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In vitro environments like heat stress usually increase the production of reactive oxygen species in bubaline oocytes which have been implicated as one of the major causes for reduced developmental competence. Oocytes during meiotic maturation are sensitive to oxidative stress, and heat stress accelerates cellular metabolism, resulting in the higher production of free radicals. Therefore, the aim of present work was to assess the impact of heat stress during meiotic maturation on bubaline cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC), denuded oocytes (DO), and cumulus cell mass in terms of their oxidative status. Accordingly, for control group, COC were matured at 38.5 °C for complete 24 h of meiotic maturation and heat stress of 40.5 and 41.5 °C was applied to COC during the first 12 h of maturation and then moved to 38.5 °C for rest of the 12 h. In another group, COC after maturation were denuded from the surrounding cumulus cells by manual pipetting. Results indicated that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxides, and nitric oxide (NO) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the oocytes subjected to heat stress (40.5 and 41.5 °C) during meiotic maturation compared to the oocytes matured under standard in vitro culture conditions (38.5 °C). Also, the antioxidant enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in all the treatment groups compared to the control group. Therefore, the present study clearly establishes that heat stress ensues oxidative stress in bubaline oocytes which triggers the induction of antioxidant enzymatic defense system for scavenging the ROS.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive with a wide range of biological effects but its high dose and prolonged use can cause a toxic effect on the liver. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the role of vitamin C in MSG-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MSG was administered to rats (by gavage) at a dose of 6 mg/g body weight for 10 days to induce hepatotoxicity, and vitamin C at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight was coadministered to evaluate its ameliorating effect by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in serum; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in liver fraction; lipid peroxidation; and liver weight. It was found that MSG significantly (P<0.05) induced lipid peroxidation (LPO), increased liver weight, and increased activity of SOD and catalase in the liver of animals. The activity of ALT and AST was also increased in the serum on MSG administration. Vitamin C (500 mg/kg) coadministered with MSG significantly reduced LPO and liver weight and decreased the hepatic activity of catalase, but the activity of SOD was not reduced significantly. Also, a significant reduction in ALT and AST activity was observed. MSG induced oxidative stress and hepatic toxicity in the experimental animals at a dose of 6 mg/g body weight. Vitamin C significantly reduced the oxidative stress and hepatic toxicity induced by MSG, thereby providing a protective effect against the MSGinduced hepatotoxicity. The protective effect is associated with decreased LPO and liver weight and decreased activities of catalase, ALT, and AST.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genome integrity so as to assess the adaptability of three breeds of indigenous cattle reared under arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan (Bikaner) and Haryana (Karnal) India. The cattle were of homogenous group (same age and sex) of indigenous breeds viz. Sahiwal, Tharparkar and Kankrej. A total of 100 animals were selected for this study from both climatic conditions. The sister chromatid exchanges (SCE's), chromosomal gaps and chromatid breaks were observed in metaphase plates of chromosome preparations obtained from in vitro culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The mean number of breaks and gaps in Sahiwal and Tharparkar of semi-arid zone were 8.56 ± 3.16, 6.4 ± 3.39 and 8.72 ± 2.04, 3.52 ± 6.29, respectively. Similarly, the mean number of breaks and gaps in Tharparkar and Kankrej cattle of arid zone were 5.26 ± 1.76, 2.74 ± 1.76 and 5.24 ± 1.84, 2.5 ± 1.26, respectively. The frequency of SCEs in chromosomes was found significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Tharparkar of semi-arid region (4.72 ± 1.55) compared to arid region (2.83 ± 1.01). Similarly, the frequency of SCEs was found to be 4.0 ± 1.41 in the Sahiwal of semi-arid region and 2.69 ± 1.12 in Kankrej of arid zone. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) amongst the different zones, i.e. arid and semi-arid, whereas no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in the same zone. The analysis of frequency of CAs and SCEs revealed significant effects of environmental conditions on the genome integrity of animals, thereby indicating an association with their adaptability.

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