Zinc (Zn) has a wide spectrum of biological activities, and its deficiency has been related to various dysfunctions and alterations of normal cell metabolism. To compare the effect of a higher dose of Zn supplementation on serum biochemicals of grower pigs (four months of age) that may serve as general indicators of optimum physiological functions, an experiment was conducted with one treatment group supplemented with higher dose of Zn (500 ppm) and another made deficient by supplementing calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) at 1.5% of dry matter of diet, for a period of four months, and was compared to the control supplemented with 100 ppm Zn. Serum Zn decreased significantly in a deficient group (p B0.01), and the animals developed clinical symptoms of parakeratosis. Total serum protein and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration revealed a significantly (p B0.01) increasing trend in Zn-supplemented (500 ppm) animals from day 45 of treatment, whereas a significantly (p B0.01) decreasing trend was observed in deficient pigs. Serum albumin level was not affected by different supplemental level of Zn or induced Zn deficiency. An apparent increasing trend of glucose and cholesterol level was recorded in supplemented groups. However, it decreased significantly (p B 0.01) in deficient pigs. The higher serum concentration of Zn, total serum protein, glucose, cholesterol andHb, resulting from 500 ppm of Zn supplementation in grower pigs, might help in maintaining a better physiological status through promotion of well-organised vital functions of proteins, ensuring a sufficient energy source for different physiological processes, and just source for synthesis of steroid hormones and optimal functioning of membrane receptors.

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Women are not only carriers of human race but civilization and sustainable development rest on them. Their role is quietly appreciated without economic recognition, regard and accountability. The household activities farm women of Meghalaya do are labour intensive, time consuming, arduous, monotonous, repetitive, manual and within economic return resulting in fatigue and drudgery. This study was conducted to determine the perceived physiological exertion, physiological responses and musculoskeletal problem while doing the activity of firewood collection. The subject included forty tribal women of West Garo Hill of Meghalaya within the age group of 20 to 50 years having the average BMI of 21.74, Lean body mass 31.99 kg., fat weight 12.59 kg., VO 2 max. 25.59 ml/kg/min and grip strength of 28.59 kg. While doing the activity average heart rate, energy expenditure, total cardiac cost of work and physiological cost of work were 129.67 bpm, 11.90 kj/min, 8529.59 beats and 47.92 ppm, respectively. The cardiovascular stress index was quite high (47.25) in comparison to many workers involved in factory activities. Perceived physical exertion was rated by farm women as "heavy to very heavy". Incidences of musculoskeletal problem were also very high as farm women reported that they had severe to very severe pain in upper and lower back, neck, head, arm, wrist and fingers.

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In the present study an attempt has been made to assess the phenotypic variability and know the management of indigenous cattle in the Meghalaya state. A total of 76 farmers from 17 villages of three districts (Ri-Bhoi, East-Khasi Hills and West-Garo Hills) were interviewed to record information on various management practices and 217 animals of different age and sex were recorded for morphometric and physical traits. It was observed that cattle were reared mainly for meat, milk, bullock power and manure. Animals were reared on extensive system of management i.e. grazing from morning to evening, free range during December to March. During April to December fields have crops so controlled grazing was there. Cattle were of small size, well built, hardy and in cylindrical shape. The body colour varies in different colours brown (53%), grey (38%) and black (9%). Bulls were darker in colour and have medium size hump. Horns were smaller in length (9-12 cm). The average body length, height at wither, heart girth, paunch girth, horn length, ear length, face length and tail length without switch in cows (95) were 97.64±1.08 cm, 100.90±0.95 cm, 128.90±1.53 cm, 128.60±1.77 cm, 9.94±0.63 cm, 18.91±0.22 cm, 38.08±0.47 cm and 68.61±0.97 cm, respectively. Males and females did not differ significantly at all stages of age for all the mophometric traits. The average daily milk yield and lactation length were 2.38+0.18 kg (1.50 to 4.0kg) and 138 days (120-180 days), respectively. It may be concluded that indigenous cattle of Meghalaya showed uniformity in physical and morphometric traits and differ in their proportion (type traits) with others cattle of the region.