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ThesisItem Open Access MOLECULAR GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BROILER STRAINS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2003-09) KRISHNA LATHA, K.V.; RAMESH GUPTA, B(MAJOR); SHARMA, R.P; HAZARY, R.C; NARASIMHA RAO, GABSTRACT : The potential use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was evaluated as a source of genetic markers for characterization of five genetically distinct broiler strains of chicken to establish genetic relationship among these lines based on the genomic variation observed and to identify strain specific markers, if any. A total of 40 decamer primers were used to amplify the DNA fingerprints in 48 genomic DNA samples of five broiler lines – Cornish High (10), Cornish Mid (10), Cornish Low (5), PB2 (12), a synthetic broiler parent strain and Px (11), a heavy commercial breeder line, maintained at the Project Directorate on Poultry (PDP), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The Cornish breed was classified as Cornish High (6.57 0.23), Cornish Mid (5.77 0.11) and Cornish Low (3.63 0.37) based on their antibody titers against Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC). Out of 40 oligonucleotide primers screened, 11 primers generated appreciable polymorphism, which were subjected to further analysis. Among a total of 196 bands amplified, 118 (60.2 %) were found to be polymorphic and the number of bands generated per primer varied from 14 to 22. The polymorphism generated by the primers ranged from 35.7 to 81.8 per cent and the size of the amplicons varied from 100 bp to 2600 bp. Analysis of the pooled DNA samples revealed that some of the polymorphic fingerprint profiles generated by the individual DNA samples were found to be absent in the fingerprint profiles generated by the same primer when pooled samples were used, indicating the genetic information of the population rather than the individuals. The analysis of fingerprints generated by the individual genomic DNA samples revealed that the Cornish High line could be distinguished from the others by the presence of a unique 568 bp fragment upon amplification using primer PDP 50F. Cornish Low group was characterized by the absence of 400 bp and 600 bp fragments when amplified by the primers PDP 50F and PDP 73F, respectively. A unique 400 bp fragment was found to be specific to PB2 line when amplified by primer PDP 64F, while the Px line could be characterized by the absence of 100 bp and 580 bp fragments amplified by the primers PDP 73F and PDP 50F, respectively. In addition, the 600 bp and 750 bp fragments were absent specifically in Px line when amplified by the primer PDP 58F. The overall mean genetic similarity within the strains estimated using the individual DNA samples based on Nei’s coefficient method ranged from 81.0 per cent in Px line to 85.53 per cent in Cornish Low and the genetic similarities within the Cornish High, Cornish Mid, Cornish Low, PB2 and Px lines ranged from 59.58 to 82.62, 72.17 to 94.01, 70.01 to 91.50, 64.80 to 92.03 and 63.51 to 86.12 per cent, respectively. The overall mean genetic similarity between the lines using the pooled DNA samples ranged from 77.86 per cent between PB2 and Cornish Mid to 89.54 per cent between Cornish Mid and Cornish Low. The overall mean genetic similarities based on the band frequency (WFi) method in Cornish High, Cornish Mid, Cornish Low, PB2 and Px lines were 61.11, 67.09, 69.44, 64.02 and 67.38 per cent, respectively. The genetic identity indices (BFij) between the five lines varied from 0.63 0.03 between Cornish Low and Px to 0.77 0.04 between Cornish Mid and Cornish Low. The genetic distance between Cornish Low and Px was maximum (0.48 0.05), while the genetic distance between Cornish Low and Cornish Mid was minimum (0.27 0.04). Results of the present study revealed the existence of low genetic variation within the lines and high genetic similarity between the five broiler lines studied. From the present study, it may be concluded that RAPD markers are effective in detecting polymorphisms between and within broiler populations, which is sufficient enough to throw light on their genetic constitution (through sampling) and population structure. This technology provides enough scope for making intermittent genetic assessment of the closed broiler populations of chicken vis-a-vis their selection and breeding histories for facilitating the development of line or breed or trait specific markers for further exploitation.