Biology subjects

Rajkhowa, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Rajkhowa, S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Characterization of B646L (p72) gene and the resistance pattern of African swine fever Virus tolerant to indigenous Doom Pig breeds of India

African Swine Fever (ASF) has affected all pig breeds in North-East India since 2020, except Doom pigs, a unique indigenous breed from Assam and the closest progenitor to Indian wild pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for pig farmers in the region. Based on the complete sequences of the B646L (p72) gene, it has been determined that the virus responsible for the outbreak is ASFV genotype II. The further characterization of three complete sequences of the B646L (p72) gene established 100% identical with other existing sequences of different parts of the world as well as confirmed that there is no co-circulation of different genotypes of ASFV in India except genotype II. Present studies also corroborate that MYD88, LDHB and IFIT1 were important genes of the immune system involved in the pathogenesis of ASFV. The differential expression patterns of these genes in ASFV-infected survived, and healthy Doom breed pigs, compared to healthy control pigs, were studied to distinguish the expression pattern at different stages. The hardiness and ability of the Doom pig to withstand common pig diseases, along with its genetic resemblance to wild pigs, make it an ideal candidate for studying tolerance to ASFV infection. So, the present study investigates the natural resistance to ASF in Doom pigs from an endemic area in North-East India to support the proposition that Doom pigs can co-exist with virulent ASFVs recently break in North-East India. The results of this study also provide important molecular insights into the regulation of the ASFV-tolerant gene. ImportanceStudying the natural resistance to African Swine Fever (ASF) in Doom pigs from North-East India holds crucial importance. ASF has inflicted significant economic losses on pig farmers in the region, necessitating the identification and comprehension of factors contributing to resistance and tolerance in specific pig breeds such as Doom pigs. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors associated with ASFV tolerance could help in breeding programs and the selection of resilient pig breeds, ultimately aiding in disease control efforts.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Incidences of Helicobacter infection in pigs and tracing occupational hazard in pig farmers

Helicobacter species (H. sp.) is a gram-negative spiral-shaped motile bacteria that causes gastritis in pigs and also colonizes the human stomach. The current study seeks to assess the prevalence of various H. sp. in the gastric mucosa of slaughtered and dead pigs, as well as the prevalence of Helicobacter infection among pig farmers. A total of 403 stomach samples from various pig slaughter points, 74 necropsy samples from various pig farms and 97 stool samples from pig farmers were collected from Assam, India. Among 477 pig stomach samples tested, 214 samples with gastritis (20.09%) showed Gram negative, spiral-shaped organisms in brush cytology from the mucosal surface, and the rest of the 263 stomach samples without any gastric lesion showed only 3.04% Gram negative, spiral-shaped organisms. In ultrastructure investigation, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of the four urease positive stomach samples revealed a tightly coiled Helicobacter bacterium (spiral-shaped) found in the mucous lining of the stomach. In histopathological examination of pars esophagia, cardiac and fundic mucosa showed chronic gastritis associated with hemorrhagic necrosis, leucocytic infiltration with neutrophils and macrophages, and lymphoid aggregates (lymphoid follicles) etc. PCR confirmed 16S rRNA genes of Helicobacter suis (H. suis) where a total of 42 (19.63%) out of 214 pig stomach samples and 2 (2.08%) out of 96 stool samples of pig farmers were found positive for H. suis. of these 96 stool samples of pig farmers 3 (3.12%) were confirmed positive for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Phosphoglucosamine mutase gene in PCR. Phylogenic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of H. suis showed distinct clusters with other H. sp. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the prevalence of Helicobacter both in pig gastric mucosa and human stool. The findings highlight the need for improved sanitation and hygiene practices among pig farmers to minimize the risk of Helicobacter infection in humans.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Mass spectrometric analysis and biostimulatory effects of boar seminal gel, saliva and semen in pigs

