The present study was undertaken to evaluate the immunopotentiating effect of medicinal plant products such as Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Allium sativum and Azadirachta indica in commercial layer flock vaccinated against Newcastle disease and production parameters. The Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre values in all the groups were above the protective level throughout the study period. Similar results were obtained in ELISA. The cell mediated immune response was assessed by Leukocyte Migration Inhibition Test (LMIT) and there was a significant mean per cent inhibition in treatment groups. There was no change in egg production, egg shell thickness, albumen index, Haugh unit and yolk index between treatment and control groups. In conclusion, W. Somnifera (Ashwagandha, Amukkara kizhangu), (1%), T. Cordifolia (Guduchi, Seendhil kodi), (1%), Azadirachta indica (Neem, Veembu) (0.2%) and A. Sativum (Garlic, Poondu), (0.3%) can be used as an immunostimulant in poultry against Newcastle disease vaccination without affecting the egg production and egg qualities.

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Background: The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Musa acuminate flower floret (MAFF) extract/chopped in goats with moderate rumen lactacidosis. Methods: Goats affected with moderate rumen lactacidosis (MRLA) were divided into three groups. TC (Control): Eight goats with moderate rumen lactacidosis were administered with magnesium oxide (@ 1g/kg PO) through stomach tube, T1: Twenty four goats with MRLA were administered with aqueous extract of MAFF (either @ 1 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg or 4 ml/kg - PO) and T2: Twenty four goats with MRLA were administered with chopped MAFF (either @1 g/kg, 2 g/kg or 4 g/kg - PO) continuously for 5 days. Proximate, mineral and phytochemical compositions of MAFF were assessed by using standard protocol. Rumen fluid examination, consisting of pH, total protozoal count and bacterial count was assessed in addition to haematology and serum biochemical examination before and after administration of MAFF. Result: Goats with MRLA treated using chopped MAFF orally @ 4 gm/kg body weight or crude extract of the MAFF orally @ 2 ml/kg, 4 ml/kg body weight continuously for 5 days had restoration of (P less than 0.05) packed cell volume, increase in haemoglobin level, total protozoal count, gram negative bacterial count and rumen fluid pH and in serum PCO2 level (P less than 0.05) to the levels comparable to healthy animals.

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There are only a few numbers of published reports available on oxidative stress parameters in hypothyroidism and many of which are in the field of human medicine. Studies on hypothyroidism in dogs lack an assessment of oxidative stress and some are vague and inconclusive. So, the current study was formulated primarily to address variations in chief antioxidant parameters in dogs with hypothyroidism, non-thyroid illness and euthyroidism. Secondly, magnitude of oxidative stress was measured in hypothyroid dogs prior to and during the course of levothyroxine therapy, which were compared statistically. Evaluation of thyroid profile (TT4, fT4 and cTSH) was carried out prior to the assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers such as, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase. A total of 45 dogs were employed in the study, that includes 19 dogs with hypothyroidism, 11 dogs with non-thyroid illness and 15 dogs with euthyroidism. These dogs were brought either to the dermatological unit or the immunization unit. Dogs were divided into three groups: group 1 represented hypothyroidism (low fT4 or low TT4 and high cTSH); group 2 represented non-thyroid disease (low or normal TT4 and low cTSH i.e., inconclusive levels of thyroid hormones); and group 3 represented dogs with normal thyroid levels (euthyroid dogs). Descriptive statistics and normality plots were carried out using SPSS software version 21. Assuming that the variances were unequal, P values were calculated and compared by one-way ANOVA, post hoc multiple comparison analysis using the Games-Howell test. The mean thyroid hormone levels of hypothyroid dogs before (Day 0) and after (Day 60) treatment was significantly different (P<0.05). Hypothyroid dogs (group 1) displayed significantly lower mean fT4 levels (0.56±0.07) and higher mean cTSH levels (8.14±1.17) when compared to other groups. The mean values of serum biochemical parameters showed significant differences among groups (P<0.01). Various biomarkers showed a significant alteration viz., there was a significant reduction in catalase, SOD, GSH and increase in MDA in hypothyroid dogs when compared with euthyroid dogs. However, following therapy for 60 days, catalase, SOD and GSH levels elevated and MDA level reduced significantly and reached nearly to that of euthyroid dogs. Further, there was no significant difference between NTI and euthyroid dogs which demonstrated the antioxidant defence against oxidative stress in hypothyroid dogs. As an outcome, antioxidant measures and serum biochemical tests can be employed as a diagnostic tool to rule out oxidative stress in hypothyroid dogs.