Md. Tareq Mussa¹, Md. Mostofa Kamal^1,2, Md. Atowar Rahman³,  Sharifuzzaman⁴, Shonkor Kumar Das²

¹Department of Anatomy and Histology, Jhenidah Government Veterinary College, Jhenidah, Bangladesh
²Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
³Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, Jhenidah Government Veterinary College, Jhenidah, Bangladesh
⁴Department of Pathology and Parasitological, Jhenidah Government Veterinary College, Jhenidah, Bangladesh

The study on effects of tobacco smoking on morphology of spleen of mice was carried out to investigate the harmful effect of of tobacco smoking on morphology of spleen of mice. A total of fifteen (15) White Swiss Albino (Mus muculus) male mice (collected from ICDDR, B) at 42 days were used for this experiment and grouped (each of which has 5 mice) as the control group (C), the cigarette fume treated group (CF) and the cigarette root treated group (CR). Control group was under normal feed (standard mice pellets purchased from ICDDR, B) and water; for the fume treated group (CF), fume of 5 cigarettes was given using a special fumigation box for 5 minutes 3 times daily at one hour interval with normal feed and water & for the root treated group (CR), five cigarette roots were mixed with half liter of water and supplied ad libitumly with normal feed. The total experimental tenure was 4 weeks. After 4 weeks all the mice were killed and spleen was collect, preserved and processed and stained (H & E) for histo-pathological investigation. Gross morphological study was done by eye estimation, balance and slide caliper. Shape and color change were higher but decreased size of spleen was found in treated groups. Necrosis and vacuoles in treated groups, but hemorrhage, erosion of capsule of fume group and thinner trabecule in root exposed were found. These indicate smoking can cause a great harm to the spleen.

Keywords: Cigarette, Smoking, Spleen, Swiss Albino mice, Histopathology.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: t.mussadvm@gmail.com (MT Mussa)

How to cite this article: Mussa MT, Kamal MM, Rahman MA, Sharifuzzaman and Das SK (2018). Effects of tobacco smoking on morphology of spleen of mice. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 01-06.

M.A. Hossain¹, M.A. Islam², A. Akhtar³, M. S. Islam³, M.F. Rahman¹

¹Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
²Palli Daridra Bimochon Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
³Department of Livestock Services, Farmgate, Dhaka, Bangladesh

The experiment was conducted to investigate the present socio-economic status, potentialities of sheep production and management practices of sheep rearing in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh through field survey. The study was conducted at three villages of Gafargaon upazila on sheep production family as their profession from September 2017 to February 2018. Sixty percent farmers used roadside grass and 40% used cultivated and roadside grass. Most of farmers used mixed feed which was bought from local market and 20% farmers used vitamin-mineral supplementation. About 100% farmers used natural breeding. Eighty and 80% farmers practiced vaccination and de-worming, respectively. Ten percent farmers used hormone, antibiotic and growth promoter and 25% farmers removed sick animal from healthy stock. All farmers allowed access to outdoor and pasturing during winter season and none reared male and female sheep separately. Only 10% farmers kept their animal record. Most of farmers were middle aged categories (53%) and education level of farmers was 63, 30, and 7% primary, secondary and higher secondary. Out of 30 respondents 50% were farmers and 23% businessman.  About 57% farmers used own capital, 10%, farmers took bank loan and 33% took NGO loan for sheep production. About 37% farmers purchased sheep occasionally from local market. The major problems in safety sheep production of high cost of vitamin-mineral supplement, unavailable organic fertilizer,   lack of technical knowledge and lack of pasture land were 10, 27, 83 and 43% respectively. There are great opportunities and potentialities for safety sheep production in Bangladesh both for satisfying animal protein requirement, production of quality sheep and improve the socio-economic status of farmers.

Keywords: Management practice, Socio-economic status, Sheep farmers.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: anwar.kbd82@gmail.com (M.A. Hossain)

How to cite this article: Hossain MA, Islam MA, Akhtar A, Islam MS and Rahman MF (2018). Socio-economic status of sheep farmers and the management practices of sheep at Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh district. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 07-15.

