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ThesisItem Open Access CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS REQUIREMENTS OF INDIGENOUS LAYER DUCKS (Anas platyrhynchos)(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2002) RAVI. S.; P.A. PeethambaranA 3 X 3 factorial experiment was carried out at the Department of Poultry Science, Kerala Agricultural University during the period from February to July 2002 to establish the optimum requirements of calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (AP) in the diets for indigenous layer ducks under cage system of rearing. The Kuttanad varieties of indigenous ducklings of Kerala were maintained on deep litter system of rearing until 18 weeks of age at the University poultry farm, Mannuthy. From this flock. Ninety (90) female ducks were housed in 45 California type cages at the rate of two ducks per cage and they were weighed individually at 20 weeks of age. The dimension of each cage was 60 x 45 x 40 cm and the floor area of 1350 cm^ per duck was provided in the cage. The experimental diets were fed from 21 to 40 weeks of age and the observations were recorded in five periods of 28 days each. Nine experimental diets containing three levels of Ca viz., 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 percent with three levels of AP viz., 0.40, 0.50 and 0.60 percent were formulated and were fed to nine treatments consisting of five replicates of two ducks per cage in each treatment in a 3x3 factorial design. The mean body weight of ducks at 20 weeks of age was uniform in all groups ranging from 1400±9.11 to 1465±53.24 g with an overall mean of 1431 ±9.96 g. The Ca and AP levels did not influence significantly the 40*^ week body weight, which ranged from 1473±18.10 to 1579±58.28 g with an overall mean of 1544±13.76g. The age at first egg in the flock with 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 percent Ca levels were 154, 158 and 148 days respectively and with AP levels 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 per cent the same were 161, 154 and 148 days respectively. The period wise mean duck housed number (DHN) from 25-40 weeks of age (IS.leggs) was significantly higher with ducks fed 4.0 percent Ca (P<0.05). The interaction effect was significant (P<0.05) for the dietary combination of 4.0 per cent Ca and 0.6 percent AP with 20.2 eggs. The cumulative egg number (EN) of 75.7 eggs from 21 to 40 weeks of age was also higher with the Ca level 4.0 per cent and the 71.9 percent production with diet T9 was superior by interaction effect (P<0.05). The duck housed percent (DHP) production from 25 to 40 weeks of age averaged 64.6±1.92 per cent with 4.0 per cent Ca level. The Ca and AP levels in the diet did not influence the mean daily feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg mass and shell thickness. The overall mean daily feed consumption was 137.2±1.49 g per duck. The FCR per dozen eggs was 2.8±0.078 and that per kg egg was 3.9±0.099 for the period from 25 to 40 weeks of age. The mean egg weight (EW) and per cent shell were highly significant and the EW of 60.1±0.575 g averaged with 3.0 percent Ca and 0.5 per cent AP level as well were high (P<0.01). The interaction effect with the above combination was also significant (P<0.01). The 9.7±0.081 per cent shell recorded with 0.5 per cent AP was significantly lower in comparison with other AP levels (P<0.05). At 40 weeks of age, the overall mean serum Ca was 15.42±0.35 mg/dl and serum P was 3.18±0.081 mg/dl. The mean serum inorganic P value of 2.92±0.164 mg/dl recorded with dietary Ca level 4.0 percent was significantly lower than that of 3.5 percent Ca level (P<0.05). The tibia ash (62.34±0.512 percent) was significantly higher with 0.6 percent dietary AP level (P<0.05) and the tibia ash Ca with 4.0 percent dietary Ca level was significantly higher and the interaction effect with 0.6 per cent AP level was also significant. With this AP level, the tibia P was reduced significantly, but the interaction showed that the tibia P was high with diet T9. The liveability was excellent in ducks reared in cages (100 per cent) and there was no mortality during the period from 21 to 40 weeks of age. In the present study, the production traits used for evaluating the Ca and AP requirements of caged layer ducks were EN, EW, egg mass, feed consumption and FCR. The study revealed that 4.0 per cent Ca in the diet was superior over other Ca levels in the diet. The dietary Ca and AP levels did not influence the mean daily feed consumption and feed conversion ratios significantly. On the other hand, dietary AP levels influenced the mean EW, per cent shell, tibia ash weight and tibia ash Ca and P. Though the mean EW of 60.1 ±0.566 g recorded with 0.5 percent AP was significantly higher, the significant interaction on egg number with the 0.6 per cent AP with 4.0 per cent Ca was found