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON ECONOMIC TRAITS OF ONGOLE CATTLE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2003-08) VINOO, R; Narasimha rao, G(MAJOR)ABSTRACT: A study was undertaken to know the extent of genetic and phenotypic variation present in the growth, production and reproduction characters, number of days for change of coat colour and age till survival of Ongole cattle in four farms in Andhra Pradesh, covering the period 1978 – 2002. An attempt was also made to predict the body weight based on body measurements. The draught ability of Ongole cattle under thermal stress conditions was evaluated and sire evaluation by different methods based on 305-day lactation milk yield was studied. The effects of farm, period of birth, season of birth and sex on body weights and measurements at different ages and age at first calving and the effects of farm, period of calving, season of calving, sex and parity on other production and reproduction traits were studied by subjecting the data to least squares analysis. The genetic parameters were estimated after adjusting the data for the effects of farm, period and season. The overall least squares mean body weights at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were 26.08 + 0.26, 46.70 + 0.96, 72.92 + 0.95, 112.38 + 1.39, 137.77 + 3.37, 164.34 + 3.01, 222.68 + 3.93 and 271.78 + 4.81 kg, respectively. The calves born in Lam farm had the highest body weights at all the ages studied. The body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were significantly affected by the farms. Period of birth had significant influence on the body weights of Ongoles at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. Season of birth significantly influenced the body weight at 6 months age only, whereas the effect of sex was significant on the body weights of Ongoles at all ages studied. The overall means of height at withers at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were 70.90 + 0.89, 84.02 + 0.62, 90.48 + 0.52, 102.64 + 0.54, 107.14 + 1.43, 123.77 + 0.71, 122.29 + 0.77 and 129.11 + 0.68 cm, respectively. The overall means of chest girth at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were 70.80 + 0.76, 83.74 + 0.64, 93.58 + 0.56, 106.89 + 0.59, 115.98 + 1.81, 124.14 + 0.89, 137.72 + 0.95 and 148.32 + 0.99 cm, respectively and the overall means for body length at these ages were 60.58 + 0.81, 72.54 + 0.55, 82.74 + 0.70, 96.89 + 0.61, 105.21 + 1.94, 109.06 + 0.85, 119.08 + 0.85 and 127.42 + 0.94 cm, respectively. The effect of farm was significant on height at withers in all ages studied, except at 12 months, whereas it was significant on chest girth and body length at all the ages studied. The period of birth had significant influence on height at withers at all ages studied except at one and 12 months of age, whereas it had significant effect on chest girth from one to 24 months of age and on body length at all ages studied. The season of birth had significant influence on height at withers only at birth, whereas it had significant influence on body length at 3, 6, 18 and 24 months of age. The sex effects were significant on height at withers in all ages studied except at 12 months, whereas they were significant on chest girth in all age groups except at nine months of age and on body length at 9 and 18 months of age only. The R2 values of the step-down multiple regression equations fitted for predicting the body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months of age based on the height at withers, chest girth and body length at the same ages were 65.96, 53.13, 82.48, 67.82, 87.75 and 82.05 per cent, respectively. The overall least squares mean total lactation milk yield and 305-day lactation milk yields were 712.27 + 23.14 and 707.77 + 22.16 kg, respectively. The farm, period of calving and parity significantly influenced these traits, whereas season of calving had no significant influence. The overall least squares mean lactation length was 237.71 + 5.78 days. Lactation length was significantly affected by farm and period of calving while season of calving and parity had no significant effect. The overall average peak yield was 3.84 + 0.13 kg. The effects of farm, period of calving and parity exerted significant influence, whereas the season of calving did not influence the peak yield. The overall mean days to reach peak yield was 42.28 + 3.08 days and only the effect of farm exerted significant influence on this trait. The overall mean milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval were 3.02 + 0.05 and 1.48 + 0.06 kg, respectively. The farm, period of calving and parity significantly affected these traits, while the effect of season was not significant. The overall mean fat and SNF were 4.89 + 0.09 and 8.44 + 0.01 per cent, respectively. The effects of period and season of calving studied at Lam farm were significant on fat percentage but not on SNF percentage. The overall least squares mean age at first calving was 52.95 + 2.21 months. The effects of farm and period of birth were significant while the effect of season of