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ThesisItem Open Access MOLECULAR DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS TOXIN GENES RESPONSIBLE FOR NECROTIC ENTERITIS IN POULTRY OF ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-04) PRAVEEN KUMAR, N; VINOD KUMAR, N(MAJOR); RANI PRAMEELA, D; SUJATHA, KABSTRACT: The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens toxin genes responsible for necrotic enteritis in poultry of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 691 faecal samples (396 necrotic enteritis suspected and 295 apparently healthy) comprising of cloacal swabs from live birds and intestinal scrapings from dead birds were collected from different districts of Andhra Pradesh viz., Chittoor, Guntur, Nellore, Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari. Gross pathological studies of affected birds revealed necrosis of the small intestinal mucosa and submucosa with fibrin deposition resulting in pseudo membrane formation and turkish towel appearance was noticed in the small intestine. Microscopically lumen of intestine with fibrinonecrotic material which forms a visible pseudo membrane composed of cell debris, necrotic/distorted villi, inflammatory cells and clumps of bacteria were observed. The samples were inoculated in to fluid thyoglycollate broth and incubated overnight. DNA extracted from 24 h broth cultures by boiling method were screened by multiplex PCR for simultaneous detection of α, β and β2 toxin genes. Out of 396 (broiler 282 & layer 114) necrotic enteritis suspected samples 337/396 (85.1%) were positive for α toxin gene of which 189/337 (56.08%) were β2 toxin gene positive. Out of 295 (broiler 182 & layer 113) apparently healthy samples 61/295 (20.67%) were positive for α of which 4/61 (6.55%) were β2 positive. None of the sample showed amplification of β toxin gene indicating the absence of C. perfringens type C. As some recent studies focused the involvement of NetB toxin in pathogenesis, therefore, uniplex PCR amplification of NetB gene was done from alpha toxin gene positive samples (C. perfringens type A) yielded no positives for NetB toxin gene. From chi square analysis a significant difference (p<0.01) in the prevalence of toxin genes (cpa & cpb2) between necrotic enteritis suspected and apparently healthy at 99% level of confidence with an increased number of positives from necrotic enteritis suspected group. The present research indicates C. perfringens type A along with β2 toxin gene might be responsible for causing necrotic enteritis in broilers and layers in Andhra Pradesh. The multiple sequence analysis of the amplified partial cpa and cpb2 gene sequences revealed 100% homology between the present isolates, and with selected published sequences from GenBank were found to be 98-99% and 94-99% homology respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of the cpa gene of the present C. perfringens isolate (MG600591) with the selected published sequences of cpa revealed the close segregation in distinct clade with cpa gene of broiler isolate of C. perfringens (GU581186) from Iran. The phylogenetic analysis of three cpb2 sequences of present isolates (MF471364; MF471366; KX001813) segregated into close group of poultry originated sequences with exception of MF471365 which segregated in distinct clade with noporcine originated C. perfringens sequence (AY609173) from USA. Since alpha toxin gene (cpa) is considered as signature toxin gene for C. perfringens, amplification of cpa by PCR is considered as confirmative diagnosis of C. perfringens. Hence, in the present study all the PCR positives for cpa (n=398) were isolated by culturing revealed only 221/398 (55.52%) isolates indicating PCR is more sensitive in detecting C. perfringens when compared with isolation by culturing. In the present study culture supernatant of B. subtilis isolated from healthy intestinal contents of birds successfully inhibited C. perfringens by disk diffusion method indicating its importance as a probiotic in controlling necrotic enteritis in poultry.