Development of cell culture from caudal fin and heart of Tor tor (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Tor mahseer (Tor tor), possess high commercial and recreational value as they are potential game as well as food fish of India. Two cell culture systems were developed from fin and heart of T. tor (Hamilton-Buchanan). The explants excised aseptically from fingerling of T. tor were cultured in Leibovitz-15 (L-15) medium with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Radiation of cells started after 72 hours and 48 hours of explant attachment from caudal fin and heart respectively. Confluent monolayer of cells with heterogeneous morphology around fin explants was observed after 7-10 days, where as a homogenous confluent layer of fibroblastic cells from heart explant was observed after 12-13 days. The establishment of cell culture systems from different organs and tissues of commercial important species would facilitates in vitro research.

Building coalitions, creating change: an agenda for gender transformative research in development Workshop Report 3-5 October 2012, Penang, Malaysia

There is compelling evidence that increased gender equity can make a significant contribution towards alleviating poverty and increasing food security. But past efforts to integrate gender into agricultural research and development practice have failed to address the inequalities that limit women’s access to agricultural inputs, markets, resources and advice. A Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) goes beyond just considering the symptoms of gender inequality, and addresses the social norms, attitudes, behaviors and social systems that underlie them. The CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) has placed the GTA at the heart of its gender strategy. This workshop was an opportunity for researchers, practitioners and donors working in this area to address the challenge of how to translate this approach into actual research and development practice. The workshop recommended that a GTA should be adopted alongside, not instead of, existing efforts to reverse gender disparities in resources, technologies and markets. It is through this pairing that improved social and material outcomes can be achieved, with the expectation that when achieved together, both types of outcomes will be more lasting than if achieved individually.

Embryonic and larval development of Mystus gulio (Ham.)

Mystus gulio eggs are strongly adhesive and contain relatively small yolk (0.75-1.0 mm). The egg envelop is thick and transparent. First cleavage (two cells), four cells, eight cells, sixteen cells and multi cells stages were found 20, 25, 35-40, 60 and 70 minutes after fertilization, respectively. The morula stage was visualized within 1.5 h after fertilization. The heart beat visible and the circulatory system commenced after 16 h of fertilization. Embryos hatched 18-20h after activation of egg. The newly hatched larva measured 2.82±0.03 mm in length and 0.32±0.06 mg in weight. The yolk sac was fully absorbed by the third day though larvae commenced exogenous feeding even before completion of yolk absorption. A 5-day old post larva began wandering in search of food. Ten-day old post larvae endowed with eight branched rays in dorsal fin and seven in caudal fin. Fifteen-day old post larvae had the pectm:al spine become stout though the embryonic fin folds had to be disappeared. The length of fingerlings ranged from 25-30 mm after 30 days, and their external features were just like those of an adult except that they were not sexually matured.