NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
322
SEMEN QUALITIES OF BUFFALO-BULLS [ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
between years. It will be seen that although the animals during the first year
of the experiment took less time to give an ejaculate in the artificial vagina, the
quality of semen as judged by volume, initial motility and total number of sperma-
tozoa was superior to the quality obtained in the first year. There was however,
significant increase in the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa in the second year of
the experiment.
Table IV shows critical difference, at 5 per cent level, of variable factors between
seasons. It may be seen from the Table that the average reaction time in autumn
was significantly lower than in spring. Average reaction time in winter was signi-
ficantly lower than in summer and spring. The semen quality, as judged by initial
motility and sperm concentration deteriorated in winter and autumn and improved
in spring and summer. The total number of spermatozoa increased significantly
in summer. The percentage of abnormal spermatozoa decreased significantly in
spring, and between the remaining three seasons, variations were not significant.
In summer, more of the tailless and in winter more of the coiled and bent-tail
spermatozoa were found in the ejaculates. In autumn all the three types of abnor-
malities were present.
In climatic variations, it is apparent from the Table, that there were significant
variations in air temperature between seasons but the relative humidity varied only
between spring and the rest of the three seasons.
DISCUSSION
Reaction time
Analysis of data showed that there was significant variation in reaction time.
Seasonal variation in reaction time has not been observed in bulls by Mukherjee
and Bhattacharya [1952] and in sheep by Shukla and Bhattacharya [1952, a].
The latter authors, however, observed seasonal variations in this respect in goats.
They found that in summer the average reaction time of goats was significantly
lower than in other seasons. In the present study, significantly lower reaction
time was obtained in autumn.
The purpose of undertaking study on reaction time was to determine whether
there was any correlation between the sex vigour and the quality of semen obtained.
It seems there is no such relationship. In winter and summer when the quality
of semen varied greatly, the average reaction time did not vary significantly.
Similarly, in summer and spring when there was no significant variation in reaction
time, the quality of semen as judged by initial motility, total number of sperma-
tozoa and the percentage of abnormal sperms varied significantly. This result on
the whole agrees with those obtained in bulls by Mukherjee and Bhattacharya [1952]
and in sheep and goats by Shukla and Bhattacharya [1952, a and b].
Volume of semen
No significant variation has been observed in the volume of semen. This result
agrees with the result obtained in bulls by Mukherjee and Bhattacharya [1952] but
is contrary to what have been obtained in sheep and goats by Shukla and Bhatta-
charya [1952, a and b].
324
SEMEN QUALITIES OF BUFFALO-BULLS [ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
TABLE IV
Critical difference at 5 per cent level of variable factors between seasons
Variable factors
Reaction time in seconds
Initial motiliy of spermatozoa
Sperm concentration ml. of semen
Total number of spermatozoa ejaculate
Percentage of abnormal spermatozoa
Average air temperature (OºF)
Average percentage of relative humidity
Value of
CD.
8.39
0.22
84.26
443.66
1.10
6.56
11.92
Average of seasons arranged in ascending
Autumn
42.38
Autumn
3.34
Winter
847.58
Winter
2,057.1
Spring
5.88
Winter
61.26
Spring
42.80
order
Winter
48.43
Winter
3.40
Autumn
915.59
Autumn
2,135.6
Summer
7.39
Spring
71.41
Winter
68.69
Summer
53.16
Summer
3.75
Spring
992.49
Spring
2,147.8
Autumn
7.61
Autumn
81.03
Autumn
71.37
Spring
58.93
Spring
4.15
Summer
1034.39
Summer
27,740.9
Winter
7.95
Summer
90.56
Summer
73.82
326
SEMEN QUALITIES OF BUFFALO-BULLS [Vol. XXV, Part IV,
FIG. 2. Monthly variation in sperm concentration/ml. of semen with air temperature in
buffalo-bulls and bulls
*Data for the graphs for bulls have been obtained from a previous paper published in the
Indian. J. vet. Sci. 22(2), 74.
December, 1955 ] N. S. KUSHWAHA, D. P. MUKHERJEE AND P. BHATTACHARYA 327
those obtained in sheep and goats by Shukla and Bhattacharya [1952 a and b].