Md. Amirul Islam¹, Md. Atikuzzamman¹, Mohammad Shahidul Islam¹, Maria Akter Sathi²

¹International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Bangladesh
²Department of Horticulture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakahli, Bangaldesh

Use of chemical fertilizer in the crop field is harmful though its bring bit higher yield in production but it causes devastating harm in near future like destruction of soil friability, reduction of living microorganism, leach away ground water before they use, encourage plant disease etc. So alternate practice should be followed. An experiment was conducted at Gabua village under Badarpur Union, Patuakhali to study the performance evaluation of chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer and fertilizer rate (only urea) on performance of Mung. The study was done using BARI Mung 6 and Power Tiller Operated Seeder (PTOS) was used as cultivation technique The result from the experiment shows that there is no significant difference in plant number and 1000 grain weight (g) among those treatments and their mean were 31.11, 29, 28.55 and 38.28g, 36.97g, 36.39g respectively. But other yield attributing characters shows significant variation among treatments i.e. chemical fertilizer used field, biofertilizer used field and farmers’ practiced mungbean field respectively. Average grain yield in biofertilizer applied field was significantly higher than farmers practiced field. Mean of grain yield were 0.66, 0.57 and 0.49 t/ha respectively.

Keywords: Biofertilizer, Mungbean, Power Tiller Operated Seeder, Yield.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: musa_amirul@yahoo.com (Md. Amirul Islam)

How to cite this article: Islam MA, Atikuzzamman M, Islam MS and Sathi MA (2018). Performance of BARI Mung 6 at recommended fertilizer rate, biofertilizer and farmer practice. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 16-19.

Mohammad Shaokat Ali¹, Md. Fahad-Bin-Quader¹, Md. Ashraful Islam¹, Shamima Ahmed², Afifa Siddiqua¹, Tanjina Akter¹

¹Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chittagong Veterinary and  Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chittagong-4225, Bangladesh
²Department of Food Processing and Engineering, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chittagong-4225, Bangladesh

The aim of the present study was to characterize the physicochemical properties of Bangladeshi honey samples. A total of twelve samples from four branded honey were examined to evaluate eight physicochemical properties such as, pH, moisture content, ash content, diastase activity, total solids (TS), acidity, HMF (hydroxymethyl-fufural) and specific gravity. The mean levels of the properties significantly (p<0.05) varied between 2.93 to 4.29 for P^H, 0.02 to 0.07% for acidity, 2.57 to 12.58% for moisture content, 88.4 to 97.53% for total solid, 0.05 to 0.118% for ash content, 1.36 to 1.42 for specific gravity, 5.7 to 38.66 mg/kg for HMF and 1.93° to 12.97° Gothe for diastase activity. All honey samples were found to meet Codex Alimentarius Commission and European Legislation (EC Directive 2001/110) standards for all properties, except for diastase activity. Other attributes such as reducing sugar, carbohydrates and ketose sugar were also evaluated. Reducing sugar, carbohydrate and ketose sugar showed positive results for all honey samples. It was also found that all the honey samples were adulterated with water but no honey samples were adulterated with sugar. Although honey sold in Bangladesh is generally of good quality, efforts need to be made to reduce the adulteration of honey.

Keywords: Honey, Physicochemical properties, HMF content Codex alimentarius.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: shaokat.fst@gmail.com (M Shaokat Ali)

How to cite this article: Ali MS, Quader MFB, Islam MA, Ahmed S, Siddiqua A and Akter T (2018). Qualitative evaluation of honey available in Bangladeshi markets. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 20-27.

Md. Nurul Aziz^1,6, Md. Khairul Bashar², Abidur Reza³, Md. Ariful Haque⁴, Md. Shaheenur Rahman^5,6

¹Institute of Livestock Science and Technology (ILST) Gaibandha -5700, Bangladesh
²Animal Production Research Division, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh
³Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
⁴Aftab Feed Products Limited, 59/B, Kamal Atartuk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh
⁵Jhenidah Govt. Veterinary College, Jhenidah-7300, Bangladesh
⁶Department of Livestock services, Dhaka, Bangladesh

