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ThesisItem Open Access EGG QUALITY OF NATIVE CHICKEN UNDER BACKYARD SYSTEM AND WHITE LEGHORN LAYERS UNDER INTENSIVE SYSTEM OF REARING(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2009) SARITHA THANKACHAN; P.A. PeethambaranA study was conducted to evaluate the egg quality in 100 eggs each of Native chicken (NC) and White Leghorn (WL) during 21 to 40 weeks of age which included the external and internal quality parameters, fatty acids, yolk cholesterol and mineral estimation in yolk and albumen. Also, the egg production, livability and feed intake in NC reared in backyard system and WL layers reared in cages were studied. Among the external quality traits, the egg weight (39.35 vs. 49.54 g), egg length (50.36 vs. 54.02 mm) and breadth (37.55 vs. 40.74 mm) were lower in NC whereas, the shape index was comparable. Except the albumen width (83.73 vs. 76.54 mm), all the albumen traits were inferior in NC compared to WL with Albumen height (4.32 vs. 6.41 mm), index (0.05 vs. 0.09 mm), weight (21.92 vs. 31.36 g), per cent (55.65 vs. 63.45) and Haugh Unit Score (71.47 vs. 81.33). Significantly lower values yolk height (13.94 vs. 15.87 mm) and index (0.35 vs. 0.42) and higher values for yolk per cent (33.62 vs. 27.26) and yolk color index (8.11 vs. 5.31) were noticed in NC. The yolk width, weight and cholesterol content were comparable between the breeds. Significantly lower shell weight (4.21 vs. 4.61 g), higher shell per cent (10.73 vs. 9.30) noticed in NC. In the egg yolk, the mean values of saturated fatty acids; Palmitic , Stearic, Arachidic and Behenic acids were comparable between NC and WL eggs, although these acids when put together, a significantly higher (52.65 vs. 48.62 per cent) in the former group was noticed. Significantly lower quantity of Linoleic acid (8.50 vs. 11.53 per cent) the omega-6 category as well as the Omega-6: omega-3 ratio (2.89 vs. 6.01) was advantageous even though total unsaturated fatty acid was significantly lower in NC eggs (47.35 vs. 51.38 per cent). On the other hand, the ratio between saturated and unsaturated acids was significantly higher in NC egg (1.11 vs. 0.95). The monounsaturated fatty acids, Oleic acid (31.24 vs. 31.52 per cent) and Palmitoleic acid (4.11 vs. 5.77 per cent) and these two acids put together (35.35 vs. 37.29 per cent) were non-significant. The total poly unsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-6 and Omega-3 were comparable 139 both in NC and WL eggs. Of the total fatty acids, the mean value of and Omega-3 fatty acids; linolenic acid, EPA and DHA were comparable separately (0.83, 1.61 and 1.06 vs. 0.61, 0.88 and 1.07 per cent). The total of Omega-3 acids was numerically higher in NC egg (3.49 vs. 2.55 per cent). The mineral profile of eggs indicated that WL eggs are superior (P<0.05) in respect of Iron in albumen (2.10 vs. 4.76 ppm), Copper in yolk (1.18 vs. 1.49 ppm) and Magnesium in yolk (0.0088 vs. 0.0125 mg per cent). This indicated the necessity of inclusion of trace mineral mixture in the diet of native chickens. NC egg albumen is a rich source of Zinc (1.59 vs. 0.66 ppm). Late sexual maturity indicated by age at first egg of 185.62 days in NC vs. 141.25 days in WL and poor egg production indicated by 40.23 vs. 121.57 eggs (28.70 vs. 86.83 per cent) on HH basis and 41.86 vs. 123.60 eggs (29.90 vs. 88.28 per cent) on HD basis up to 40 weeks of age suggest modifications in feeding patterns of Native chicken. The livability was (88.33 vs. 96.67 per cent) in WL and NC hens with survivor egg numbers 41.91 and 125.35 eggs per hen. The feed intake per bird per day was 113 g in WL whereas the native chicken was being reared by providing only about 20 to 30 g of supplemental feed per bird per day.ThesisItem Open Access Job stress and job commitment perception among the veterinarians of Animal Husbandry Department in Kerala(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2009) SOUMYA SANKAR; REEJAOrganisational stressors as perceived by the veterinarians of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Kerala, viz-a-viz their job and social commitment were studied. Organisational stress on account of the dimensions organisational role, job satisfaction, policies, inter personal relationship, communication, working condition team work, security, autonomy, targets and structure were analysed . The dimension organisational role stress however was also studied in terms of its component dimensions inter role distance , role stagnation, role expectation conflict, role erosion, role