NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
March, 1958]
O.
N. SINGH 23
Estimates of heritability
Statistical analysis of data on the first calving interval was carried out to esti
mate the heritability of the character (Table III). Intra-sire regression of daughter
on dam, and daughter-dam correlation methods were used to estimate the heritability
co-efficient after correcting the data for year effect, and values obtained were—0.180
± 0.145 and —0.164 ± 0.132 respectively. The zero heritability estimate for the
first calving interval points out that variation in this character of the herd is non-
genetic, and the length of calving interval may not be shortened by practicing selec
tive breeding in the herd. The result obtained in this study is in agreement with
those of Johnsson and Hansson [1941], and Brown et al., [1954]. But, Stonaker
[1953] reported the heritability estimate of calving interval for the Red Sindhi and
its crosses with Jersey 88 per cent.
TABLE III
Co-variance analysis of the first calving interval for dam (X) and daughter (Y)
Total
Between sires
Within sires
D.F.
58
9
49
Σx 2
458663.9390
98854.7180
359809.2210
Σxy
—75332.9319
—42913.7423
—32419.1896
Σy 2
501411.0413
65044.7622
436366.2791
M.S.
7227.1958
8905.4343
Estimates of repeatability
Repeatability of calving interval was determined on the 582 first three calving
interval records of the 194 Tharparkar cows. Estimate was made on the uncorrected
data and also on the corrected data for the effect of years and sequences of calving.
The analysis of variance is shown in Tables IV and V.
TABLE IV
Analysis of variance of length of calving intervals (uncorrected data)
Sources of variation
Total
Between cows
Between calving intervals
Error
D.F.
581
193
2
386
S.S.
6465843.8
3021229.8
230442.2
3214171.8
M.S.
15654.04
115221.03
8326.87
TABLE V
Analysis of variance of length of calving intervals (corrected data)
Sources of variation
Total
Between cows
Between calving intervals
Error
D.F.
581
193
2
386
S.S.
5840106.8
3037944.8
994.0
2801168.0
M.S.
15740.6
497.0
7256.9
24
CALVING INTERVAL IN THARPARKAR CATTLE
[Vol. XXVIII, Part I,
Repeatability of calving intervals can be calculated as the ratio of variance
between cows to the total variance and was found in this study to be 0.226 ± 0.047
and 0.282 ± 0.046 for the uncorrected and corrected records of calving intervals
respectively. The estimated repeatability for corrected data is higher than that
for uncorrected data, which is an indicative of possibly not any considerable error
in sampling the data for the study of environmental effect on calving intervals.
The estimate of repeatability includes all differences due to permanent differences
between cows and, therefore, measures the accuracy of the prediction of future
performance from the past of the character under study of the same herd of cows.
As some of the permanent differences between cows may not be transmissible,
repeatability will probably be greater than heritability. The higher value obtained
for repeatability than heritability in the present study agrees with this hypothesis.
SUMMARY
The effect of some environmental factors on the first three calving intervals of
Tharparkar cattle at the Government Cattle Farm, Patna was studied. Years and
calving sequences were found to have significant effect.
The heritability of calving interval was estimated to be practically zero —0.180
± 0.145 and —0.164 ± 0.132 by intra-sire daughter-dam regression and correlation
methods.
The repeatability of the first three calving intervals was estimated to be 0.226
± 0.047 when data was not corrected, and 0.282 ± 0.046 when it was corrected for
the effect of year and calving sequences.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author is grateful to Shri V. R. Rajagopalan, Director, Livestock Research
Station, Bihar, Patna, for his help and encouragement during the course of this
study.