A total of 18 crossbred New Zealand White rabbit aged about 1 to 1.5 months were reared to investigate the effect of vitamin-mineral-amino acid premix on their growth performance. Complete randomized design (CRD) was used for this study. Rabbits were weighed initially and blocked into three diet groups of 6 rabbit per treatment according to live weight. The animals in each block were then assigned The treatment groups were given 0 (T₁), 1 (T₂) and 2 (T₃) gm of Vitamin-Mineral-Amino acid Premix (VMAP) along with green grass and concentrate mixture. Rabbits were fed with concentrate mixture having 1gm VMAP/kg concentrate (T₁) achieved highest average final body weight (1315.00gm), highest total body weight gain (734.0 gm), highest average DMI (66.95 gm), and the best FCR  than other treatment groups with non-significant (p>0.05) variations.  On the other hand, the average growth velocity of T₂ group was insignificantly (p>0.05) lower than the other two groups. From the experiment conducted it can be concluded that optimum growth performance of young rabbit might be achieved without external supplementation of Vitamin-Mineral-Amino acid Premix.

Keywords: Rabbit, Growth performance, Vitamin mineral Amino acid premix.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ahazizrangpur@gmail.com (MN Aziz)

How to cite this article: Aziz MN, Bashar MK, Reza A, Haque MA and Rahman S (2018). Effect of vitamin-mineral-amino acid premix on growth performance of young rabbit. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 28-31.

M.N. Islam^1,3, M. A. Kashem¹, M. H. Rahman¹, M. R. Amin², M.N. Aziz⁴

¹Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
²Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
³Department of Agricultural Extension, Dhaka, Bangladesh
⁴Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh

To determine farmers’ perception of benefits of practicing crop diversification was the main purpose of the study. The study sought to explore carefully the relationships between twelve characteristics of the farmers and their perception of benefits of practicing crop diversification. Three unions of Rajarhat upazila under Kurigram district were the locale of the study. From a population of 558 NCDP beneficiaries 107 farmers including both male and female were randomly selected as the sample of the study. Data were collected from farmers by the researcher himself using personal interview schedule during 27 March to 03.May 2005. Different question items and scales were developed to measure perception and other key issues for the study. The categorization of data and correlation coefficients were done in order to analyze the survey results in a meaningful way. Results from the analysis indicated that majority (73.83 percent) farmers of the study area had moderately favourable perception of benefits of practicing crop diversification followed by 9.35 percent favourable and 16.82 percent unfavourable perception. Out of twelve selected characteristics of the farmers only three characteristics namely level of education, extension contact and knowledge on crop diversification were positively and significantly correlated with their perception in this regard. The other characteristics of farmers namely age , family education, farm size, annual income, area under rice cultivation, training exposure, cosmopoliteness, innovativeness and risk orientation had no significant relationships with their perception of benefits of practicing crop diversification. The individuals of the characteristics of farmers which showed significant relationship with their perception of benefits of practicing crop diversification should be duly considered during the planning of development programmes for the farmers. The main constraints faced by the farmers in adopting crop diversification were lack of storage facilities for diversified crops, unavailability of improved seeds, less marketing opportunity, lack of knowledge on crop diversification and lack of sufficient training programmes in different aspects of crop diversification. However, some other constraints identified by the farmers can also be considered as important factors for adopting crop diversification and perception regarding this.

Keywords:Farmer, Socio-economic characters, Perception Crop diversification, Benefit.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: nazrul675@yahoo.com (MN Islam)

How to cite this article: Islam MN, Kashem MA, Rahman MH, Amin MR and Aziz MN (2018). Farmers’ perception of benefits of practicing crop diversification. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 32-47.

Sharmin Akther Ripa¹, Fahima Binthe Aziz¹, Rakibul Islam¹, Md. Mahmudul Hasan¹, Mst. Misrat Masuma Parvez¹, Tahmina Lipi¹, Mohammad Jubayar² and Mithun Chandro Roy³