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON IN VITRO MATURATION OF FOLLICULAR OOCYTES OF BUFFALOES(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-01) KULA SEKHAR, TIRUKKOVALLURI; SOLMON RAJU, K.G(MAJOR); SADASIVA RAO, K; CHANDRA SEKHAR, E.LABSTRACT : A total number of 498 ovaries were procured from municipal slaughter house, Hyderabad soon after the slaughter of the buffaloes. The ovaries were subjected to slicing, aspiration and post aspiration slicing in order to retrieve the oocytes. The oocyte retrieval rate was 73.68, 43.61 and 47.91 per cent in slicing, aspiration and post aspiration slicing methods, respectively. The oocyte recovery per ovary was 2.91, 1.53 and 1.89 in slicing, aspiration and post aspiration slicing, respectively. The retrieved oocytes were graded into A, B, C and D. The yield of A grade oocytes were 53.92, 42.57 and 46.72 in slicing, aspiration and post aspiration slicing techniques, respectively. The yield of B grade oocytes was 28.87, 20.92 and 29.10, respectively. The yield of C and D grades of oocytes were 15.69 and9.52; 11.27 and 11.24; and 13.93 and 10.25 in slicing, aspiration and post aspiration slicing methods, respectively. The A, B and C grade oocytes were matured in TCM 199, TCM 199 supplemented with PMSG and buffalo follicular fluid (buFF) alone. Significantly higher per cent of morphological maturation was observed in PMSG supplemented media. Significantly higher per cent of grade A and B oocytes were morphologically matured than the grade C oocytes. Basing on the degree of cumulus expansion, the maturation was classified as D0, D1 and D2 cumulus expansion. Significantly higher per cent of A and B grade oocytes attained D2 and D1 degree of cumulus expansion while significantly higher per cent of C grade oocytes retained in D0 degree of cumulus expansion. The per cent of oocytes extruded first polar body was 70.83, 5.55 and 42.50 in PMSG, buFF and TCM 199 media. The per cent of oocytes not extruded the polar body was 47.50, 22.99 and 70.30 in TCM 199, PMSG and buFF culture media respectively. Higher per cent of oocytes degenerated in buFF culture media than the TCM 199 and PMSG media in the present study.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON POST PARTURIENT ANOREXIA SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATIC INSUFFICIENCY AND KETOSIS IN BUFFALOES(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008) RAO MALLAMPALLI, S.B; TIRUMALA RAO, D.S(MAJOR); HAMZA, P.A; GIRISH KUMAR, VABSTRACT : The present investigation was undertaken to study the clinical observations, biochemical parameters along with therapeutic trail in buffaloes with post parturient anorexia syndrome. The clinical observation in respect of temperature, pulse, respiration rate, ruminal movements, appetite, milk yield were recorded and the biochemical parameters viz. Serum glucose, Serum Calcium, Phosphorus, AST, TP, Alb, Cortisol and blood Ketone bodies were estimated in all the 40 animals. Among them 10 animals were kept as healthy control (Group IV) where as group I, II & III animals were subjected to therapeutic trails. Group IV (healthy control) showed normal body temperature (100.74±0.15oF), pulse (55.2 ± 40/min.), respiration rate (28.5±0.12/min), ruminal movements (8.2±0.34/5min), with normal appetite and healthy condition and with normal milk yield (10.20±0.20kg/day). The biochemical parameters such as, serum Glucose (52.80±0.80mg/dl), calcium (9.41±0.08mg/dl), Phosphorus (5.52±0.13mg/dl), AST (137.50±0.50 IU/L), Total protein (6.06±0.03g/dl), Albumin (3.08 ± 0.04 g/dl), Cortisol (0.59 ± 0.03μg/dl) and blood ketone bodies (8.32± 0.21mg/dl) were estimated. Group I, II & III animals were observed to be there was no significant difference in temperature, pulse, respiration rate, except rumen motility before and treatment. In group I animals before treatment, the biochemical values such as glucose, calcium, phosphorus, AST, TP, Alb, cortisol & blood ketone bodies were 34.20±1.28mg/dl ,9.31±0.06mg/dl, 4.72±0.04mg/dl, 227.90±6.90IU/L, 5.54±0.08g/dl, 2.77±0.03g/dl, 1.72±0.03μg/dl, and 10.75±0.27mg/dl, and after treatment values were 57.10± 0.67mg/dl, 9.86±0.04mg/dl, 5.38±0.02mg/dl, 136.10±0.41IU/L, 6.08±0.02g/dl, 3.09 ±0.03g/dl and 0.53±0.01μg/dl and 8.0±0.21mg/dl. The milk yield in group-I animals before & after therapy was 2.65±0.28kg and 7.40±0.37kg/day respectively. After treatment with Yakrifit, Anistamin and Livadexforte there was a significant difference in all biochemical parameters and milk yield (P<0.01). In group-II buffaloes the mean serum