birth was not significant on age at first calving. The overall mean gestation period in the present study was 287.78 + 0.84 days and it was significantly affected by farm and period of calving but not by season of calving. The overall means for service period, dry period and calving interval were 270.19 + 11.81, 311.88 + 11.90 and 561.55 + 11.82 days, respectively. The effects of farm, period of calving and parity were significant, while the effect of seasons was not significant on these traits. The overall least squares mean number of inseminations per conception was 1.81 + 0.11. The farm and period of calving exerted significant influence on this trait but not the season of calving and parity. The overall mean number of days taken for change of coat colour was 315.13 + 12.53 days. The number of days for change of coat colour at Lam farm studied was significantly affected only by the period of birth but not by the season of birth and sex. The overall mean age till survival was 64.37 + 4.70 months. The effects of farm, period of birth and sex significantly influenced the age of animals at death but not season of birth. The heritability estimates for the body weights at birth, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months were 0.05 + 0.05, 0.05 + 0.05, 0.36 + 0.12, 0.40 + 0.33 and 0.02 + 0.25, respectively. Higher heritability estimates of body weights at 6 and 12 months of age could be relied upon for selecting the animals for faster growth. The heritability estimates for height at withers at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 0.15 + 0.07, 0.18 + 0.08, 0.15 + 0.07, 0.41 + 0.03 and 0.27 + 0.30, respectively, while the estimate was negative for the measurement at 18 months of age. The heritability estimates for body length at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months were 0.18 + 0.08, 0.06 + 0.05, 0.20 + 0.09, 0.50 + 0.34, 0.69 + 0.37 and 0.96 + 0.40, respectively. The heritability estimates for chest girth were 0.25 + 0.10, 0.10 + 0.06, 0.23 + 0.09, 0.03 + 0.26 and 0.30 + 0.31 at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, respectively. The heritability for chest girth at 18 months of age was negative. The estimates of heritability of age at first calving, total lactation milk yield, 305- day lactation milk yield, lactation length, milk yield per day of lactation, milk yield per day of calving interval, gestation period, service period, dry period and calving interval were 0.95 + 0.24, 0.26 + 0.09, 0.24 + 0.08, 0.27 + 0.09, 0.12 + 0.06, 0.25 + 0.08, 0.24 + 0.08, 0.17 + 0.07, 0.22 + 0.08 and 0.18 + 0.07, respectively. Higher heritability estimate of age at first calving indicated that it could be reduced by selective breeding. The heritability estimates for number of inseminations per conception and number of days for change of coat colour were negative due to negative sire components of variance. The estimate of heritability for age till survival was 0.37 + 0.27. The genetic correlation among the body weights at different ages varied from 0.57 to 0.96 and those between the body weights and measurements ranged from –0.79 to 0.99 at birth and –0.24 to 0.98 at 12 months of age. The age at first calving was correlated negatively with all the traits studied except with dry period. The genetic correlations for the other production and reproduction traits studied, were positive among themselves except with gestation period and dry period. The phenotypic correlations between body weights and measurements were in general, positive. The phenotypic correlations among the production and reproduction traits studied were in general, lower in magnitude but similar in direction when compared to the genetic correlations. The draught ability of Ongole bulls was evaluated by overall draught ability and horse power generation methods. The overall draught ability of the bulls was measured in terms of carting and ploughing abilities. The overall means for per cent increase in respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature were 55.84, 22.76 and 1.71, respectively in carting ability and 92.7, 30.38 and 2.07, respectively in ploughing ability. The overall per cent increase in the respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature after work in horse power generation method were 101.36, 25.17 and 1.20, respectively and the overall mean for the speed, draught force and horse power generated were 1.59 meters per second, 28.19 kg and 0.57 horse power, respectively. The phenotypic correlations between the age, body weight and body measurements of the bulls included in draught ability studies were observed to be highly positive and significant. The bulls were ranked by overall draught ability and horse power generation methods and the rank correlation was negative and not significant. The sire indices obtained by simple daughter average index, dairy search index and adjusted least squares method for 305-day first lactation milk yield ranged from 341 to 668, 363 to 577 and 367 to 547 kg, respectively. Positive and highly significant rank correlation coefficients indicated that these three methods of sire evaluation could be used with equal efficiency.