Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry

1. Metabolic and endocrine studies in ruminants to augment production efficiency.
2. Enhancement of reproductive efficiency in farm animals through physiological interventions.
3. Establishment of biochemical profile of livestock in health and disease.
4. Exploration of biomarkers for development of affordable diagnostics and therapeutics.

 

• Reproduction Physiology and Endocrinology
• Digestive Physiology and Metagenomics.
• Environmental Physiology
• Clinical Biochemistry.
• Immuno-Biochemistry
• Functional Genomics and Proteomics

Faculty

1.	Dr. Pradeep Singh	Professor (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
2.	Dr. Sandeep Gera	Professor (Vety. Biochemistry)	View Details
3.	Dr. Nirmal Sangwan	Professor (Vety. Biochemistry)	View Details
4.	Dr. M K Rose	Professor (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
5.	Dr. R K Malik	Professor (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
6.	Dr. Sonia Sindhu	Professor (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
7.	Dr. Jyotsana	Associate Professor (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
8.	Dr.Sandeep Kumar	Sr.Scientist (Vety. Biochemistry)	View Details
9.	Dr.Meenakshi Virmani	Sr. Scientist (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
10.	Dr. Shalini Sharma	Assistant Professor (Vety. Biochemistry)	View Details
11.	Dr. Rajesh Kumar	Scientist (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
12	Dr. Preeti Lakhani	Assistant Professor (Vety. Physiology)	View Details
13	Dr. Surbhi	Assistant Professor (Vety. Biochemistry)	View Details

 

• • A1/A2 β-casein Genotyping:

  ü A total of 65 Murrah buffaloes tested for A1/A2 genotype of beta casein gene, all were found to be having A2A2 genotype.

  • Novel Method of Proteins Purification:

  ü Developed a simple and rapid technique for purification of anionic proteins from a complex mixture of proteins. The technique so developed could be utilized to segregate cationic and anionic proteins. Using this technique, we succeeded in purification of the beta-casein from whole milk of buffaloes and cattle nearly up to 90%.

  • Metabolic and Endocrine Profile of Growing Goat Kids:

  ü A significant decrease in glucose and cholesterol concentrations was observed in both male and female kids after three months of age till 12 months.

  ü Triglyceride and protein concentration didn’t change due to advancement of age in both male and female goats.

  ü Estradiol concentration in both male and female kids decreased during first three months of age and then increased at six months of age.

  ü Thyroxine hormone concentration in male gradually increased with age reaching peak at six months of age while in female it decreased at one month of age and thereafter gradually increased upto six months of age.

  ü A gradual decrease in lymphocyte percent in goat kids with increasing age was observed till 12 months of age.

  ü Progesterone concentration was higher at -30 day prepartum and lowest at zero day (kidding day).

  ü Triglyceride and urea concentration was higher in twin producing goats during last month of pregnancy.

  • Applied Reproductive Physiology:

  ü When sperms were incubated at 37 C, it resulted in significant decrease in progressive sperm motility, Percent live spermatozoa, percent spermatozoa with intact acrosome and superoxide dismutase.

  ü There was significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation in sperms at 3 hours of incubation at 37ºC.

  ü Sperm motility, percent sperm liveability and fructose concentration were found to be positively correlated with the zinc level in the seminal plasma, whereas fructose level was found to be negatively correlated.

  ü Administration of dinoprost tromethamine (prostaglandin F2α) intramuscularly at the time of artificial insemination increased the conception rate in buffaloes.

  ü Supplementation of dinoprost tromethamine (prostaglandin F2α) intramuscularly at the time of artificial insemination was observed to be more effective in primiparous animals and heifers as compared to pluriparous animals.

  ü Triu B intravaginal implant and Crestar ear implant both were found to be effective in inducing estrus response in anestrus buffalo cows. However, Triu B intravaginal implant was more effective than Crestar ear implant for the treatment of anestrus animals in terms of conception rate.

