Loading...
Thesis
Browse
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC ANALYSIS ON PRE WEANING TRAITS OF DESl PIGS AND THEIR CROSSES WITH LWY(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 1997-10) VENKATA LAKSHMAIAH, P; VIROJI RAO, S.T(MAJOR); CHENDRA REDDY, V.R; KRISHNA REDDY, KThesisItem Open Access GENETIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION TRAITS OF JAPANESE QUAILS POPULATION UNDER SELECTION FOR HIGH FOUR-WEEK BODY WEIGHT(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-10) MALARMATHI, M; RAMESH GUPTA, B(MAJOR); GNANA PRAKASH, M; RAJASHEKAR REDDY, AABSTRACT : The present study was carried out on Black, Brown and Black random bred strains of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), under selection for high 4-week body weight, maintained at Poultry Experimental Station (PES), College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Effects of hatch, strains and sex on body weight, average daily gain (ADG), age at first egg (AFE), egg production (EP) and biochemical parameters were studied. The overall least-squares means for body weights at day-old, 2nd and 4th week of age were 7.94, 59.20 and 141.64 g, respectively. Hatches had significant effect on body weight up to 10 weeks of age. Strain had significant effect on body weights from day-old to 14 weeks of age. The females were significantly heavier than the males from second to 14th week of age. The overall least-squares means ADGs during 0-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-10 and 10-14 weeks of age were 3.66, 5.89, 3.69, 2.72, 1.51 and 0.46 g, respectively. Hatches had significant effect on ADGs at all the ages studied. The ADGs of Black Japanese quails were significantly higher than those of Brown and Black random bred Japanese quails at all the ages. The females had significantly higher ADGs than males up to 10 weeks of age. The overall least-squares mean AFE was 57.80 days. Age at first egg was significantly influenced by strain and also by hatch. Black random bred control strain birds matured earlier than the Black and Brown strains. The overall mean number of eggs produced up to 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 weeks of age was 6.75, 15.71, 24.01, 34.04 and 44.86, respectively. Hatch had significant influence on egg production up to 14 weeks of age, but not beyond. The Black random bred strain was significantly produce more eggs at all the weeks excluding 8th week than the Black and Brown strain. The overall least-squares means for plasma protein, cholesterol and triglycerides in Black Japanese quails was found as 4.10 g/dl, 150.72 mg/dl and 90.66 mg/dl, respectively. Hatches had significant (P<0.05) effect on plasma cholesterol, but not on others and sex effect was significant on plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. The heritability estimates for the body weights varied from low to high in Black, medium to high in Brown and low to medium magnitude in Black random bred, while these estimates for ADGs were low or moderate to high in magnitude and ranged from 0.09 to 0.56 in black, 0.37 to 0.94 in Brown and 0.15 to 0.86 in Black random bred male Japanese quails. The heritability of AFE was low (0.16) in Black random bred and high (0.69) in Black strain. The heritability estimates for egg production ranged from 0.09 to 0.43 in Black, 0.18 to 0.81 in Brown and 0.02 to 0.54 in Black random bred strain. Heritability estimate was high for (0.90) plasma cholesterol, low for (0.12) plasma protein and low for (0.10) plasma triglycerides. Genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlations for body weight at various ages varied from low to high in magnitude. Genetic correlations were positive in direction, while the phenotypic and environmental correlations were both positive and negative in direction. The genetic correlations among ADGs in Black, Brown strains and Black random bred ranged from -0.89 to 0.92, -0.86 to 0.90 and -0.05 to 0.78, respectively, whereas, the phenotypic correlations varied from -0.74 to 0.31. AFE was correlated positively with body weight at various ages at genetic level in Black strain. Genetic correlations of egg production with body weight at various ages were negative in all three strains. While, the estimates among the EP at various ages had highly positive