Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University

Aquatic animal health encompasses the study and management of health and diseases in aquatic organisms, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and marine mammals. Ensuring the health of aquatic animals is crucial for food, nutritional security and economic benefits from aquaculture and to maintain a better environmental balance, by taking care of well-being of both wild (natural) and captive aquatic organisms. It encompasses the detection of aquatic diseases, water quality, and the ways and means to maintain sound health of the aquatic animals and their environment. There are many fish-associated diseases in humans also which need monitoring in both aquatic animals and humans. The disease management in fish will protect the aquatic animals and will make available a quality protein to humans, carnivore pets, and zoo animals also.

The aquaculture industry has been expanding and more intensification is done to achieve a higher yield. To maintain health, aqua drugs are indiscriminately being used which may create selection pressure on the gut microbiota and ultimately result in the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Researchers across the globe linked the use of antibiotics in aquaculture to the development of AMR. Long-term exposure to the antimicrobials is associated with enhanced resistance in the microbes and changes in the metabolism and composition of gut microbiota. Some examples of commonly used antibiotics in aquaculture are oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, sulphadiazine, and trimethoprim. The gut microbiome is important in fish development, immunity, and absorption of nutrients. The vast majority of bacterial species (~108 bacteria) inhabit the GIT of fish. However, phylogenetic microbial diversity exists within different fish species. Microbiome diversity is also influenced by the fish’s diet and environmental conditions. Variation also persists in the gut microbiota of freshwater fish and marine fish species. AMR genes from fish can be horizontally transferred to fish-eating birds and other wild animals. Therefore, it is essential to understand microbial diversity and the development of AMR in fish gut microbiota in different ecological niches.

Water is essential for life, covering a significant portion of the Earth’s surface and vital to human health and various activities. However, contamination from anthropogenic sources poses significant challenges, leading to waterborne diseases that affect millions globally. These diseases, transmitted via contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices, remain a critical public health concern, especially in developing regions. Effective management strategies involving water treatment, sanitation improvements, and hygiene education are crucial in mitigating these risks and ensuring global health security.

Mastitis is a common economically important disease of dairy buffaloes. Antibiotic resistance is the most cited reason behind the failure of clinical mastitis treatment in buffaloes. Selection of antibiotic after antibiotic sensitivity test is the key to avoid multidrug resistance (MDR) for mastitis therapy. Therefore, the present research work was carried out to evaluate efficacy of moxifloxacin and marbofloxacin in clinical mastitis in buffaloes based on the sensitivity against common mastitic bacteria in buffaloes. Total twenty clinical mastitis positive buffaloes were selected after screening of 129 lactating buffaloes by strip cup test and clinical signs, in and around Parbhani area. The selected buffaloes were divided into 2 groups, 10 animals in each. Group I was treated with injection Moxifloxacin @ 5 mg/kg BW IM for 5 days and group II received injection Marbofloxacin @ 2 mg/kg BW IM for 5 days. Supportive treatment was given in both groups as antihistaminic, multivitamins and NSAIDs. The clinical parameters like rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate showed significant improvement in both the treatment groups. Haematolgical study showed significant improvement in TLC, neutrophil and lymphocyte count while apparent but non-significant improvement observed in Hb, PCV, basophil, eosinophil and monocyte count. The most frequent bacteria observed in mastitic samples were Staphylococcus aureus, followed by E. coli, Klesiella spp. and mixed bacterial infection. Marbofloxacin showed highest sensitivity to mastitis causing bacteria followed by Moxifloxacin, Enrofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. The comparative efficacies in treatment groups were calculated on the basis of improvement in clinical signs, strip cup test and somatic cell count after treatment. Higher efficacy of Marbofloxacin was found (70%) as compared to Moxifloxacin (50%) for treatment of clinical mastitis. Hence, concluded that marbofloxacin could be appropriative antibiotic agent in the treatment of mastitis in buffalo.

The increasing demand for food safety and the need to combat emerging foodborne pathogens have driven the development of innovative packaging solutions. Active packaging, particularly those incorporating antimicrobial agents, has emerged as a promising approach to enhance food preservation and safety. Among these agents, bacteriophages (phages) have gained significant attention due to their specificity, efficacy, and natural origin. This manuscript explores the role of active packaging in protecting against foodborne pathogens, with a particular focus on bacteriophages. The review overviews recent advances in antimicrobials in food packaging, followed by a detailed discussion of bacteriophages, including their classification, mode of action, multidisciplinary applications, and their use as antimicrobial agents in active food packaging. The manuscript also highlights commercially available bacteriophage-based products and addresses the challenges and limitations associated with their integration into packaging materials. Despite their potential, issues such as stability, regulatory hurdles, and consumer acceptance remain critical considerations. In conclusion, bacteriophages represent a promising tool in active packaging for enhancing food safety, but further research and innovation are needed to overcome existing barriers and fully realize their potential in the food industry.