superior. Therefore it will be logical to set the requirements of AP at 0.6 per cent level. Thus, the overall results of the present study revealed that the 4.0 percent Ca and 0.6 per cent AP levels with 18 percent Crude Protein and 2650 Kcal ME/kg was optimum for egg production in indigenous layer ducks under cage system of rearingThesisItem Open Access IMMUNODIAGNOSIS OF BOVINE GASTROTHYLACOSIS USING COPROANTIGENS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2000) A KANDASAMY; K. DevadaA study was conducted on the prevalence of paramphistomatidosis in Thrissur from June 1999 to May 2000. feasibility of coproantigen detection by ELISA and comparison of sensitivity of ELISA using coproantigens and ELISA using serum antibodies in diagnosis of gastrothylacosis, caused by Gastrothylax crumenifer, in cattle. It was noted from the registers maintained at the University Veterinary Hospitals at Kokkalai and Mannuthy and that at the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, that out of a total number of 1534 faecal samples from bovines examined, 253 (16.5 per cent) animals were found to be positive for amphistome eggs with the maximum prevalence (23 per cent) in June and July. Generally the infection was prevalent throughout the year. An indirect ELISA using rabbit hyperimmune serum against somatic antigens of G. crumenifer was performed to detect coproantigens in faecal samples collected from 100 known G. crumenifer infected cattle. Seventy four samples were found to contain detectable levels of coproantigen indicating a sensitivity of 74 per cent. Serum samples collected from the same infected cattle were tested for antibodies to G. crumenifer by an indirect ELISA using somatic antigens. Fifty one samples were found positive for antibodies indicating a sensitivity of 51 percent. It was seen that when 43 cattle were positive for both coproantigens and serum antibodies, 18 cattle were negative for both of them. Although 31 cattle which were negative for serum antibodies were found positive for coproantigens, eight cattle negative for coproantigens were found positive for serum antibodies. The results showed that coproantigen detection, which revealed a higher sensitivity than the detection of serum antibodies by ELISA, is feasible for the diagnosis of gastrothylacosis in bovines.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF HOUSING SYSTEMS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS AND GILTS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1998) V. RAMESH; P.C. SaseendranAn experiment was conducted to findout the effect of housing systems on the reproductive performance of sows and gilts. Three types of housing systems namely, conventional house with wallowing tank (control TJ , conventional house with sprinklers (Tj) and range system (Tj) were put to test. Eighteen sows and eighteen gilts were reared under each system. A significantly lower (P<0.01) temperature was observed in sprinkler system (33.0°C) when compared to conventional (35.0°C) and range (34.35°C). There was nc significant difference in relative humidity between the groups. Significant difference (P<0.01) between treatment groups Ti with Tj and T3 in age at puberty and mating in gilt which were 305.47 ± 9.51, 270.36 ± 8.75 and 276.22 ± 5.- ;. respectively. The gilts under the treatment group T^ and T, had reached piiberty and were mated earlier than Ti group. The weight of gilts at the time of breeding was significantly (P<0.05) lower in treatment group T3 (75.39 ± 3.19) when compared to Tj (97.63 ± 3.09) and T^ (93.11 ± 3.73). But T3 group gilts had compensatory weight gain during pregnancy and difference between treatment groups in weight of gilts at one week after farrowing and at weaning were non significant. The weight of sows at the time of breeding, one week after farrowing and at weaning were significantly lower (P<0.05) in treatment group Tj when compared to T3 and . S .gnificantl' higher (P<0.01) percentage of oestrus occurrence, breeding success and intensity of oestrus were observed in T, and T3 group than group. The gestation length and post weaning oestrus period were found to be non-significantly different between the groups. The litter size at birth and weaning were 9.06 ± 0.26 and 6.87 ± 0.22 respectively in gilts and 9.38 ± 0.33 and 6.92 ± 0.05 respectively in sows reared under range system (T3) which were highly significant (P<0.01) than the litter size at birth and weaning obtained for gilts (5.85 ± 0.40 and 4.00 ± 0.69 respectively) and sows (7.09 ± 0.68 and 4.63 ± 0.70 respectively) reared under conventional system (TJ . Between T^ and T3 there was no significant difference. The litter weight at birth and weaning in T3 groups of 13.89 ± 0.43 kg and 62.72 ± 1.99 kg respectively in gilts and 14.35 ± 0.52 kg and 63.84 ± 4.04 kg respectively in sows were found to be highly significant than T^ group and non significantly