• Applied Reproductive Physiology:

ü Supplementation of antioxidants in form of Vitamin E @ 3 mM and glutathione @ 1mM in tris extender helps in liquid preservation of buck semen upto 72hours at 4°C in refrigerator with higher progressive sperm motility,              

ü Higher liveability percentage, higher percentage of sperms with intact acrosome.

ü Supplementation of antioxidants leads to decreased lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant enzymes, thus offering protection to the spermatozoa from the free radicals generated during storage of semen.    

ü There was no significant difference of NIANP bull specific mineral mixture before and after feeding on semen quality.   

ü Cysteamine would not be a suitable antioxidant as a supplement in extender for freezing bull semen as cysteamine has shown detrimental effects on semen quality and caused oxidative stress to the frozen sperms.  

ü Optiprep^TM (2.5% of 60% iodixanol) supplementation to freezing extender increases post-thaw sperm motility, membrane integrity, travelled more distance in cervical mucus in vitro condition and maintain better sperm motility in incubation test. Further, Optiprep^TM supplementation minimizes oxidative stress during cryopreservation.  ·    

ü Supplementation of 0.2–1% sericin also in semen extender improved frozen-thawed semen quality by preventing oxidative stress.    

• Proteomics:

ü Total protein bands in Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus salivary gland crude extract were found to be 23 and 21 and there were variations in protein bands in both the species.       

ü Hyalomma anatolicum salivary gland protein fraction nos. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 42, 58, 111 and 112 were found to have anti-platelet aggregation activities whereas in Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus salivary gland protein fraction nos. 22, 23, 25, 27, 31, 36, 38, 39 and 51 had the anti-platelet aggregation activities.        

ü In Hyalomma anatolicum fraction nos. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 42, 58, 111 and 112 showed inhibitory effects on the release of intracellular calcium as evidenced by decrease in fluorescence emitted whereas in Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus intracellular calcium release inhibitory activities were found in fraction no. 22, 25, 27, 31, 36, 38, 39 and 51.        

ü Platelet adhesion inhibition activities were observed in fraction nos. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 42, 58, 111 and 112 of

ü Hyalomma anatolicum which were significantly lower than the antagonist. Similarly in Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus fraction nos. 22, 25, 27, 31, 36 and 51 inhibited the platelet adhesion whichwere significantly lower than the antagonist induced platelet adhesion inhibition.

ü Fraction no. 38 and 39 of Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus showed inhibitory platelet adhesion activities similar to that of antagonist.         

ü Mass spectrometric analysis of the proteins/peptides having the antiplatelet aggregating activities were found to resemble serum albumin precursor and globin subunit in Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus (boophilus) microplus, respectively. These host protein homologues-proteins produced by the ticks seems to mimic host proteins.           

ü Scanning electron photomicrograph showed platelet aggregation inhibition with Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus(boophilus) microplus specific salivary gland protein fractions with rounding off of platelets having sponge like appearance without any pseudopodia. 

• DGAT Polymorphism in Hardhenu Cattle:

ü In Hardhenu cattle population genotype frequencies were 0.30 (KK) and 0.70 (AK).

ü The frequency of K and A allele were 0.65 & 0.35. A total of 15 KK and 35 AK animals were identified in Hardhenu cattle whereas no animal of AA genotype were observed. The overall DGAT1^K allele frequency in crossbred cattle was 0.65.     

ü Lysine variant was the likely ancestral form of DGAT1 gene and the presence of lysine allele in buffaloes and Indian zebu cattle breeds might be one of the factors for the high fat content of milk.

ü Because of very high frequency to almost fixed nature of K allele in Sahiwal and other well defined Indian cattle breeds, DGAT1 K232A polymorphism may not be a suitable candidate for selection purpose.

ü However, considering the increasing trends of crossbred cattle population in India, elimination of the K allele or selection against it may be suggested to increase milk and protein yield in crossbred like Frieswal once association of K232A polymorphism with production traits is established.

ü Moreover, consideration of selection pressure will be very important to counterbalance the negative effect on fat yield.

• Biochemical and Endocrine Profile in Hardhenu Cattle:

ü The hematological, endocrine, enzymological, metabolic, electrolyte and mineral profile for 31 nascent parameters over 48 samples of Hardhenu are documented for use as base data. The same can be used for physiological, paraclinical and clinical back up for this new crossbred strain of cattle.    