genetic relations and phenotypic correlations of BW with EP and among EP was low but positive. The genetic correlation of plasma biochemical parameters with body weight at various ages and among the biochemical parameters ranged from -0.96 to 0.48 and 0.13 to 0.24, respectively. The phenotypic correlations plasma biochemical parameters with body varied from -0.20 to 0.13. The expected response to selection in body weight at 4-weeks age in Black, Brown and Black random bred male Japanese quails were 3.62, 6.06 and 6.91g, respectively and the corresponding response in females were 1.11, 2.13 and 12.79 g. Among the fourteen selection indices (I1 to I14) constructed based on the data generated in the present study, I14 consisting of BW4, BW6, AFE, EP10 and EP12 was found to be the best with RIH value (0.92) and δH (4.73) in Black Japanese quails. In the present study, the selection programme for high 4-week body weight yielded satisfactory improvements in body weights and ADGs of selected strains. The traits studied had the heritabilities and correlations ranging from low to high traits indicating the scope for their further genetic improvement by selection coupled with optimum management. The selection indices constructed revealed the possibility of improving the body weights, AFE and EP simultaneously.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED PIGS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-10) SAI PRASANNA, J; GNANA PRAKASH, M(MAJOR); RAMESH GUPTA, B; MAHENDER, M; SRINIVASA RAO, DABSTRACT : Data on 2,909 pigs belonging to 50 and 75% Large White Yorkshire (LWY)-desi crossbreds maintained at All India Coordinated Research Project on Pigs, Tirupati and born during 2000 to 2008 were utilized for the present study. Genetic group had no significant effect on gestation period and litter traits while period and season of birth had significant effect except the non-significant effect of season on litter weight at birth. The overall least-squares means for gestation period, litter size at birth (LSB) and weaning and litter weight at birth and weaning were 111.49 ± 0.34 days, 6.78 ± 0.11 and 6.22 ± 0.11 piglets and 7.53 ± 0.12 and 60.77 ± 1.00 kg, respectively. Rainy season was found to be the favorable season of birth for litter size and weight at weaning. Genetic group, period and season of birth and LSB in general, affected all the body weights highly significantly. The overall least-squares mean body weights were 1.11 ± 0.01, 2.16 ± 0.01, 3.20 ± 0.02, 4.32 ± 0.02, 5.44 ± 0.03, 6.52 ± 0.04, 7.65 ± 0.04, 8.79 ± 0.05, 10.13 ± 0.06, 14.40 ± 0.13, 20.38 ± 0.22, 27.41 ± 0.41, 34.68 ± 0.47, 44.08 ± 0.53 and 52.37 ± 0.56 kg at birth, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 weeks age, respectively. The overall least squares mean ADGs during 0 and 1, 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, 4 and 5, 5 and 6, 6 and 7, 7 and 8, 8 and 12, 12 and 16, 16 and 20, 20 and 24, 24 and 28, 28 and 32, birth and 8 and 8 and 32 weeks were 0.149 ± 0.002, 0.148 ± 0.002, 0.158 ± 0.002, 0.161 ± 0.002, 0.154 ± 0.002, 0.161 ± 0.002, 0.165 ± 0.003, 0.191 ± 0.003, 0.14 ± 0.003, 0.20 ± 0.004, 0.23 ± 0.01, 0.23 ± 0.01, 0.26 ± 0.01, 0.27 ± 0.01, 0.161 ± 0.001 and 0.26 ± 0.004 kg, respectively. In general, 75% LWY has recorded higher body weights and ADGs. Body weights and ADGs of piglets born in rainy and winter seasons were higher during pre- and post weaning ages, respectively. Pigs from smaller litters had significantly higher body weights and ADGs than those from larger litters. Heritability of gestation period in 75% LWY group was 0.08 ± 0.29. Heritability for litter traits ranged from 0.30 ± 0.30 to 0.87 ± 0.31in 50% and 75% LWYcrossbred pigs. Heritabilities for pre-weaning body weights varied from 0.53 ± 0.11 to 0.96 ± 0.15 and those of post weaning body weights were beyond normal range. Heritabilities of ADGs varied from 0.07 ± 0.15 to 0.90 ± 0.27. Genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlations ranged of gestation period with litter traits ranged from -0.49 ± 0.31 to -0.05 ± 0.85, -0.18 ± 0.07 to -0.04 ± 0.07 and -0.15 to 0.18 while those among litter traits were all positive and high. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among body weights were mostly positive and medium to high. Phenotypic correlation of BW0 with all the post weaning body weights were negative and low in magnitude in 50% LWY genetic group. Correlations among average daily gains were very low and without any trend. In conclusion, the effects of genetic group, period and season of birth and litter size at birth were significant on litter size and weight at weaning, body weights and daily gains. Heritabilities for body weights and daily gains were moderate to high with positive correlations among body weights and among ADGs indicating a substantial scope for genetic improvement by selection with optimum management.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN BROILER RABBIT BREEDS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2007-10) ANITHA, K; GNANA PRAKASH, M(MAJOR); RAMESH GUPTA, B; RAJASHEKAR REDDY, AABSTRACT : The present study was conducted on New Zealand White (NZW), Grey Giant (GG), Soviet Chinchilla (SC), Flemish Giant (FG), Californian White (CW) purebreds and two synthetics - APAU Fawn (FN) and APAU Black (BL) bunnies born during November 2006 and July 2007 in the “Rabbit Production for Meat” scheme, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad. Bunnies were reared under cage and deep litter system. The overall least-squares mean litter size at birth and weaning and litter weight at birth and weaning were 6.18 ± 0.28 and 3.75 ± 0.23 bunnies and 305.16 ± 13.75 and 1190.93 ± 56.92 g, respectively. Winter proved to be the favorable season of birth for litter traits. The overall least-squares mean body weights were 50.00 ± 0.59, 104.52 ± 1.89, 175.10 ± 3.28, 239.50 ± 6.11 and 354.07 ± 9.19 g at birth, 1 2, 3 and 4 weeks age, respectively. In general, BL bunnies and those born in rainy season recorded significantly higher pre-weaning body weights. Mean body weights from birth to 3 weeks of age declined as the LSB increased. The overall mean body weights at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks of age were 551.89 ± 16.84, 684.30 ± 19.68, 856.37 ± 23.33, 1018.79 ± 28.83, 1207.18 ± 31.98 and 1352.84 ± 37.93 g, respectively. The FG rabbits have recorded significantly higher weights up to 8 weeks age. Post weaning body weights of bunnies born in winter were higher. The litter size classes 1-3 and 4-6 recorded higher body weights. The overall least square mean ADGs during 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-16 weeks were 17.55 ± 1.04, 9.06 ± 0.73, 10.91 ± 0.80, 10.46 ± 0.94, 14.47 ± 0.90 and 10.98 ± 1.0 g, respectively. Genetic group, rearing system and season had significant influence. The overall least-squares mean lactation milk yield was 1116.21± 98.28 g. Does kindled during February and those with a LWB of >250 g. recorded significantly higher milk yield. The mean daily milk yield ranged from 61.2 ± 2.1 to 73.3 ± 2.1. The effect of genetic group and season of birth was significant on feed intake and feed efficiency but not on weight gain. The overall least-squares means for pre-slaughter weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, forecut, midcut, hindcut, head and feet, pelt, edible offals, inedible offals and length of caecum were 1451.14 ± 63.04 g, 695.33 ± 39.18 g, 46.69 ± 0.86, 245.73 ± 12.14 g, 174.41 ± 12.95 g, 275.19 ± 14.81 g, 193.79 ± 6.33 g, 141.11 ± 8.93 g, 57.44 ± 2.81g, 303.19 ± 11.47 g and 43.38 ± 0.85 cm, respectively. Length of caecum was significantly lower in CW rabbits. Most carcass traits studied were significantly higher in males and in those born in winter season. Rearing system had a significant influence on the length of caecum only. The overall least-squares means for dry matter, total ash, protein, fat and cholesterol in rabbit meat were 24.3%, 1.3%, 20.3 g%, 4.1% and 0.1mg%, respectively. Heritability estimates for litter traits were beyond the normal range. Heritability estimates of the pre and post weaning body weights, post weaning ADGs and carcass traits that could be computed varied from 0.11 ± 0.69 to 0.98 ± 1.94. The genetic and phenotypic correlations ranged from -0.04 ± 1.75 to 0.98 ± 0.02 and 0.45 to 0.97 among post weaning body weights, -0.21 ± 0.33 to 0.54 ± 0.27 and -0.09 to 0.25 among post weaning ADGs, respectivelyThesisItem Open Access CYTOGENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF JAPANESE QUAILS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2007-06) SRIDEVI, B; Gnana