The present study evaluates the effect of dietary zinc supplementation on reproductive and productive performance of Teressa goat, an indigenous species ofAndaman and Nicobar Islands.

Aim: In the present experiment, the haematological parameters of Vanaraja, Nicobari fowls (Black, Brown and White) and their six F crosses were evaluated. Four erythrocyte traits, six leukocyte traits and one platelet trait were assessed.1 Materials and Methods: Blood samples (1 ml) were collected from the wing vein of each adult bird using 2 ml disposable syringe and then directly transferred to labeled test tube containing anticoagulant EDTA (2 mg EDTA/ml of blood). All haematological parameters were measured using by an instrument named Cell Counter Analyzer MS9-5V (Melet Schloesing Laboratories).Results: Variations among different genetic groups and sex were found in respect to different haematological parameters studied. Red blood cell (RBC) concentration of Vanaraja female was found to be very high. White blood cell (WBC) concentration of Black Nicobari X Vanaraja female was significantly lower than all the other groups except Brown Nicobari female. Platelet count of Vanaraja X White Nicobari male was significantly higher than all the other groups except White Nicobari male, Vanaraja X Black Nicobari male, male and female of Brown Nicobari X Vanaraja, male and female of Vanaraja X Brown Nicobari and White Nicobari X Vanaraja male. Conclusions:The haematological parameters of Vanaraja, Nicobari fowls and their F crosses were investigated and 1 compared. The results of the study will be helpful for accurate interpretation of haematological tests of the poultry genotypes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Aim: The present experiment was conducted to investigate and compare the haematological parameters of different pig breeds available at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India viz. Andaman wild pig, Nicobari pig, Andaman desi pig and Large White Yorkshire (LWY). Six erythrocyte traits, seven leukocyte traits and four platelet traits were assessed.Materials and Methods: 10 ml blood was collected from each adult pig via external jugular vein aseptically in a collection tube containing anticoagulant EDTA (2 mg EDTA/ml of blood). All these haematological parameters were measured by an instrument named Cell Counter Analyzer MS9-5V (Melet Schloesing Laboratories). 6 Results: A significantly (p<0.05) higher Red Blood Cell Concentration (RBC in 10 /µl), Packed Cell Volume (PCV in %) and Haemoglobin concentration (Hgb in g/dl) was found in Andaman wild pig in comparison to all other pig breeds. The Total 3 White Blood Cell Concentration (WBC in 10 /µl) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Andaman wild pig in comparison to all the other pig breeds studied. The ratio of Neutrophil and Lymphocyte (N:L) was lowest in Andaman wild pig and was highest 3 in LWY. No significant difference (P<0.05) was found in total Blood Platelet Concentration (PLT in 10 /µl) between Andaman wild pig and LWY but the values were significantly higher in comparison to Andaman desi pig and Nicobari pig. Conclusions:The haematological parameters of different pig breeds available at Andaman and Nicobar Islands were investigated and compared and based on haematological parameters it was found that Andaman wild pig is best adapted in the hot humid climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Large White Yorkshire is least adapted.

The present study was conducted with an aim to investigate the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies in cattle which act as reservoir host. During the study a total of 427 cattle sera samples were collected from different parts of these islands. The samples were screened for presence of antibodies against different serovars of leptospira by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The results revealed that out of 427 sera sample 180 (42.15%) showed antibodies against different serovars of leptrospira. The serovars which showed positive results areThe percent prevalence rate of leptospira ranged from 0.65 % (L. autumnalis) to as high as 19.61% (L. hebdomadis). It was also found that seropositivity of L. grippotyphosa , L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L.hebdomadis were higher compared to other serovars as these serovars were commonly detected from human cases also. Based on the present finding and the history of this disease in these islands it was revealed that the prevalence of leptospirosis in animal was high and also an alarming situation as these serovars were commonly prevalent in human being also.

The Nicobari pig, locally known as Ha-un, is an indigenous pig germplasm located only in the Nicobar group of islands, India. The present study documents the Nicobari pig-rearing practices of the tribal farmers and genetically characterizes them using 23 FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. The study was conducted over a period of 3 years (2010-2012) in Car Nicobar, India. A total of 225 farmers were surveyed (15 farmers per village of 15 villages). Information on herd statistics, husbandry practices, and constraints faced by the farmers in pig production were collected. The pigs were reared in a free-range system. Mean pig herd size per house hold was 8.9, and main feed for pigs was coconut and some indigenous feed materials such as pandanus, bread fruit, and Nicobari alu. The main constraints faced by the farmers were lack of feed after the tsunami, different disease conditions, piglet mortality, and predator attack. The Nicobari pigs were genotyped by 23 FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. The mean observed number of alleles for all 23 loci in Nicobari pigs was 6.96 ± 0.31. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.66 ± 0.02 and 0.75 ± 0.01, respectively. It was found that the genetic diversity of this pig breed was very high compared to Large White Yorkshire and other European pig breeds. This genetic characterization of the pig breed will be helpful in their conservation effort.