¹Department. of physiology and pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200,  Bangladesh
²Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
³Deparment. of Microbiology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus in recent years has increased greatly in Bangladesh. Plant Products such as spirulina can be used as alternative of synthetic drugs to avoid side effects and high cost. So the present study was undertaken to assess the antidiabetic effect of spirulina. We selected 2.5-3 months old rabbits and divided into three groups consisting of 5 rabbits in each group. Group T0 was kept for negative (no alloxan) control, the rest of the group (T1 and T2) were injected with alloxan intraperitonealy at a dose rate of 150 mg /kg body weight. T1 was diabetic control group and T2 was treated with spirulina @1000 mg/kg feed. Observations were recorded to detect induction of diabetics; blood glucose level was measured after 72 hours and body weight, heamoto-biochemical parameters were taken in every week. Blood glucose level increased significantly (p<0.01) in all treated groups compared to the control group and the highest induction was recorded in T1 group treated with alloxan but did not received Spirulina. Blood glucose level significantly decreased in the group T2, which were treated with spirulina. Body weight decreased significantly (p<0.01) in all alloxan treated groups but increased significantly (P<0.01) in the control group after 4 weeks of treatment. Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) decreased in the T1 group and significantly increased in the T2 group. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) levels increased in the T1 group and decreased in the T2 group. The level of SGPT, SGOT and Serum creatinine was the highest in group in T1 and lowest in group T2. Taken together, the results revealed that Spirulina have possitive effect on heamato-biochemical parameters and body weight. The data obtained from this study suggests that Spirulina platensis has an antidiabetic effect and can be used to treat hyperglycemia and related complications.

Keywords: Diabetes, Rabbit, Alloxan, Spirulina.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: sharminripa27@gmail.com (SA Ripa)

How to cite this article: Ripa SA, Aziz FB, Islam R, Hasan MM, Parvez, MMM, Lipi T, Jubayar M and Roy MC (2018). Antidiabetic effect of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) in alloxan induced rabbit model. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 48-53.

Md. Moshiur Rahman Riaj¹, A. S. M. Iqbal Hussain¹, Akhinur Shila², Md. Tariqul Islam¹, S. M. Zahid Hassan¹, Md. Emran Hossain¹

¹Department of Agronomy, Patuakhali Science and Technology University. Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh
²Department of Agricultural Botany, Patuakhali Science and Technology University. Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh

The field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Field of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali during the period from November, 2015 to February 2016 to find out the effect of nitrogen and boron on the yield and yield attributes of mustard. The experiment consisted of two factors. Factor-A:  nitrogen (N) doses: 4 doses, N₀= without nitrogen, N₁= 60 kgha^-1, N₂=90 kgha^-1, N₃=120 kgha^-1 and factor-B: boron (B) doses: 3 doses, B₀= without boron, B₁=1 kgha^-1, B₂= 2 kgha^-1. The experiment was laid out following RCBD with three replications. Data on different parameters related to seed yield and quality was recorded and statistically significant variation was found for nitrogen and boron. In terms of nitrogen fertilizer, 120 kg Nha^-1 produced the highest in respect of plant height (67.67 cm), number of branches per plant (6.94), number of siliqua per plant (151.44), number of seeds per siliqua (24.90), 1000 seed weight (3.81 g), seed yield (1466.33 kgha^-1), stover yield (4577.96 kgha^-1), harvest index (24.23 %) and the lowest value found at control in most of the parameters. In case of boron fertilizer, plant height (59.75 cm), number of branches per plant (6.67), number of siliqua per plant (124.61), number of seeds per siliqua (22.51), 1000 seed weight (3.71 g), seed yield (1321.08 kgha^-1), stover yield (4378.55 kgha^-1), harvest index (22.97 %) were highest in boron @ 2 kg B/ha whereas the lowest results were found in control. Due to the interaction effect of nitrogen and boron in mustard, the plant height (72.00 cm) , number of branches per plant (7.39), number of siliqua per plant (157.00), number of seeds per siliqua (26.37), 1000 seed weight (3.86 g), seed yield (1569.00 kgha^-1), stover yield (4712.65 kgha^-1), harvest index (25.00 %) were highest in nitrogen @ 120 kg Nha^-1 combined with boron @ 2 kg Bha^-1 whereas the lowest value was found in nitrogen @ 0 kg Nha^-1 combined with boron @ 0 kg Bha^-1 in mustard.

Keywords: Nitrogen, Boron, Yield, Mustard

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: moshiuriaj@gmail.com (MMR Riaj)

How to cite this article: Riaj MMR, Hussain ASMI, Shila A, Islam MT, Hassan SMZ and Hossain ME (2018). Effect of nitrogen and boron on the yield and yield attributes of mustard. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 54-64.