REFERENCES
Baker, A. L. and Quesenberry, J. R. (1944). J. Anim. Sci. 3 : 78
Brown, L. O. R., Durham, M., Cobb, E. and Knox, J. H.(1954). J. Anim. Sci. 13 : 511
Johansson, I., and Hansson, A. (1941). Kungal Lanthbruksa-Kademiens Tidskrift (In English), cited
by O. P. Agarwal (1955). Indian J. Dairy Sci. 8 : 89
Lasley, J. J. and Bogart (1943). Mo. Res. Bul. 376
Sanders, H. G. (1927a). J. agric. Sci. (England). 17 : 339 (1927b) J. Agric. Sci. (England) 17 :
502
Snedecor, G. W. (1946). Statistical Methods., 4th Edition,. The Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa
Stonaker, H. H. (1953). J. Dairy Sci. 38 : 688
STUDIES ON FISH OF BAY OF BENGAL
I-AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF FLESH OF BOMBAY DAK, RIBBON
AND SHARK
By A. N. BOSE, S. K. DAS GUPTA and B. N. SRIMANI, Jadavpur University,
Calcutta
[ Received for publication on July 8, 1957
Accepted for publication on September 13,
1957]
T RAWLERS of West Bengal Government, operating in Bay of Bengal, catch
a large quantity of Bombay Dak (Harpodon nehereus), Ribbon (Trichiurius
Spp.) and Shark (Carcharinus gangeticus), which have very little value in wet-fish
market. From Shark, only the liver is utilised for the extraction of liver oil and other
parts of the body are mainly converted into manure. Sun-dried Bombay Dak has a
limited market in South-East Asia. However, these fishes may provide valuable
protein food in the fish meal or other products. The investigation reported here
was taken up with a view to finding out the amino-acid composition of the flesh from
these fishes.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Lots of fish used in this investigation were obtained from trawlers where they
were kept in ice for 3 to 7 days. In the laboratory, samples were kept in a
freezer at —10°C till used.
Preparation of samples. Fish from freezer was thawed and carefully skinned.
The flesh was cut out in small pieces and dried on boiling water bath. The dried
flesh was crushed and freed from fat by extracting with ether.
0.1 gm. of dried and defatted material was taken in a neutral hard glass long
tube sealed at one end ; 10 ml. of 6N HCl was added and the tube was sealed.
The sealed tube with the contents was heated for 18 hours with 15 p.s.i.g. steam.
The hydrolysate was filtered through a sintered glass disc. HCl was removed by
repeated evaporation under vacuum. Finally hydrolysate was made up to volume
with 10 per cent isopropyl alcohol in 0.1N HCl.
Estimation of amino acids. For the isolation of amino acids for subsequent
estimation two dimensional chromatographic methods of Subramanian and Rao
[1955] was followed. 10µl of the above mentioned hydrolysate solution was
spotted on Whatman No. 1 filter paper which was buffered by dipping in 0.2M KCl-
HCl buffer at pH 1 and drying at room temperature. Essential details of the
procedure were as follows : Irrigating solvents used were (i) phenol treated with
0.2M KCl-HCl buffer (pH 1) and (ii) butanol-acetic acid-water (4 : 1 : 1). Descending
development was employed and periods for run were 30 hours with the first solvent
and 24 hours with the second solvent.
After development, the paper was air dried and sprayed with 0.5 per cent ninhydrin
solution and heated in the electrically heated air oven for a period of 30 minutes at
75°C. The amino-acids were estimated by the method of Giri et al. [1952]. The
coloured spots, after identification, were cut out and extracted with 4 ml. of 75
25
138 AR/57
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26
FISH
OF
BAY
OF
BENGAL
[Vol. XXVIII, Part 1,
per cent ethyl alcohol containing 0.2 mg. of CuSO 4 5H 2 O. The colour intensity of
the extracts was measured with a Klett-Summerson Photo-electric Colorimeter
using 550 mµ filter. Evaluation of the amounts was made from standard curves
obtained for individual amino acids using the identical methods for chromatographic
separation and elution.
For determination of leucine, isoleucine, histidine, methionine and cystine the same
procedure was followed with the exception that an unbuffered paper was used for the
chromatogram.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Average values of amino-acid estimations of five samples of each variety of fish
are given on Table 1.
TABLE I
Amino acid content in gm. of N 2 per 100 gm. of fat-free dried tissue
Aspartic acid
Glutamic acid
Serine
Glycine
Threonine
Alanine
Lysine, HCl
Arginine, HCl
Valine
Ph-alanine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Methionine sulphoxide
Histidine
Cystine
Bombay Dak
1.24
1.20
0.51
0.69
0.38
0.60
2.10
1.11
0.53
0.34
0.87
0.58
..
P
P
Ribbon
0.96
1.28
0.74
0.60
1.15
0.47
1.86
0.43
0.60
0.56
0.87
0.61
0.45
P
P
Shark
0.82
1.00
0.39
1.00
0.29
0.43
2.05
0.94
0.65
0.43
1.26
0.74
0.55
P
P
As tryptophane was destroyed during acid hydrolysis no figures for tryptophane
are given.
It will be observed that the muscle tissues of the three varieties of fish investi-
gated contain all the essential amino acids, except methionine which is absent in
the flesh of Bombay Dak. Hence, these varieties of fish may supply good protein
provided they are otherwise edible.
