Myostatin (MSTN), a transforming growth factors β (TGF-β) family member, is an important regulator of muscle mass. While polymorphism in the coding region of MSTN is extensively studied, the genetic causes of transcriptional regulation are poorly understood. This study is targeted to identify variations in the promoter region of MSTN. This study revealed that the promoter region of the growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8) is highly polymorphic and the identified nucleotide variations were attributed to transition mutations in sequence. Out of three genotypes observed, the frequency of AA was significantly higher (0.63) followed by the frequencies of AB (0.28) and BB (0.09). Genotype BB had a significant effect on body weight at hatching implicating the role of the identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the chicks muscle development.

1. Escherichia coli is one of the most common facultative anaerobic species present in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and human beings. Usually they occur as commensals, but some serotypes can cause significant illnesses in humans as well as mammals and birds. 2. The occurrence of E. coli in different categories of table eggs collected from markets was evaluated. Isolates were analysed for the presence of virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and efficacy of peracetic acid and chlorine for the purpose of decontaminating table eggs. 3. Significant differences were observed in the occurrence of E. coli between different groups viz. processed (cleaned, washed, sanitised and packed eggs), unprocessed (un-cleaned, un-sanitised and loose eggs) and free range (eggs obtained from backyard poultry) table eggs. Overall, E. coli occurred in table eggs at 28.6% with 22.9, 29.2 and 50.0% occurrence in processed, unprocessed and free-range table eggs, respectively. 4. A total of 24 isolates of E. coli were obtained and screened for virulence genes viz. STH, SLT1/2 and INVE genes. Of the 24 isolates recovered, 10 typeable isolates belonged to O141, O119, O9, O120 and O101 serotypes, while the remaining 14 were untypeable. Antibiograms of the isolates showed multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) index in the range of 0.13-0.40. 5. Peracetic acid (PAA) and chlorine (CL) were studied for their sanitisation efficacy; concentrations of 100 mg/kg of PAA and 200 mg/kg of CL completely inactivated E. coli over the egg surface and also resulted in 2.58 and 2.38 log reduction in total viable counts (TVC), respectively. 6. The presence of virulence-associated shiga-like toxin (SLT1/2) and invasion E (INVE) genes and antimicrobial resistance among the emerging serotypes of pathogenic E. coli isolated from table eggs has public health implications. It underscores the need to implement better management practices across the production systems and marketing channels to produce E. coli-free wholesome eggs for consumers.

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India is the highest milk producing country in the world. The milk production in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts had also increased in the last few years. In a view to assess the increase in milk production, a study on milk production trends was undertaken at Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts. A total of 120 dairy farmers were randomly selected and data were collected using an interview schedule. The secondary data were obtained from Kolar Milk Union Limited. The compound growth of volume of milk procurement during 1998-99 to 2011-12 is 4 per cent and seasonality in milk procurement was highest in the months of October and November and lowest in April and March. Suitable extension strategies should be developed in order to curb the fluctuation in milk production, this fluctuation may be due to unavailability of feed and green fodder, so suitable strategies should be taken to encourage conservation of fodder and to make it available throughout the year.