West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences

The current study aimed to investigate whether cathepsin B (cath B) inhibition in cumulus cells of morphologically graded buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation (IVM) could modulate apoptotic markers and enhance developmental potential. Cumulus cells from grade A and B buffalo COCs were collected at 0, 12, and 24h of IVM, with or without supplementation of the optimized cysteine protease inhibitor E-64. Cathepsin B and selected apoptotic regulators were quantified by qRT-PCR. Cathepsin B protein levels and apoptotic signals were assessed by immunostaining and TUNEL assay, respectively. Following 24h of IVM, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) were performed, and developmental competence was evaluated based on oocyte maturation, cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, and blastocyst quality. Expression of cath B and pro-apoptotic genes (BID, BCL2, BAX, caspase-3) was found higher along with lower expression of anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2 and XIAP) in the cumulus cells of B grade COCs. The addition of 10µM E-64 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cath B and pro-apoptotic gene expression, lowered the BAX/BCL2 ratio, and decreased apoptosis signals in cumulus cells of both COC grades. E-64 supplementation improved blastocyst yield from grade A COCs and enhanced blastocyst quality in both grades, without affecting maturation and cleavage rates. E-64 supplementation during IVM modulates apoptotic markers in cumulus cells of different grades of buffalo COCs by inhibiting cath B, thereby enhancing the developmental competence and offering valuable insights for improving in vitro embryo production programs in this species.

The increasing frequency of bacterial diseases in aquaculture has necessitated the use of several antibiotics, including enrofloxacin (ENF), a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone. The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data on ENF under tropical aquaculture conditions remain scarce. This study investigated the PK profile, tissue accumulation, and depletion pattern of total active fluoroquinolone (ENF + CIP) in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus following a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg biomass. The ENF demonstrated rapid absorption, with peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.33 ± 0.21 μg/mL at 0.59 h (Tmax), and extensive tissue distribution, particularly in bile (Cmax: 16.26 ± 0.50 μg/mL) and intestine (Cmax: 7.08 ± 0.28 μg/g). Elimination half-lives (t1/2β) varied among tissues, with prolonged persistence in skin (t1/2β: 693.18 h) and gills (t1/2β: 237.47 h), indicating slow depletion. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ENF indicated its high effectiveness against Aeromonas hydrophila (0.20 μg/mL), while Streptococcus agalactiae exhibited comparatively lower sensitivity (MIC: 1.56 μg/mL; MBC: 6.25 μg/mL). The PK/PD integration revealed that ENF achieved optimal therapeutic levels against A. hydrophila, but suboptimal levels for S. agalactiae under a single-dose regimen. These findings underscore the need for tailored dosing strategies and highlight the importance of pharmacokinetic and microbiological data for responsible antibiotic use in aquaculture.

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health challenge, driven in part by how antibiotics are accessed, distributed, and used within complex value chains. In peri-urban India, these supply chains involve a range of formal and informal actors and practices, making them a critical yet underexamined focus for antimicrobial stewardship efforts. While much research has focused on the manufacturing and regulatory end, less is known about how antibiotics reach consumers in rural and peri-urban settings. This study aimed to map the human antibiotic value chain in West Bengal, India, and to analyse how formal and informal governance structures influence antibiotic use and stewardship. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in two Gram Panchayats in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 31 key informants, including informal providers, medical representatives, wholesalers, pharmacists, and regulators. Interviews explored the structure of the antibiotic value chain, actor relationships, and regulatory mechanisms. Data were analysed thematically using a value chain governance framework and NVivo 12 for coding. Results: The antibiotic value chain in rural West Bengal is highly fragmented and governed by overlapping formal and informal rules. Multiple actors—many holding dual or unofficial roles—operate across four to five tiers of distribution. Informal providers play a central role in both prescription and dispensing, often without legal licences but with strong community trust. Informal norms, credit systems, and market incentives shape prescribing behaviour, while formal regulatory enforcement is inconsistent or absent. Conclusions: Efforts to promote antibiotic stewardship must move beyond binary formal–informal distinctions and target governance structures across the entire value chain. Greater attention should be paid to actors higher up the chain, including wholesalers and pharmaceutical marketing networks, to improve stewardship and access simultaneously. This study highlights how fragmented governance structures, overlapping actor roles, and uneven regulation within antibiotic value chains create critical gaps that must be addressed to design effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies.