glucose, calcium, phosphorus, AST, TP, Alb, cortisol and blood ketone bodies before treatment were 32.3±0.08mg/dl, 9.16±0.15mg/dl, 4.69±0.12mg/dl, 235.2±7.73 IU/L, 5.26±0.15g/dl, 2.72±0.02g/dl, 1.72±0.5μg/dl and 10.30±1.06mg/dl, respectively. After treatment the corresponding values were 51.4±0.97mg/dl, 9.28±0.10mg/dl, 5.13±0.12mg/dl, 130.3±7.59IU/L, 6.15±0.19g/dl, 3.06±0.02g/dl, 0.59±0.08μg/dl and 8.30±0.82mg/dl, respectively. There was significant difference between before after treatments. All the animals recovered completely after five days treatment, as evident from clinical symptoms, improvement in milk yield and return of biochemical changes to almost normal levels. In group-III there was significant raise in glucose, calcium, phosphorus, AST, TP, Alb, Cortisol, and blood ketone levels (32.75±0.80mg/dl, 57.60±0.34mg/dl), (9.06±0.03mg/dl 9.99±0.04mg/dl), (4.61±0.03mg/dl, 5.29±0.03mg/dl), (221.7±4.92 IU/L 119.80±4.45 IU/L), (5.58±0.06mg/dl, 6.22±0.03g/dl), (2.64±0.04g/dl, 3.05±0.03g/dl), (2.63±0.07μg/dl 0.45±0.02μg/dl and (10.7±0.f 30, 8.10±0.23mg/dl). Following treatment. All the animals recovered completely on fifth day treatment, as evident from absence of clinical symptoms and return of biochemical changes to almost normal levels. In all the three groups, there was significant increased in milk yield. In group-I, II, and III milk yield before treatment was 2.65±0.28kg/day, 2.60±0.66kg/day, and 2.45±0.17kg/day respectively. After treatment the milk yield in corresponding groups was 7.40±0.37kg/day, 8.39±0.65kg/day, and 9.35±0.18kg/day. A significant difference was noted in all the biochemical parameters and rumen motility between the treatment groups and healthy control groups and within the groups before and after therapy. Based on the findings of present study investigation, most of the PPAS cases in buffaloes could be mainly due to the impaired hepatic function, reduced rumen motility and very lesser extent ketotic stage resulting in decreased milk yield and partial to complete loss of appetite. The above condition could be corrected with hepato protectives, liver extracts, glucogenics and antihistamines.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF N-ACETYL CYSTEINE AGAINST EXPERIMENTAL TOXICITY DUE TO CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN RATS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-12) JYOTHI, KAJA; GOPALA REDDY, A(MAJOR); USHA RANI, M; RAMANA REDDY, YABSTRACT: The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced toxicity. Female albino rats of Wistar Kyoto strain were divided into four groups and treated as follows: Group 1 served as basal diet control, groups 2, 3 and 4 received CYP on 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day. Group 2 served as toxic control. Group 3 was treated with NAC from 1st to14th day while group 4 received NAC from 7th to 14th day. SOD and catalase, biomarkers of cardiac and renal damage were recorded at the end of 1st and 2nd wk. At the end of 2nd wk estimation of TBARS, protein carbonyls, GSH of heart and kidney, Na+ K+ ATPase of heart, and histopathology of heart and kidney were done. The levels of CPK, LDH, troponins, BUN, serum creatinine, TBARS and protein carbonyls were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while the activity of catalase, SOD and Na+-K+ ATPase, and concentration of GSH were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in CYP toxic group. NAC treatment for 14 days produced improvement on heart, while 7 days treatment has no recognizable effect. NAC could not produce any protective effect on kidney damage induced by CYP. Histological abnormalities were observed in CYP control group at the end of 1st and 2nd wk. Group 1 did not reveal any abnormalities in histopathology. Heart tissue of NAC treated rats showed lesions of mild intensity, while kidney lesions were unaffected. From this study, it is concluded that N-acetyl cysteine is protective against CYP-induced toxic effects in heart but not in kidney.ThesisItem Open Access CLINICO-THERAPEUTIC STUDIES ON DYSPEPSIA WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO HEPATIC INVOLVEMENT IN CANINE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-12) CHAITANYA, YALAVARTHI; TIRUMALA RAO, D.S(MAJOR); HAMZA, P.A; GIREESH KUMAR, VABSTRACT: The Present investigation was