Md. Emran Hossain, Sultan Ahmed, Md. Tariqul Islam, Md. Moshiur Rahman Riaj, Kazi Ariful Haque, S.M. Zahid Hassan

Department of Agronomy, Patuakhali Science and Technology University. Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali under AEZ-13 during the period from June 2017– December 2017 to optimize the nitrogen rate for three aromatic rice varieties in Aman season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment was consisted of three aromatic rice varieties viz., V₁= BRRI dhan34, V₂= BRRI dhan38 and V₃ = Sakkorkhora and four fertilizer treatments viz., N₀= 0 kg/ha nitrogen (Control), N₁= 30 kg/ha nitrogen, N₂= 45 kg/ ha nitrogen and N₃= 60 kg/ha nitrogen. The unit plot size was 4 m x 2.5 m. The result revealed that application of nitrogen significantly influenced the yield of aromatic rice varieties. The  number of effective tillers hill^-1 (12.00), 1000-grain weight (16.69 g), grain yield (3.44 t ha^-1), biological yield (8.05 t ha^-1), panicle length (29.44 cm) and harvest index (42.76%) were found highest with 45 kg N ha^-1 but the highest plant height (152.43 cm) and straw yield (4.64 t ha^-1) were found from 60 kg N ha^-1 and all the characters showed the lowest value in control. The variety BRRI dhan38 showed the best performance among the varieties. The longest plant height (157.08 cm) was found from Sakkorkhora but the longest panicle (28.89 cm), the maximum 1000-grain weight (16.71 g), the maximum grain yield of 3.38 t ha^-1, the maximum biological yield (7.87 t ha^-1) and harvest index (42.89%) were obtained from BRRI dhan38 and maximum filled grains per panicle (145.99) from BRRI dhan34. Interaction effect showed that BRRI dhan38 when fertilized with 45 kg N ha^-1 produced maximum grain yield (3.72 t ha^-1) and the minimal grain yield (2.93 t ha^-1) was obtained from BRRI dhan34 fertilized without N.

Keywords: Aromatic rice, Nitrogen, Aaman season.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: emranbarguna3729@gmail.com (EM Hossain)

How to cite this article: Hossain ME, Ahmed S, Islam MT, Riaj MMR, Haque KA and Hassan SMZ (2018). Optimization of nitrogen rate for three aromatic rice varieties in Patuakhali region. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 65-70.

Md. Ariful Haque¹, Md. Nurul Aziz^2,5, Md. Ali Akbar³, Md. Shaheenur Rahman^4,5, Md. Kamruzzaman Paikar^2,5

¹Aftab Feed Products Limited 59/B, Kamal Atartuk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka.Bangladesh
²Institute of Livestock Science and Technology (ILST) Gaibandha-5700. Bangladesh
³Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202. Bangladesh
⁴Jhenidah Govt. Veterinary College, Jhenidah-7300. Bangladesh
⁵Department of Livestock services, Dhaka Bangladesh