higher than T, group. The cost of installing sprinkler in conventional pen and providing range in place of conventional pen were estimated to be Rs.29/m^ and Rs.l25/m= respectively. In the present study the reproductive performance of pigs maintained under sprinkler and range system was found to be better than the pigs maintained under conventional system. But the range system may not be practical and economically feasible always when compared to sprinkler systemThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MODIFIED ENVIRONMENT DURING SUMMER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING PIGS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1998) T. SUBRAMANIAN; K.S. SebastianAn investigation was carried out to study the environment variables and the effect of modified housing conditions on the physiological norms and growth performance during the dry season on the large white Yorkshire grower pigs. The modified housing include, - without wallow and sprinkler, Tj - with wallow only, T3 - with sprinkler only and T4 - with wallow and sprinkler as the four treatment groups. The dry season (summer) characterised by higher ambient temperature (maximum temperature - 31.5° to 37°C, minimum temperature 22.8 to 26.1°C, mean temperature - 27.4°C to 31.3°C), comparatively lower relative humidity (mean RH 63.15 to 75.68%) and wind speed (2.75 to 7.8 km/h) . The higher range of temperature was sufficient to cause stress on the performance of the grower pigs as per the literatures. The treatment (TJ without wallow and sprinkler varies significantly (P<0.05) in the body temperature, respiration rate, cardiac rate both in the forenoon and afternoon from the Tj, T3 and T4 gramps, i.e., T^ has shown more of physiological stress reaction than other treatment groups. T, was found to be more comfortable than T^. and T3 were having no significant difference except in afternoon body temperature and respiration rate. There were no statistically significant (P<0.05) difference between treatment groups in the fortnightly body weight gain from the first fortnight to upto twelfth fortnight. The twelfth fortnight body weight of the treatments T^, T2, T3 and T4 were 70.833 ± 2.114, 69.333 ± 5.816, 73.333 ± 5.681 and 71.667 ± 5.975. There were also no significant difference in the body length, chest girth and body height among the treatment groups in the fortnightly observations. Though T^ had shown significant (P<0.05) rise of physiological norms that had not reached upto the level of growth retardation. The overall fortnightly rate of gain (kg) and average daily gain (g) of the treatment groups of T^, Tj, Tj and T^ were 5.08 ± 0.60, 4.97 ± 0.54, 5.28 ± 0.56 and 5.17 ± 0.60 and 339 ± 39.9, 330.9 ± 36.1, 351.7 ± 37.6 and 343.9 ± 36.0. Under restricted feeding regime, T3 was having relatively better feed conversion efficiency and lower cost per kg of live weight production than T^, T^ and Tj. The conversion efficiency of T^, T^, T3 and T^ were 4.05, 4.15, 3.91 and 3.99 and cost per kg of live weight production 36.16, 37.03, 35.05 and 35.81. Based on the observations and the results suitable method of environment modification during the dry season for grower pigs can be recommended.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF COCONUT OIL AND SUNFLOWER OIL ON PLASMA AND LIVER LIPID PROFILE AND PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE IN JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica)(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1997) MINI. K. P.; P.T. PhilominaThe role of dietary factors in the genesis and development of atherosclerosis has been associated wich elevated serum cholesterol levels, both in man and animals. Coconut oil has been a dietary component for Keralites from time immemmorial . There are several reports implicating coconut oil (a saturated fat) as one of the major factors involved in the production of increased blood cholesterol level leading to the increased incidence of cardio vascular disease (CVD) in human beings and animals. No systematic investigation has been carried out so far to study how increasing unsaturation of the oil affects lipid metabolism in warding off atherosclerosis. In addition to the chain length of fatty acids their relative position in the triglyceride molecule appears to affect their potency for atherogenicity. Gingelley oil is commonly used as one of the energy source in poultry feed and sunflower oil is also gaining popularity now a days, since many reports indicated that feeding of unsaturated fat decreased the cholesterol content in the oodv Hence it was thought worthwhile to study the influence cT these three oils on the levels of total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipid in plasma and liver, the concentration of HDL-cholesterol and (VLDL+LDL)-cholesteroJ m plasma, weight of the liver and the level of total lipid and total cholesterol