Genetic diversity among four indigenous breeds of sheep namely Mengali, Balochi, Beverigh and Harnai of Balochistan was detected by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Nineteen RAPD primers were initially applied and seventeen were chosen for further analysis, based on band pattern quality, reproducibility and presence of bands. An average of 92 RAPD fragments were obtained by using 17 primers and out of the 36 fragments (39.13%) illustrated monomorphism while, 56 bands (60.87%) were polymorphic in all the four sheep breeds. The number of bands amplified in all the sheep breeds ranged from 2 to 10. The highest number of polymorphic loci 40 was observed in the Mengali breed, while the lowest 28 was in Balochi. Further, 33 and 31 polymorphic loci were seen in Beverigh and Harnai breeds, respectively. The overall gene diversity was highest in the Mengali (0.1474) while the lowest in Balochi breed (0.0998). Results of genetic similarities showed closer proximity between Balochi and Beverigh (0.992), Balochi and Harnai (0.992), and between Beverigh and Harnai (0.996). The resemblance was observed between Mengali and Balochi (0.918), between Mengali and Beverigh breeds (0.931) and between Mengali and Harnai breeds (0.925). The high level of genetic similarity between Balochi, Beverigh and Harnai sheep indicated the close relationship that might be due to common habitat. Further the present study highlighted the presence of diversity among and within breeds that can be used in the selection or crossbreeding programs of sheep. The present study suggests that RAPD-PCR can effectively be used to determine the genetic distances among the sheep breeds.

Previous studies suggest FGF10, which is expressed in the ventral hypothalamus, plays important roles in axon guidance and in vasculature guidance of the developing hypothalamus. Here, using ex vivo analyses in chick, we show that FGF10 exerts concentration dependent functions in angiogenesis and hypothalamic axon guidance. At lower concentration of 100ng/ml, FGF10 promotes angiogenesis in chorioallantoic membrane endothelial capillaries (CAMs), but FGF10 does not alter the endothelial growth significantly at higher concentration (500ng/ml, P>0.05). Simultaneously, FGF10 exerts a graded action, at lower concentration FGF10 attracts both magnocellular and parvocellular axons; but at higher concentration, FGF10 repels parvocellular TH+ (tyrosine hydroxylase) axons, and attracts magnocelluar vasopressin+ axons in the hypothalamus.

It’s worthy to get knowledge about the nutritional value of the food which is being consumed by people so far. Various forms of malnutrition are the reason of suffering for millions of the people in each corner of the world. Biscuits have got popularity in Pakistani culture. They are being baked locally and well-known brands are also its suppliers. Nutritional value of local biscuits is still unknown. The aim of the study was to analyze proximate value of local biscuits and branded biscuits, their comparison and determination of rancidity, AFB1 and aflatoxigenic fungi as they prevail in wheat products and peanuts. So, 16 local biscuits samples and 16 branded biscuit samples were selected for analysis. AOAC methods were used for proximate analysis, TLC for AFB1 detection. Proximate analysis showed local biscuits have following mean values for: protein 12.01%, ether extracts 26.625, crude fiber 1.25%, moisture 40.28%, and ash 0.52%. On the other hand, mean value of protein was observed 7.47%, ether extracts 22.26%, crude fiber 0.89%, moisture 2.66%, and ash 0.56% in the branded biscuits. Rancidity of branded biscuits was having mean value 0.39 mEq and locally baked biscuits were having 0.55 mEq but both were able to consume. So, it shows local biscuits are good source of nutrition and fit for consumption for all the ages. In local biscuit samples 87.5% had low contamination level and 12.50% samples had medium level. In contrast, no branded sample has crossed the permissible limit of AFB1 and aflatoxigenic fungi was detected in none of the sample.

The study was designed to investigate the wool production performance of Harnai sheep of Asghara valley, Sinjavi, District Ziarat. In this study data from 3524 sheep regarding their wool production was collected and analyzed. The animals included in this study were kept by 26 different sheep farmers of Asghara, Marati, Arbosi and Kharawa areas of District Ziarat.. The wool samples were collected from 165 (4.682%) male, 1438 (40.806%) female, 771 (21.879%) male young stock and 1150 (32.633%) female young stock. The average wool sheared from adult male was highest (1.90 kg), followed by adult female (1.80 kg) and male young stock (1.60 kg); while the lowest (1.55 kg) was sheared from female young stock. The overall mean yield of white and mixed wool from an adult sheep was 1.75 and 0.10 kg from young sheep was 1.58 and 0.10 kg respectively. Most of the sheared wool from sheep (70%) was marketed; while 30% was reported to be consumed locally for multiple purposes. At farmers' level, the price of one kg wool was Rs. 24/-, while the price of white and mix wool was Rs. 28.50 and 19.75 at retail level and Rs. 31.25 and 23.75/kg at wholesale level. This study concludes that wool quality and quantity may be maximized by adopting modern scientific technologies