SUMMARY
Amino acid compositions of the muscle tissues of three varieties of fish, i.e. Shark,
Ribbon and Bombay Dak, from Bay of Bengal, are reported. All of them are
found to be good sources of essential amino acids except methionine which is absent
in Bombay Dak muscle.
ACKNKOWLEDGMENT
Authors are thankful to Indian Council of Agricultural Research for financing a
scheme of which this investigation forms a part.
REFERENCES
Subramanian and Rao, (1955). J. Sci. Ind. Res. 14C, 56
Giri, Radhakrishnan and Baidynathan, (1952). Anal. Chem. 24, 1677
ABSTRACTS
A comparison of regular intradermic johnin and a purified protein derivative of intra-
dermic johnin on artificially and naturally sensitised ruminants. LARSEN, A.B.,
BAISDEN, L. A. and MERKAL, R.S. (1955). (16)58 : 35-37
T HE authors have compared the potency and specificity of a purified protein
derivative (PPD) of Johnin, prepared by trichloracetic acid precipitation of
Johne's bacilli culture filtrate, with the synthetic medium johnin made by Dorset
and Henley's procedure for tuberculin production. The comparative tests were
carried out on artificially sensitised goats and cattle and on 1,134 cattle from Johne's
Disease positive herds, by injecting both the products simultaneously on the opposite
sides of the neck. In the artificially sensitised animals the PPD johnin was found
superior in specificity to the regular johnin. In the tests on Johne's Disease positive
herds 1,039 animals gave negative reactions to both the johnins. Out of the remain-
ing 95 animals, 94 were positive to PPD johnin, whereas, the regular product showed
78 positive reactors, 6 suspicious and 11 negative. One animal which was
negative to PPD johnin was positive to the regular johnin. It was also noticed that
' reaction size ' of positive reactors was 1½ times larger with PPD johnin than with
the regular product.
According to the authors the PPD johnin, at the strength used, appeared to be
more specific and potent than the regular johnin. (N.P.B.)
Effect of a naturally occurring outbreak of Newcastle disease on egg quality and
production. J. P. QUINN, A. W. BRANT and C.H. THOMPSON. 1956. J. Poult. Sci.
35 (1)
T HE authors observations made during an outbreak of Newcastle disease
which occurred at Beltsville (U.S.A.) in April 1949 in a flock of early hatched
White Leghorn pullets. These pullets were found positive to serum neutralization
test in October of the same year. Another lot of later hatched unaffected White
Leghorn pullets of similar heredity, kept 600 to 700 yards away from the affected
lot and found negative to the S. M. test, were used as the control group.
Egg-quality studies revealed that the percentage thick white which was similar
in the eggs of the 2 groups of pullets prior to the outbreak, increased signi-
ficantly in the N. D. recovered group. Further when the eggs were stored at 100°F
for 14 days the decrease in the percentage of thick white was about 5 times more in
the N.D. recovered group than in the controls. The quality of eggs, as indicated by
candling score and albumen score, was significantly lower in the recovered group as
compared to the controls.
27
138 AR/57
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28
ABSTRACTS
[Vol. XXVIII, Part I,
The affected lot of pullets, after recovery, laid eggs of smaller size than the unaffected
ones, the difference being significant. The former, however, had better shell quality,
as indicated by lesser loss in weight on incubation. Egg production in 149 affected
pullets came down from 66.9 per cent to zero during the outbreak, but within about
3 weeks afterwards it went up to 51.6 per cent. The 62 pullets in the control group
maintained the egg production at 70 per cent level throughout the period. Mortality
in the recovered birds was 6 to 7 times more than in the control group during 16
weeks after the outbreak. (H. P. T.)
The relationship between fertility and the number of spermatozoa inseminated.
R. W. BRATTON, R. H. FOOTE and C. R. HENDERSON. (1954). J. Dairy Sci., 37(II)
T HE fertility of semen was previously compared to its different rates of dilution
without regard to the variations in the number or the per cent of motile
spermatozoa in the sample. There had been reports previously in which fertility was
measured by the number of total, rather than the number of motile spermatozoa
inseminated.