ü The statistically significant breed wise higher value of hemoglobin, glucose, albumin in Sahiwal; TLC, creatinine, potassium, triglycerides in Hariana and ALT, bilirubin, thyroxin, progesterone in Hardhenu are observed.

• Research Projects
•  Role of motility stimulators in improving quality of frozen semen of Murrah buffalo bulls sponsored by Government of Haryana.
• Physiological Investigation for augmenting reproduction & production in farm Livestock & poultry sponsored by Government of Haryana. 
• Biochemical changes in malnutrition and parasitic diseases sponsored by Government of Haryana.
• Setting up of referral biochemical laboratory-strengthening of existing nuclear research laboratory for diagnostic aids to the farmers sponsored by Government of Haryana under RKVY.
• Identification and characterization of novel peptides of clinical importance from salivary glands of Hyalomma ticks sponsored by University Grants Commission.
• Studies on Digestive Physiology of Ruminants sponsored by Government of Haryana.
• Supply of injection material to farmers for induction of lactation in infertile cattle sponsored by Government of Haryana under self financed scheme. 

Funding	Title of the project	Duration	Name of the PI
ICAR	Haematological studies on Hariana Cattle and Beetle Goats	1965-70	Dr Ajit Singh
State	Thyroid function of domestic animals and Poultry	1968-70	Dr Ajit Singh
PL-480	Early Development of Rumen Function In buffalo calves	1/1977 to 3/1981	Dr. O.P. Nangia
State	Draught capacity in castrated buffalo males, camels and cross bred calves	1974-75 to 1997	Dr. S.P. Agarwal
State	Hormonal Profile of livestock in relation to certain reproductive and systematic diseases.	1979-80 Non Plan Vety. Biochemistry after bifurcation	Dr. S.L. Garg
ICAR	Manipulation of rumen microbial ecosystem in order to increase efficiency of feed utilization.	1991 to 1995	Dr. O.P. Nangia
ICAR	Regulation of feed intake in buffaloes	1978-1981	Dr. O.P. Nangia
ICAR	Studies on effect of neem extract on physiological and Immunological parameters	2000-2003	Dr. Sandeep Gera
RKVY	4017-C(g)-VPB-1-OA- Upgrading of Biochemistry laboratory for providing diagnostic aids to the farmer	2014-2016	Dr. S. Kumar
UGC	7002-C(g)-VBC-5-OA- Identification and characterization of novel peptides of clinical importance from salivary glands of Hyalomma ticks’	2011-14	Dr. Nirmal Sangwan

1.	4037-C (g)-VPB-2-OA- Setting up of facility for testing of animals for A1/A2 genotype of beta casein and Up-gradation of existing biochemistry laboratory for diagnostic facilities to the farmers	RKVY  PI: Dr.Nirmal Snagwan	2015	March 2018
2.	4040-C(g)AGB-2-OA- Genetic Improvement and Conservation of Indigenous Breed- Hariana (In collaboration with Deptt of AGB)	RKVY  Associate PI: Dr.Meenakshi  Virmani	2015	March 2018
3.	5515-C(b)-VPB-1-ICAR- Studies on rumen microbial  metagenomics in in relation to feed efficiency.	ICAR  PI:Jyotsana Madan	2015	March 2018
4.	Identification of  bio-marker for  Early Diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) Infection and Development of Test to Differentiate between Johne’s Disease Infected and Vaccinated Animals (DIVA)	NASF: ICAR Cooperating Center Principal     Investigator (CCPI): Dr. Shalini Sharma	2017	2020

Name of Award	Faculty Members	Year of Award
i)Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Award	Dr.S.P. Agarwal Dr.V.K.Agarwal	1996
ii)Sh.Ram Lal Agarwal Memorial Research Award of Indian Herbs Research & Supply Co.	Dr.N.Singh/Dr.J.P.Puri/ Dr.S.L.Garg/Dr.O.P.Nangia	1979
iii)Sr.I.C.A.R. Fellowship For Ph.D.	Dr.J.P.Puri	1985 to 1988
iv) Sr.CSIR Fellowship For Ph.D.	Dr.Meenakshi Gupta	1993 to 1996