isolation, role overload, personal inadequacy, self role distance, role ambiguity and resource inadequacy Stress was the most on account of the dimensions job satisfaction followed by team work, policy, autonomy, target, inter personal relationship, organisational structure, communication, work condition, security and organisartional role stress in that order. Job commitment was found positively correlated with stress due to dimensions target, autonomy, policy and security where as negatively correlated with stress due to the dimensions organisational role stress, job satisfaction, team work and structure. Among component dimensions of organisational role stress role overload was perceived as the dominant stressor followed by resource inadequacy, inter role distance, role stagnation, self role distance, role isolation, personal inadequacy, role expectation conflict, role ambiguity and role erosion in that order . Further it was revealed that role stress factors inter role distance was positively correlated whereas role stagnation,role expectation conflict, self role distance, personal inadequacy and role ambiguity were negatively correlated with job commitment. As for social commitment, it was positively correlated with stress on account of dimensions job satisfaction, interpersonal relationship, work condition, organisational structure, team work and policy whereas negatively correlated with communication. Social commitment was positively correlated with stress due to component dimensions of organisational role inter role distance and role overload whereas negatively correlated with role stagnation. Result also revealed an insignificant difference between perception of SVS and VS regarding all the eleven dimensions of stress.ThesisItem Open Access DETERMINANTS OF CLEAN MILK PRODUCTION PRACTICES OF THE DAIRY FARMERS IN NADATHARA PANCHAYAT(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2009) REHNA HASSAN; P. J. RajkamalClean milk production practices and their determinants were explored in the present study. Sixty dairy farmers from five milk co-operative societies formed the sample. Knowledge, attitude and adoption regarding clean milk production practices apart from training need were studied. Most of the respondents had an ambivalent attitude towards clean milk production. Knowledge of clean milk production practices related to the milch animal was low for a majority of respondents. The knowledge of practices related to the milker was medium whereas it was either medium or low in the case of knowledge related to milking utensils. But, as regards the practices related to cattle shed and surroundings majority were highly knowledgeable. The highest training need was for practices related to the milch animal. Majority of the respondents were medium level adopters of practices related to the milch animal and milking. As for practices related to the milker, majority were low level adopters. As regards adoption of practices related to milking, a large majority were either medium or low adopters. It further revealed that most of the respondents were high level adopters of practices related to cattle shed and surroundings. The respondents’ knowledge of clean milk production practices generally was medium even as the level of adoption was high. The knowledge in all five domains of practices related to clean milk production practices was highly significantly correlated with the level of adoption corresponding to each of the five domains. Attitude towards clean milk production practices was also significantly correlated with the level of adoption. This indicated that attitude and knowledge pertaining to clean milk production practices have significant roles in enhancing the adoption rate of the same. That apart, the study revealed that family education status and seminars/trainings/workshops attended on dairy farming were significantly correlated with level of adoption of clean milk production practices.