Prakash, M(MAJOR); Ramesh Gupta, B; Ravinder Reddy, VABSTRACT : Fifteen male and fifteen female black Japanese quails and 45 embryonated eggs obtained from the stocks maintained at Poultry Experimental Station, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, were utilized for the present study. The chromosome number was obtained by counting the chromosomes from the metaphases obtained by leucocyte culture technique, bone marrow preparation and embryonic tissue preparations. The chromosome number varied from 76 to 81 with a modal chromosome number of 78. Five pairs of autosomes were macrochromosomes, while the remaining were microchromosomes. All the macrochromosomes were sub-metacentric whereas the morphology of the microchromosomes could not be ascertained. The Z-chromosome was identified as the fifth largest unpaired bi-armed chromosome in females and paired chromosome in males, while the W-chromosome was identified as the microchromosome in the size class of 7 to 8 chromosomes. The sex of the bird and the technique of obtaining metaphases had significant effect on the morphometric measurements of some chromosomes. The overall means of relative length, arm ratio, centromeric index and morphological index based on re-transformed data for the autosomes ranged from 0.95 + 0.0004 to 10.58 + 0.0015 percent, 1.20 + 0.02 to 2.38 + 0.07, 0.54 + 0.005 to 0.70 + 0.007 and 5.98 + 0.14 to 7.90 + 0.24, respectively. The mean relative lengths of Z- and W-chromosomes were 4.66 + 0.0006 and 2.47 + 0.0005 percent, respectively. The arm ratio, centromeric index and morphological index of the Z-chromosome were found to be 1.04 + 0.01, 0.51 + 0.002 and 7.14 + 0.19 respectively. Among the autosomes, the five macrochromosomes contributed 36.08 per cent to the genome.ThesisItem Open Access PHENOTYPIC AND MOLECULAR GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF DAHLEM RED LAYERS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2006-03) SHIVA PRASAD, Ch.; Ramesh Gupta, B(MAJOR); Venkatramaiah, A; Chatterjee, R.NABSTRACT: Thc investigation was made on full sib, half sib and non-inbred groups of Dahlem Red birds maintained at the Project Directorate on Poultry. Hyderabad. to characterize then phenotypically and by RAPD markers. The phenotypic characterization war undertaken on a total of 328 Dahlem Red birds belonging to full sib mated (45). half sib mated (64) and non-inbred groups (219). The overall icast squares means of body weight at 4. 8. 20, 40. weeks of age. ASM. EP 40. EW 32 and EW 40 were 146.88. 374.28. 1150.70. 1678.57 g. 181.02 days, 71.06, 52.81g and 56.25 g. rcspectivoly. The mean performance of non-inbred group was in general. superior to inbred groups in dl the traits studied. The estimates of heritability obtained by half sib mehod for the full sib. half sib and non-inbred groups were 0.02. 0.61 and 0.49. respectively for BW 4 and 0.19, 0.20 and 0.53. rrspectrvely for BW 40. For egg weights. the highest heritabilities were obtained in half sib group and the lowest in non-inbred group. Majority of the genetic comlations of BW 20 md BW 40 wih egg weight were positive. The genetic comlii~ionosf ASM with EP 40 and egg weights were negative. The EP 40 was also found to be correlated negatively with EW 32 and EW 40. Majonfy of tht phcnotyp~cc omlations between the body weight and egg we~ghtw ere positive, while che comlations of ASM with EP 40 were negative. The phenotyp~c conrlarions of ASM with EW 32 and EW 40 mgcd from -0.18 to 0.17. where&\ the comlations between EP 40 and egg weights were negative in half sib and non-inbred grvups * - - - -- Fn an --A ,,, ...-:nt,, 0 13 The phenotypic comlations estimated by full sib method among the body weights were in general positive and ranged from -0.11 t 0.34 in full sib group. The BW 4 and BW 8 were comlated negatively with ASM. while BW 20 and BW 40 were also correlatd negatively with EP 40. The phenotypic correlations of BW 4. BW 8, and BW 40 with egg weights were found to be positive. The ASM was comlated negatively with EP 40 (-0.58). whereas, the correlations of EP 40 with EW 32 and EW 40 were positive. The phenotypic comlations among the body weights in half sib group ranged from -0.06 to 0.46; The phenotypic correlations between body weights and ASM varied from -0.19 to 0.30, whereas the comlations of body weights with