in egg yolk. The production performance under these dietary oils was also assessed in Japanese qua;' Is by recording the egg production, egg weight and egg mass, feed consumption, body weight and feed efficiency. A total number of 72 (36 males and 36 females), four-week old Japanese quails of the same strain (egg type) and hatch were procured from the Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy and divided into three main groups (12 males and 12 females in each main group viz. GI, Gil, GUI) and then subdivided to 12 males and 12 females as M-I, M-II and M-III (males) and F-I, F-II and F-III (females) . The birds were provided grower ration upto sixth week of age and then adult ration, from the sixth to the 10th week of age in males and 16th week of age in females. The standard ration was incorporated with the different dietary oils at 2 per cent level viz. GI (MI and F-I) with gingelley oil, GII (Mil and F-II) with coconut oil and GUI (Mill and F-III) with sunflower oil. Feed consumption, egg production and egg weight were recorded daily and body weight recorded weekly. The eggs from the three groups (F-I, F-II and F-III) were collected on the last day of 14th, 15th and 16th week of age, weighed and stored at 4°C for biochemical analyses. The male birds were sacrificed at the 10th week of age and females at the 16th week of age. The weight of the liver noted and plasma and liver stored at -20°C for analyses. Total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol (VLDL+LDL)-cholesterol and phospholipid in plasma of male and female Japanese quails were not significantly different among the groups, since the normal level (2%) of oils used in the present study was not able to exert any significant influence on the lipid metabolism in quails. The total lipid content in the liver in male quails was not significantly different among the groups. In the female quails the total lipid content in liver of gingelley oil fed group (F-I) was significantly higher than that of coconut oil fed (F-II) and sunflower oil fed (F-III) groups. Lower triglyceride lipase activity in coconut oil and sunflower oil fed groups, which causes decreased break down of triglyceride in adipose tissue and lower transportation of fatty acids to liver may be the reason for the lower total lipid content in liver in these two groups. Irrespective of sex the triglyceride and total cholesterol content in liver were not significantly different among the groups. The liver phospholipid content in male quails of gingelley oil fed group (MI) was significantly higher than that of sunflower oil fed group (Mill) . Sunflower ocj (unsaturated fatty acids) causes enhanced faecal excretion of free fatty acids. The total lipid, triglyceride, (VLDL+LDL)-cholesterol and phospholipid in plasma were significantly higher in adult female quails compared to males in all the groups. In the laying bird lipids are synthesised in the liver and transported to the ovary in the form of lipoproteins . This is the reason for higher total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid in plasma of laying hen (VLDL + LDL)- cholesterol content was also higher in the female quails since they are the transport form of cholesterol from liver to the ovary. The total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were higher in male quails compared to females, since the cholesterol is not eliminated through the egg yolk and are mainly found along with the HDL fraction in males unlike females. The total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol content in liver of female quails were significantly higher than that of male quails. There was higher lipid synthesis in the liver of female quails under the influence of oestrogen. There was no significant difference in the liver phospholipid content between male and female quails. No significant difference in the weight of the liver among the groups in both male and female Japanese quails could be noticed. However, weight of the liver in females was ® fi^sntly higher than the males in each group. There was no significant difference in the total lipid and total cholesterol content in egg yolk among the groups, at the 14th, 15th and 16th week of age. This was because the total lipid and total cholesterol content in the egg yolk has to be maintained at a constant level in order to create a favourable environment for the development of the embryo. Female quails attained sexual maturity earlier at the end f fifth week (38 to 41 days of age). Egg production started the 38th day in groups F-II and F-III while it was on the 41st day in group F-I. The egg production was lower in gingelley oil fed group (F-I) than coconut oil fed group (F-II) may be due to lower mineral absorption in gingelley oil fed group. The egg weight was higher in sunflower oil fed group (F-III) than coconut oil fed group (F-II) since sunflower oil in the