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON ECONOMIC TRAITS OF ONGOLE CATTLE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2003-08) VINOO, R; NARASIMHA RAO, G(MAJOR)ABSTRACT: A study was undertaken to know the extent of genetic and phenotypic variation present in the growth, production and reproduction characters, number of days for change of coat colour and age till survival of Ongole cattle in four farms in Andhra Pradesh, covering the period 1978 – 2002. An attempt was also made to predict the body weight based on body measurements. The draught ability of Ongole cattle under thermal stress conditions was evaluated and sire evaluation by different methods based on 305-day lactation milk yield was studied. The effects of farm, period of birth, season of birth and sex on body weights and measurements at different ages and age at first calving and the effects of farm, period of calving, season of calving, sex and parity on other production and reproduction traits were studied by subjecting the data to least squares analysis. The genetic parameters were estimated after adjusting the data for the effects of farm, period and season. The overall least squares mean body weights at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were 26.08 + 0.26, 46.70 + 0.96, 72.92 + 0.95, 112.38 + 1.39, 137.77 + 3.37, 164.34 + 3.01, 222.68 + 3.93 and 271.78 + 4.81 kg, respectively. The calves born in Lam farm had the highest body weights at all the ages studied. The body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were significantly affected by the farms. Period of birth had significant influence on the body weights of Ongoles at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. Season of birth significantly influenced the body weight at 6 months age only, whereas the effect of sex was significant on the body weights of Ongoles at all ages studied. The overall means of height at withers at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were 70.90 + 0.89, 84.02 + 0.62, 90.48 + 0.52, 102.64 + 0.54, 107.14 + 1.43, 123.77 + 0.71, 122.29 + 0.77 and 129.11 + 0.68 cm, respectively. The overall means of chest girth at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months were 70.80 + 0.76, 83.74 + 0.64, 93.58 + 0.56, 106.89 + 0.59, 115.98 + 1.81, 124.14 + 0.89, 137.72 + 0.95 and 148.32 + 0.99 cm, respectively and the overall means for body length at these ages were 60.58 + 0.81, 72.54 + 0.55, 82.74 + 0.70, 96.89 + 0.61, 105.21 + 1.94, 109.06 + 0.85, 119.08 + 0.85 and 127.42 + 0.94 cm, respectively. The effect of farm was significant on height at withers in all ages studied, except at 12 months, whereas it was significant on chest girth and body length at all the ages studied. The period of birth had significant influence on height at withers at all ages studied except at one and 12 months of age, whereas it had significant effect on chest girth from one to 24 months of age and on body length at all ages studied. The season of birth had significant influence on height at withers only at birth, whereas it had significant influence on body length at 3, 6, 18 and 24 months of age. The sex effects were significant on height at withers in all ages studied except at 12 months, whereas they were significant on chest girth in all age groups except at nine months of age and on body length at 9 and 18 months of age only. The R2 values of the step-down multiple regression equations fitted for predicting the body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months of age based on the height at withers, chest girth and body length at the same ages were 65.96, 53.13, 82.48, 67.82, 87.75 and 82.05 per cent, respectively. The overall least squares mean total lactation milk yield and 305-day lactation milk yields were 712.27 + 23.14 and 707.77 + 22.16 kg, respectively. The farm, period of calving and parity significantly influenced these traits, whereas season of calving had no significant influence. The overall least squares mean lactation length was 237.71 + 5.78 days. Lactation length was significantly affected by farm and period of calving while season of calving and parity had no significant effect. The overall average peak yield was 3.84 + 0.13 kg. The effects of farm, period of calving and parity exerted significant influence, whereas the season of calving did not influence the peak yield. The overall mean days to reach peak yield was 42.28 + 3.08 days and only the effect of farm exerted significant