Emerging zoonotic pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and Nipah virus demonstrate the critical need for integrated surveillance systems connecting human, animal, and environmental health. This review examines how artificial intelligence can address One Health integration gaps in pandemic surveillance, focusing on resource-limited settings. While global digitization levels now support Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered platforms, LMICs face barriers including limited resources and fragmented data systems. Current AI tools remain domain-specific and designed for high-income settings, limiting its applicability to pandemic preparedness in low-resource settings. Existing AI-tools and gaps are described and put into perspective within an AI-driven One Health framework, specifically for LMICs. The framework exemplifies resource optimization, governance, sectoral collaboration, capacity building, health system integration, geographic accessibility, and prioritization. The framework also features an exemplified dual solution combining Graph Neural Networks for integrated risk assessment with offline-first mobile applications for community surveillance. AI technologies offer substantial potential for pandemic preparedness through automated data harmonization, predictive modeling, and resource optimization. However, successful implementation requires concurrent digitization, cultural adaptation, and local capacity building. Prioritizing mobile solutions with minimal infrastructure requirements alongside community engagement will be essential for creating equitable AI-based surveillance systems in LMICs.

The study was conducted to assess the effects of a postbiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) and a commercial phytogenic feed additive (PFA) as alternative to antibiotic growth promoter(AGP) on growth performance, gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, and immune response of commercial broiler chickens at a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) classified sector 3 commercial poultry farm. One-day-old mixed sex Vencobb 430 Y chicks (n=4800) were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups for 35 days experimentation encompassingT1 (positive control, PC) basal diet supplemented with bacitracin methylene disalicylate as an AGP at 500 g/MT; T2 (negative control, NC) basal diet without a growth promoter; T3 basal diet supplemented with commercial PFA at 500 g/MT; T4 basal diet supplemented with SCFP at 1.25 kg/MT.At day 35, ADG and FCR were significantly improved in PFA and SCFP groups compared to the NC group. The levels of blood glucose, total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, and uric acid in serum showed no significant variation across different dietary treatments. From day 21 of the study, log cfu count and DNA concentration of pathogens (Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Salmonella) decreased significantly in the AGP, PFA, and SCFP groups compared to the NC group. Whereas the log cfu count and average DNA concentration of Lactobacillus was significantly increased in PFA and SCFP groups, but not in AGP group. Increased Lactobacillus concentration in PFA and SCFP groups downregulated the virulence gene expression of pathogens (Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella). The duodenal and jejunal villi height was significantly higher in PFA and SCFP groups, although ratio of villi height to crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum did not show significant differences among the groups. On day 28, antibody titers against the IBDV and NDV were significantly higher in SCFP groups than other groups. The present study did not identify any modulation of the cell mediated immune response in the chickens. In conclusion, addition of SCFP at 1.25 kg/MT or PFA at 500 g/MT in diet could produce better nutrient utilization ability, reduction of pathogens and their virulence gene expression, increased Lactobacillus count, but incorporation of SCFP increased antibody titre against two fatal viral infections such as NDV and IBDV which was not detected with PFA.

Oxidative stress is a critical pathological mechanism implicated in the progression of various disease conditions, primarily due to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that overwhelm the body's antioxidant defenses. Among the different cell types affected, erythrocytes are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage because of their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content and continuous exposure to oxygen. This makes them a key target for oxidative injury, which can compromise membrane integrity and reduce cell lifespan. Natural antioxidants have gained considerable attention for their potential to mitigate oxidative stress. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), in particular, is recognized for its strong antioxidant properties, attributed to its rich composition of carotenoids, polyphenolic acids, and flavonoids. These bioactive compounds can effectively scavenge free radicals, thereby protecting erythrocytes from oxidative insult. The present study was to explore the antioxidant efficacy of Fenugreek in counteracting sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress within sheep red blood cells (RBCs). The inherent vulnerability of RBCs to oxidative stress is attributed to the elevated presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids within their membranes. By subjecting red blood cells to 24-hour incubation with sodium fluoride (NaF), oxidative stress was effectively induced. Our protective strategies involved the utilization of ascorbic acid and Fenugreek extract. Notably, alterations in the levels of SOD, GSH, and MDA were utilized as indicators of oxidative stress severity. Both ascorbic acid and Fenugreek extract exhibited the capacity to restore the proportions of SOD, GSH, and MDA to levels parallel to the normal state. This resounding outcome underscored the potential of these treatments to mitigate the oxidative stress triggered by sodium fluoride (NaF) in erythrocytes. In conclusion, the pronounced antioxidant properties of both ascorbic acid and Fenugreek offer a promising avenue for alleviating the oxidative stress inflicted on erythrocytes by sodium fluoride (NaF). This study further accentuates the significant role of Fenugreek as a potential natural remedy against oxidative damage, particularly in the context of sodium fluoride-induced stress within red blood cells.