diet causes higher protein retention. The egg mass was not significantly different among the groups. However, the egg weight and egg mass significantly increased with age. There was no significant difference in feed intake among the groups in both male and female Japanese quails as tiie caloric value of the feeds were the same. Female quails had higher feed intake than males due to their higher growth rat:e. The body weight of the male quails was not significantly among the groups. The body weight in gingelley oil fed group was the lowest among the female quails during most part of the experimental period, since there is lower mineralisation of bones in that group. The body weight of female quails in the three groups was significantly higher than that of males. Feed efficiency was not different among the groups in male Japanese quails. Among the female Japanese quails coconut oil (F-II) and sunflower oil (F-III) fed groups had better feed efficiency than gingelley oil fed group (F-I), lower rate of absorption of minerals in gingelley oil fed group (F-I) may the reason for the lowest feed efficiency anu body weight. In order to arrive at a conclusion as to which of the particular oil is ideal for health and for better production performance in Japanese quails, higher levels of oils are to be incorporated and a more detailed study is required.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF ENRICHMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND HALOTHANE SENSITIVITY ON PERFORMANCE OF LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE AND DESI PIGS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1997) JOSEPH MATHEW; C.K.ThomasThe effect of environmental variables, halothane sensitivity and environmental enrichments in the form of wallowing, water sprinkling and access to a shaded range on various production and reproduction traits of exotic(LWYJ and Desi pigs was assessed by conducting a study in Kerala Agricultural University Pig Breeding Farm , Mannuthy (UPBl). Significant correlations were found between environmental variables and important production and reproduction traits in both breeds . The incidence of halothane sensitivity was found to be higher in LWY when compared to that of Desi.A clear breed difference was noticed between Desi and LWY with respect to traits such as body weight,daily weight gain,body measurements, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency(FCE), weaning weight,cost of production for unit meat and weaned piglet.Environmental enrichments were found to be beneficial for most of the traits such as body weight, daily weight gain,FCE,conception rate,live litter size at birth,birth weight,1itter weight at weaning and average weaning weight.When halothane sensitive animals were better in FCE and growth rate, halothane resistant animals came out with good reproduction results.But positive animals with environmental enrichments performed better than negative in certain traits.The biochemical traits associated with haiothane sensitivity were inconsistent.But clear trends with breed and genetic groups existed between haiothane positive and negative animals.An apparently clear interaction between breeds, genotype and environmental enrichments were niticed in certain production and reproduction traits.Provision for access to a shaded range was found to be beneficial for fattening pigs with respect to FCE and growth rate.Wallowing and water sprinkling have got negative effect on these traits.But for reproduction traits all the above enrichments had beneficial effect.Based on the observations and the results suitable combinations of various environmental enricfimenLs for different breeds, geno types and purpose were deslgried which fnay be used as tools for developing managemental systems under different situations.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF FEEDING ONION {Allium cepa var aggregatum G. Don; AND GARLIC (Allium sativum Linn/ ON LIPID PROFILE IN JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica)(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1997) V. GIRISH KUMAR; K P. SurendranathanPoultry products are comparatively rich in cholesterol. WHO report indicates incidence of coronary heart disease and high dietary cholesterol level to be positively correlated. In such a situation, decreasing the cholesterol content in poultry products would be appropriate. Onion and garlic are ascribed with therapeutic effects such as hypocholesterolemia, hypolipidemia and immunosuppressant action in mammals, while no convincing reports are available on the effect of supplementation of these agents in reducing cholesterol level in egg and poultry meat. Hence, this study reports on the hypolipidemic effects and/or other effects of dietary onion and garlic on the lipid profile in the tissues of Japanese quails. Further, information on the physiological norms of tissues