conducted to study clinical, haemato-biochemical, ultrasonographic findings, and therapeutic efficacy of certain drugs in dogs with dyspepsia with particular reference to hepatic involvement in canine. During the period of 8 months of present study, 30 dogs with hepatic involvement were selected basing on serum biochemical findings. Dyspepsia (100%) was the most common complaint followed by vomiting (80%), lethargy (57%), ascites (53%), diarrhea (33%), anemia (23%), melena (20%), jaundice (13%), fever(13%) and neurological signs(7%) . Elevated levels of serum ALT,serum ALP, serum GGT, total bilirubin and hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypoglycemia were most important biochemical alterations in dogs with dyspepsia and hepatic involvement. After therapy a significant (p< 0.05) improvement was noticed in Hb, serum ALP, serum GGT, total protein and glucose levels in group-I. Similarly in group II, a significant (p< 0.05) improvement was seen in TEC, TLC, Hb, ALT, ALP, GGT, total protein, albumin, glucose levels. In group III, a significant (p< 0.05) improvement was seen in TEC, TLC, Hb, DLC, ALT, ALP, GGT, total protein, albumin, glucose levels, total bilirubin levels were significant in group III(p< 0.05). In the present study 10 cases were randomly selected for ultrasonography on the basis of available clinical, laboratory and morphological records. The relative efficacy of certain drugs was evaluated. The group I dogs received a combination of orally administered silymarin and iron supplement along with fluids (DNS) parenterally. The group II dogs received a combination of liver extract and B-complex vitamins and iron supplement along with fluids (DNS) parenterally. The therapeutic efficacy of this group was significant (p < 0.05) on day 7. This therapeutic regimen was useful in treating mild cases where infectious agent was not involved. The group III dogs received a combination of liver extract and B-complex vitamins, prednisolone and antibiotics along with fluids (DNS) parenterally. The therapeutic efficacy of this group was significant (p < 0.05) on day 7. This therapeutic regimen was useful in treating severe cases where infectious agent was involved and also in cirrhotic cases. Based on the findings of the present investigation it could be concluded that dyspepsia has involvement with sub optimal functional status of liver. It was concluded from this study that hepatic involvement and its complications can be cured successfully in dogs by conservative therapy if diagnosed at an early stage of the ailment.ThesisItem Open Access HAEMATO – BIOCHEMICAL AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY IN CANINE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-10) Ambica, G; Tirumala Rao, D.S(MAJOR); Hamza, P.A; Gireesh KumarABSTRACT : The present clinical investigation was aimed at studying the incidence, clinical findings, haemato-biochemical parameters, therapy and therapeutic efficacy of certain drugs in Group I (Syp. Aristozyme and Tab. Aciloc), Group II (Tab. Festal – N, Inj. Pantova and Syp.Vitapep) and Group III (Syp. Digiplex-T, Inj. Pantova and Syp. Vitapep) dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). A total of 76 dogs were presented with the history of passing loose, voluminous, grey coloured greasy faeces during the study period of February 2008 to July 2008. Out of them 54 dogs (71.05%) were loosing body weight in spite of normal appetite and showed the clinical signs of caprophagia, poor hair coat, flatulence and occasional vomiting in 37 (48.68%), 43 (56.58%), 21 (27.63) and 19 (25%) respectively. Faecal samples of all 76 dogs were screened for parasitic ova and all were found negative and further screened macroscopically for the presence of trypsin by x-ray film digestion test and microscopically for the presence of fat, starch and protein by standard procedures. Among these 18 dogs (23.68%) negative for faecal trypsin and presence of fat, starch and protein were screened in 34 (44.74%), 31 (40.79%) and 25 (32.89%) respectively. Further haemato biochemical estimation was done and 23.68 percent (18) tested were found positive for EPI. The age-wise, breed-wise and sex-wise incidence of EPI indicated the highest incidence among dogs belonging to 2-5 years (61.11%) age, German shepherds (66.66%) and