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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN NURSERY REARING PHASE OF FINFISH SPECIES IN FLOATING NET CAGES FOR MARICULTURE(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-11) SURESH, GALIDEVAERA; CHAMUNDESWARI DEVI, B (MAJOR); RAVINDRA KUMAR REDDY, D; MADHAVAN, NThe present studies were conducted at the closed bay near Suryalanka, Bapatla, Guntur district on “Studies on growth and survival in nursery rearing phase of finfish species in floating net cages for mariculture”. Total three (3) studies were conducted. The first study was on the effect of stocking density on growth and survival of milkfish, Chanos chanos in floating net cages in closed bay, Bapatla. Triplicate groups of milkfish with an average initial weight of 2.90±0.32 g were randomly stocked in floating net cages (1m×1m×2m) at 20, 40, 60 and 80 fish/m3 designated as D20, D40, D60 and D80 respectively. Milkfish in the cages were fed with 35% CP formulated diet at 10% of body weight twice daily. Sampling was done weekly. At the end of the stocking trail, growth in terms of body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate of fish were high in D40 than those in D20, D60 or D80. There was no significant difference in the survival rates of milkfish at different stocking densities. Total Feed Conversion Ratio was lower in D40 followed by D20, D60 and D80. The cages stocked with 40 fish/m3 have highest growth performance and 80 fish/m3 showed highest biomass performance. Water quality parameters were at optimum level during study period. Results suggest that 40 fish/m3 could be recommended for producing better quality milkfish fingerlings and 80 fish/m3 for highest number of seed production. Second study was conducted to study the effect of stocking density on growth and survival of seabass, Lates calcarifer in floating net cages in closed bay, Bapatla. Triplicate groups of seabass with an average initial weight of 1.29±0.12 g were randomly stocked in floating net cages (1m×1m×2m) at 20, 40, 60 and 80 fish/m3 designated as SD20, SD40, SD60 and SD80 respectively. Seabass in the cages were fed with 45% CP formulated diet at 10% of body weight twice daily. Sampling was done weekly. At the end of the stocking trail, growth in terms of body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and survival rate of fish was high in SD20 than those in SD40, SD60 and SD80. Total Feed conversion ratio was lower in SD20 followed by SD40, SD60 and SD80. The cages stocked with 20 fish/m3 have highest growth performance and survival. 20 fish/m3 showed better survival percentage than SD40, SD60 and SD80. Water quality parameters were at optimum level during study period. Results suggest that 20 fish/m3 could be recommended for producing better quality seabass fingerlings and 80 fish/m3 for highest number of seed production. Another experiment was conducted to study the optimum crude protein for milkfish, Chanos chanos seed in floating net cages. Milkfish fry were obtained through natural seed collection. Rectangular floating net cages made of bamboo poles was provided inside with 1×1×2m hapas. Predatory net and bird net were provided. PVC drums filled with air were fixed to the net cage for floating. Milk fish with mean body weight of 2.81±0.07 g were stocked at the rate of 40 fish/m3 in each hapa in the rectangular cages. Triplicates were maintained for each treatment. Fish fry were fed with 5 artificial dry diets containing 12.5% (Control - C), 15% (T1), 25% (T2), 35% (T3) or 45% (T4) crude protein. The diets were fed at the rate of 10% of the biomass for a period of 63 days (9 weeks). Water quality parameters like D.O, pH, salinity, NH3, NO-2, NO-3 and temperature were estimated at weekly intervals and were within the optimum range for culture of milk fish. At the end of 63 days growth experiment, fishes fed on 35% (T3) crude protein feed exhibited highest growth and survival performance at 1% and 5% level of significance. The present study showed that milkfish seed reared in floating net cages in the closed bay performed best at 35% crude protein.ThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON MIGRATORY ASPECTS OF SHEEP REARING IN ANANTAPUR DISTRICT(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) SREEKANTHA KUMAR, T; SURESH BABU, D(MAJOR); RAVINDRA REDDY, Y; RAVI, AABSTRACT: The present study entitled “A study on migratory aspects of sheep rearing in Anantapur district” was undertaken to study the socio economic status of the migratory sheep farmers, management