is essential for understanding any pathological entity. Although in recent years, the Japanese quail has gained increasing popularity as a biological model for various investigations, published reports on the lipid profile in the tissues of this species are very few. Essentially, all the previous studies on this aspect are based on observations in only a particular tissue or a particular lipid component or sex and age. Hence, the present investigation is also aimed at establishing a more or less complete picture of lipid profile in liver, plasma and muscle in both sexes at three different physiological stages of growth via., three-week old (immature), six-week old (onset of sexual maturity) and in nine-week old (mature) birds. Likewise, the lipid profile that are analysed in the liver will also be established in the egg yolk. The results revealed an increase in the liver and plasma total lipid content (Table fi) due to onion and garlic. Although a trend of decrease in the cholesterol level in the liver and muscle was obseived the results were statistically nonsignificant (Table m), indicating the hypocholesterolemic effect of onion and garlic to be of questionable biological The plasma free cholesterol level (Table IV) was found to be decreased due to onion and garfic, while no effect of the same was observed with regard to plasma esterified cholesterol (Table IV). The effect of onion and garlic on the cholesterol content in different lipoproteins (Table IV) indicated that these alliums are causing recirculation of plasma cholesterol between different lipoproteins and/or tissues in such a way that the plasma LX)L-C is not increased. There was an increase in the triglyceride content in the liver and plasma due to dietaiy alliums (fable V). The phospholipid level in the plasma was found to be increased with a decrease in the plasma free fatty acid (Table XH) level due to dietaiy alliums. The variations in the plasma esterified fatty acid content (Table XH) due to alliums are in accordance with the variations in the plasma content of esterified f orm of Upids. The iodine value of liver lipid increased due to alliums in both sexes, while these alliums were found to have no influence the saponification and acid value of the liver lipid. In all the above instances where onion and garlic were found to have significant effect, dietaiy garlic was found to have either a similar or significantly more alliaceous effect than dietary onion. No significant variations in the lipid profile of the muscle and yolk were observed due to dietaiy- supplementation of onion and garlic. I he influence of onion and garlic on the feed consumption by birds was found to vary with duration of feeding. In the first week of feeding alliums to both sexes and in flie second week in the male birds, no change in the feed consumption was observed, lliereafter in both the sexes the feed consumption increased due to dietaiy onion and garlic. Dietaiy onion and gariic caused a nonsignificant increase in the body weight. Feed efficiency in both the sexes and egg production in the females were unaltered due to dietaiy supplementation of onion and garlic. The levels of total lipid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total phospholipid and phosphohpid fractions in liver, plasma and muscle were found to differ significantly due to effect of age within a sex and due to effect of sex within an age group. Similarly the level of plasma free cholesterol, esterified cholesterol, HDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, free fatt>' acid and esterified fatty acid differed significantly due to age within a sex and due to sex within an age group. Iodine value and saponification value of lipid in liver were influenced due to age and sex, while the same was not observed in the muscle. The acid value of the lipid in the liver and muscle was unaltered due to age or sex. The feed consumption and body weight increased with age in both sexes and it was more in the females. The feed efficiency was unaltered due to age or sex. The egg production was also not influenced by age.ThesisItem Open Access GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF MILK PROTEINS IN GOATS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1996) T. V. RAJA; B. NandakumaranThe present investigation was undertaken to identify the biochemical polymorphism at different milk protein loci and to establish their inheritance pattern in Malabari and its exotic cross viz., Alpine x Malabari. It was also envisaged to analyse the association of different milk protein variants with lactation milk yield. Hundred goats belonging to Malabari (50) and Alpine x Malabari (50) were typed for milk protein variants employing horizontal Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE). The milk protein loci studied were Alpha Si casein, Alpha Sj casein. Beta casein. Kappa casein and Beta