<div>Background: The postpartum period being a crucial on future performance and fertility, it should be monitored critically and evaluated. Therefore, the study was designed to investigate associations between the metabolic indicators during early postpartum period with uterine diseases and the subsequent effect on reproductive performance. 
 
Methods: The blood metabolites including non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta hydroxy butyrate (BHBA), cholesterol, total protein, blood glucose and calcium are studied at 1st and 2nd week postpartum (PP) in 50 Mehsana buffaloes. The difference and their association were seen in relation to postpartum diseases and reproductive performance.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The glucose concentration significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased in 2nd week compared to 1st week postpartum in Mehsana buffaloes with anoestrous (&gt;75 days PP), longer service period (&gt;125 days) and postpartum disorders (Within 125 days). The BHBA and NEFA did not differ significantly between the time points or between the buffaloes suffering from postpartum disorders or not. The early postpartum glucose level can be used as a predictive indicator for buffaloes suffering from anoestrus, longer service period and postpartum disorders.</div>

Assessment of Blood Metabolites during Early Postpartum Period as an Indicator of Reproductive Performance in Mehsana Buffaloes

<div>The experiment was conducted to determine serum [Ca2+], &acirc;-hydroxybutyrate in blood, milk and urine during peripartum and urinary pH. Ninety Jersey cows were selected during their last month of pregnancy. Five days before calving, at calving and 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after calving blood samples were taken. Ca2+, and &acirc;-hydroxybutyrate (&acirc;-HB) in blood serum, milk and urine were determined. Correlations and one-way ANOVA were used for the analyses. Calcium and glucose (mmolL-1) decreased throughout the peripartum: Ca2+ [2.65 to 2.31&plusmn;0.11 (p&lt;0.05)]; glucose [3.74 to 3.11&plusmn;0.26 (p&lt;0.05)]. NEFA, blood &acirc;-HB, urine &acirc;-HB and milk &acirc;-HB (mmolL-1) increased over time: NEFA [0.36 to 0.45&plusmn;0.05 (p&lt;0.05)]; blood &acirc;-HB [0.69 to 1.29&plusmn;0.07 (p&lt;0.05)]; urine &acirc;-HB [0.10 to 0.37&plusmn;0.09 p&lt;0.05)]; milk &acirc;-HB [0.09 to 0.18&plusmn;0.04 p&lt;0.05)]. Urine pH did not change: 7.31 to 6.95&plusmn;0.34 (p&gt;0.05). No correlation was found between b-HB in blood and b-HB in milk. b-HB in blood and milk did not have a functional relationship in Jersey cows that was useful in diagnosing metabolic disorders.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Calcium and b-hydroxybutyrate serum concentrations in early postpartum of Jersey cows</div>

The study was designed at evaluating early postpartum ovarian activity through plasma progesterone profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days, followed by induction of estrus in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows (n=18) using Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR treatment protocols with FTAI (6 cows in each protocol), keeping six normal cyclic cows as control. The plasma P4 profile (ng/ml) varied in the range of 0.15&plusmn;0.03 to 1.70&plusmn;0.80 in treatment groups and 0.62 &plusmn;0.19 to 4.09&plusmn;1.60 in control group up to 90 days postpartum. The mean P4 concentration on the day of calving was low (&lt;1 ng/ml) in all the groups, which gradually increased to reach peak levels by day 40 in cyclic control (4.09&plusmn;1.60 ng/ml), Ovsynch (1.70&plusmn;0.80 ng/ml) and CIDR (1.68&plusmn;0.47 ng/ml) and by day 20 in Ovsynch + CIDR (1.09&plusmn;0.23 ng/ml) groups. Most of the cows turned into subestrous or anestrous condition between days 40 and 90 postpartum. The estrus induction response in Ovsynch, CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 per cent, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus were 16.66, 33.33 and 16.66 per cent, and overall of 3 cycles 33.33 (2/6), 50.00 (3/3) and 33.33 (2/6) per cent, respectively. In normal cyclic control group, the conception rates at first cycle and overall of 3 cycles were 33.33 and 50.00 per cent. The mean plasma P4 (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (1.41 &plusmn;0.10), CIDR (4.92&plusmn;0.83) and Ovsynch + CIDR (3.87&plusmn;0.84) protocols as compared to their corresponding values on day 0 and day 9/10 (AI). The mean values of plasma P4 from days 20 to 40 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than in non-conceived cows of CIDR and Ovsynch + CIDR groups, compared to the animals in Ovsynch and normal cyclic groups. It is opined that the use of different protocols, mainly CIDR, may serve as an effective tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous suckled Kankrej cows.

