Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a secondary cause of diabetes due to chronic pancreatitis. Since the N34S variant of the SPINK1 trypsin inhibitor gene has been found to partially account for genetic susceptibility to chronic pancreatitis, we used a family-based and case-control approach in two separate ethnic groups from the Indian subcontinent, to determine whether N34S was associated with susceptibility to FCPD. Clear excess transmission of SPINK1 N34S to the probands with FCPD in 69 Bangladeshi families was observed (P<.0001; 20 transmissions and 2 nontransmissions). In the total study group (Bangladeshi and southern Indian) the N34S variant was present in 33% of 180 subjects with FCPD, 4.4% of 861 nondiabetic subjects (odds ratio 10.8; P<.0001 compared with FCPD), 3.7% of 219 subjects with type 2 diabetes, and 10.6% of 354 subjects with early-onset diabetes (aged <30 years) (P=.02 compared with the ethnically matched control group). These results suggest that the N34S variant of SPINK1 is a susceptibility gene for FCPD in the Indian subcontinent, although, by itself, it is not sufficient to cause disease.

SummaryNorth Bengal Grey (NBG) cattle are an important indigenous cattle genetic resource found mainly in the northern part of Bangladesh. The study was undertaken at Bogra Sadar, Shibgonj and Kahalu Upazila (sub-district) in the Bogra district. The physical and morphological characteristics, and the productive and reproductive performances of NBG cattle were studied. The coat colour of these animals is deep grey to white. The coat colour of the neck region in adult bulls was found to be generally ashy with a range of shades.The body is small, compact and less fleshy. Ear length and ear width were 18.0±0.17 and 11.0±0.21 cm, respectively. The head length average was 38.0±0.56 cm, the head width 16.0±0.17 cm, the foreleg length average 65.0±0.64 cm, the hind leg length 71.0±0.64 cm, the tail length average 71.0±0.67 cm, the horn length average 9.0±0.39 cm, the horn diameter 10.0±0.37 cm, the average teat length 5.0±0.18 cm, the teat diameter 6.0±0.22 cm, the distance betweenthe front teats 7.0±0.13 cm and the distance between the rear teats 7.0±0.13 cm. Body length, height at wither and heart girth in adult cows were 105.0il.20, 94.0+1.12 and 127.0±1.52 cm, respectively.The recorded highest peak milk production per day was 3.5±0.18 kg, lactation length was 219±6.1 days, and the dry period was 180±6.8 days. The average birth weight of calves was 18.4±0.52 kg and mature live weight of cows 241.0±4.0 kg. The age at first heat was 869±29.6 days, age at first calving 1191±19.7 days, gestation length 281±1.3 days, calving interval 442±7.4 days, postpartum heat period 110±4.2 days and the number of services per conception 1.4±0.6. About 54% of total cattle population was NBG cattle in the surveyed area of Bangladesh. The results indicated that the productive and reproductive performance of NBG cattle was better than other non-descript indigenous cattle of Bangladesh. The study further revealed an obvious need for more in-depth and objective information on wider samples of this type of indigenous cattle in order to assess the future need for conservation and improvement programs to be undertaken.