practices of sheep rearing, performance of sheep, identification of migratory tracts and patterns and constraints if any. A total of 160 migratory sheep flocks were identified and selected for the study. Majority (42.5%) of the shepherds in the study area were middle age people with a mean age of 37.48 years and majority of the sheep farmers belonged to backward caste (84.37%) followed by scheduled tribes (9.37%), scheduled caste (4.37%) and others (1.87%). The average size of the family was 4.8 and majority (51.87%) were living as joint families. Regarding education level, majority (56.87%) of the shepherds were literate with 60.44 per cent upto primary school level. With regard to experience in sheep farming, the average was 14.01 years with majority of sheep farmers having 10 to 20 years of sheep farming experience. It was observed that 71.87 per cent of farmers were having sheep rearing as main occupation followed by 28.13 per cent having agriculture related activities as main activity. The mean flock size was 307.85, where majority (93.12%) of farmers had possessed their own sheep. With regard to management practices it was observed that 100 per cent of the farmers provided lamb enclosures for new born lambs until weaning. It was observed that farmers depend mainly on available grazing resources to rear their sheep flocks. Majority (37.5%) of the farmers utilized all types lands (community land, forests and waste lands) followed by forests + waste lands (35%), waste barren lands (3.75%) and forests (2.5%) for grazing of their sheep. The average grazing time in the study area was found to be 8.5 ± 0.05 hours and the mean grazing distance recorded was 5.14±0.06 km/day. It was observed that all the farmers provided supplementation along with feeding resources available in the grazing area. The male to female sex ratio was 1:28 and the retention time of ram in the flock was for 5.2 years, with majority (86.25%) of the farmers not practicing rotation of breeding rams and culling of the breeding ewes (77.5%). It was appreciable that all the sheep farmers practiced deworming and immunization while majority (60%) of the respondents didn’t follow the deticking practice. Majority of the shepherds disposed off manure by way of penning for money against provision for crop stubbles or food provided by the farmers. The mean birth weight of ram and ewe lambs was 3.04 ± 0.01 kg and 2.84 ± 0.01 kg, respectively. The mean weaning weight of males and females were, 11.88 ± 0.09 kg and 11.75 ± 0.09 kg, respectively. The mean weight at 6 months of age was 16.07 ± 0.2 kg and 15.79 ± 0.11 kg and at 1 year of age it was 28.43 ± 0.25 kg and 23.55 ± 0.25 kg in males and females, respectively. The age at first mating was 12.24 ± 0.23 and 17.77 ± 0.09 months in females and males, respectively. Age at first lambing of ewes was found to be 17.81 ± 0.10 months. A tupping percentage of 86.9 ± 0.27 and lambing percentage of 81.25 ± 0.16 was observed in the study area. The average lambing interval was 8.03 ± 0.01 months. The mean weaning percentage observed was 87.75 ± 0.26 and the weaning age was 3.4 months. A total of 14 major migratory tracts (100 km and above) and 12 minor migratory tracts (below 100 km) were identified in the study area. The major migratory tract - I was largest covering 216 km with a duration of 210 days, starting from Chennarayunipalle of Bukkapatnam mandal in Ananthapur district and reaching Ammasandra in Karnataka. The distance travelled by sheep flocks in the identified major tracts ranged from 100 to 202 km with a mean distance of 128.46 ± 8.98 km. The duration (days) of migration in major tracts ranged from 150 to 276 with a mean duration of 193.53 ± 10.0. The minor migratory tract - XII starting from Pamidi and reaching Penakacherla dam of Garladinne mandal was the shortest route covering 18 km with a span of 90 days. The distance travelled by sheep flocks in the identified minor tracts ranged from 18 to 96 km with a mean distance of 69.33 ± 6.89 km. The duration (days) of migration in minor tracts ranged from 90 to 159 with a mean duration of 130.91 ± 7.6. Drinking water scarcity, shrinkage of grazing lands, resistance from local farmers, fodder scarcity, physical strain associated with migration and attack by predators were the major constraints encountered by the shepherds along the migratory tracts.ThesisItem Open Access ASSESSMENT OF STRESS BY FAECAL CORTISOL ESTIMATION AND ENDOPARASITISM IN ELEPHANTS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-11) SATYA PRAKASH ARUN; RAVINDRA