Effect of estrus synchronization on plasma progesterone profile and fertility response in postpartum suckled anestrous Kankrej cows*

<div>Background: Body condition score (BCS) system is a subjective method to assess the body fat reserves particularly over the bony prominences like back and pelvic region. It is based on evaluation of the outer appearance of the animal that interacts with its body fat reserves and therefore is directly influenced by energy balance. Studies on the relationship between BCS and postpartum performance were meager in buffaloes. Hence, the present work was carried out to study the relationship between BCS at calving and postpartum performance in Murrah buffaloes. 
 
Methods: The effect of body condition score at calving (BCSc) on the postpartum performance was studied in 24 Murrah buffaloes grouped based on BCS, maintained at Buffalo Research Station during 2018-19. 
 
Result: The study showed that buffaloes of BCSc above 3.5 with significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher body weights showed better reproductive performance compared to buffaloes of BCSc groups below 3.5 with less body weights. The prepartum and weekly postpartum changes in BCS studied showed that the buffaloes gained a BCS of 0.57 from 3 months prepartum to one week prepartum, lost 0.17 BCS due to calving, further showed a decline in BCS up to 9 weeks of postpartum and then started regaining BCS gradually until 18 weeks postpartum. The mean LBCS over the period of 18 weeks postpartum was comparatively higher (0.75&plusmn;0.05) than BCS restored in the early lactation which was shown as GBCS (0.34&plusmn;0.02). Buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5-3.99 showed the best reproduction performance among the four BCSc groups with less postpartum estrus period (46.66 days), service period (58.83 days), number of service per conception (1.50) and high rate of 1st service conception (66.66%).&nbsp;</div>

Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Postpartum Performance of Murrah Buffaloes

Background: For high fertility in mares, it is important to have one foal a year and to have foaling early in the season, especially in racehorse breeders. Therefore, the fertility achieved by breeding the mare in foal heat is the determining factor. However, compared to thoroughbreds, there is not enough research on fertility results from postpartum breedings, such as foal and subsequent heats in Arabian mares. Thus this study aims to evaluate the fertility following the foal heat or subsequent postpartum breedings in Arabian mares. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this study, in 184 mares (aged 4 to 25 yr), a total of 240 postpartum first breeding cycles (foal heat or subsequent heat), including 12 mares with three, 26 mares with two cycles and 152 mares had one cycle, were evaluated. The ultrasonograhic examinations were done to determine follicle diameter at the breeding day, pregnancy and pregnancy loss on days 14, 28 and 45 following breeding. In addition, live foal rates were also recorded. Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical data, respectively. The factors affecting breeding were analysed by logistic regression analysis and ROC analysis was used to calculate threshold values for the day of postpartum breeding and the follicle size at breeding. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The per cent of mares were bred during their foal heat was 73%, while 27% were bred during their subsequent heat. The pregnancy rates for the mares bred at foal heat (56.8%, 100/176) and at subsequent heat (60.9%, 39/64) had no significant differences in between. Also, the pregnancy loss for the mares bred at foal heat and at subsequent heat were not significantly different, with 10.0% (10/100) and 2.6% (1/39), respectively. The live foal rate was also similar for the mares bred at foal (44.6%) and susequent heat (51.6%). It was found that the day of breeding (being earlier/at or later than 11 days pp) had significant effect on pregnancy (p=0.035) and pregnancy loss (p=0.025).&nbsp; In addition, live foal rates were effected by the day of breeding (p=0.017) and the size of the follicle (smaller or equal/greater than 47 mm) on the day of breeding (p=0.026). It was concluded that breeding a mare after the 10th day postpartum, along with a follicle diameter exceeding 47 mm on the day of breeding, has the potential to indicate achievable fertility for foal heat. Thus, it could be beneficial to taking these criteria into account in the postpartum reproductive management of Arabian mare. 
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The Evaluation of Fertility Following Foal Heat or the Subsequent Postpartum Estrus in Purebred Arabian Mares&nbsp;