The aim of the study was designed to investigate the socio-economic status of buffalo farmers, productive and reproductive performances and management practices of buffaloes at different villages of Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh Subornochar upozila of Noakhali district in Bangladesh. For this investigation total one hundred buffalo farmers were selected from ten villages. Ten farmers who have at least five buffaloes were randomly selected from each village. The investigation revealed that majority of the buffalo farmers age was ranged from 41 to 50 years followed by 51 to 55 years and less than 40 years. Hundred percent farmers were educated but no farmers were found who completed graduation. More than half of the farmers have primary educated followed by SSC or above and rest of them could sign only. In the study area, sixty eight percent of the buffalo farmers were engaged with agriculture along with buffalo rearing and rests of them were engaged with other business. More than half of the respondents were holding land above ten acres, followed by seven to ten acres and rest of them below three acres. Sixty five percent of the farmers took bank loan and rest of them used own capital and/or NGO's loan for rearing buffaloes. There were no farmers found who got training on buffalo rearing. More than two third of the respondents practiced buffalo rearing as their family profession and rest of them were influenced by the neighboring farmers. The buffalo breed of this area was mostly indigenous types. The highest numbers of buffaloes found were heifer followed by milking buffalo and buffalo bull calves. About half of the farmers kept their buffaloes at least two years followed by three and one years and rest of them was more than three years.The average milk production of indigenous buffalo was 2.7 liter/day. Birth weight, weaning weight, weaning and slaughter age of indigenous buffalo in the selected areas were 27.5 kg, 56.5 kg and 14 and 55 months, respectively. The average age at first heat that was puberty of buffaloes was 3.4 years. The gestation period, number of service per conception, post partum hear period and inter calving period was 10 months, 3.1times, 4.5 and 15.8 months, respectively. Most of the farmers maintain their buffaloes mainly in extensive system and bathan (80%). Majority of the farmers (70%) expressed availability of the feeds and fodder as the major problem for buffalo rearing. Out of locally available feeds and fodders rice straw, pasture grasses and Uri grass were the main source of feeds for buffaloes in selected areas. Uri grasses was very soft, very high in CP content and were commonly available in the bank of river or see shore. Buffalo farmers were not practicing to supply concentrate feeds to their buffaloes. Four major diseases of buffaloes were found where the incidence of foot and mouth diseases was high (63%). Farmers of the selected area were totally unaware about vaccination and de-worming and they did n...

The aim of the study was designed to investigate the socio-economic status of buffalo farmers, productive and reproductive performances and management practices of buffaloes at different villages of Lalpur Upozila of Natore district in Bangladesh. For this investigation total one hundred twenty buffalo farmers were selected from twelve villages. Ten farmers who have at least five buffaloes were randomly selected from each village. The investigation revealed that majority of the buffalo farmers was below 30 years of age. Fifty five percent farmers were educated and remarkable number of farmer (40%) were reared only livestock. More than 80 % of the farmer holding 2 to 5 acres of land, and maximum farmers belonged to medium income categories. Sixty eight percent of the farmers took bank loan and/ or NGO loan for rearing buffaloes. Most of the farmers practiced buffalo rearing as their family profession. The buffalo of this area was mostly crossbred types. The highest numbers of buffaloes found were heifer. More than 80% of the farmer kept their female buffaloes above five years. In this study area the average milk production of buffalo was 3.32L/d. Birth weight of crossbred buffalo calves was 30.5 kg, weaning and slaughter age of buffaloes in selected areas were 16 and 57 months respectively. The average age at first heat was 3.47 years. The gestation period, number of service per conception, post partum hear period and inter calving period was 10 months, 3.42 times, 5.31 and 13.5 months, respectively. Most of the farmers maintain their buffaloes mainly in extensive system, and availability of the feeds and fodder was the major problem for buffalo rearing. Most of the farmers were fully depend on river bed (char) grasses and grazing their buffaloes 5-7 hours. Out of locally available feeds and fodders rice straw, river bed grasses and sugarcane top were the main source of feeds for buffaloes. The CP content of baghata grass was found higher compared to other unconventional grasses. Incidence of diseases, foot and mouth diseases was high and farmers did not follow any vaccination and de-warming programme. The annual cost of production per buffalo was Tk. 8741.50 while a gross return per buffalo was Tk. 25028.50. The annual educational capacity increased of the buffalo farmers was 63% but other parameters were also increased through buffalo rearing. Considering all this parameters related to livelihood, it was clearly found that the socio-economic status of the buffalo farmers was improved through buffalo rearing.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2015. 44 (3):157-165