REDDY, Y(MAJOR); SURESH, J; SREENIVASA RAO, DABSTRACT : A study was undertaken to assess the stress through faecal cortisol estimation and endoparasitic prevalence in four different categories of elephants viz. Temple (Kerala), zoos (Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park- Tirupathi, Indra Gandhi Zoological Park- Vishakapatnam and Nehru Zoological Park - Hyderabad), semi wild (elephant camp- Ramakuppam and Bannnaraghatta safari) and wild elephant (Seshachalam forest and Koundinya wild life sanctuary) in summer and winter seasons. A total of 80 dung samples were collected from all the categories of elephants constituting a sample of 10 from each category for each season and these samples were preserved in 80 per cent methanol and 10 per cent formalin for cortisol estimation and parasitic examination, respectively. The faecal cortisol was estimated by subjecting the sample to ELISA technique while, sedimentation and floatation method was used for the purpose of parasitic ova examination. From the present findings the mean faecal cortislol concentration of temple, zoo, semi wild and wild elephants was observed as 9.04 ± 0.85 ng/g, 7.64 ± 0.46 ng/g, 6.82 ± 0.80 ng/g and 6.80 ± 0.36 ng/g in summer and 10.86 ± 0.70 ng/g, 7.11 ± 0.76 ng/g, 7.05 ± 0.59 ng/g and 7.78 ± 0.41 ng/g in winter season, respectively. It was observed that the faecal cortisol concentration was found to be highest in temple elephants (9.04 ± 0.85) and lowest in wild elephants (6.80 ± 0.36) during summer and in winter the faecal cortisol concentration was found to be highest in temple elephants (10.86 ± 0.7) and lowest in semiwild elephants (7.05 ± 0.59). The statistical analysis using paired ‘t’ test revealed no significant differences between elephants in summer and winter seasons in different habitats. The dung samples subjected to endoparasitic examination revealed the prevalence of strongyle, strongyloid and amphistome ovas. The level of endoparasitic infection in temple, zoo, semiwild and wild elephants was 40%, 30%, 30% and 30 %, respectively during summer where as in winter season, the extent of infection was 50%, 70%, 30% and 40%, respectively. It was further observed that strongyle infection was at higher rate in comparison to strongyloid and amphistome infection. In order to reduce/minimize cortisol level and endoparasite infection in elephants, managemental practices like availability of sufficient area for feeding, walking for longer distances, provision of wallowing tanks for bath, avoiding standing for longer duration on concreate floors, enrichment of the enclosure, restricting of visitors and reduction of noise and sound by vehicles is suggested in temple and zoo animals to minimize the cortisol level and reduce stress condition of the mega herbivores.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF STAINLESS STEEL AND TITANIUM LOCKING COMPRESSION PLATES FOR REPAIR OF RADIUS AND ULNA SHAFT FRACTURES IN DOGS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) HANUMAN SAHEB, R; DHANA LAKSHMI, N(MAJOR); VEENA, P; RAJU, N.K.BABSTRACT: Dogs with unstable radius and ulna shaft fractures which were diagnosed by clinical signs, orthopaedic examination and survey radiography were taken as clinical material for the study. The incidence of breed, age, sex, body weight, etiology and type fracture was studied. Twelve selected cases of unstable radius and ulna shaft fractures were equally divided into two groups and the fractures were stabilized with indigenously made stainless steel Locking Compression Plates along with locking screws (group I) and titanium Locking Compression Plates along with locking screws (group II) following standard AO/ASIF procedures. Selection of appropriate size of plate and screws according to body weight and type of fracture (2.7 mm plate for dogs below 11 kg body weight and 3.5 mm plate for dogs above 11 kg body weight) provided good stability. In both the groups no technical difficulties were observed while application of stainless steel and titanium LCP for radius and ulna shaft fractures. The outcome of fracture stabilization and healing was evaluated with postoperative lameness grading, radiography and biochemical analysis. All animals diagnosed with unstable radius ulna shaft fractures were with grade 4 lameness before surgical management. Post operatively, all cases in both groups showed weight bearing with functional limb usage of grade 0 lameness and good joint mobility after four weeks. Early weight bearing of limb without complications was observed in titanium LCP stabilized cases. Postoperative complications of wound dehiscence and incisional infection were observed in two cases of stainless steel LCP stabilized cases. Postoperatively the radiographical healing time was same for both groups. The fractures showed radiographically excellent post operative healing by cortical union, absence of fracture lines with limited and also bridging callus in an average period of 7-11 weeks in both groups. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (P < 0.01) in increase of serum alkaline phosphatase and C-reactive protein values postoperatively in both the groups. The serum alkaline phosphotase and C-reactive protein values significantly increased from 0 day to 14th day and there after reached to normal values by 45th post operative day in both the groups. In conclusion, both stainless steel and titanium LCP were good for stabilization of unstable radius and ulna fractures in dogs for bone healing, however early limb ambulance and excellent clinical outcome without postoperative complications was observed with titanium LCP due to its biocompatibility, high corrosive resistance and lower modulus than stainless steel. Due to these advantageous properties, titanium LCP is preferred for repair of radius and ulna shaft fractures in dogs even though they are slightly expensive than stainless steel LCP.ThesisItem Open Access PREVALENCE, HAEMATOLOGICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF PARAMPHISTOMOSIS OF DOMESTIC RUMINANTS IN TIRUPATI(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) PREETHI, M; VENU, R(MAJOR); SRINIVASA RAO, K; SRILATHA, Ch; VINOD KUMAR, NABSTRACT: The present study on ‘prevalence, haematological, biochemical and histopathological observations of paramphistomosis of domestic ruminants in Tirupati’ was conducted in cattle, sheep and goats. A total of 2133 samples (dung, blood, serum, tissues and amphistome specimens) from slaughtered domestic ruminants was examined. In direct faecal smear examination, an overall prevalence of 24.29 percent of paramphistomosis infection was recorded, whereas in faecal sedimentation method, 32.51 percent was observed. In cattle, the prevalence of infection by direct faecal smear and faecal sedimentation methods were 17.43 and 31.19 percent, respectively. In sheep, the prevalence rates were recorded higher than cattle. In goats, the prevalence of paramphistomosis by direct faecal smear examination was 20.66 percent, whereas by faecal sedimentation method, it was 30.52 percent. Out of 109 cattle carcasses, in 47 cases (43.12) amphistomes were found in rumen, reticulum and bileduct during slaughterhouse examination. In sheep and goat, the prevalence rates were 42.15 and 40.85 percent, respectively by slaughterhouse examination. Age-wise, higher prevalence was recorded in cattle of 2-4 years followed by older animals of above 4 years and young animals of <2 years. Slightly higher prevalence (26.79%) was noticed in >1- 2 years old sheep than <1year age group. In goats, the prevalence of infection was lower in the age group of <1year, when compared to their counterparts in sheep. Based on slaughterhouse study, the sheep of <1 year old were more infected (56.28%) than >1-2 years old sheep (36.85%). In contrast, the higher prevalence was noticed in >1-2 years (63.27%) than < 1 year old goats (21.74%). Sex-wise, the prevalence of infection in male cattle was slightly higher than females by direct faecal smear and slaughterhouse examinations, whereas in sedimentation method, female animals showed higher infection than male. The prevalence of infection in female sheep was higher than male sheep. Overall, statistically no significance difference was observed between male and females, in respect to their diagnostic method. Blood samples were screened for haematological observations such as PCV, Hb and RBC counts. Statistically, significant difference was noted between immature amphistomosis and uninfected groups of cattle, sheep and goats. No significant difference was noted between infected and uninfected animals of cattle and sheep in relation to PCV, Hb and RBC values, but in goats significant difference was observed. In DLC, statistically, no significant difference was observed in immature, infected and uninfected amphistomosis cattle. In immature and uninfected sheep, neutrophil and monocyte values showed significant alterations, but in goats it was in neutrophil and lymphocytes. Serum sample screening revealed, low levels of total proteins and albumins in immature amphistomosis infected cattle, sheep and