lactoglobulin. Two Alpha Si casein variants, the faster Alpha Si casein F and the slower Alpha Si casein S with three phenotypes Alpha Si casein AA, Alpha Si casein AB, and Alpha Si casein BB were observed. S allele had the frequency of 0.52 in Malabari and 0.70 in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds. The gene frequency of Alpha Si casein F and Alpha Si casein S were 0.48 and 0.52 in Malabari and 0.30 and 0.70 in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds, respectively. The frequency of S allele was higher in both the populations. Alpha Sj casein locus exhibited three phenotypes viz., AA, AB and BB controlled by two alleles A and B. A allele had the ii higher frequency of 0.71 in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds compared to 0.62 in Malabari. Higher frequency of AA phenotype was found in Alpine x Malabari (0.52) and that of AB phenotype in Malabari (0.44) . Two alleles namely A and B contributed three phenotypes viz., AA, AB and BB at the beta casein locus in both the populations studied. Malabari showed higher frequency of B allele (0.55) while Alpine x Malabari had higher frequency of A allele (0.60) . Beta casein AB phenotype had higher frequency in Malabari breed (0.54) . Kappa casein locus showed two alleles A and B contributing three phenotypes viz. , AA, AB and BB. The frequency of A allele was higher in both the population. The phenotype AA was higher in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds (0.56) while Malabari had higher frequency of AB phenotype (0.48) Two alleles namely A and B with three phenotypes AA, AB and BB were identified at Beta lactoglobulin locus. The phenotype AA was dominant in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds (0.50) and the frequency of BB phenotype was almost similar in both Malabari and Alpine x Malabari crossbreds (0.14 in Malabari and 0.12 in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds). The gene frequency of Beta Ig A was found to be 0.65 in Malabari and 0.67 in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds. iii Both the populations studied were in genetic equilibrium with respect to these five milk protein loci. No significant diversity was found to exist between genetic groups. The genetic variability in the populations was calculated by estimating the heterozygosity. The overall heterozygosity in different populations indicated that the Malabari breed had comparatively higher degree of heterozygosity (0.4711) followed by Alpine x Malabari crossbreds (0.4209) . In Malabari maximum heterozygosity was observed at Alpha Si casein loci (0.4992). In Alpine x Malabari maximum heterozygosity was observed at Beta casein locus (0.4800) . The study of association between the genes controlling synthesis of milk proteins showed significant association between the Beta casein with the Beta lactoglobulin BB types in Alpine X Malabari crossbreds. All the other combinations of genes did not show any significant association. Milk protein variants were not found to be associated with the lactational yield (120 days) of the goats. The present study could establish the existence of biochemical polymorphism at Alpha Si casein, Alpha Sj casein, Beta casein. Kappa casein and Beta lactoglobulin loci in Malabari and Alpine x Malabari crossbreds studied.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SEASON OF BIRTH AND ENERGY LEVELS OF FEED ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF PIGS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 1992) K. S, SEBASTIAN; T. G. RajagopalanA detailed investigation was carried out to study the effect of season and level of energy intake on grov/th rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production of fattening pigs reared upto a slaughter weight of 90 kg. Thirty two weaner pigs of large White Yorkshire breed belonging to the University Pig Breeding Farm, Mannuthy born in two seasons were distributed under two dietary treatments. All animals were slaughtered on attaining the target weight of 90 kg. Animals born in season II were superior to animals born in season I in all the parameters like growth rate, feed j_0f]^cy, average daily gain and carcass characteristics. The energy level in the ration had a moderate influence on the performance of grower pigs. Animals on NRG level of feed were found to be better than animals on 15 per cent less than NRG levels in all the traits under study except for fat characteristics,. The cost of production per kg pork was found to be less (Rs 18.72) in NRC group than 15 per cent less than NRC group (Rs 22.99) due to higher feed efficiency and better growth rate. The overall results obtained during the course of present study is that the unit cost of production is less for animals maintained on NRC level of ration. Animals born in season II were found to be better than animals born in season I in production performances.