The experiment was carried out in a village called Digholgao under Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh BD to investigate the effect of different types of silage on milk production .Twelve milking cows (age 5-6 years, live weight 450±5 kg) divided into 4 groups each having 3 animals were used in the experiment They were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments: T₀ = Basal diet + napier grass and maize fodder, T₁= Basal diet + napier whole silage, T₂= Basal diet + napier chopped silage, T₃= Basal diet + maize silage. Basal diet was composed of rice straw, wheat bran, rice polish, mustard oil cake, DCP powder, salt and mineral mixture. All the animals of this experiment were offered ad libitum clean water. The design of experiment was completely randomized design. A feeding trial of 90 days duration was conducted on 12 dairy cows of mild lactation stage. The everyday milk production of those cows was recorded in a record book. The physico-chemical characteristics of different types of silages showed that maize and napier chopped silages were having similar P^H, colour, aroma, texture and temperature which were within the normal range of good quality silage. However, the silage of napier whole grass was having relatively poor quality characteristics compared to those of the other silages. The DM content of maize silage, napier chopped and whole silage were 18.47, 19.13 and 17.89% respectively. The P^H of maize silage, napier chopped and napier whole silage were 4.26, 4.27 and 5.26 respectively. The CP contents of maize silage (9.16%) and napier chopped silage (8.96%) were almost similar and higher than napier whole silage (7.03%). Meanwhile, the ADF content of napier whole silage (57.40%) was higher than maize silage (45.66%) and napier chopped (53.60%). The ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) content of maize silage (9.20%) and napier chopped silage (9.85%) were almost similar and higher than napier whole silage (7.57%). Meanwhile, the total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) content of maize silage, napier chopped and whole silage were 11.75%, 11.40% and 10.20% respectively. The average milk production (L/d) of maize, napier chopped and napier whole grass silage fed dairy cows were 18.94, 17.82 and 16.79 respectively. On the other hand, the control group or only mixed green grass fed dairy cows produce on average 14.73 litres milk per day. Milk yield of all the silage fed animal groups have given significantly (p<0.01) higher yields than that of the control group of animals. Among the silage supplemented groups the animals of maize silage group gave significantly (p<0.01) higher milk yield than that of napier whole grass silage group of animals but non-significantly higher yield than that of napier chopped silage group. The average milk production (L/d) of the 90 days feeding trial period for maize silage, napier chopped silage, napier whole grass silage and control diets were found as 18.94, 17.82, 16.79 and 14.73 respectively. Here all the silage fed groups of animals gave significantly (p<0.01) higher milk yield than that of the animals fed control ration. However, maize silage showed significantly better yield of milk compared to other silages. It was also found that milk yield was increased 28.59%, 20.96% and 13.97% of maize, napier chopped and napier whole silage fed cows, respectively over the control group. Based on the findings in respect of physical characteristics, chemical composition, pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) of silages and effect of silage on milk production of dairy cows it may be concluded that maize or chopped napier silage can be an effective alternative to green fodder during the period of fodder scarcity for continuing the milk production of dairy cows. Feeding silage to dairy cows increase milk production compared to fresh grass. Maize can produce better silage for increasing milk production compared to napier silage. Chopping napier grass before ensiling can give slightly better quality silage than whole napier grass.

Keywords: Silage, Milk production, Dairy cow.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ahazizrangpur@gmail.com (Md. Nurul Aziz)

How to cite this article: Haque MA, Aziz MN, Akbar A, Rahman MS and Paikar K (2018). Effect of different types of silage on milk production of dairy cows. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 71-81.

Abdul Matin¹ Tuli Banik², Md. Rahim Badsha¹, Altaf Hossain², Mohammad Mozibul Haque², Monsur Ahmad³

¹Department of Food processing and Engineering
²Department of Applied Food Science and Nutrition
³Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology
Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Khulshi, Chittagong-4225, Bangladesh

This study was conducted to investigate the microbiological quality of yoghurt (Dahi) samples collected from different locations in Bangladesh. A total of 50 yoghurt samples were studied from 10 selected areas of Bangladesh. The samples were tested for the Total Viable Bacterial Count (TVBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC) and Total yeast and mold count.  TVBC and TCC ranged in yoghurt samples were from 1.72×10⁷±1.6×10⁵ to 5.04×10⁸±1.5×10⁶ cfu/ml and 1.02×10²±1.58 to 4.51×10²±1.58 cfu/ml; respectively. Total yeast and mold count were ranged from 2.0 ×10²±1.58 to 9.4×10³±158.11 cfu/ml in yoghurt samples. This study indicates a need for emphasis on quality control within processing plants. The level of bacteria, coliform, yeast and mold counts indicated that excessive contamination occurs during manufacture and packaging of the product. Every small and large-scale yoghurt producer is suggested to maintain adequate hygienic condition to make the good quality and healthy yoghurt which will reduce the microorganisms load. Overall the hygienicc quality of those yoghurt samples was lower and must be improved considerably.

Keywords: Yoghurt, TVB & TCC, Total coliform, Total yeast & mold count.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: abmatinfst@gmail.com (Abdul Matin)

How to cite this article: Matin A, Banik T, Badsha MR, Hossain  A, Haque MM and Ahmad M (2018). Microbiological quality analysis of yoghurt in some selected areas of Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 82-86.