influence on this trait. The overall mean milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval were 3.02 + 0.05 and 1.48 + 0.06 kg, respectively. The farm, period of calving and parity significantly affected these traits, while the effect of season was not significant. The overall mean fat and SNF were 4.89 + 0.09 and 8.44 + 0.01 per cent, respectively. The effects of period and season of calving studied at Lam farm were significant on fat percentage but not on SNF percentage. The overall least squares mean age at first calving was 52.95 + 2.21 months. The effects of farm and period of birth were significant while the effect of season of birth was not significant on age at first calving. The overall mean gestation period in the present study was 287.78 + 0.84 days and it was significantly affected by farm and period of calving but not by season of calving. The overall means for service period, dry period and calving interval were 270.19 + 11.81, 311.88 + 11.90 and 561.55 + 11.82 days, respectively. The effects of farm, period of calving and parity were significant, while the effect of seasons was not significant on these traits. The overall least squares mean number of inseminations per conception was 1.81 + 0.11. The farm and period of calving exerted significant influence on this trait but not the season of calving and parity. The overall mean number of days taken for change of coat colour was 315.13 + 12.53 days. The number of days for change of coat colour at Lam farm studied was significantly affected only by the period of birth but not by the season of birth and sex. The overall mean age till survival was 64.37 + 4.70 months. The effects of farm, period of birth and sex significantly influenced the age of animals at death but not season of birth. The heritability estimates for the body weights at birth, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months were 0.05 + 0.05, 0.05 + 0.05, 0.36 + 0.12, 0.40 + 0.33 and 0.02 + 0.25, respectively. Higher heritability estimates of body weights at 6 and 12 months of age could be relied upon for selecting the animals for faster growth. The heritability estimates for height at withers at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 0.15 + 0.07, 0.18 + 0.08, 0.15 + 0.07, 0.41 + 0.03 and 0.27 + 0.30, respectively, while the estimate was negative for the measurement at 18 months of age. The heritability estimates for body length at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months were 0.18 + 0.08, 0.06 + 0.05, 0.20 + 0.09, 0.50 + 0.34, 0.69 + 0.37 and 0.96 + 0.40, respectively. The heritability estimates for chest girth were 0.25 + 0.10, 0.10 + 0.06, 0.23 + 0.09, 0.03 + 0.26 and 0.30 + 0.31 at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, respectively. The heritability for chest girth at 18 months of age was negative. The estimates of heritability of age at first calving, total lactation milk yield, 305- day lactation milk yield, lactation length, milk yield per day of lactation, milk yield per day of calving interval, gestation period, service period, dry period and calving interval were 0.95 + 0.24, 0.26 + 0.09, 0.24 + 0.08, 0.27 + 0.09, 0.12 + 0.06, 0.25 + 0.08, 0.24 + 0.08, 0.17 + 0.07, 0.22 + 0.08 and 0.18 + 0.07, respectively. Higher heritability estimate of age at first calving indicated that it could be reduced by selective breeding. The heritability estimates for number of inseminations per conception and number of days for change of coat colour were negative due to negative sire components of variance. The estimate of heritability for age till survival was 0.37 + 0.27. The genetic correlation among the body weights at different ages varied from 0.57 to 0.96 and those between the body weights and measurements ranged from –0.79 to 0.99 at birth and –0.24 to 0.98 at 12 months of age. The age at first calving was correlated negatively with all the traits studied except with dry period. The genetic correlations for the other production and reproduction traits studied, were positive among themselves except with gestation period and dry period. The phenotypic correlations between body weights and measurements were in general, positive. The phenotypic correlations among the production and reproduction traits studied were in general, lower in magnitude but similar in direction when compared to the genetic correlations. The draught ability of Ongole bulls was evaluated by overall draught ability and horse power generation methods. The overall draught ability of the bulls was measured in terms of carting and ploughing abilities. The overall means for per cent increase in respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature were 55.84, 22.76 and 1.71, respectively in carting ability and 92.7, 30.38 and 2.07, respectively in ploughing ability. The overall per cent increase