goats. Gross and histopathological changes of amphistome infected rumen, reticulum and bile duct were observed. The adult amphistome parasites invading the rumen mucosa by sucker and plugging of mucosa of bile duct was noticed in cattle. In the bile duct of cattle, massive and extensive infiltration of plasma cells, lymphocytes and monocytes in between acinar structures was recorded. Hyperplasia of bile duct, degenerative changes and necrotic changes in acinar mucosal lining epithelial cells were appreciated prominently. In immature amphistomosis, duodenum of sheep revealed thickened and edematous; mucosal surface was severely congested, petechial haemorrhages and necrosis were also noticed. Histopathological studies of infected duodenum of sheep revealed, plugging of the mucosa with sucker and extensive infiltration of macrophages and plasma cells deep into the mucosa. Based on morphology, 5 amphistomes were recognized viz., Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Paramphistomum cervi, Gastrothylax crumenifer, Fischoederius elongatus and Gigantocotyle explanatum. Mixed infections were noticed higher at 50, 73.6 and 62 percent, in cattle, sheep and goat, respectively. In immature amphistomosis infected ruminants, haematological and biochemical parameters were estimated and showed a great variation and microscopic examination of duodenal wall scrapings revealed immature amphistomes.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SUBABUL BASED COMPLETE RATIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF KIDS(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) UDAY KUMAR, G; DEVASENA, B(MAJOR); RAMANA, J.V; SURESH BABU, DABSTRACT: An attempt was made in the present study to include the untreated and treated Leucena leucocephala leaf meal (ULLLM and TLLLM) by replacing the concentrate mixture in complete rations of growing kids. The nutritive value, plane of nutrition, and economics of production were studied. The proximate composition of untreated and treated Leucena leucocephala leaf meal obtained by treating with moist heat for 45 minutes revealed dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, cruder fibre, total ash and nitrogen free extract of 89.90, 92.30, 21.08, 4.51, 15.96, 7.70 and 50.78%; 95.50, 88.89, 20.11, 2.98, 19.78, 11.10 and 46.03%, respectively. The cell wall constituents (%) neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin and silica, were 55.55, 21.22, 34.33, 13.73, 13.33 and 0.40, respectively for ULLLM 50.60, 25.87, 24.73, 17.94, 8.76 and 0.52, respectively for TLLLM. A growth trial was conducted for 90 days with 30 kids (9.00 kg±0.150) by allocating at random to five complete rations CR1 (control), CR2 (30% ULLLM), CR3 (30 % TLLLM), CR4 (40% ULLLM) and CR5 (40% TLLLM). The ADG (g/d) was higher (P<0.05) in CR1 followed by CR3, CR5, CR4 and CR2. The efficiency of feed utilization was highest (P<0.05) in CR1 and CR3, mediocre in CR5 and CR4 and lowest in CR2. The DM digestibility (%) ranged from 59.77 (CR2) to 69.13 (CR1) and OM digestibility (%) from 63.99 (CR4) to 70.01 (CR1). The CP digestibility (%) was in the range of 63.16 (CR4) to 71.76 (CR1) and that of CF digestibility (%) from 49.09 (CR4) to 59.33 (CR3). The difference among the digestibility of nutrients was nonsignificant. The NDF and ADF digestibility (%) was higher (P<0.05) in CR3 and lower (P>0.05) in CR4. The N intake (g/d) was highest (P<0.05) in CR1 and lowest (P<0.05) in CR4. While the differences among the CR2, CR3 and CR5 were non-significant. The DCP and TDN intake g/kg W 0.75 did not reveal any significant differences among the treatment groups. Carcass characteristics in terms of dressing percentage (39.53 to 44.99), empty body weight (7.39 to 12.13) did not indicate significant changes among the treatment groups. The edible, non edible (blood, skin, legs and gut with ingesta), organ weights, wholesale cuts, meat and bone ratio did not indicated significant difference among the kids maintained on experimental rations CR1 to CR5. The inclusions of untreated and treated Leucena leucocephala leaf meal (ULLLM and TLLLM) in the complete rations of kids on serum T3 and T4 hormonal profile determined at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of experiment showed significant reduction (P<0.05) in CR2 and CR4 as compared to CR1 or CR3 or CR5. Histopathological examination of thyroid gland indicated morphological changes in terms of hyperplasia of epithelial cells and follicular vacuolation with cuboidal epithelium were prominent in CR2 and CR4 group, while in