Present study was conducted to investigate postpartum oxidative stress in 20 Surti goats. &nbsp;Blood samples were collected on 0, 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th and 45th days postpartum and analysed for Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced Glutathione (GSH) and uric acid. SOD differed significantly between 0, 14th and 21st day postpartum. GPx was significantly low on 14th day and then increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) up to 45th day. Significant (P&lt;0.01) difference was observed between days except 0 and 21st. LPO increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 0 to 14th day and then decreased non-significantly up to 45th day. Reduced glutathione was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher on 0 day. Uric acid was lowest on 0 day and highest on 45th day however they were non-significantly different on 7th, 14th, 30th and 45th day. It can be summarized that on 14th day post kidding, the values of SOD, GPx and GSH were lowest while LPO was highest. Uric acid was significantly (P&lt;0.01) low on the day of kidding. Thus it may be concluded that in Surti goats the period from 0 day to 14th day postpartum is most stressful and critical care should be taken during this period. &nbsp;GPx, SOD along with LPO and GSH can be used as marker of stress during postpartum period.

Oxidative stress profile during postpartum period in Surti goats

<div>Background: Postpartum anoestrus is the most devastating cause of the dairy farming which causes more economic losses to the farmers. The present study was conducted to record the incidence of postpartum anoestrus and to evolve a suitable therapeutic regime for addressing postpartum anoestrus in Lakhimi cows. 
 
Methods: A total of 1000 Lakhimi cows maintained in different villages of Assam were selected and the incidence rate was recorded on the basis of breeding records provided by the farmers, per-rectal examination and ultrasonography screening of genital organ. To study the effect of hormonal and nutritional interventions in post partum anoestrus cows, the cows were divided randomly into seven groups comprising twelve animals in each group. The different treatment regimes were Hydroxyprogesterone caproate + eCG, Clomiphene citrate alone, Clomiphene citrate + Mineral mixture, GnRH analogue alone, GnRH analogue + Mineral mixture, Mineral mixture alone and control. The response to different treatment regimes was based on oestrus response, mean interval from the end of treatment to onset of oestrus and conception rate. 
 
Result: The incidence of postpartum anoestrus was found to be 20.60%. Clomiphene citrate + Mineral mixture administration regime brought about the highest oestrus induction response (100.00%) and conception rate (66.67%).</div>

​Induction of Postpartum Oestrus in Lakhimi Cows through Hormonal and Nutritional Interventions

<div>Background: In Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh long duration varieties of pigeonpea (160-180 days) is grown during rabi under rainfed conditions. Late or advancement of north east monsoon, prolonged breaks and early cessation of rainfall may have devastating effects on pigeonpea yield in rainfed areas of Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh even if the mean annual rainfall is normal. In this context, there is a need for introduction of suitable super early varieties of pigeonpea which are ideal even under changing climatic situations, with suitable crop geometry to enhance the yields of pigeonpea.&nbsp; 
 
Method: A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Agricultural Research Station, Podalakur, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore andhra Pradesh, to find out the suitable super early variety of pigeonpea and their response to different crop geometries. The present field experiment was laid out in a split plot design with 4 varieties of pigeonpea (V1: ICPL 20338; V2: ICPL 20325; V3: ICPL 11255; V4: LRG 52) as main plot treatments and 3 crop geometries (S1: 30 cm x 15 cm; S2: 45 cm x 15 cm); S3: 60 cm x 15 cm) as subplot treatments and replicated thrice. 
 