The present experiment had been designed to estimate the relationship between
fertility and the number of spermatozoa inseminated. Seventy-six semen samples
from 20 Holstein and 16 Guernsey bulls were used. These samples were divided into
three portions and extended to either 5 × 10 6 , 10 × 10 6 , or 15 × 10 6 motile spermatozoa
per milliliter of extended semen. The extender was composed of equal parts of a
2.9 per cent sodium citrate dihydrate buffer containing 0.6 per cent sulfanilamide
and fresh egg-yolk. Each milliliter of final extender contained 500 units each
of penicillin and streptomycin. Three groups of approximately 4,100 first service
dairy cows each were inseminated with three different concentrations of motile
spermatozoa, estimated to be 14.3 × 10 6 , 9.5 × 10 6 , and 4.7 × 10 6 , the 60 to 90 day per
cent non-returns were 70.5, 70.9, and 66.7 respectively. It has been concluded that
bovine semen may be extended to approximately 10 × 10 6 motile spermatozoa per
milliliter of extended semen with the expectation of fertility levels. (G.N.M.)
Metabolic responses of bovine spermatozoa to antibacterial agents. CECIL BRENTON
and W. B. PRATHER (1954). J. Dairy Sci., 37(3). 228-234
T wo experiments were conducted using ten ejaculates each of a specific standard.
Samples were diluted with EYC in the ratio of 1:4. In one of the experiments
sulphanilamide (300 mg./100 ml.), penicillin and streptomycin (500 units ml. each)
were added to the diluents either singly or all combined together in one. In the
second experiment combinations of streptomycin and penicillin alone were used in
addition to the above. The samples were gradually cooled down to 4.5°C and stored
at that temperature for 10 days. Examination for the livability of spermatozoa
and their metabolic activity was made after 4 and 10 days of storage. It was observed
that the addition of sulphanilamide either singly or in combination depressed the
30
ABSTRACTS
[Vol. XXVIII, Part I
The progeny testing of dairy bulls at different levels of production. I. L. MASON and
ALAM ROBERTSON Agric. Sci. (1956). 47(4.) ; 357-75
T he authors have examined data pertaining to the Red Danish breed of cows
bred through artificial insemination with a view to eliciting information as to the
interplay of production level and heredity as it affected the evaluation of breeding
work of A. I. bulls. First complete annual records pertaining to 13,000 cows in
1,500 herds between 1946 and 1951 constituted the material for study. The herds
were divided into three equal groups on the basis of their average production (345,
392, 439 in 10 kg. units respectively). The variance of yield within herds increased
as the average yield increased, but the coefficient of variation declined slightly
(21.6, 20.2, and 19.0 per cent respectively). The heritablility for milk yield was
estimated from the variance between progeny groups of the same 152 bulls at each
production level and from the variance within herds. The heritability had values
of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.22 respectively as estimated from low, medium and high level
herds. The genetic variance was thus seen to be more than five times as large in the
high-yielding herds as that in the low-yielding herd.
The true ranking of bulls of breeding value was apparently the same at all levels
as evidenced by the indication of absence of interaction between sires and production
levels. Estimates of genetic correlation between performances at different levels
turned out to be extremely high. The heritability of fat content in the three types
of herds was 0.27, 0.47 and 0.49 respectively. Again no evidence of interaction
between bulls and herds was detected. These results would appear to suggest that
for choosing bulls for artificial insemination a test based on the performance of their
daughters in high-yielding herds is the best.
The study also confirmed that the contemporary comparison method of assessing
A. I. bulls for yield had the accuracy expected in theory.
REVIEW
VETERINARY TOXICOLOGY (FORMERLY RANDER'S VETERINARY
TOXICOLOGY).
By R. J. GARNER, Bailliere Tindall & Co. Ltd., Price Rs. 35, pages 415
Veterinary Toxicology has been introduced by the publishers to succeed the
well known Lander's Veterinary Toxicology, the third edition of which had appeared
in 1945. In this first edition of the new book the contents have been completely
revised and the text has been largely rewritten. It contains much new material
which has accumulated in recent years, especially through the introduction of a
large variety of organic compounds used as herbicides, insecticides, molluscicides
and rodenticides. There are also special chapters dealing with radio-active materials
and toxicological analysis.
For drugs the nomenclature adopted in the British Veterinary Code has been
used. The poisonous plants have been arranged according to Engel and Diels,
but botanical descriptions have been omitted. All sections of the various chapters
are followed by alphabetically arranged lists of references to the literature cited in
the text, mainly pertaining to observations made in recent years. There is a fairly
exhaustive subject index, in which the principal page references are marked in
bold type.