control group there was normal pattern and very mild changes were seen in CR3 and CR5. The result of present study indicated that the treated Leucena leucocephala leaf meal can be included at 30% level in complete ration of growing kids as replacement of concentrate mixture on weight by weight basis under intensive system of rearing.ThesisItem Open Access IMMUNO INFORMATIC APPROACHES IN DESIGNING VACCINE AGAINST PATHOGENIC LEPTOSPIRA THROUGH PAN GENOME REVERSE VACCINOLOGY(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) SUDHEER, P; RANIPRAMEELA, D(MAJOR); VINOD KUMAR, N; JAGADEESH BABU, AABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira and it is a disease of livestock, pet animals, wildlife and humans throughout the world. The losses are due to reproductive problems in livestock and mortality in case of humans. Current existing leptospiral vaccines are unsuccessful due to their limitations .Hence there is a need to develop a novel and efficacious vaccine to control the disease. To overcome this, reverse vaccinology is the right choice. In recent trends, it is possible to target the common vaccine candidates with genomic information of the single organism. Based on this concept the present work was planned to study the Bioinformatics approaches to identify the vaccine candidates in designing a vaccine against pathogenic Leptopsira in Bovines In the present study complete proteomes of L.borgpetersenii hardjo bovis JB 197 and L550 were screened to identify common surface exposed proteins through Rxvi language scripts and codes. Later these common surface exposed proteins were subjected to DEG analysis. 49 essential proteins were identified .Further essential proteins were subjected to non-homology analysis against both host and gut microbiota to avoid autoimmunity using NCBI-BLAST.T-helper cell epitopes were predicted from non-homologous proteins through MetaMHCII and ProPred homology search against BoLA-DRB3, and evaluated using Vaxijen server. Three dimensional structures were built for T-cell epitopes and BoLA-DRB3 using Modeller9v.15. A total of twenty five models were generated. The model with high negative DOPE score was selected and validated using PROCHECK, ProQ, and ProSA in determining protein quality. The structures of T-cell epitopes and BoLA DRB3 were prepared before docking using protein preparation wizard of Schrodinger 2015-3. Docking and free energy calculations were performed with BioLuminate Module v 2.0 of Schrödinger software suite 2015-3. The changes in structural confirmation were monitored in terms of energy plot, RMSD and RMSF during 50 ns MD simulations run time using Desmond v4.3. In Silico analysis of L.borgpetersenii JB 197 and L550 retrieved three proteins namely Ton B dependent receptor containing single epitope, ABC permease protein with three epitopes and UVr ABC protein B with single epitope. L.ballum was selected instead of L.borgpetersenii due to its non-availability of the culture during the period of the study and 99% identity on BLASTp. The nucleotide sequence corresponding to ABC permease gene containing three epitopes was retrieved, primers were designed and PCR was standardized for the amplification of ABC permease gene. PCR purified product on sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of ABC permease gene. Then, the PCR purified product was cloned in to PRSET vector using E.coli DH5α cells .The recombinant plasmid was transformed in to E.coli BL21 (DE3) cells and expression was induced by addition of 1mM IPTG. Finally recombinant protein was extracted from lysate of E.coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Recombinant protein was analysed on SDS-PAGE for characterization. The SDS-PAGE analysis yielded 20KD of expected recombinant protein on staining with commassie brilliant blueThesisItem Open Access A STUDY ON UTILIZATION PATTERN OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) AMONG DAIRY FARMERS IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT OF ANDHRAPRADESH(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) NARENDRANATH REDDY, J; HARILAL, R(MAJOR); SHARMA, G.R.K; GANGARAJU, GABSTRACT: An ex-post-facto research design followed in the present investigation for which 120 dairy farmers (who were rearing cattle and buffaloes) of Chittoor district were selected randomly to study the utilization pattern of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among dairy farmers. The data pertaining to dependent variables viz. ICT utilization pattern and knowledge on ICT tools and independent variables