Contagious ecthyma or Orf is a common, contagious and zoonotic disease of small ruminants caused by orf virus. The present research was conducted to study the occurrence of Orf in goats in and around Parbhani district. Overall occurrence of Orf in goats was recorded 38.83% on the basis of PCR results. The higher occurrence of Orf recorded in the kids below 4 months of age, male, poor health status and non-descript goats. The clinical signs observed in Contagious Ecthyma affected goats were pyrexia, severe proliferative ulcerated cauliflower-like lesions around lips and scabby lesions were observed on the lips, muzzles, mucocutaneous junctions, nostrils, ear, inner aspect of thigh and gums. The hematological parameters revealed erythrocytopenia, anemia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia. For molecular confirmation, DNA extraction of all scab samples collected from suspected goats and showed amplification of partial B2L gene at 592 bp by PCR. Analysis of DNA sequence revealed that three Parbhani sequences were positive for CEV. The obtained 3 sequences of orf virus got accession numbers PP235095, PP235096 and PP235097 were closely related with each other and with other strains obtained from GenBank for the Parbhani district, Maharashtra and strains of other states of India mainly with Meghalaya, Assam and Goa.

Introduction This study explored the role of Withania somnifera/Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) on important gut–microbiome parameters in healthy geriatric dogs. We hypothesized that ARE might promote a healthy gut by its adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory effects and improve vital parameters for healthy ageing. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Telangana, India. Twelve healthy geriatric Beagle dogs aged 12–15 years were enrolled. The dogs were divided into two groups to receive ARE (15 mg/kg, once daily, orally, for 2 months) or a placebo control. Various parameters were assessed, including serum haematology, biochemical markers, stool parameters, and gut–microbiome parameters. Results The erythrocyte counts and haemoglobin levels were significantly increased with ARE (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease in important serum liver biomarkers (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST]; p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 at day 60) was observed in the ARE-treated dogs compared to that in the placebo control group. In addition, the levels of L-citrulline were significantly modulated by ARE intervention, whereas the intervention did not affect intestinal-type alkaline phosphatase (I-ALP), lactate, and carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (CPS). Interestingly, the faecal score reduced significantly with ARE (p < 0.001), while the faecal pH remained unaltered. Compared to the baseline, ARE significantly decreased two microbial metabolites, propionic acid, and total short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels after 60 days of intervention, whereas butyrate and acetic acid levels remained unchanged in the faecal samples. Conclusion In summary, these findings suggest that ARE has gut health promoting benefits in healthy geriatric dogs by improving haematological and biochemical profiles; the levels of L-citrulline; propionic acid; and SCFA; thus, reducing age-related changes by modulating the microbiome and the associated metabolites.

Our research on the expression and characterization of exosomal miRNAs in buffalo milk, particularly in the context of healthy, sub-clinical mastitis and pasteurized milk, is a novel contribution to the field. We are the first to investigate the expressions of miRNAs and the characterization of exosomes in boiled and pasteurized milk. This study is based on clinical signs and CMT, where twenty buffalo milk samples were divided into normal and sub-clinical mastitis and a third group of ten commercial pasteurized milk. The SCC differed significantly (p < 0.001) in all the groups before boiling. The data analysis demonstrated elevated differential expression of miR-148a and miR-186 in sub-clinical mastitis and pasteurized milk compared to normal milk before and after boiling. The positive correlation between SCC and miR-148a and miR-186 expression indicates their potential as robust biomarkers for sub-clinical mastitis in buffaloes. The miR-148a and miR-186, known to play roles in various diseases like cancer, can withstand commercial pasteurization and boiling, raising the intriguing possibility of transferring through milk exosomes. This finding underscores the need for clean milk production and the importance of understanding the mechanisms of miRNA transfer between species, which is crucial for the future of animal health and milk production. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-85690-z.

