed with M. citrifolia. A total of eight calves were divided into two groups as control (n = 4) and treatment (n = 4). The calves of treatment group were fed with fresh minced raw fruit (100 g/calf/day) and the calves in control group were fed with placebo. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for four weeks for estimation of biochemical parameters and to determine antioxidant activity. The crude extract of noni fruits significantly (P < .01) decreased the concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum glucose and also decreased (P < .05) serum creatinine and urea. There was a reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) than control; however, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels were dramatically increased (P < .01) in morinda-fed calves. The results of present preliminary study demonstrated hypolipidemic, hypoglycaemic and antioxidant effect of M. citrifolia in calves. The findings of this study could be exploited for stress amelioration and management of metabolic diseases in calves and cattle without adverse effects.

KEYWORDS Morinda citrifolia Livestock Poultry Growth Production Immunomodulatory Properties ABSTRACTMorinda citrifolia L. is commonly known as Noni and has been found to have wide range of medicinal properties. It is usually found in the coastal region in many countries including Andaman and Nicobar Islands and belongs to the family Rubiaceae. This small evergreen tree is widely grown and well adapted to the tropics and can grow in fertile, acidic, alkaline and saline affected soils. It tolerates high soil salinity and brackish water stagnation. All the components of this plant have high demand in case of alternative medicines and herbal medicines. Due to its high demand and as a source of revenue generation the detail study on its nutritional benefits and therapeutic values are essential for its commercial exploitation. More than 200 nutraceutical compounds have been identified from the plant. Morinda citrifolia is reported to have broad spectrum biological activities such as antimicrobial, immunomodualtory, antioxidant wound healing etc. Apart from the in-vitro scientific validation of the activities and in-vivo trial in some lab animal model, the plant has been used for livestock and poultry health and production. A lot of reviews have been written on the different uses of Noni, however, scientific review on the use of this plant on the growth, production, immunomodulator and other pharmacological activities of M. citrifolia in livestock and poultry has not been compiled. Therefore this review discusses the compilation of the work done on the use of M. citrifolia in livestock and poultry.

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice on milk characteristics of healthy as well as mastitis-affected dairy cow. A total of 25 adult dairy cows were selected out of which 13 were healthy and 12 were found affected with sub-clinical mastitis. M. citrifolia fruit juice was fed to dairy cow at the rate of 100 ml/day/animal orally. The average pH of the normal milk and mastitis-affected milk was 6.6090.12 and 7.290.17, respectively. The feeding of M. citrifolia juice significantly (p B0.05) lowered the pH of mastitisaffected milk to 6.5490.07. The EC of mastitis-affected milk lowered significantly (p B0.05) after feeding of M. citrifolia fruit juice. The total bacterial count in the mastitis milk also decreased significantly (p B0.05) from 5.1590.03 )10 8 to 2.5490.03 )10 8 cfu/ml after feeding of M. citrifolia juice. Morinda feeding decreased the total protein concentration in the mastitis milk significantly (p B0.05) to 21.1390.93 mg/ml. It could be concluded that the feeding of M. citrifolia fruit juice to dairy cows showed improvement in the quality and biophysical parameters of milk of mastitis-infected dairy animals.

Aim: In the present experiment, the haematological parameters of Vanaraja, Nicobari fowls (Black, Brown and White) and their six F crosses were evaluated. Four erythrocyte traits, six leukocyte traits and one platelet trait were assessed.1 Materials and Methods: Blood samples (1 ml) were collected from the wing vein of each adult bird using 2 ml disposable syringe and then directly transferred to labeled test tube containing anticoagulant EDTA (2 mg EDTA/ml of blood). All haematological parameters were measured using by an instrument named Cell Counter Analyzer MS9-5V (Melet Schloesing Laboratories).Results: Variations among different genetic groups and sex were found in respect to different haematological parameters studied. Red blood cell (RBC) concentration of Vanaraja female was found to be very high. White blood cell (WBC) concentration of Black Nicobari X Vanaraja female was significantly lower than all the other groups except Brown Nicobari female. Platelet count of Vanaraja X White Nicobari male was significantly higher than all the other groups except White Nicobari male, Vanaraja X Black Nicobari male, male and female of Brown Nicobari X Vanaraja, male and female of Vanaraja X Brown Nicobari and White Nicobari X Vanaraja male. Conclusions:The haematological parameters of Vanaraja, Nicobari fowls and their F crosses were investigated and 1 compared. The results of the study will be helpful for accurate interpretation of haematological tests of the poultry genotypes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Here, we report the therapeutic potential of a natural quinazoline derivative (2-chloro-6-phenyl-8H-quinazolino[4,3-b]quinazolin-8-one) isolated from marine sponge Hyrtios erectus against human breast cancer. The cytotoxicity of the compound was investigated on a human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7). Antiproliferative activity of the compound was estimated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. MTT assay showed significant inhibition of MCF-7 cells viability with the IC50 value of 13.04 ± 1.03 µg/mL after 48 h. The compound induced down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and increase in the pro-apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MCF-7 cells. The compound activated the expression of Caspases-9 and stimulated downstream signal transducer Caspase-7. In addition, Caspase-8 showed remarkable up-regulation in MCF-7 cells treated with the compound. Moreover, the compound was found to promote oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells that led to cell death. In conclusion, the compound could induce apoptosis of breast carcinoma cells via a mechanism that involves ROS production and either extrinsic or intrinsic apoptosis pathways. The systemic toxic potential of the compound was evaluated in an in vivo mouse model, and it was found non-toxic to the major organs.