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF BREWERY WASTE ON NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF PADDY STRAW BASED DIET IN LACTATING COWS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2009) S. SENTHILKUMAR; T V VISWANATHANTwo experiments were conducted, one to assess the effect of brewery waste on nutrient digestibility of paddy straw based diet in lactatiiig cows and the other to study the in vitro disappearance, degradability and rumen fermentation characteristics of various experimental feeds in Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC). In animal study, eighteen early lactating cross bred cows within 20 days of lactation were selected and grouped into three as uniform as possible with regard to their age, body weight, parity, previous milk yield and stage of lactation. They were randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments Tl, T2 and T3. The control concentrate mixture and paddy straw formed the Tl ration. The animals of T2 and T3 were fed with experimental concentrate mixture containing 25 per cent brewery waste (on DM basis) and paddy straw as roughage. In T2, the brewery waste was fed separately on wet basis, while in T3, the brewery waste to be incorporated in the concentrate mixture was treated with required quantity of paddy straw, three days before feeding. A feeding trial was carried out for a period of 60 days. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in body weight and average daily dry matter intake (DMI) of experimental animals among the treatment groups Tl, T2 and T3. The animals maintained on the three dietary treatments Tl, T2 and T3 showed an average daily milk production of 8.03, 10.14 and 11.09 kg, respectively during the 60 day period of the experiment. The milk production was significantly increased (P<0.05) from fourth week onwards in brewery waste fed groups (T2 and T3) when compared with control (Tl). The cost of feed per kg milk produced was lower in animals maintained on T2 and T3 rations (Rs. 7.89 and 8.37, respectively) than those fed control ration (Rs. 10.40). The brewery waste feeding did not affect milk composition such as percentage of total solids, milk fat, solids not fat (SNF) and milk protein and milk urea nitrogen (MUN). The four per cent FCM yield and total yield of milk fat and protein remained unaffected by brewery waste incorporation. Animals in all the three groups showed similar blood parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma glucose, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and plasma calcium and phosphorus. The MUN and PUN concentrations were significantly higher (PO.05) in T2 at 60th day than that of Tl andT3. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in rumen fermentation parameters, such as ruminal pH, NH3-N and TVFA concentration of the animals fed three experimental diets Tl, T2 and T3. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NFE, ADF, cellulose and gross energy among the three treatment rations. Brewery waste fed groups (T2 and T3 ration) recorded significantly higher apparent digestibility of CF and NDF (PO.05) and hemicellulose (P<0.01) than those fed control diet. An in vitro experiment was conducted to study the disappearance, degradability and rumen fermentation parameters such as pH, total gas production, C02 production, NH3-N and TVFA and their fractions such as acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate and valerate concentration of experimental feeds incubated at different incubation periods in RUSITEC. The following experimental feeds were incubated in the RUSITEC, 1) control feed; 2) experimental feed (75%) + fresh brewery waste (25%) (EFFBW); 3) experimental feed (75%) + dried brewery waste (25%) (EFDBW); 4) fresh brewery waste (FBW); 5) dried brewery waste (DBW); 6) paddy straw (PS) and 7) brewery waste incorporated paddy straw (BWIPS). Among the feeds experimented in RUSITEC, disappearance was more in the control feed, EFFBW and EFDBW when compared to other experimental feeds. Similarly, the disappearance was more in BWIPS compared to paddy straw. The in vitro DM, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose disappearance rate at all incubation periods were higher for FBW than those for DBW. The control feed, EFFBW and EFDBW had higher V and 'Z>' fractions, rate of degradation V and in vitro effective degradability of DM and CP than other experimental feeds such as FBW, DBW, PS and BWIPS and paddy straw showed the lowest. The BWIPS showed higher in vitro effective DM and CP degradability compared to paddy straw. The FBW showed higher DM and CP V and '6' fractions, rate of degradation V and effective degradability than DBW. A low in vitro DM and CP disappearance of 33.24 and 30.75 per cent, respectively were recorded at 72 hours of incubation (effective DM and CP degradability of 30.59 and 28.64 per cent, respectively), whereas the BWIPS had improved in vitro DM and CP disappearance of 42.25 and 38.36 per cent, respectively, at 72 hours of incubation (effective DM and CP degradability of 39.93 and 36.32 per cent, respectively). The data on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics indicated