in the respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature after work in horse power generation method were 101.36, 25.17 and 1.20, respectively and the overall mean for the speed, draught force and horse power generated were 1.59 meters per second, 28.19 kg and 0.57 horse power, respectively. The phenotypic correlations between the age, body weight and body measurements of the bulls included in draught ability studies were observed to be highly positive and significant. The bulls were ranked by overall draught ability and horse power generation methods and the rank correlation was negative and not significant. The sire indices obtained by simple daughter average index, dairy search index and adjusted least squares method for 305-day first lactation milk yield ranged from 341 to 668, 363 to 577 and 367 to 547 kg, respectively. Positive and highly significant rank correlation coefficients indicated that these three methods of sire evaluation could be used with equal efficiency.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SOVIET CHINCHILLA AND CALIFORNIAN WHITE RABBITS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2003-08) SRIVIDYA DEVI, D; RAMESH GUPTA, B(MAJOR); NARASIMHA RAO, G; SATYANARAYANA, AABSTRACT : The present study was conducted on 171 Soviet Chinchilla (SC) and 122 Californian White (CW) bunnies born during the years 1996 to 2001 in the Rabbit Production for Meat Scheme of the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The influence of season of birth, year of birth, litter size at birth and sex of bunny on various traits from birth to 16 weeks of age was studied by the least squares analysis. Step-down multiple regression equations were developed to predict the body weights based on biometrical measurements. The heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated by half-sib correlation method based on the adjusted data. Season of birth had significant effect on pre-weaning litter weights of SC bunnies, while year of birth had no significant influence on litter weights of SC and CW breeds. Litter size at birth significantly influenced the litter weights. The pre-weaning body weights of SC bunnies at birth and 1week of age were significantly influenced by the season of birth, while the body weight of SC bunnies at one week and CW bunnies at 4 weeks of age were affected significantly by the year of birth. Litter size at birth exerted significant influence on the birth and weaning weights of SC and one and 2 week weights of CW bunnies. The post weaning body weights (5 to 16 weeks of age) of SC rabbits were affected significantly by the season of birth at 14 weeks of age, the year of birth at 6 weeks of age and the sex of bunny at 10 and 16 weeks of age but the influence of these effects were not significant in CW rabbits. The pre-weaning Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Cumulative ADG (CADG) of SC and CW bunnies were unaffected by the season of birth but the ADG during 3 weeks of age and CADG up to 3 and up to 4 weeks of age were affected significantly by the year of birth. Litter size at birth influenced the ADG and CADG of SC and CW bunnies significantly. The post weaning ADG at 7 and 8 weeks of age in SC was affected significantly by the season of birth and the ADG during 5 and 6 and 9 and 10 weeks of age in SC and during 5 and 6 and 11 and 12 weeks of age in CW rabbits were significantly influenced by the year of birth. Sex of bunny had no significant effect on post weaning ADG in the two breeds studied. The variations in the carcass traits between the various seasons and years of birth were insignificant in SC and CW breeds, except the significant effect of year of birth on edible offals weight in SC rabbits. Sex of bunny did not exert any significant influence on carcass traits of SC but this effect was significant on the weights of hot carcass, head, pelt mid-cut and hind cut of hot carcass in CW rabbits. The season and year of birth exhibited significant influence on biometrical measurements at various post weaning ages in SC and CW rabbits and with an exception on the chest girth at 6 weeks age in CW rabbits, sex of bunny had no significant influence on various body measurements of SC and CW rabbits. The R2-values of the step-down multiple regression equations for predicting the body weights based on biometrical measurements were low, indicating the low reliability of utilization of body measurements as indicators of the body weights. The heritability estimates of pre-weaning body weights, ADGs and CADGs ranged from low (up to 0.30) to medium (0.31 to 0.60) in SC and varied from low to high (more than 0.60) in CW bunnies and the genetic and phenotypic correlations varied from low to high in magnitude. The post weaning body weights and ADGs had heritabilities ranging from low to