Israt Jerin^1,2, Sabeha Parvin², Md. Ashraful Islam², MAHNA Khan¹, Emdadul Haque Chowdhury¹

¹Department of Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymesningh-2202, Bangladesh
²Livestock Research Institute, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Neutralization of Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-1) is necessary to control mammalian reproduction. If reproductive capacity and sexual behavior need to be prevented, a contraceptive vaccine that neutralizes GnRH-1 would be preferred. Active immunization against GnRH-1using peptide based vaccine has gained wide spread acceptance and reached to field use. The GnRH-1molecule requires conjugating with a carrier protein along with an adjuvant to act as an antigen. As an alternative to peptide conjugates DNA vaccine can be used. The DNA vaccine that was used in this study containing eight repeated units of GnRH-1 peptides interspersed in eight Th-2 epitopes in a fusion protein. The vaccine was administered into male mice in conjuction with Phosphate buffer saline (Group-1), non ionized surfactant vesicle (Group-2) and bilesome (Group-3) solution. The highest suppression of the epididymal sperm count was seen in Group-2 (0.907±0.1554, p=0.0043) followed by Group-3 (1.790±0.3751, p=0.0009) and Group-1 (2.647±1.3972, p=0.0024), respectively. Testicular weight of the vaccinated mice showed highest suppression in Group-2 (0.105±0.0043, p=0.0003) followed by Group-3 (0.106±0.0049, p=0.0123) and Group-1(0.111±0.0089, p=0.0042). Result of the testicular score count revealed a highest suppression of testicular spermatogenesis (score 7-10) in Group-2 mice testes followed by Group-3 and Group-1 mice. An average, testicular score 10 were 4.00 ±1.73, 5.00 ±3.00, 13.67 ±4.16 and 14.00 ±1.73 for Group-2,3,1 and 4 control mice respectively. This was an indication of suppressed spermatogenesis following vaccination. Epididymal weight of the treated mice showed highest suppression in group-2 (0.021 ±0.0011, p=0.0034). Prostate and seminal vesicles of the all vaccinated mice showed reduced diameter of the glandular alveoli and decreased stored secretions and highest suppression were seen in Group-2 followed by Group-3 and Group-1. Evaluation of GnRH-1 mRNA expression in testicular tissues using GnRH-1 specific primers by RT-PCR successfully detected GnRH-1 mRNA expression in vaccinated mice. This is an indication of the reversibility of the sexual function following vaccination.

Keywords: DNA vaccine, Plasmid, Male mice, GNRH-1, T helper epitopes.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: isratjerin@gmail.com (Israt Jerin)

How to cite this article: Jerin I, Parvin S, Islam MA, Khan MAHNA and Chowdhury EH (2018). Changes in the reproductive system of the male mice immunized with a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding GNRH-1 and T helper epitopes. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 87-98.

Md. Wali Ullah 

Department of Public Administration and Governance Studies, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Local government is the representation of the people in the periphery of any country. It is a self-governing system of locality. There are two types of local government- urban local government and rural local government. ‘Women’ is a mostly concentrated issue in wider governance arena in current Bangladesh where local government is not the exception. Despite comprising more than 50 percent of the total population, women’s are deprived of political leadership opportunities and resources at all levels of the government. Women’s equal participation in governance is not only a matter of participation or democracy but also it is very natural that women’s interests to be taken into account as a strong stakeholder. Constitutional safeguard of Bangladesh can be seen as a milestone to ensuring women’s equal access and increased participation in political power structure even at the local level to ensuring participation, strengthening the local government as well as for the sustainable development of Bangladesh. No doubt, as a step forward, the elected reserve seats for women help to promote participation and women access to the decision-making process, though not practically much ensured, and eventually promote women empowerment. The paper is basically based on the review of secondary materials. The study findings suggest that, After the two decades of such an exemplary footstep, the real scenario is not so pleasing. Due to social, political and cultural barriers, elected women members in local government institutions cannot play their effective role. This study seeks to critically evaluate the extent of women’s political participation and empowerment in the local level institution like Union Parishad in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Women Participation, Empowerment, Local Government, Bangladesh.

Corresponding author.
E-mail address: waliullah_du46@yahoo.com (Md. Wali Ullah)

How to cite this article: Ullah MW (2018). Local Government in Bangladesh: Women’s Participation and Empowerment. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 5(4): 99-107.