that during initial incubation periods (2, 6, 12 and 24 hours), the control feed, EFFBW, EFDBW and FBW showed higher in vitro gas production than other experimental feeds, whereas, during later incubation periods (48 and 72 hours), DBW, paddy straw and BWIPS showed higher in vitro gas production than other experimental feeds. Almost similar in vitro C02 production and pH were recorded at all periods of incubation in seven experimental feeds incubated in RUSITEC. The FBW showed the highest in vitro NH3-N production at all incubation periods, followed by control feed and EFFBW. The paddy straw had the lowest NH3-N production at all incubation periods compared to other experimental feeds. However, the BWIPS showed slightly higher NH3-N production at all incubation periods than paddy straw. The EFF0W and DBW were intermediary NH3-N production at all periods of incubation compared to other experimental feeds in RUSITEC. The TVFA concentration was comparatively higher in control feed, EFFBW and EFDBW at all periods of incubation than the rest of experimental feeds. The FBW had higher TVFA concentration than DBW in later incubation periods (12, 24, 48 and 72 hours). The EFFBW had higher TVFA concentration during initial incubation periods (2, 6 and 12 hours) than DBW, whereas the DBW had higher TVFA concentration during later incubation periods (24, 48 and 72 hours). During initial incubation periods (2, 6, 12 and 24 hours) all the experimental feeds showed higher acetate concentration than later incubation periods (48 and 72 hours). The EFDBW showed the highest acetate, propionate and iso butyrate concentration (349.64, 266.54 and 90.63 mmol/1, respectively) at 24 hours of incubation, compared to other experimental feeds. The paddy straw and BWIPS showed lower acetate and propionate concentration at all incubation periods. From the RUSITEC experiment, the effective CP degradability of paddy straw, control concentrate mixture and experimental concentrate mixture (containing 25 per cent brewery waste) were 28.64, 53.97 and 52.37 per cent, respectively. The average daily RUP intake of the animals of three experimental groups Tl, T2 and T3 calculated using the effective degradability values were 0.68, 0.71 and 0.72 kg, respectively and the values are higher than the NRC (2001) recommended requirement of 0.50 kg RUP per day for early lactating cows producing 15 kg of milk. Inclusion of brewery waste at 25 per cent (DM basis) in concentrate mixture in a paddy straw based diet resulted in significantly improved milk production as well as digestibility of crude fibre, NDF and hemicellulose in medium yielding cows in early lactation. The cost of feed per kg milk produced was reduced by 24 per cent by incorporation of brewery waste at 25 per cent level in concentrate mixture (DM basis) in early lactating crossbred cows producing about 10 kg milk per day.ThesisItem Open Access PHYTASE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF DIFFERENT MINERALS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS IN PIGS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2009) K. Shyama; A. D. MercyTwo feeding experiments were conducted using 100 weaned piglets to study the effect of dietary supplementation of calcium, phosphorus and phytase in different levels and their interactions on growth, nutrient digestibility, mineral availability and blood and bone mineral profile. In experiment one, sixty four weaned Large White Yorkshire x Desi piglets (32 castrated male and 32 female) belonging to the Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy were used as experimental animals. All animals were dewormed before the start of the experiment. The piglets were divided into eight groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and weight. Piglets of each group were allotted randomly into four pens with two piglets in each pen. Piglets in each replicate were maintained under identical management conditions throughout the experimental period of 88 days. Restricted feeding was followed throughout the experimental period and daily feed intake was recorded. Clean drinking water was provided ad libitum in all the pens throughout the experimental period. The animals were fed with standard grower ration with 18 per cent CP and 3200 kcal of ME/kg of feed up to 50 kg body weight and finisher ration with 16 per cent CP and 3200 kcal of ME /kg of feed from 50 kg body weight. Eight dietary treatments with two levels of calcium (0.6 and 1 per cent) and two levels of phosphorus (0.3 and 0.6 per cent) were used with phytase (750 units /kg) and without phytase in a 2x2x2 factorial completely randomized design. The pigs were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and later on at fortnightly intervals. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and on 85' day of the experiment and a digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility of nutrients and percentage availability of minerals of the experimental diets by total collection method. The results of the first experiment indicated that the levels of Ca, P and phytase had no effect on average daily gain, feed efficiency and DM intake among pigs reared under the eight dietary treatments, while there was significant interaction between Ca x P (P<0.05) and Ca x phytase (PO.01) on DM intake. The level of Ca and P and Ca x P x phytase interactions were significant for DM digestibility which resulted in lower DM digestibility for rations T3. T5 and T7 than that of other rations. Dietary levels of P and interaction between Ca x P (P<0.01) and Ca x phytase (P<0.05) were significant for EE digestibility. Hence rations T7 and T8 had lower (P<0.01) EE digestibility than the rest of the experimental rations. Crude fibre digestibility was affected by phytase and P x phytase interaction. Calcium availability was higher (P<0.01) in all phytase supplemented rations. Significant interactions between dietary Ca x phytase (P<0.01) and dietary P x phytase (P<0.05) were observed for Ca availability. Interactions between dietary levels of Ca x P (P<0.05) and Ca x phytase (P< 0.05) were found significant for availability of Cu and Mn respectively. Data on blood samples collected on 85th day revealed that phytase supplementation had significant effect (P< 0.01) on the plasma Ca levels of the animals fed the eight dietary treatments. The interaction between dietary Ca x P levels was also found significant (P< 0.01) for plasma Ca. Dietary levels of both Ca (P< 0.01) and P and interaction between Ca x P (P< 0.01), Ca x phytase and P x phytase (PO.01) were found to affect plasma P significantly. In case of plasma Zn dietary Ca was having significant (P< 0.01) effect and the interactions between dietary Ca x P (P<0.01), Ca x phytase (P<0.05) and P x phytase (PO.01) were also found significant. Dietary Ca, P and phytase levels had significant (P<0.05) effect on the plasma ALP activity. Cost of feed per kg body weight gain of pigs was lowest for ration Tl. Ration Tl with low Ca, low P and without phytase gave similar growth and feed efficiency with lowest cost of production compared to the other rations and thus Tl was taken as the control ration for the second experiment. The second feeding experiment was conducted for 114 days using 36 weaned Large White Yorkshire x Desi weaned piglets (18 castrated males and 18 females) belonging to the Centre for Pig Production and Research, Mannuthy and the animals were randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments, Tl- Control ration containing 0.6 per cent calcium and 0.3 per cent phosphorus, T2 -Control ration without any mineral supplements and with 750 units of phytase/kg feed and T3 - Control ration without phytase and mineral supplementation. A digestibility experiment was conducted to determine the digestibilih of nutrients and availability of minerals. Blood samples were collected before the start of the experiment and on 16th week. Radiological examination of femur and mandibles of the representative animals of three groups at the end of the study were done. All the male animals were slaughtered on attaining slaughter weight of 70 kg and the data on dressing percentage, loin eye area, back fat thickness, weight of internal organs were collected. Photograph of rib bone was taken during slaughter and bone ash percentage, bone calcium and bone phosphorus were estimated. Kidney samples were examined histologically to assess pathological changes, if any, due to the experimental rations. Body weight of pigs belonging to T2 (phytase supplemented ration) was significantly higher (PO.05) than that of T3 in fortnights 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, while the difference between that of Tl and T2 were non significant in all the fortnights. There was no difference in feed efficiency and digestibility of nutrients among pigs reared under the three dietary treatments. The availability of Ca, P and Mn for T2 ration was higher than that of the control ration while the Mg availability was lower for T2 and T3 than that of Tl. Zinc availability was lower for T3 than that of Tl ration. Dressing percentage was lower (PO.01) for