high in SC and from low to medium in CW and the corresponding genetic and phenotypic correlations were positive and ranged from low to high in SC rabbits. The carcass traits had heritabilities ranging from low to high in magnitude in SC and CW breeds. The genetic and phenotypic associations between various carcass traits varied from low to high in magnitude. The biometrical measurements had heritabilities ranging from low (0.13 for ear length at 8 weeks age in SC and 0.01 for paunch girth at 12 weeks age in CW) to high (0.92 for height at 12 weeks age in SC and 0.80 for height at 16 weeks age in CW). The genetic and phenotypic correlations among the biometrical measurements and between the body weights and biometrical measurements were, in general, positive and ranged from low to high.ThesisItem Open Access MOLECULAR GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ONGOLE AND DEONI CATTLE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2003-03) MURALIDHAR, M; Narasimha Rao, G(MAJOR); NAGARAJU, J; Ramesh Gupta, B; Babu Rao, KABSTRACT: The investigation was undertaken to study the genetic variability within and between Ongole and Deoni breeds of cattle using microsatellite markers. Ten microsatellite markers viz. ARO23, ARO62, ARO85, BMS1716, BMS2057, BMS2270, BMS2840, BMS2847, BtDIAS1 and PZE46 were used for this purpose. Eight markers were found to be polymorphic. Dinucleotides were observed to be more polymorphic than trinucleotides. The overall mean number of alleles per locus was found to be 3.8 in Ongole and 3.5 in Deoni breed. Statistical analysis of the data was done to calculate allele frequency, observed and expected heterozygosity and polymorphism information content. Few alleles were observed to be breed specific with 3 to 24 % frequency. Some other alleles were found to be present at higher frequency in one breed than in the other breed. The overall expected heterozygosity of Ongole breed was 0.46 and it was 0.50 for Deoni breed, where as the overall observed heterozygosity was 0.30 and 0.41 for Ongole and Deoni, respectively, while the polymorphism information content values ranged from 0.15 to 0.79 in Ongole and from 0.13 to 0.80 in Deoni. The F-statistics revealed moderate inbreeding within the breeds and a close relationship between the two breeds studied.ThesisItem Open Access Molecular Genetic Characterization of White Leghorn Chicken ILR-90 Jubilee and its Parent Strains(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2003-03) SUDHAKAR, VEERANKI; RAMESH GUPTA, B(MAJOR); NAGARAJU, J; NARASIMHA RAO, G; MAHIPAL REDDY, PABSTRACT : A study was undertaken to characterize the ILR-90 Jubilee and its parent strains IWD and IWF and to estimate the within genetic variability and genetic distances among two broiler (PB1 and PB2) and five layer (IWD, IWF, H, I, K and A) parent strains, two commercial layer hybrids (ILR and Bab), two indigenous breeds (Aseel and Bantam) and a dual purpose breed (RIR) using 10 microsatellite markers. A total of 77 birds of 13 populations were genotyped. Of the 10-microsatellite loci, 6 were polymorphic (CALB1, MCW4, MCW5, MYCN, VITIIG2 and HSF3A) among the populations investigated, with the number of alleles ranging between 3 and 15 per locus. The mean number of alleles per population ranged from 0.75 to 3.25. Among the two commercial hybrids (ILR and Bab) investigated, the CALB1 and MCW4 loci were found to be monomorphic in Bab, but were polymorphic in ILR. The VITIIG2 and HSF3A loci were monomorphic in both the commercial hybrids. However, the monomorphic allele at the locus HSF3A was found to be different in both the hybrids (251 bp in ILR and 243 bp in Bab). These microsatellite markers (CALB1, MCW4 and HSF3A) could distinguish the two commercial crosses, hence useful for fingerprinting purposes. The unbiased heterozygosity values per population varied from 0.17 to 0.57. Of the two commercial layer hybrids, ILR exhibited higher heterozygosity, which was more than twice that of the Bab. The CHORD genetic distances estimated using the GENEDIST option of the PHYLIP package varied from 5 to 43. Within the layer strains, the genetic distances between the strains A and I, K and I and IWD and IWF were found to be low (5, 8 and 9) while the highest genetic distance (26) was observed between the strain H and IWF. Among the three breeds studied, RIR and Aseel showed a lower genetic distance (23) between them. Bantam was placed relatively more distant from RIR and Aseel. The phylogenetic consensus tree was constructed by using UPGMA method of clustering which resulted in an idealistic grouping of the populations investigated, true to their breed of origin. The information on the parent strains generated by microsatellite analysis can be combined with phenotypic data for further genetic improvement of these strains.