collected with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule developed for the purpose. After collection of data, farmers were divided into three groups based on type of flock i.e. large farmers, medium farmers and small farmers for better analysis and presentation of results. Personal, socio-economic and psychological characteristics of dairy farmers revealed that majority of dairy farmers (70.00%) were in the middle age category. Majority of dairy farmers were had medium level of education. About 64.20 per cent dairy farmers were in low category of herd size. Majority of the dairy farmers (55.00%) were in medium category of income. About 55.90 per cent of dairy farmers were in medium level of farming experience. It was evident that 45.00 per cent of farmers were in the medium category of information seeking behaviour. The results regarding achievement motivation revealed that 45.00 per cent of dairy farmers were in medium category. About 50.00 per cent of dairy farmers were in medium category of economic orientation. Majority of the dairy farmers were in low category of management orientation and scientific orientation. The distribution of respondents according to ICT utilization pattern was mostly low level among all three categories up to the extent of 41.70 per cent in dairy farmers. About 49.20 per cent of dairy farmers in study area had medium level knowledge on ICT tools. The relational analysis revealed that education, information seeking behaviour, economic orientation, achievement motivation, had positive and significant relation with utilization pattern of ICT tools among dairy farmers. Whereas age was negatively significant. As for as knowledge on ICT tools concerned correlation analysis revealed that variables viz. education, income, information seeking behaviour, achievement motivation, economic orientation, management orientation and scientific orientation had significant and positive relationship with farmers knowledge on ICT tools, whereas age was negatively significantly related to knowledge on ICT tools. Multiple regression analysis revealed that all the independent variables put together explained about 31.60 per cent of variation in utilization of ICT of the respondents and about 70.07 per cent of variation in ICT knowledge of respondents. Problems perceived by dairy farmers in utilization of ICT were Lack of knowledge in using ICT tools, ‘Weak network connectivity’, ‘High cost and maintenance of ICT tools’, ‘Not aware of benefits of Internet’, ‘Lack of continuous power supply’, ‘Lack of training in use of ICT tools’, ‘Frequent advancements in technology’, ‘Lack of training in use of ICT tools’, ‘Lack of time for personal acquirement of knowledge on ICT tools’, ‘Limited access to ICT tools’. Suggestions perceived by farmers were ‘Provision of proper training on use and applications of ICT tools’, ‘Governments should provide useful ICT tools on subsidiary basis’, ‘Strengthening of contemporary ICT tools rather than conventional ICT tools’, ‘Governments should focus on uninterrupted power supply’, ‘Village Panchayat should be equipped with A.V. Aids like LCD projectors, Televisions, etc., to farmers.’, ‘Extension agents should intensify their efforts in teaching farmers how to utilize complex ICT tools’. Strategies for improving the utilization of ICT tools by dairy farmers were 1) Capacity building should start at grass root level 2) Young farmers should assign to retrieve information from internet 3) Regular trainings and workshops to the farmers especially young farmers on the advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs) 4) Regular and need based trainings and refresher trainings should be conducted by the Animal husbandry department 5) Extension agents should be encouraged and oriented to intensify their efforts in teaching farmers on utilization of ICT tools 6) Each and every Panchayat should be equipped with useful ICTs like computer, LCD projector, Television, etc., 7) Uninterrupted internet connectivity should be provided with broad band connection at free of cost 8) Uninterrupted power supply should be provided 9) Installation of all ICTs with total equipment and arrangements 10) Regular monitoring of ICT tools by qualified technician at free of cost 11) Provision of instant solution facility for ICT tools usage related problems by providing the customer care toll free number to all farmers.