In sheep and goats, total number of spermatozoa was found to be lowest in autumn
and highest in spring. In the present experiment, significantly higher total number
of spermatozoa was obtained in summer than in any other seasons.
As total number of spermatozoa was calculated from data on sperm concentra-
tion and volume of semen, and as the former was higher in summer, it may be for
this reason that significantly higher total number of spermatozoa was obtained in
summer.
Percentage of abnormal spermatozoa
It has been observed that in summer and autumn the tailless spermatozoa and
in winter the bent-tail spermatozoa were more in the ejaculates. In spring, both
types of abnormality were less. As a result there was significantly less number of
abnormal sperms in spring than in other seasons. The result obtained in this respect
on the whole agrees with the previous results on bulls, sheep and goats.
SUMMARY
Seasonal variation in reaction time and semen characteristics of six Murrah
buffalo-bulls were studied during two consecutive years.
Highly significant variations were observed among buffalo-bulls in reaction
time and in all the characteristics of semen studied.
Reaction time in autumn was found to be significantly less than in summer
and spring. Reaction time seems to be independent of semen quality.
Between years, highly significant variations were found in reaction time,
volume of semen, initial motility of spermatozoa, total number of spermatozoa
and percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. In the second year of the experiment,
the averages of variable characteristics of semen and reaction time were more than
in the first year.
Between seasons, significant variation in reaction time and highly signi-
ficant variation, in initial motility, sperm concentration, total number of sperma-
tozoa were found. The differences in volume and pH of semen were non-signi-
ficant.
Sperm concentration showed a reverse seasonal trend than that in bulls, sheep
and goats. The trend has been explained by the fact that in the buffalo the thermo-
regulatory mechanism is not so well-developed as in other species of farm animals.
Between months within a season, highly significant variations were found
in pH of semen, sperm concentration and percentage of abnormal spermatozoa.
The two atmospheric factors which were studied, viz. air temperature and
relative humidity, varied highly significantly between seasons. Variations between
years and between months within season were non-significant.
328
SEMEN QUALITIES OF BUFFALO-BULLS [Vol. XXV, Part IV,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are thankful to the Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute,
for his kind interest in the work.
REFERENCES
Bogart, R. and Mayer, D. T. (1946). Res. Bull. 402
Bhatnagar, D. S., Mukherjee, D. P. and Bhattacharya, P. (1954). (unpublished)
Erb. R. E., Andrews, F. N. and Hilton, J. H. (1942). J. Dairy Sci. 25, 815-826
Mukherjee, D. P., and Bhattacharya, P. (1952). Indian J. vet. Sci. 22(2), 73-91
Shukla, D. D. and Bhattacharya, P. (1952, a). Indian J. vet. Sci. 109-122
—(1952,
a).
Ind.
J. vet. Sci. 22(2), 179-190
STUDIES ON BLACK GRAM AS A CONCENTRATE
CATTLE FEED
By B. K. D AS, N. C. MUKHERJEE and B. SEN, Animal Nutrition Research Scheme,
Assam, Gauhati
( Received for publication on 26th March 1954 )
BLACK gram (P. radiatus) which comes under the natural order leguminosæ
(Papilionaceæ) is known as matikalai in Assam. It is a kharif crop. Its
grains are widely used in Assam both as pulse and a concentrate feed for cattle.
Matikalai grains are covered with a hard polished seed-coat. Animals do not
relish green matikalai. Moreover, a good quantity of the grains when fed green is
invariably found to come out undigested along with the faeces. This peculiar
morphological character of matikalai is probably responsible for the usual custom
in Assam to boil the grains with water so as to form a broth before it is served to
animals.
Though matikalai is universally used in Assam as a concentrate feed for cattle,
its chemical composition and nutritive value are not known and, therefore, the
quantity added to rations is simply based on assumptions.
The object of the present investigation is to find out the chemical composition
and the nutritive value of matikalai grains as a concentrate feed for cattle.
Matikalai broth
Matikalai grains are first winnowed to make them free from dust and sand.