The present study aimed to assess the adulticidal and larvicidal efficacy of chloroform, methanol, and hexane extracts obtained from the Chrysanthemum roseum (leaves) and the Carica papaya (seeds) against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. The percentage of extractability for all the extracts varied between 1.5% and 25%. The hexane extract of C. roseum showed a mortality rate ranging from 6.66 ± 6.66% to 100.00 ± 0.00% at doses ranging from 0.62 to 5%. An impact on the oviposition capacity of the treated ticks, resulting in a significant reduction of 90.15 ± 6.460% in oviposition at a concentration of 2.25% was also observed. The methanol extract of C. roseum exhibited a higher concentration of anti-tick action and did not demonstrate a significant influence on the reproductive potential of the treated ticks. A mortality rate of 33.33 ± 17.63 to 93.33 ± 6.67% for treated ticks during 24 h. of treatment, was observed at concentration range of 5 to 12.5% of hexane extract of Carica papaya, Furthermore, the extract also resulted in the suppression of egg-laying (98.72 ± 1.27%) at 12.5%. Against larvae, the extract exhibited equivalent efficacy and LC50 for LIT and LPT were determined as 2.7% and 0.08%, respectively.

1. This study investigated the impact of different lairage duration on physiology, metabolism and meat quality in commercial broilers.2. A total of sixty, one-d-old Vencobb broilers were reared until 42 d of age and subjected to five lairage treatments (T0-T5), with the control with no lairage and then each timepoint increasing by 2 h.3. Head, eye and feet temperature increased progressively (P˂0.05), from 21 to 42 d. During lairage, temperature for the head, eye and feet were significantly higher in birds held until T3-T4 (P˂0.05), than at T0-T2 and T5 treatments.4. Serum total protein, creatinine, lipase and TBARS showed no variation due to lairage (p > 0.05). Glucose levels were highest at T4 (p < 0.05) than at T1-T3 or T5 and serum albumin increased only at T4 as compared to T5 (p < 0.05). Higher levels for blood triglycerides were recorded for T0, T1 and T5 (p < 0.05), than at T2-T4 and total blood antioxidants were significantly higher at T1 (p < 0.05), than at T0 and T2-T5 treatments, respectively.5. There was no significant difference for meat pH, ERV and WHC (p > 0.05), while, higher tyrosine levels (p < 0.05) were noted for birds in T5 than for the rest of the lairage treatments (T0-T4). On the same trend, TBA concentration was highest for birds in T5, as compared to T4 (p < 0.05).6. In conclusion, lairage over eight hours for commercial broilers is not recommended, as there are drastic changes in physiology, metabolism and deterioration of meat, reducing meat quality.

Organic acids have emerged as promising alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of organic acids blends v.i.z. Acidapure liquid and Acidapure powder supplementation on the growth performance, gut health, gut microbiota, and serum lipid profile of broiler chickens. A total of 120-day-old chicks with similar live body weights were randomly divided into four groups. Each group was further divided into 3 replicates, and each further divided into three replicates of ten bird. The birds in Group 1 (T1) were fed a basal diet supplemented with plain drinking water, those in Group 2 (T2) received basal feed supplemented with Acidapure powder (1 kg/MT feed) and plain drinking water, those in Group 3 (T3) received basal feed supplemented with Acidapure liquid in the drinking water (0.2 ml/l water), and those in Group 4 (T4) received basal feed supplemented with Acidapure powder (1 kg/MT feed) and Acidapure liquid in the drinking water (0.2 ml/l water). Acidapure powder and Acidapure liquid were added to the feed and water of the broilers from 0–42 days of life. The results showed that compared with the control (T1), supplementation with Acidapure powder and liquid in broiler chickens for 42 days increased (P < 0.05) ABW and ADG and reduced FCR in the treatment groups (T2, T3 and T4). At d 21 and 42, all forms of Acidapure supplement increased the VH and CD in the jejunum and ileum and reduced the pH of the ileum. Compared with the control (T1), the combination of Acidapure powder and liquid (T4) increased the gene expression of the tight junction proteins Claudin-1 and Zona Occludense 1 (ZO-1). Compared with the control, Acidapure supplementation reduced the cecal coliform count and total viable count (TVC) and decreased the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In conclusion, Acidapure, as a blend of organic acids, effectively enhances the growth performance and gut health of broilers, making it a viable and safe alternative to traditional antimicrobial growth promoters.