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATIVE STUDY OF “SUNANDINI CALF REARING SCHEME” IN RAYALASEEMA REGION(SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA, 2016-12) SHAFI, MD; GANGARAJU, G(MAJOR); SURESH, J; Srinivasa Rao, DABSTRACT: A study was undertaken to evaluate “Sunandini calf rearing scheme” implemented by Animal Husbandry department, Government of Andhra Pradesh under NSP, SCP and RKVY project during the year 2013-14. This study was carried out in Chittoor, Aanatapur and Kurnool districts of Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh state. A total of 150 beneficiaries who were enrolled under the scheme were randomly selected among whom 75 each were owners of Jersey and HF crossbreds, respectively. Concurrently another sample of 150 farmers comprising 75 each of Jersey and HF crossbreds who were not covered under Sunandini calf rearing scheme were also selected for comparative assessment of productive and reproductive performance as well as and cost and returns of rearing calves. A structured interview schedule was designed keeping in view of the objective of the study in order to elicit required information from the sample farmers. The data pertaining to socio economic status of the beneficiaries were collected from the farmers and the study revealed that majority (54.7%) of the beneficiaries under the scheme were middle age group while 34 per cent of the farmers being illiterate and 35.4 per cent of them had primary level of education. The mean family size of the beneficiaries was observed as 4.66 members per family with majority (90.7%) of them having nuclear type of families. The study with regard to the social category of beneficiaries of scheme revealed that equal per cent (28.7%) of farmers belonged to SC and BC category and 38 per cent of beneficiaries belonged to other castes. Majority (42.0%) of the farmers under the scheme belonged to landless and agricultural labourers category with 48.7 per cent of them having medium (11-20 years) level of experience in dairy farming. The annual family income of the beneficiaries in the study area was found to be Rs. 86,740 with 46 per cent of the farmers following agriculture and dairy as their source of family income. Evaluation of productive and reproductive performance of the scheme and non scheme animals revealed that there was a significant difference between scheme and non scheme animals with regard to age at first calving (days), age at maturity (days), age at first AI (days) and predicted first lactation milk yield (lit). The respective values were found to be 1012.80 ± 5.47, 667.82 ± 5.17, 714.46 ± 5.27 and 2840.17 ± 29.95 liters for scheme animals and 1092.57 ± 9.50, 741.56 ± 9.55, 793.46 ± 9.99 and 2510.05 ± 33.01 for non scheme animals of Jersey crossbreds. Similarly, for HF crossbreds the respective observed values were 1031.45 ± 5.30, 681.96 ± 4.50, 728.84 ± 4.82, 3272.77 ± 39.72 for scheme and 1142.61 ± 6.85, 784.34 ± 6.58, 827.30 ± 7.03 and 2816.75 ± 24.01 for non scheme animals. Thus, the Sunandini calf rearing scheme helped the beneficiaries to reduce the age at first calving of Jersey crossbreds by 79.77 days and increase of milk yield by 330.12 lit over and above the contemporary non scheme animals. Likewise there was a reduction of 111.16 days of age at first calving and increase of 456 lit of milk in the case of HF scheme animals compared to non scheme animals The data regarding the cost and returns of rearing both jersey and HF crossbred calves were subjected to tabular analysis and the overall net total costs was observed as Rs. 12,043, Rs. 14, 447, Rs. 20, 732 and Rs. 16,782 for first, second, third and fourth year, respectively and the total cost of rearing non scheme animals was found to be Rs. 10,551, Rs. 13,457, Rs. 19,141, Rs. 21, 869 and Rs. 1, 526 for first, second, third, fourth and during first two months of fifth year, respectively. The net returns obtained was found to be Rs.-291 in first year, Rs. 12,057 in second year Rs. 25,783 in third year and Rs. 88,302 in fourth year for scheme animals and Rs. 1,349, Rs. 8,143, Rs. 13,796, Rs. 81,973 and Rs. 3,390 in first, second, third, fourth and during first 2 months of fifth year, respectively for non scheme animals. An attempt was made to bring out the constraints faced by the beneficiaries of Sunandini calf rearing scheme. About 28 per cent of the beneficiaries expressed that the indented concentrate feed was supplied at irregular intervals and 20.6 per cent felt that non inclusion of all eligible female calves of a farmer in to the scheme as another constraint followed by 18 per cent of beneficiaries recorded both the constraints in implementation of Sunandini calf rearing scheme.