males (72.22%), respectively. All the affected dogs showed no significant change in haematological parameters in all three groups. Among biochemical parameters, serum glucose and serum GGT found to be normal but serum Amylase and serum Lipase levels were found to be decreased. After therapy a significant (p<0.05) improvement was noticed. The therapeutic efficacy based on response to treatmen was observed to be comparatively higher in Group III (83.33 %) than in Group II (66.66 %) and Group I (33.33%) on day 7 of therapy. Based on the above findings the therapeutic regimen used in Group III, i.e. Syp. Digiplex-T (@ 5 ml BID orally), Inj. Pantova (Pantoprazole @ 0.5-1.0 mg/ Kg. Body Wt. I/m) and Syp. Vitapep (Vitamin Supplement with Pepsin @ 5 ml BID orally) could be recommended to achieve good therapeutic response in EPI positive dogs.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON EVALUATION OF SILYMARIN AND TERMINALIA CHEBULA AGAINST ACETAMINOPHEN-INDUCED HEPATO AND NEPHRO TOXICITY IN RATS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-12) GOPI, K.S.; GOPALA REDDY, A(MAJOR); USHA RANI, M; RAJASEKHAR REDDY, AABSTRACT : The therapeutic efficacy and antioxidant potential of silymarin and Terminalia chebula (dried fruit aqueous extract) were studied against acetaminophen (APAP) @500mg/kg BW-induced oxidative stress, hepato and nephrotoxicity. A total of twenty four male Wistar kyoto rats of 3 month old age were procured for the study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups, consisting of six in each group. Acetaminophen @500mg/kg BW was administered orally to all the groups from day 1 to 3. Group1 was subsequently administered with distilled water (p/o) from day 4 to 14 and was considered as toxic control. Groups 2 and 3 were administered (p/o) with silymarin @25mg/kg BW and Terminalia chebula @125mg/kg BW, respectively from day 4 to 14. Group 4 was orally administered with silymarin @25mg/kg BW + T.chebula @125mg/kg BW from day 4 to 14. Biomarkers of hepatotoxicity (AST and ALT), nephrotoxicity (BUN and serum creatinine) and lipid profile (total cholesterol and triglycerides) were estimated on day 0, 4 (confirmation of toxicity) and 14 (at the end of treatment). Antioxidant profiles (TBARS, GSH, protein carbonyl, SOD and catalase), and enzymes like ATPases and cytochrome P450 were assessed at the end of experiment. Histopathological studies on liver and kidney were conducted at the end of the experiment. Antioxidant profile, ATPases and serobiochemical parameters were significantly altered and histopathological studies revealed degenerative changes, sinusoidal congestion and infiltration in liver and affected glomeruli and tubular degeneration were noticed in kidney of toxic control group. These changes were reversed in groups administered with silymarin, T.chebula and their combination. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation enunciated that Terminalia chebula has potent hepato and nephroprotective activity and in scavenging free radicals during acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress, replenishment of membrane bound enzymes (ATPases) and restoration oxidant and antioxidant balance. However, silymarin possessed superior antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect over Teminalia chebula also in increasing the cytochrome-P450 activity and restoring glutathione concentration. T.chebula has synergistic effect with silymarin, which was evident from tissue antioxidant profile in liver and kidney.ThesisItem Open Access ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBIOGRAM PATTERN OF SALMONELLA AND ESCHERICHIA COLI IN ENTERIC INFECTIONS OF PIGS IN ANDHRA PRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-12) RUPA SUNDARI, A; SATYANARAYANA CHETTY, M(MAJOR); SREENIVASULU, D; SRI LATHA, ChABSTRACT: Multiple serovars of Salmonella and serotypes of E. coli are responsible to cause severe infections in pigs leading to morbidity and mortality and economic loss to swine industry. These bacteria also affect human health and have public health impact. Isolation and identification of indigenous Salmonella serovars / E. coli serotypes is of prime importance in order to carryout research on development of vaccines and for the study of molecular epidemiology. Hence, an attempt was made in this