The paper reports the first incidence of successful induction of breeding in the riverine catfish Rita rita using carp pituitary gland (PG) extract. A breeding trial using four PG doses viz. 80, 100, 120 and 140mg/kg body weight of fish was conducted to optimize the dose of pituitary gland (PG) extract in terms of induction of ovulation in female. The male received a dose of 40mg PG/kg body weight in all cases and was sacrificed for collection of milt. The best performance was shown by the fish treated with 100mg PG/kg body weight in respect of inducing ovulation in females and fertilization and hatching rates of eggs.

An extract of nishyinda (Vitex negundo) leaves, black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) (polyherbal extract) were used as growth promoter in broilers. A total of 20 day-old broiler chicks were purchased and after seven days of acclimatization randomly divided into two equal groups. No vaccination schedule was practised and no antibiotics were added in rations. Group A served as control while group B was supplemented with polyherbal extract 1 mL/litre in drinking water. Weekly body weight gain up to six weeks was measured and blood tests were performed at 21 and 42 days. Polyherbal extract significantly (P<0.05) improved weight gain. There was no change in haematological parameters. It can be concluded that the polyherbal extract was safe as a growth promoter in broiler production without adverse effects on chicken health. (Bangl.