Two pounds are then weighed into a wide-mouth tin can and about four pounds of
water is poured over it and kept overnight. Next morning another eight pounds
of water is added to it boiled for half an hour, cooled and macerated. The broth
is then ready to be served to the animals.
Matikalai as a concentrate feed
Four adult Assamese bullocks weighing about 500 lb. were exclusively fed on
paddy straw for a period of 31 days and their faeces were collected during the last
10 days. Residues left by the animals during the collection period were kept sepa-
rately and accounted for. The experimental animals were allowed to take liberal
quantities of water and one ounce of common salt mixed with it per day.
After this period, freshly prepared matikalai broth with one ounce of common
salt added to it was supplemented to the usual paddy straw feed of the experimental
animals for another 31 days and as before, faeces and urine were collected during
the last 10 days. On every day the broth was fed to the animals at a regular interval
of 24 hours and immediately before the paddy straw feed was given to them.
In this case also liberal quantities of water were offered to the animals.
329
36 AR/55
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330
STUDIES
ON
BLACK
GRAM
[ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
The chemical composition of matikalai and paddy straw feed and that of theTABLE
residues left by the animals are given below in Tables I and II.
TABLE I
The chemical composition of matikalai
Nutrients
Crude protein
Ether extract
Ash
Crude fibre
N-free extract
Total carbohydrates
Organic matter
Calcium (Ca)
Phosphorus (P)
On per cent
dry basis
23.63
1.33
4.21
5.83
65.00
70.83
95.79
0.21
0.55
TABLE II
Chemical composition of paddy straw feed and paddy straw residues
Nutrients
Crude protein
Ether extract
Ash
Crude fibre
N.free extract
Total carbohydrates
Organic matter
Calcium (Ca)
Phosphorus (P)
On per cent dry basis
Feed
4.31
1.94
20.94
32.39
40.42
72.81
79.06
0.18
0.06
Residue
4.38
1.51
22.27
30.61
41.23
71.84
77.73
0.24
0.07
December, 1955 ] B. K. DAS, N. C. MUKHERJEE AND B. SEN 331
The chemical composition of matikalai in Table I shows that it is rich in crude
protein and is much richer than that of most of the grains used as concentrate,
such as barley, cotton-seed, different varieties of gram, oats, maize, etc. [Sen
1938].
TABLE III
Digestibility coefficients of the organic nutrients of paddy straw feed
Animal
No.
1
3
4
5
1
3
4
5
1
3
4
5
1
3
4
5
1
3
4
5
1
3
4
5
Intake
(gm.)
4415
4256
4571
4425
Excreted
in
faeces
(gm.)
Amount
digested
(gm.)
Dry matter
2480
2188
2476
2488
1935
2068
2095
1937
Digestibility
coefficients
(per cent)
44
49
46
44
Crude protein
189.5
182.6
196.4
190.0
90.1
87.7
92.5
90.3
158.5
152.6
169.1
156.8
31.0
30.0
27.3
33.2
Ether extract
42.4
36.8
40.6
41.8
47.7
50.9
51.9
48.5
16
16
14
17
53
58
55
54
Crude fibre
1448.5
1399.8
1496.2
1451.5
517.3
422.1
454.6
490.1
931.2
977.7
1041.6
961.4
64
70
70
66
N-free extract
1776.1
1710.6
1840.5
1780.3
899.7
783.1
919.3
908.1
876.4
927.5
921.2
872.2
49
54
50
49
Total carbohydrates
3224.6
3110.4
3336.7
3231.8
1417.0
1205.2
1373.9
1398.2
1807.6
1905.2
1962.8
1833.6
56
61
59
57
Average
digestibility
coefficients
46
16
55
68
51
58
332
STUDIES
ON
BLACK
GRAM
[ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
The digestibility coefficients of the organic nutrients of matikalai and paddy
straw feed and the calcium, the phosphorus and the nitrogen balances per day
under matikalai feeding are shown in the following Tables.
TABLE IV
Digestibility coefficients of the organic nutrients of matikalai
Animal
No.
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
Intake
from
paddy
straw
(gm.)
Intake
from
matikalai
(gm.)