The bone abnormalities pose great concern in heavy, rapidly growing broilers, resulting in significant economic loss, and health issues in birds. To address these problems and prevent unnecessary mineral excretion into environment, it is crucial to optimise the inclusion level of dietary calcium in broiler’s diet. The calcium utilisation by the bird is also affected by its source, particle size, bioavailability etc. Hence this study aimed to study the effect of partially replacing conventional dietary calcium source with coated calcium on growth performance, immune response, carcass traits, blood calcium and phosphorus, and mineral retention in broilers. About 416 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatments, each with eight replicates of 13 birds and fed with iso-calcium, isocaloric, and isonitrogenous diet for 42 days. The T0 (control) was a basal diet while the T1, T2, and T3, were treatment diets in which conventional calcium source (limestone) was partially replaced with coated calcium by 10, 20, and 30% respectively. The birds of T3 group showed higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain, better feed conversion ratio and higher carcass yields compared to T0, T1, and T2 diet fed birds. Further the treatment groups exhibited higher (P < 0.05) cell-mediated and humoral immune responses and immune organ weights compared to control. The tibial bone weight, length and average diameter was highest (P < 0.05) in T3. Moreover, the T3 diet fed group also showed higher (P < 0.05) calcium and phosphorus content in serum and bone and lowest content of these minerals in the excreta followed by T2, T1 and control. These findings suggest that a 30% conventional calcium source with coated calcium may be used as a high-grade mineral source for broiler chicken feed.

Stress is an external event or condition that puts pressure on a biological system. Heat stress is defined as the combination of internal and external factors acting on an animal to cause an increase in body temperature and elicit a physiological response. Heat stress is a set of conditions caused by overexposure to or overexertion at excess ambient temperature and leads to the inability of animals to dissipate enough heat to sustain homeostasis. Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and cramps are among the symptoms. For the majority of mammalian species, including ruminants, heat stress has a negative impact on physiological, reproductive, and nutritional requirements. Reproductive functions, including the male and female reproductive systems, are negatively affected by heat stress. It decreases libido and spermatogenic activity in males and negatively affects follicle development, oogenesis, oocyte maturation, fertilization, implantation, and embryo-fetal development in females. These effects lead to a decrease in the rate of reproduction and financial losses for the livestock industry. Understanding the impact of heat stress on reproductive tissues will aid in the development of strategies for preventing heat stress and improving reproductive functions. Modification of the microenvironment, nutritional control, genetic development of heat-tolerant breeds, hormonal treatment, estrous synchronization, timed artificial insemination, and embryo transfer are among the strategies used to reduce the detrimental effects of heat stress on reproduction. These strategies may also increase the likelihood of establishing pregnancy in farm animals.

The study aims to encapsulate Pangas (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) by-product oil with maltodextrin and whey protein isolate to develop high-value encapsulated pangas oil powdered materials. Three experiments were designed to encapsulate Pangas waste body oil using maltodextrin (T1), whey protein isolate (T2), and a combination of maltodextrin-whey protein isolate (T3) at 20% w/v of oil-in-water emulsion in a 3:1 coating material to oil ratio. Further, the best composition of coating material and machine parameters were optimized. The encapsulation efficiency (70.13%), surface morphology, fatty acid profile with oxidative stability, and sensory attributes were found best for whey protein isolate coated oil encapsulates processed at 140 °C in a spray dryer. The surface morphology of Pangas oil encapsulates represented higher smoothness with a higher concentration of whey protein isolate and the least surface oil with an increase in spray drying temperature. The study results show that whey protein isolate (T2) coated oil encapsulates showed higher PUFA (38.43%) than maltodextrin (4.84%). Thus, the study recommends 20% whey protein isolate coated Pangas oil encapsulated in spray dried at 140 °C as a high-value fatty acid nutraceutical powder.

Background & objectives Q fever is an important zoonotic disease affecting humans as well as animals. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of Q fever in individuals with acute febrile illness, particularly those in close contact with animals. Various diagnostic methods were also evaluated in addition to clinical examination analysis and associated risk factors. Methods Individuals presenting with acute febrile illness who had animal exposure were enrolled (n=92) in this study. Serum samples were tested using IgG and IgM phase 2 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The PCR targeting the com1 and IS1111 genes was performed on blood samples. PCR amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Demographic data, symptoms, and risk factors were collected through a structured questionnaire. Results Among individuals with acute febrile illness, 34.7 per cent (32 out of 92) were found to be infected with Coxiella burnetii. PCR exhibited the highest sensitivity among the diagnostic methods employed. The most common clinical manifestations included headache, chills, arthralgia, and fatigue. Individuals engaged in daily livestock-rearing activities were found to be at an increased risk of infection. Interpretation & conclusions Q fever is underdiagnosed due to its varied clinical presentations, diagnostic complexities, and lack of awareness. This study underscores the importance of regular screening for Q fever in individuals with acute febrile illness, particularly those with animal exposure. Early diagnosis and increased awareness among healthcare professionals are essential for the timely management and prevention of chronic complications associated with Q fever.

