The present study was undertaken to collect the quality cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) from ovaries of goat from slaughterhouse by aspiration to establish the suitable culture condition for in vitro maturation (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC). Follicular COCs were collected from follicles of 2-6 mm diameter, categorized by microscopic observation and cultured for 22 h in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) to determine the success rate of in vitro maturation in a condition of 5% CO 2 in air at 38.5 o C. The collected ovaries were classified as type-I (corpus luteum absent) and type-II (corpus luteum present). The average numbers of follicles aspirated per ovary were 3.15 and 2.57 in type-I and type-II, respectively. The collected COCs were classified into normal COCs (grade A and B) and abnormal COCs (grade C and D). The number of normal and abnormal COCs collected from two type of ovaries were significantly (P<0.01) differed. Average number of normal COCs per ovary obtained from type-I (1.30) was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of type-II (0.68). Within the normal COCs significantly (P<0.01) higher maturation was obtained in grade A COCs (71.70%) than that of grade B (51.52%). The matured COCs were cultured for 5 h with fresh buck semen in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium and assumed that the COCs were fertilized successfully. In progress, IVC was practiced in TCM-199 supplemented with FCS and bovine serum albumen (BSA) at 38.5 o C with 5% CO 2 for 6-7 days. The rate of development to compact morula was found significantly (P<0.01) higher in grade A (25.64%) compared to grade B COCs (6.89%) and similar trend of blastocyst was found in grade A COCs (12.82%) than that of grade of B (3.45%). The results suggested that culture condition for IVM, IVF and IVC was found optimum and grade A COCs might be suitable for in vitro production (IVP) of goat embryos.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a disease of zoonotic importance as well as high priority all over the world. Risk factors for bovine tuberculosis in cattle are not well investigated in Bangladesh. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the associated risk factors for bTB along with determination of prevalence in cattle of Mymensingh Sadar. A cross-sectional study was carried out to elucidate on 101 cattle from 56 households during January to May 2012. The direct interview using a questionnaire and physical examination of cattle was performed to collect farm and animal level data. Besides data collection, blood samples were collected from study cattle and subjected to immunochromatographic assay (ICGA) by using Anigen Rapid Bovine TB Ab test kit for the diagnosis of bTB. Risk factors analysis was done using bivariable followed by multiple logistic regression with stepwise backward elimination method. The results of the study revealed an overall tuberculosis prevalence of 5.9%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant association of bovine tuberculosis with herd size (more than 4) (Odds Ratio, OR = 5.9, p = 0.03) and history of coughing (OR = 8.9, p = 0.005). The effect of herd size (more than 4) could be minimized by maintaining the cattle in a herd with adequate floor space and better ventilation facilities as it would not be practicable to keep the herd size minimum. Further study should be done to find out more associated risk factors for the occurrence of bTB.

A study was conducted to identify how aquaculture assists in developing sustainable livelihood to the fish farming community in rural Bangladesh during the period from January to December, 2009. The Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA), a conceptual framework that aims to ameliorate poverty was applied to understanding the role of aquaculture in the Mymensingh area of the North-central Bangladesh. The study used the SLA as a foundation or main basis of analytical tool to identify the means and ways to enhance the livelihood of fish farmers. The analysis reveals how fish farmers can achieve positive sustainable livelihood through access to a wide range of livelihood assets. Higher economic return (BDT 1,19,360/ha/year) and social benefits were found to be gained by the fish farming community through human capital development. Lack of operating capital, vulnerability and insufficient institutional support were identified as major constraints to long term sustainability.

The study was conducted to assess the credit utilization pattern and repayment behavior of the fish farmers in Mymensingh and Kishoreganj districts during January to December, 2009. Data were collected from 600 fish farmers, 300 each from each district by employing stratified random sampling technique. Credit utilization rate in Mymensingh district was 49.04%, 56.73% and 70.29% in case of small, medium and better-off farmers, respectively. In Kishoreganj district, small, medium and better-off farmers utilized their credit money to the extent of 48.02%, 56.12% and 57.08%, respectively. Fifty eight percent of the credit money was utilized for aquaculture purpose. Credit repayment rate was 96% in both the two districts and the small farmers were found to be better re-payers than the others. Weekly repayment system was found to be the major hindering factor for timely repayment of credit. Utilization and repayment behavior of credit money were almost satisfactory after phasing out of the MAEP project.

To study molluscicidal effects of some indigenous plants such as Dhol Kalmi (Ipomoea fistulosa), Lantana (Lantana camara), Rakta-karabi (Nerium indicum), Polash (Butea frondosa), Mohavringoraj (Wedelia calandulacea), Nishinda (Vitex negundo), Bishkatali (Polygonum hydropiper), Kalmi, (Ipomoea aquatica), Haicha ( Alternanthera sessilis) and Shaora (Streblus asper) were used as dusts, aquatic, ethanol and methanol extracts against Lymnaea auricularia, Lymnaea luteola and Indoplanorbis exustus to give in vitro trial from January 2006 to December 2006 in the Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. All the plants in all preparations were more or less effective against the treated snails. In this study, LD 50 , Min.C s100 and mortality percentage of fish (Gutum, Letidocephalus guntea, Family: Cobitidae) were determined using dust of the selected plants. LD 50 was minimum in case of Haicha (14.3mg/L) followed by rakta-karabi (29.25mg/L), bishkatali (46.88mg/L), kalmi (154.69mg/L), lantana (234 mg/L) etc. Min.C s100 was minimum in case of rakta-karabi (0.008%) followed by haicha (0.03%), lantana (0.06%), dholkalmi (0.25%) and kalmi (0.25%). Among the plants, lantana, haicha and kalmi had no lethal effect on fish at Min.C s100 . Shaora also had no toxic effect on fish but its both LD 50 (453.13mg/L) and Min.C s100 (1%) were very high. Present study suggests that dust of haicha, lantana and kalmi may be used @ 0.03%, 0.06% and 0.25% respectively to control snails in field level.