Results: Super early variety ICPL- 20325 recorded the highest mean grain yield (1098 kg ha-1) among the four varieties of pigeonpea tested. Among the three crop geometries tested significantly the highest grain yield (930 kg ha-1) was recorded at 45 cm x 15 cm. Super early varieties ICPL- 20325 (1256 kg ha-1), ICPL- 11255 (930 kg ha-1) and ICPL- 20338 (817 kg ha-1) recorded higher mean grain yield at crop geometry of 45 cm x&nbsp;15 cm. LRG-52 (996 kg ha-1) variety recorded higher grain yield at crop geometry of 60 cm x 15 cm.</div>

Response of Super Early Varieties of Pigeonpea to Crop Geometry under Rainfed Conditions

<div>Background: In view of developing early maturing groundnut that fit in high intensity multiple cropping system the present study was taken up to introgress early maturing traits in the well-established high yielding varieties. 
 
Methods: VRI 8, CO 7, ICGV 07222 and VRI 6 were takenas the variety to be improved and as a source for early maturity and male parent in the study viz., VRI 3, Chico, ICGV 91114 and ICGV 93468 were used. A crossing program was designed using these parent materials and selected crosses were forwarded to the next F2 generation and their backcross populations were also generated. The data recorded were subjected to Generation mean analysis and association analysis. 
 
Result: With consideration of early maturity and high pod yield the genotypes F2 of CO 7 &times; Chico and ICGV 07222 &times; Chico and B2 of ICGV 07222 &times; Chico recorded high mean values for the traits. The presence of duplicate epistasis was observed for, days to accumulation of 25 flowers (DTF) and days to maturity. This indicates that, inter-mating the selected segregating generations could result in the accumulation of favourable genes. The trait pod yield per plant exhibited positively significant correlation with days to accumulation of 25 flowers, days to maturity in all the crosses and the trait days to accumulation of 25 flowers is positively correlated to days to maturity. Thus, the trait-days to accumulation of 25 flowers is the major selection factor for early maturity in groundnut.</div>

Development of Early Maturing Varieties in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

<div>Background: Early leaf spot caused by Cercospora arachidicola Hori. is most destructive disease in all the groundnut growing areas of Rajasthan, under severe infestation it cause 30-50% losses in pod yield. Recently, Central Insecticide Board (CIB), Faridabade banned 27 pesticides including some important fungicides which are extensively used in plant disease management. Therefore, in the present investigation, our main emphasis was to find out some new fungicides for management of early leaf spot disease. 
 
Methods: Ten fungicides (hexaconazole 5% EC, difenconazole 25% EC, propiconazole 25% EC, tebuconazole 25.9% EC, trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% WG, mancozeb 50% WP, chlorothalonil 75% WP, carbendazim 50% WP, carbendazim 12% + mancozeb 63% WP and captan 70% + hexaconazole 5% WP) were evaluated against early leaf spot pathogen (C. arachidicola) both in lab as well as in field condition. The experiment was conducted at ARS, SKRAU, Bikaner during Kharif-2019 on most popular cv. HNG-69 in RBD design with the application of foliar spray of ten different fungicides at different concentrations against early leaf spot disease and compared with an untreated control. 
 
Result: Among all the fungicides used in the present investigation, Tebuconazole 25.9% EC was found most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the pathogen followed by trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% WG. Under field condition, it gave maximum (70.73%) disease control with highest pod yield (31.5 q/ha) and net return (Rs 57,500/ha) when applied as foliar spray at 0.1% concentration followed by trifloxystrobin 25% + tebuconazole 50% WG at 0.2%. These treatments can provide an effective and economical management of early leaf spot disease for groundnut cultivators.</div>