Background Hepatozoonosis has been reported in many species around the world. Few incidences have been reported in various species of wild felids. Tigers are endangered large cats and are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 under Schedule I. The study was carried out to estimate the positivity rate of hepatozoonosis in tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. Methods Blood (n = 21) or tissue samples (n = 5) were collected from 26 wild captured / zoo-born or dead tigers during the quarantine period/post-mortem examination. Blood smear examination along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) studies were conducted for the detection of hepatozoonosis. All the amplicons from the positive samples were purified and sequenced, and the sequences were subjected to nBLAST analysis to detect the species of Hepatozoon. The sequences were deposited into public domain database of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and accession numbers were allotted. A phylogenetic study was undertaken to understand the evolutionary lineage of the pathogen. Tissue distribution studies were carried out on tissue samples received during post mortem. A clinical case in a tiger cub was managed and sub-clinical cases were monitored for relapse. Age-wise, sex-wise, region-wise and captive time-wise positivity rate was estimated. The data was analyzed using statistical tools. Results A total of 12 tigers were found positive for H. felis during the screening. A clinical case was diagnosed and successfully treated. The age group of 0–3 years reported a positivity rate of 66.66%, and all the cases found positive were reported between the age group of 0–7 years. Males reported a positivity rate of 58.33 per cent, while females reported 35.71%. Taboba and Andhari Tiger Reserve of the state had a positivity rate of 52.94 per cent. However, the statistical analysis for blood parameters and positivity rate by ‘t’ test and Chi-squared test were found to be non-significant. Conclusions An overall positivity rate of 46.15% indicates the wide distribution of hepatozoonosis among wild tigers of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, which is strategically important considering the gene flow and migration of tigers. Hepatozoonosis can progress to clinical outcomes in young animals and require veterinary intervention. Molecular tools and phylogenetic studies can supplement important data on circulating species of Hepatozoon in the field. Further studies on the clinical management and epidemiology of the infection in wild felids will comprehend the cause of wildlife conservation.

Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of traditional medicine that provides treatments for a wide range of acute and chronic health problems. It is a common myth amongst people that Ayurvedic drugs have no side effects, whereas the fact is that these drugs can cause adverse effects. Despite their wide use, the safety data of many Ayurvedic formulations are still unavailable. Tapyadi loha is an Ayurvedic formulation traditionally claimed for iron deficiency anemia in pregnant and non-pregnant patients. However, no scientific study has been conducted to evaluate its oral toxicity. Hence, the present study evaluated the acute and subacute oral toxicity of the Tapyadi loha according to the OECD test guidelines 425 and 407, respectively. Tapyadi loha did not cause mortality nor any signs of toxicity when given once orally at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Subacute toxicity study showed no mortality as well as no behavioral, hematological, biochemical and histopathological abnormalities in rats treated with Tapyadi loha formulation at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 28 days. It is concluded that the Tapyadi loha is safe at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg and 28 days repeated dose of 1000 mg/kg by oral route in rats.

The present study aimed to identify the DNA polymorphisms within prolactin gene regions of Gaolao cattle and to investigate their relation with milk production traits. The genomic DNA was isolated from 245 unrelated animals of Gaolao cows, and test-day milk traits data were recorded. PCRRFLP, PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing methods for mutation confirmation were used to study polymorphism within the prolactin gene. The PCR-RFLP genotyping at the exon-3 region of the prolactin gene revealed polymorphism and found an association of the PRLG1-RsaI ‘AA’ genotype with milk yield (5.05±0.14*) in Gaolao cattle. The exon-4, intron-3,4, Exon-5, 5'flanking, and exon-1 regions of prolactin revealed SSCP polymorphisms and SNPs. The results of the study indicate the existence of a substantial amount of genetic variation within the above-studied regions of the prolactin candidate gene. The identified association at PRLG1-RsaI genotype with milk yield will aid in future geneassisted selection and improvement strategies in Gaolao indigenous cattle.