Total
intake
(gm.)
Excreted
in faeces
(gm.)
Total
amount
digested
(gm.)
Amount
digested
from
paddy
straw
(gm.)
Amount
digested
from
matikalai
(gm.)
Digesti-
bility
coeffici-
ents
(per cent)
Dry matter
5117
5289
5166
924
924
924
6041
6213
6090
3064
3207
3106
2977
3006
2984
2354
2433
2376
622
573
608
67
62
66
Crude protein
220.2
227.8
222.4
218.3
218.3
218.3
438.5
446.1
440.7
252.8
307.1
285.3
185.7
139.0
155.4
35.2
36.4
35.6
150.5
102.6
119.8
69
47
65
Ether extract
100.8
103.4
101.6
12.3
12.3
12.3
113.1
115.7
113.9
52.4
51.6
52.2
60.7
64.1
61.7
55.4
56.9
54.9
5.3
7.2
6.8
43
59
55
Crude fibre
1663.9
1716.6
1678.9
53.9
53.9
53.9
1717.8
1770.5
1732.8
539.9
554.5
553.2
1177.9
1216.0
1179.6
1131.5
1167.3
1141.7
46.4
48.7
37.9
86
90
70
N-free extract
2065.3
2136.2
2085.5
600.6
600.6
600.6
2665.9
2736.8
2686.1
1240.9
1246.2
1194.6
1425.0
1480.6
1491.5
1053.3
1089.5
1063.6
371.7
401.1
427.9
62
67
71
Total carbohydrates
3729.2
3852.8
3764.4
654.5
654.5
654.5
4383.7
4507.3
4418.9
1780.8
1800.7
1747.8
2602.9
2706.6
2671.1
2184.8
2256.8
2205.3
418.1
449.8
405.8
64
69
71
Average
digesti-
bility
65
57
52
82
67
68
From the data in Table IV above, it appears that the protein digestibility
though as high as 57 per cent, can not be considered satisfactory. The reasons for
not obtaining expected high protein digestibility are difficult to say definitely at
this stage. It may be due to the nature of protein present in matikalai or the heat
involved in the process of preparation of the broth of matikalai making some of
the protein constituents undigestible or the paddy straw used as a basal ration in
some way interfering with the physiology of digestion of the animals.
December, 1955 ] B. K. DAS, N. C. MUKHRJEE AND B. SEN 333
From the average digestibility coefficients the digestible protein and starch
equivalent [Kellner] have been calculated and are shown below along with some of
the well-known grains and seeds used as concentrate feeds in the country.
TABLE V
Digestible nutrients in matikalai as compared to some of the well-known grains and
seeds used as concentrate feeds
Name of grains and seeds
Matikalai
Barley (Punjab)
Barley (Bangalore)
Cotton-seed (Lyallpur)
Oats
Maize
Gram (Bangalore)
Gram (Pusa)
Gram (Punjab)
Digestible
100 lb. of
D.P.
(lb.)
12.49
8.07
6.65
11.24
7.07
7.40
12.90
12.03
10.76
nutrients per
the raw stuff
S. E.
(lb.)
55.77
76.4
76.1
77.0
66.1
84.0
70.7
71.3
72.2
From the Table above, it appears that matikalai is comparable to many
of the well.known grains and seeds used as concentrates in the country.
CA, P AND N BALANCES UNDER MATIKALAI FEEDING
Under the same dietetic conditions of the above digestibility trial calcium,
phosphorus and nitrogen balances per day of the experimental animals were deter-
mined and shown in Table VI.
TABLE VI
Calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen balances per day
Animal
No.
1
4
5
1
4
5
1
4
5
Intake
from
paddy
straw
(gm.)
Intake
from
matikalai
(gm.)
Total
intake
(gm.)
Excreted
in
faeces
(gm.)
Excreted
in
urine
(gm.)
Total
excreted
(gm.)