The study was undertaken to investigate the performance of Black Bengal goats and livelihood generated through goat rearing at 3 different villages namely Kaichapur, Salia and Shimulia at Phulpur Upazila (GPS: 24.9500°N and 90.3500°E) of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. The average birth weight, body weight at 6 and 12 months of Black Bengal goat (BBG) were 1.03 ± 0.01 kg, 7.75 ± 0.09 and 12.77 ± 0.16 kg, respectively and daily body weight gain at 0-6 and 6-12 months of age were 34.38±0.54 and 24.62±0.57 g respectively. The average litter size of does was 1.51±0.05 and kid mortality rate was 12.58%. The study revealed that, most of the goat owners were housewives. The educational status and goat rearing system of the farmers were also observed. Most of the farmers were either Primary (55%) or illiterate (38.3%). About 3.33% were below Secondary School certificate and 1.67% Higher Secondary School certificate level. Few farmers have completed their graduation (1.67%). The average net profit from one goat in a year was Tk.754. The expenditure on food purchase, health care, education, clothing, housing condition and social status of the farmers were increased, respectively at a scale of 22.79%, 6.56%, 14.47%, 4.34%, 14.22% and 19.35% due to increase of their income from goat rearing.

The genetic variation and differentiation among different populations of sheep in Bangladesh were studied by using 18 microsatellite markers. A total of 140 samples-37 from Bangladesh Central (BGC), 40 from Bangladesh East (BGE), 39 from Bangladesh North (BGN) and 24 from Garole (GAR) were genotyped. The allele number per locus ranged from 2 to 10. The average number of alleles per population was 5.50 + 1.72, 5.33 + 2.00, 6.39 + 2.06 and 4.72 + 1.71 for BGC, BGE, BGN and GAR respectively. Heterozygosity was found in the range from 0.5084+0.0187 (BGE) to 0.5810+0.0237 (GAR). The genetic distance (D A ) between BGN and GAR was the highest (0.1071) and that between BGC and BGN was the lowest (0.0664). In the phylogenetic dendrogram, BGC and BGN grouped in the same cluster, while BGE and GAR formed another two separate clusters. The results indicate that all four sheep populations had rich genetic diversity and the Garole sheep (GAR) is considered as an independent breed in Bangladesh.

Gayal (Bos frontalis) is a semi domesticated and endangered bovine species in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to know the present distribution, performances and utility of gayal in the home tract.Bandarban Hill district was found the home tract of gayal in Bangladesh. Gayals were reared under extensive management system in the forest of Bandarban Hill district. They browsed forest herbs and grass freely in the forest and came to human dwelling for salt licking. Total number of gayal was counted between 800-900. The average number of gayal per farmer was 5.01. The coat color of adult gayal was black. White stocking was very prominent in adult gayal. The height at wither and weight for adult males ranged from 126 to 136 cm and 490 to 577 kg, respectively. Reproductive efficiency was high and calving interval was 402 days. They exhibited high disease resistant. The PVC (Pack Cell Volume) and hemoglobin value was 33.5±5.71% and 13.43±2.9 g/dl, respectively. Gayal was used only as meat animal. The high growth rate and reproductive efficiency of gayal in the home tract indicates that this species can be utilized economically if proper breeding plan and sound extension service can be adopted.

Morphological characteristics, blood groups and blood protein polymorphisms of indigenous chickens in Bangladesh were investigated. Gene frequencies were analyzed at 29 loci controlling comb shape (the P, R and Cr loci), plumage color (the B, E, I and S loci), shank color (the Id locus), blood groups (the Ea-A, Ea-B, Ea-D and Ea-E loci) and blood proteins (the Amy-1 and-3, Akp and Akp-2, Es-1, Alb, Tf, Pas, Hb-1 and-2, LDH, 6-PGD, PGM, PHI, To, MDH and Es-D loci). In addition, phenotypic frequency of earlobe color was also examined. Among these 29 loci, 8 blood protein loci were monomorphic. Gene frequencies were compared among the local populations in Bangladesh. The frequencies of the E and I alleles for plumage color and of the Amy-lA and Hb-lA alleles for blood proteins showed a geographical cline. These frequencies were a little higher in the populations of the Chittagong Division than in those of the Dhaka Division. Although gene frequencies at other loci also varied considerably among the local populations, no geographical cline was found. Genetic distances between each pair of the local populations were small, and the coefficient of gene differentiation among them, GST, was only .058. These results suggest that the indigenous chickens (nondescript deshi type) of Bangladesh may be regarded as one breed or population.