The present study aimed to identify novel biostimulatory compounds in boar seminal gel (SG), saliva and semen using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). SG alone and its combined application with saliva (SG+saliva) and semen (SG+semen) also studied to train young boars. SG alone and SG+Saliva investigated for estrus induction in gilts and sows. Distilled water (DW) exposure was kept as control. SG, saliva and semen screened for total 105, 96 and 89 compounds. The highest concentration was of alkanes followed by sugar alcohols, then hydrocarbons, amino acids and fatty acids. Elaidic acid is the novel compound identified in pigs. Other compounds were tridecenol, undecane, hexadecone, eicosane, tetracosane etc. Further, young males (64.86%) were able to get trained. Significant higher (p<0.05) number of males got trained in exposure to SG (80%), SG+saliva (75%) and SG+semen (75%) than control. The time (hrs) taken by young boars to get trained on exposure to combination of SG+saliva (244{+/-}22.19) and SG+semen (216{+/-}13.14) was lesser (p<0.05) than SG (356{+/-}61.85) alone. Interval (hrs) for exhibition of different sexual behaviour by males on exposure to SG, saliva and semen was lesser (p<0.05) than control. Estrus was induced in 61.25% of females. Significant (p<0.05) higher number of females showed estrus response to exposure of SG (72.72%) and SG+saliva (69.23%) than control. Interval taken to exhibit estrus was lesser (p<0.05) in females exposed to SG+saliva (201.88{+/-}12.66) than SG (262.14{+/-}20.06) alone. Interval (hrs) for exhibition of different sexual behaviour by females on exposure to SG+saliva was lesser (p<0.05) than control. In conclusion, novel compounds with biostimulatory properties have been identified in boar SG, saliva and semen. The combined exposure of SG with saliva and semen have more intense biostimulation effect than SG alone. Such compounds and biostimulatory effects can be exploited for augmenting reproductive efficiency in pigs.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2023

Metagenomic analysis of Pigs' faecal microbiome and its functional response associated with dietary fibre

Pig husbandry is the most valued and economically sustainable husbandry in the livestock farming system. The performance and productivity of the pig are chiefly dependent on the nutritional factor steered by gut beneficial bacteria. The swine gut microbiome has a direct relationship with feed efficiency. As a consequence, identifying microbial taxonomy and functional capacity is critical for proper nutrient digestion. In the present investigation, eighteen grower pigs aged 3 months and weighing 30{+/-}0.55 kg were allocated into three different groups using a randomized block layout and supplemented with QPM maize fodder of 0, 5, and 10% to the basal diet by substituting (wt/wt on DM) the maize grains, and named as T0, T1, and T2 to probe the increase in gut beneficial bacteria found in the faecal contents. For comparison with T0, T1, and T2, a random faecal sample designated R was collected from six grower pigs of the same age group and bodyweight fed a maize-soya bean-based diet. The experiment is being carried out to investigate the effect of various maize fodder levels on the metagenomic profiles of pig gut microbiota using the 16S rRNA gene. All of the experimental diets were iso-nitrogenous, with protein content ranging from 18.37 to 18.63 per cent. The data generated by 16S rRNA amplicon analysis was 68, 56, 61, and 39 Mb in R, T0, T1, and T2 samples, respectively. From taxonomic distribution, bacterial phyla namely Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Spirochetes are found in descending order of relative abundance in the R, T0, and T1 groups, respectively, while Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Fibrobacteres, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutesare found in descending order of relative abundance in the T2 group. The relative profusion of Fibrobacter succinogenes is 0.89% and 16.84% in the T1 and T2 groups. According to the findings, a higher level of maize fodder in the diet of grower pigs promotes the growth of fibre-degrading bacteria in the gut microbiota, particularly Fibrobacter succinogenes. Moreover, feeding green maize has decreased the population of methanobacteria in the gut of pigs, which in turn has limited the production of methane.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

Detection and Whole Genome of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Genotype III strains isolated from Indian Pig and Mosquito vector

Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV) are globally prevalent as deadly pathogens in human and animals including pig, horse and cattle. Japanese encephalitis (JE) still remains as an important cause of epidemic encephalitis worldwide and exists in a zoonotic transmission cycle. Assam is one of the highly endemic state for JE in India. In the present study, to understand the epidemiological status of JE circulating in pigs and mosquito particularly in Assam, India, molecular detection of JEV and the complete genome sequencing of the JEV isolates from pig and mosquito were done. The complete genome analysis of two JEV isolates from pig and mosquito were revealed7 and 21 numbers of unique points polymorphism of nucleotide during alignment of the sequences with other available sequences, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates of present investigation were belongs to genotype III and closely related with the strains of neighbouring country China. This study represents the transboundary nature of the JEV genotype III circulation and maintained the same genotype through mosquito-swine transmission cycles.

genomics↗