EP 40 ranged from -0.10 to 0.34. The phenotypic correlations between body weights and egg weights at various ages were all positive. For molecular genetic characterization, a total of 48 Dahlem Red birds. ( 16 birds each of the group) with equal representation of sexes, were utilized. A total of 100 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were tested, of which, 21 primers generated appreciable polymorphism. A total of 341 RAPD bands were produced, out of which 204 wen found to be polymorphic. The overall mean number of bands produced by the primer varied from 12 to 23. The size of amplified bands varied from 100 bp to 3409 bp. The analysis of the fingerprint patterns of individual DNA samples revealed that the full sib group was unique by the pre.xnce of one 1866 bp fingerprint when amplified by the primers PDP157F and 496 bp and 380 bp fingerprints only when amplified by the primer PDP176F. The half sib group wa\ unique by the presence of 1788 bp fingerprint when amplified by the primer PDPSOF. The non-inbred group could be distinguished by the prcsence of a unique 42 1 hp band bawd upon PCR amplification with primer PDP54F and PDP73F. The overall genetic sirn~lwitiesh a.sed on band sharing within the full sib, half sib and non-lnhred group were 87.90. 87.85 and 83.94 per cent. respectively, whereas the genetic similarities between full sib and half sib, half sib and non-inbred and full sib and non-inbred groups were 90.18. 88.51 and 88.07 percent, respectively. The overall genetic similarities based on band frequency within full sib, half sib and non-inbred groups were 85.25. 85.09 and 8 1.14 per cent, respectively, whereas those between full sib and half sib, half sib and non-inbred and full sib and non-inbred groups were 79.53, 74.34 and 72.78 per cent, respectively. The genetic distance between full sib and non-inbred groups was found to be the maximum (0.3 176). while the minimum genetic distance (0.2290) was observed between full sib and half sib groups. The RAPD markers in the present study were able to detect the polymorph~sm between the three groups of Dahlem Red i.e., full sib mated, half sib mated and non-inbred and could establish the genetic relationshipsThesisItem Open Access GENETIC STUDIES ON PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION TRAITS OF ONGOLE CATTLE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2006-02) SUSHMA, G; Ramesh Gupta, B(MAJOR); Vinoo, R; Narasa Reddy, G.V.ABSTRACT : The data on Ongole cattle at Cattle Project, Livestock Research Station, Lam farm, Guntur and Cattle Breeding Farm, Chadalawada, Prakasam district from 1987 to 2005 were analyzed for studying the mean performance and estimation of genetic parameters of various production and reproduction traits. The overall least squares means of body weights at birth, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age were 26.27, 47.77, 69.38, 102.81, 147.77, 197.43 and 251.15 kg, respectively. The body weights of Ongole cattle were significantly affected by the period of birth from 1 to 24 months of age whereas season of birth influenced the body weights at birth and one month age only. The sex of the animal influenced the body weights of the animals at all the ages studied. The overall least squares means for height at withers, chest girth and body length of Ongole cattle from birth to 24 months of age ranged from 73.09 to 133.30 cm, 69.24 to 145.73 cm, and 59.54 to 125.58 cm, respectively. The overall least squares means for total lactation milk yield, 305-days lactation milk yield, lactation length, peak yield, days to reach peak yield, milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval were 620.49 kg, 607.91 kg, 232.26 days, 3.90 kg, 49.94 days, 2.77 kg and 1.37 kg, respectively. The effect of farm was significant on all the production traits studied, except on milk yield per day of calving interval. Period of calving and order of lactation influenced all the production traits, except days to reach peak yield, while season of calving had no significant influence on any of the production traits studied. The overall least squares means of age at first calving, gestation period, service period, dry period, calving interval, number of inseminations per conception and breeding efficiency by Jain’s formula, Tomar’s formula and Wilcox’s