Name of faculty	Type of Assignment	Period	Country
Dr.A.R.Rao	Deputation for teaching	1975- 1977	Kabul Afghanistan
Dr.O.P.Nangia	Training programme in Cardiovascular Physiology	3 months(1970)	U.S.A.
Dr.V.P.Dixit	Advanced diploma in Physiological Biochemistry (FAO scholarship)	1 year(1971-72)	Denmark
Dr.O.P.Nangia	Teaching Assignment	1981-83	Nigeria
Dr.V.P.Dixit	Ph.D.	1976 to 1979	Romania
Dr.J.P.Puri	Training on teaching methodology	3 months (1999)	U.S.A
Dr.M.K.Rose	Ph.D.(DAAD fellowship)	1 year 3 months(2003-04)	Germany
Dr.J.P.Puri	Fellowship	6 days (2004)	Germany
Dr.J.P.Puri	To attend Conference	4 days	Lahore (Pakistan)
Dr. Sandeep Gera	Post Doctoral Fellowship	3 Months	Canada
Dr .Nirmal Sangwan	Post Doctoral Fellowship	9 Months	Edinburgh, UK
Dr. Sonia Sindhu	University of Sthrathclyde Award fellowship for PhD	2001	U.K.
Dr. Shalini Sharma	Award of EFIS (European federation of Immunological Societies)fellowship to attend 5 international conference on CMV and immunosenescence,	2014	Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Sr. No.	Name	Position	Institution
1.	Dr.O.P.Nangia	Held the post of Dean, COVS	CCSHAU
2.	Dr.P.K.Dwarkanath	post of ADR,	CCSHAU
3.	Dr.J.S.Bhatia	selected as ADG	ICAR, New Delhi
4.	Dr. Pradeep Bamal	Registrar	LUVAS
5.	Dr. Nirmal Sangwan	Director, HRM	LUVAS

Sr. no.	Title	Editors/Authors	Year of Publication	Publishers
1.	Practical Veterinary Physiology, 1st Edn.Pp.1210	Rose,M.K., Gupta  M.andSindhu.	2015	Kalyani Publishers  Ludhiana,NewDelhi

S. No.	Title	Editors/ Authors	Year of Publication
1	Practical Manual for & General Veterinary Biochemistry	Agarwal, V.K., Gera, S.Sangwan, N.Garg, S.L	2002
2	Practical Manual for Veterinary Clinical Biochemistry	Sangwan, N.,Gera, S. and Garg, S.L	2003
3	Practical Manual for Physiological Chemistry( Animal metabolism,systemic functions  and enzymes)	Sangwan, N., Gera, S. and Garg, S.L.	2003
4	Practical Manual for ‘Introduction to Molecular Biology  and Biotechnology	Gera,S.,Garg,S.L. and Sangwan, N	2004
5	Revised Practical Manual for ‘General Veterinary Biochemistry’	Sangwan, N., Gera, S. and Kumar, S	2012
6	Practical Manual for ‘Veterinary  Intermediary Metabolism’	Sangwan, N., Gera, S. and Kumar, S	2012
7	Laboratory Manual of Veterinary  Physiology Paper-I. (Unit- 1 and  Unit-2).As per VCI Regulations  -2016	Rose M.K., Sindhu, S. and Gupta, M.	2016
8	Laboratory Manual of Veterinary  Physiology Paper-II (Unit-  3 and  Unit-4).As per VCI Regulations  -2016	Rose M.K., Sindhu, S., Gupta, M. and Malik, R.K.	2016
9	Laboratory Manual of Veterinary Biochemistry Part-I (Unit-I and Unit-III) As per VCI Regulations-2016	Sangwan N., Sharma S, Gera S and Singh V	2017
10	Laboratory Manual of Veterinary Biochemistry Part-II (Unit-II) As per VCI Regulations-2016	Sangwan N., Sharma S, Gera S and Singh V	2018