Calcium
8.98
9.40
9.10
1.94
1.94
1.94
10.92
11.34
11.04
14.41
14.28
13.83
0.23
0.35
0.20
14.64
14.63
14.03
Phosphorus
3.03
3.15
3.07
5.08
5.08
5.08
8.11
8.13
8.15
7.30
6.64
7.08
0.09
0.12
0.10
7.39
6.76
7.18
Nitrogen
35.23
36.45
35.58
34.93
34.93
34.93
70.16
71.38
70.51
40.44
49.13
45.64
19.57
17.50
19.71
60.01
66.63
65.35
Balance
(gm.)
—3.72
—3.29
—2.99
+0.72
+1.37
+0.97
+10.15
+4.75
+5.16
36 AR/55
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334
STUDIES
ON
BLACK
GRAM
[ Vol. XXV, Part IV
The negative calcium balance indicates the lack of physiological utilisation of
the mineral. The amount of total calcium intake appears to be too low to assure
positive calcium balance under paddy straw feeding as basal ration [Carbery,
Chatterjee and Talapatra, 1937].
The animal No. 3 fell ill immediately after this trial so it was omitted during
the metabolic trial with matikalai as concentrate feed.
SUMMARY
Black gram (P. radiatus) of the natural order leguminosae (Papiliomceae)
is known as matikalai in Assam. Its grains are widely used in Assam both as pulse
and a concentrate feed for cattle.
Matikalai contains on dry basis 23.63, 65.0 and 70.83 per cent of crude protein,
N-free extract and total carbohydrates respectively.
The digestibility coefficients of crude protein, N-free extract and total carbohy-
drates are 57, 67 and 68 respectively.
The digestible protein and starch equivalent [Kellner] per 100 lb. of the raw
stuff are 12.49 and 55.77 lb. respectively. The digestible nutrients compare well
to many of the well-known grains and seeds used as concentrate feed in the country.
Nitrogen and phosphorus balances per day were found positive but calcium
balance was recorded negative.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the indebtedness to Shri G. K. Mehra, Director
of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Assam, Gauhati, for his
interest in the work and valuable suggestions.
REFERENCES
Carbery, M., Chatterjee, I. B. and Talapatra, S. K. (1937). Indian J. vet. Sci. VII, (III)
Sen, K. C. (1938). The nutritive values of Indian cattle foods and the feeding of animals, I.C.A.R.
Misc. Bull. 25
STUDIES ON THE CERCARIAL FAUNA IN MADRAS
III. A NEW SPECIES OF XIPHIDIO-CERCARIA*
By C. T. PETER, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar
(Received for publication on 18th March 1955)
(With Plate IX)
T HE group Xiphidio-cercariae is an unnatural assemblage of larval trematodes
exhibiting diverse features. But, the presence of an anteriorly directed
simple, lancet-like boring spine or ' stylet ' at the proximal end of the body of the
cercaria is a feature common to all the members of this heterogenous group. Luhe
[1909] recognized four groups under the Xiphidio-cercariae, viz. (i) 'Cercariae
armatae', (ii) 'Cercariae ornatae', (iii) 'Cercariae virgulae', and (iv) 'Cercariae
microcotylae'. Subsequent workers have sub-divided them into smaller sub-groups.
During the present investigations, five species belonging to this group have been
encountered. They are enumerated below under different groups, following, in
the main, Luhe's scheme of classification :
I. 'Cercariae armatae' (body length more than 0.25 mm., bladder Y-shaped) :
(i) Cercariae indicae xvii Sewell, 1922. ('Polyadena' group of Cort, 1915
modified by Sewell, 1922)
(ii) C. indicae X Sewell, 1922. (' Daswan ' group of Sewell, 1922)
(iii) Cercariaeramanujami, n.sp. (' Conniae ' division of Brooks, 1943)
II. 'Cercariae ornatae' (tail provided with fin-fold):
(i) Cercariae indicae xxiv Sewell, 1922. (' Prima ' group of Sewell, 1922)
III. " Cercariae microcotylae " (body length less than 0.2 mm., bladder bicor-
nuate) :
(i) An unidentified species
Except Cercaria ramanujami, n.sp., and the unidentified form of the 'Cercaria
microcotylae' group, the others were previously known to occur in the city of Madras
[Rao, 1932]. Cercariae indicae xvii and x were obtained from Indoplanorbis
exustus [Deshayes], Cercaria ramanujami from Limnaea luteola f. australis
[Annandale and Rao], Cercariae indicae xxiv from L. luteola f. succinea [Deshayes]
and the unidentified species from Melanoides tuberculatus [Muller]. The percentage
of infection of the different species of Xiphidio-cercariae in their primary molluscan
hosts in Madras City is given in Appendix I.