formula were 1448.48 days, 221.24 days, 242.92 days, 294.04 days, 534.82 days, 1.78 and 87.07 %, 77.36 % and 72.07 %, respectively. The farm and period of calving significantly influenced the age at first calving, service period, dry period, calving interval and breeding efficiency by all the three formulae. Season of calving had no significant influence on any of the reproduction traits studied. Order of lactation significantly affected the gestation period, service period, dry period, calving interval and breeding efficiency estimated by all the three methods. The heritabilities of body weights ranged from 0.05 + 0.05 at birth to 0.51 + 0.24 at 12 months age in males and from 0.04 + 0.06 at 6 months age to 0.25 + 0.16 at 24 months age in females. The heritabilities of height at withers, chest girth and body length ranged from 0.02 to 0.35, 0.04 to 0.44 and 0.05 to 0.63, respectively in males and from 0.17 to 0.33, 0.07 to 0.39 and 0.15 to 0.30, respectively in females. The genetic correlations of body weight with height at withers, chest girth and body length ranged from 0.56 to 0.82, 0.33 to 0.89 and –0.06 to 0.84 in males and from 0.06 to 0.82, 0.47 to 0.96 and –0.38 to 0.60, respectively in females. The chest girth was highly correlated with body weight at various ages. The magnitude of such correlations varied from 0.15 to 0.39 in males and 0.13 to 0.39 in females. The phenotypic correlations of height at withers with chest girth and body length at various ages ranged from 0.07 to 0.27 in males and from –0.22 to 0.34 in females. The phenotypic correlations between the chest girth and body length ranged from 0.07 to 0.33 in males and 0.02 to 0.36 in females. The heritabilities of calving interval, total lactation milk yield and breeding efficiencies based on Jain’s, Tomar’s and Wilcox’s formulae were 0.49, 0.61, 0.43, 0.75 and 0.40, respectively. The genetic correlations of calving interval and total lactation milk yield with all the measures of breeding efficiency were negative. The calving interval was generally positively correlated with total lactation milk yield (0.46 + 0.05). The genetic correlations among the three formulae of breeding efficiency ranged from 0.46 to 0.84. The phenotypic correlations of calving interval and total lactation milk yield with breeding efficiency by all the three formulae ranged between –0.62 to 0.14, whereas these correlations between three formulae of breeding efficiency were all positive and ranged from 0.28 to 0.37. The estimates of heritability based on overall lactations for total lactation milk yield, 305-days lactation milk yield, lactation length, peak yield, days to reach peak yield, milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval were 0.46, 0.48, 0.33, 0.45, 0.10, 0.45 and 0.46, respectively. The heritabilities for gestation period, service period, dry period and calving interval were 0.18, 0.10, 0.23 and 0.12, respectively. The genetic correlations of total lactation milk yield with other production traits ranged from 0.40 to 1.00. Its correlation with reproduction traits varied from –0.63 to 0.07 The genetic correlations of 305-days lactation milk yield ranged from 0.38 to 0.97 with other production traits and from –0.63 to 0.05 with reproduction traits. The genetic correlations of lactation length varied from 0.47 to 0.97 with other milk production traits and with the reproduction traits the estimates ranged between–0.78 and -0.11. The phenotypic correlations of total lactation milk yield with other production and reproduction traits varied from –0.26 to 0.50 and 305-days lactation milk yield with other traits ranged from –0.26 to 0.47. The lactation length was correlated positively with all the other production traits and negatively with gestation period (-0.12) and dry period (-0.28). The milk yield per day of lactation and milk yield per day of calving interval were phenotypically correlated negatively with all the reproduction traits studied. The overall phenotypic correlations of gestation period were 0.01, 0.09 and 0.02 with service period, dry period and calving interval, respectively while these estimates of service period with dry period and calving interval were 0.39 and 0.50, respectively.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 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.