direction in the present study. Among 101 faecal samples screened for salmonellosis the notable serovars Salmonella Derby, S. Typhimurium and S. Typhisuis surfaced as major incriminating agents in pigs while the E. coli serotypes identified were O1, O2, O5, O8, O10, O12, O22, O24, O60, O88, O89, O92, O123, O138, O154 and O159. The bacterial aetiology was confirmed with standard procedures and protocols of Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology, ninth edition. The haemagglutination pattern of Salmonella and E. coli exhibited agglutination of erythrocytes viz., cattle, sheep, goat, chicken, rabbit, guinea pig and mice indicating the importance of fimbriae in colonization of organisms in intestine and production of toxins. Anti-sensi disk patterns revealed that the drugs of choice were chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole and gentamicin for Salmonella infection while gentamicin, amoxycillin and chloramphenicol were the suitable drugs for chemotherapy of E. coli infection. The in vivo pathogenicity studies in mice revealed that S. Typhimurium was most pathogenic followed by S. Derby and S. Typhisuis whereas the pathogenicity studies carried out in chicks with E. coli serotypes viz., O1, O2, O8, O10, O22, O88, O92, O123, O138, O138 and O159 produced characteristic lesions and mortality in affected chicks. An innovative study on effect of Salmonella serovars viz., S. Typhimurium and S. Derby and E. coli serotypes O1, O24, O60 O89, O92, O123, O138 and O159 on germination of seeds were found to be toxic causing the inhibition of germination. Cefotaxime extract of Salmonella serovars on SDS-PAGE yielded 11 polypeptide bands ranging in molecular weight from 14 to 95 kDa while fimbrial extract of E. coli revealed a single band of 18 kDa.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MAHABUBNAGAR GOATS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2008-11) EKAMBARAM, B; RAMESH GUPTA, B(MAJOR); Gnana Prakash, M; Sudhakar, K; Ravinder Reddy, VABSTRACT : The present study was conducted for genetic and phenotypic characterization of Mahabubnagar goats by utilizing data on 1590 goats reared in the field conditions, spread over Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts and goats maintained at Livestock Research Station, Mahabubnagar during the year 2006-07. The mean family size, literacy rate, land holding, flock size and annual income of the farmers surveyed were 5.57, 62.67, 3.91 ± 0.64 acres, 43.49 ± 1.70 and Rs. 17,840, respectively. Goat farmers adopted stationary type of rearing (94.67%) with 7 to 8 hours of grazing on community and waste lands (36%) and forest and waste lands (20%). The survey revealed that 94.67 % of farmers provided housing during night time with 60% and 40% of farmers providing closed and open type of houses, respectively. Majority of the shelters provided had kutcha type of floor (81.76%) and thatched roof (52.70%). The nature of house varied from separate house (63.51%) to part of residence (34.49%). The common practice of feeding was grazing as observed in 72% of farmers surveyed, while only 27.33% farmers supplemented their animals during lean seasons. Most farmers maintained a sex ratio of 1:21-30 and followed flock mating without any heat detection practice and buck rotation. Majority of the farmers practiced deworming (70.67%) but not de-ticking (93.33%) and vaccination (81.33%). Disposal of sick animals was made through sales (87.33%), self consumption (5.33%) or other ways (7.33%). Dead animals were mostly disposed off in open places (32.67%) or buried (29.33%). Goat farmers realized income mainly through sale of live animals (52%), rather than from milk and manure. Majority of the farmers marketed their animals at 4 to 6 months age (71.33%) in the village itself (52.67%) based mostly on butcher’s discretion (65.33%). Most farmers (89.33%) felt that goat rearing was remunerative but opined that marketing was exploited by the middlemen. The predominant coat colour was an admixture of two colours (63.5%) consisting of black and white, brown and white and black and brown. Pendulous ears, beard and wattles were noticed in 91.57, 85.97 and 34.34 per cent of goats. Horned condition was observed in 96.04% of goats having medium sized horns (63.46%) with straight (56.91%) and curved (43.09%) orientation. The least-squares analysis revealed significant effects of division, age and sex on body weights and measurements at one or the other ages studied. The least-squares means were higher in males than in females and increased with age. The overall least-square means for the body weight, height at withers, chest girth, paunch girth, hip width, body length, face length, ear length and tail length were 32.22 ± 0.02 kg, 75.8±0.56, 73.8±40.57, 74.60±0.75, 13.16±0.24, 63.66±0.70, 21.95±0.34, 15.29± 0.17 and 16.90±0.30 cm respectively in 2-teeth males; 27.51±0.27 kg, 71.48±0.30, 70.68±0.34, 72.17±0.42, 13.34±0.13, 61.04±0.31, 20.61±0.14, 15.02±011 and 16.82±0.16 cm respectively in 2-teeth females. While the means in the same order were 47.71±0.63 kg, 83.27±0.58, 84.78±059, 86.24±0.67, 15.51±0.21, 72.43±0.69, 24.10±0.26, 16.44±0.23 and 17.92±0.31 cm respectively in 8-teeth males and 38.16±0.23 kg, 77.289±0.18, 79.02±0.19, 80.88±0.28, 14.78±0.09, 67.51±0.22, 22.16±0.10, 15.60±0.09 and 17.47±0.11 cm respectively in 8-teeth females. Phenotypic correlations between biometrical measurements and body weights were positive and significant and were moderate to high in magnitude. The step-down multiple linear regression equations developed to predict the body weights indicated that height, chest girth and paunch girth contributed significantly with R2 values ranging from 39 to 86 percent. The effect of division was highly significant on age at first mating, age at first kidding, kidding interval and litter size with the overall least-squares means of 304.87±0.19, 455.65±0.19, 254.92±0.25 days and 1.89±0.02, respectively. The overall incidence of multiple births was 69.92 percent. Out of multiple births, twins (51.45%), triplets (15.95%), quadruplets (2.29%) and hexaplets (0.23%) were noticed. The overall means for pre-slaughter weight, empty body weight and hot carcass were 24.36±1.01, 18.29±1.09 and 10.1±0.60 kg respectively, while dressing percentages on pre-slaughter weight and empty body weight were 44.60±0.95 and 59.74±1.08 respectively. The overall means of whole sale cuts of the hot carcass were 3.75±0.28 (leg), 1.06±0.04 (loin), 0.97±0.04 (rack), 2.89±0.28 (neck and shoulder) and 2.2±0.12 (breast and fore shank) kg respectively. The preslaughter weight and dressing percentage were correlated positively and significantly with the all wholesale cuts. The coefficients of correlations of preslaughter weight with the other carcass traits were high, ranging from 0.66 to 0.94. The period of birth had significant effect on the body weights at all the ages studied, whereas the season of birth had no effect at any of these ages. Sex of kids had significant influence on body weights at almost all the ages studied with males out weighing the females. The mean body weights ranged from 8.37 to 9.03 kg at weaning and from 16.97 to 18.81 kg at 12 months age. The type of birth had significant effect on body weights of Mahabubnagar goats at all ages studied. The heritability estimates of body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months age were 0.08±0.07, 0.06±0.09, 0.10±0.10, 0.21±0.13 and 0.20±0.12, respectively. The genetic correlations among the body weights were highly positive and ranged from 0.88 to 0.98 while the phenotypic correlations were positive, significant and varied between 0.11 to 0.46. Cytogenetic characterization revealed diploid chromosome number to be 60, XY with 29 pairs of acrocentric autosomes and an acrocentric X-chromosome. The relative length of chromosomes ranged from 1.68±0.04 to 5.22±0.07 percent for the autosomes. The X-chromosome was the longest with a relative length of 5.86 percent. Sex of the goat had a significant influence on the relative length of some of autosomes. In the present study it was observed that majority of the phenotypic characteristics, and production and reproduction performance of the Mahabubnagar goats was closer to those of some of the established Indian breeds of goats such as Sangamneri, Kanni Adu, Osmanabadi, Marwari, Zalawadi etc. The chromosome profiles of Mahabubnagar goats were also similar to those of some of the Indian goat breeds. Therefore, the Mahabubnagar goats may be recognized as a distinct breed in the name of Mahabunagari goats of Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.