* Part of a thesis approved by the University of Madras for the Degree of Master of Science
335
36 AR/55
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STUDIES
ON
CERCARIAL
FAUNA—III
[ Vol. XXV, Part IV,
CERCARIA RAMANUJAMI, n.sp f
(Plate IX—Fig. 1 and 2)
Out of a total of 214 specimens of Limnaea luteola f. australis [Annandale and
Rao] examined, 10 were found to discharge this cercaria. The larva is an active
swimmer, exhibiting rapid jerky movements of the tail which lashes spasmodically
as it propels the body. While swimming, the body is contracted and curved
ventralwards, presenting a concavo-convex appearance. On a substratum, the
worm crawls swiftly making good use of its suckers while the body is pulled forwards
by regular contractions and extensions. During these movements, the tail remains
contracted as it is being dragged behind the body. Depending on the extension
and contraction, the organism assumes the shape of an oval or a spindle, sometimes
even resembling a narrow ribbon. When at rest or moderately extended, the body
is flattened dorso-ventrally and somewhat elongated, with a broadly rounded anterior
end and a narrow posterior end, the greatest width of the body being just anterior
to the acetabulum. The tail is shorter than the body and is attached to the posterior
extremity of the latter, slightly ventrally. It is a narrow cylindrical structure
having a pointed distal end and when retracted presents a stumpy appearance, with
wrinkles or annulations on the cuticle. Under the cuticle is the muscular layer
enclosing a narrow tube—the caudal excretory canal—which originates from the
bladder and runs down to end blindly at the subdistal end of the tail.
On either
side of the point of attachment of the tail to the body, the body-wall extends
ventrally in the form of a fold or a lappet, resulting in the formation of two caudal
pockets or sinuses. These are armed with a number of long acicular spines directed
backwards and inwards.
Average measurements in millimeters of live and fixed specimens are as follows :
Specimen
Alive : contracted
moderately extended
extended
Formalin-fixed
Body
0.169x0.129
0255x0.114
0.301x0.076
0.176x0.100
Tail
0.085 x 0.025
0.159x0.023
0.177x0.020
0.103x0.033
The body surface is provided with a close complement of fine spines which are
directed backwards, whereas the cuticle of the tail is aspinose. Numerous refractile
globules and pyriform cystogenous cells containing granular protoplasm are found
beneath the body-cuticle. The anteriorly situated oral sucker is circular in outline
and measures 0.050 mm. across in living material and 0.044 mm. in formalin-fixed
specimens. The smaller ventral sucker is placed posterior to the centre of the body
and has a diameter of 0.032 and 0.029 mm. in living and fixed material respectively.
The stylet is inserted on the roof of the oral sucker and measures 0.036 × 0.006 mm.
it is a javelin-shaped structure, the anterior end of which is sharp and pointed while
the posterior end is truncated without any basal bulb. The shaft is slightly reinforced
at the base, and the characteristic swelling or ' shoulder ' is present at about its
PLATE IX]
[ Indian J. vet. Sci. Vol. XXV, Part IV,
FIG. 1. Cercaria ramanujami, n.sp.—Camera lucida drawing of the body of the cercaria
FIG. 2A. Cercaria ramanujami, n.sp.—Camera lucida drawing of the stylet, showing the characteristic
shoulder and the reinforced thickening at the base of the shaft.
FIG. 2B. Cercaria ramanujami, n.sp.—Camera lucida drawing of the genital system of the cercaria
showing the different reproductive cell groups.
sf—shaft
sh—shoulder
rt—reinforced thickening
u—uterus
lc—Laurer's canal
ve—vas efferens
t—testis
gp—genital pore
o—ovary
vtd—vitelline duct