In this book the subject of veterinary toxicology has been treated more as an
independent subject than as a mere appendage of veterinary pharmacology. The
students, the teachers, and those engaged in veterinary practice and research, es-
pecially in the United Kingdom, should find it very valuable. Those in India will
naturally have to supplement some materials from literature published locally
especially on poisonous plants.
The author has given us a very informative book on the subject in a handy
volume, and the publishers have maintained their reputation for careful printing
and excellent get-up. (R.N.M.)
LIVESTOCK IMPROVEMENT IN RELATION TO HERIDITY
AND ENVIRONMENT
By J. E. NICHOLS, fourth edition 1957 ; Oliver and Boy 1 : Edinburgh & London,
pp. 240 ; Price 16 sh.
This well known book has been used ever since it was first published for study
and reference by people interested in livestock improvement, whether as a student,
research worker or a livestock raiser. The fact that a fourth edition of this book
has been called for indicates that it has been in great demand. It treats the subject
of livestock improvement with considerable clarity of expression and thought.
31
138 AR/57
8
32
REVIEW
[Vol. XXVIII, Part I
While formal genetic aspects have been considered in great detail, special stress
has been placed on environmental complex as affecting livestock improvement.
The publication is therefore somewhat different from the usual type of books dealing
with livestock improvement based only on genetic consideration in that ecological
factors have also been prominently discussed. The chapter on type and environment
in this connection is particularly to be commended. The book contains 16 chapters
dealing with general aspects, the mode of inheritance, genetic inter-actions, out-
breeding, hybrid vigour, progeny testing, breed construction, and type and environ-
ment. In addition, opportunity has been taken in this edition to incorporate some
additional material to bring the book up to the level of modern thinking and research.
This additional matter has been given in a supplementary chapter although minor
amendments have been made in the text. This has been done especially as in view
of the author "the earlier editions of this book provided at least part of a reasonable
foundation on which newer information can be superimposed".
There is no doubt that the book in this edition, as in the previous ones, will
be found useful to all interested in livestock improvement, whether a research worker
in the laboratory or a field worker in an active livestock breeding programme. The
book contains a number of illustrations and printing is neat and clear. It is securely
bound and is provided with an attractive cover jacket.— C.
MGIPC—M—138 AR/57—16-6-58—1,300.
STATISTICAL STUDIES ON BREEDING DATA OF INDIAN
HERDS OF DAIRY CATTLE
I-RED SINDHI HERDS AT HOSUR AND BANGALORE
By V. N. AMBLE, K. S. KRISHNAN and J. S. SRIVASTAVA, Indian Council
of Agricultural Research, New Delhi
[ (Received for publication on January 31, 1958)
(Accepted for publication on February 4, 1958) ]
(With 1 Text-Figure.)
F OR formulating breeding programmes for improvement of dairy cattle on
scientific lines it is necessary to collect basic information such as the magni-
tude of phenotypic variation, the coefficient of heritability and that of repeatability
of important characteristics relating to milk production as well as the average rates
of mortality, infertility, abortion, sex-ratio, etc. A critical statistical examina-
tion of the data accumulated in the course of the breeding of sizeable herds under
regulated management forms a useful basis for such information and the quantita-
tive appraisal of the breeding policies followed in the past and their consequences
is of great value as a guide for the planning of future programmes. The Statistical
Wing of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has been engaged in studies
on some important herds maintained on livestock farms of the Central and the
State Governments as well as private institutions. Breeding data pertaining to
the herds of Red Sindhi and Gir cattle maintained by the National Dairy Research
Institute at their Southern Regional Station in Bangalore, the Red Sindhi and the
Kangayam herds at the Livestock Research Station at Hosur (Madras State), the
Tharparkar herd at the Government Cattle Farm, Patna (Bihar State) and the
Kankrej herd in the Agricultural Institute at Anand in Bombay State have been
analysed. It is proposed to present the salient features of these studies in a series
of papers. The present paper deals with the studies on the two Red Sindhi herds
at Hosur and Bangalore respectively.
The studies have been grouped in three parts. The first part gives information
pertaining to the herd strength during different periods, the practices of feeding and
management, mortality and culling, the breeding policy followed, the breeding per-
formance of the herd, the comparison between generations in respect of milking
performance and the results of progeny-testing and sire evaluation relating to the
Sindhi herd at Hosur. The second part contains similar information relating to the
Sindhi herd at Bangalore. The last part deals with such items of basic information
as estimates of repeatability and heritability of various milking characteristics
and the effects of such factors as the order of lactation, season of calving, preceding
dry period, etc. on performance.
33
1 AR/58
1