T2 and T3 than that of control and loin eye area was lower (P<0.05) for T3 than that of Tl and T2. There was no gross abnormality of femur and mandible on x-ray examination of pigs reared on three experimental rations. Histopathological examinations of kidney samples also were normal for pigs of Tl and T2 and T3. However ricketty beads were seen on ends of ribs on carcass evaluation, in pigs reared under T3. The bone ash content was also lower (PO.01) for animals fed ration T3 than that of Tl and T2. Thus feeding ration without any mineral supplementation showed deleterious effects on growth, mineral availability and bone ash content, but supplementation of phytase improved utilization of nutrients and minerals than that of T3 during the period of 114 days of the experiment. Feed cost /kg gain of Tl pigs was higher than that of T2 (P< 0.01) and T3 (P< 0.05). But the difference in the cost of production between T2 and T3 were non significant (P>0.05). It can be concluded that phytase supplementation of rations resulted in decreased feed cost / kg gain.ThesisItem Open Access APPLICATION OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR RAPID EVALUATION OF HYGIENIC STATUS OF MILK(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2008) DEEPA MARY. J. J.; B. SunilRapid assessment of the bacterial load and detection of pathogens in milk is of public health significance. Molecular detection of pathogenic microorganisms is based on DNA amplification of the target pathogens. Therefore efficient extraction of DNA directly from milk is a major step. DNA could be efficiently extracted directly from milk by a prior sample preparation so as to remove the fat and milk proteins. The phenol chloroform method of DNA extraction was modified to reduce the time require for the procedure. The use of lysozyme helped the release of DNA from lysed gram positive Staphylococcus aureus. The extracted DNA was used as template in PCR. PCR was carried out with already published primers. PCR was modified with the use of PCR buffer containing PCR facilitators (BSA and Tween 20) to overcome PCR inhibition. The standardized procedure was used to assess the bacterial load and to detect Escherichia coli and S. aureus directly from milk. To assess the bacterial load dilutions of milk were made uptolO"'". DNA was extracted from each dilution with which PCR was carried out with primers specific for Pseudomonas. Aerobic Plate Count was also done for the same samples and compared with PCR. It could be concluded that the approximate APC of the milk sample by PCR is next lower dilution to the dilution giving the PCR amplification. The total time taken for the analysis was approximately five hours. Extraction of DNA and PCR was done with primers for detection of E. coli from the same milk samples and compared with culture. Percentage of samples positive both by culture and PCR was 50 and negative by both methods were 30. Twenty percentage of the samples were positive by PCR and negative by culture. Extraction of DNA and PGR was done with primers for detection of S. aureus from the same milk samples and compared with culture. Percentage of samples positive both by culture and PGR was 60 and negative by both methods were 20. Twenty percentage of the samples were negative by PGR and positive by culture. Hence, protocol developed for detection of 5. aureus needs further refinement to take care of false negative results by PGR, probably due to the low number of organisms present in milk.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE AND PROSTAGLANDIN FOR IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN GOATS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2008) JULLIET; Joseph MathewWith the objective of studying the effect of GnRH and prostaglandin for improving reproductive efficiency in goats the study was carried out at University Sheep and Goat Farm, Mannuthy using 42 cycling goats. Based on the behavioural and physiological changes associated with oestrum the goats were divided into two groups viz.. Group I and Group II. Group I animals were those that exhibited pronounced oestrus signs and were divided into two subgroups namely Group lA and Group IB. Group II animals were those that exhibited weak oestrus signs and were divided into three subgroups namely Group llA, IIB and lie. Group IA animals were administered 0.0042 mg Buserelin (1 ml Reeeptal) a potent GnRH analogue on day 0, and Group IB served as the Control. Blood was collected prior to GnRH administration and breeding from all does. The mean duration of oestrum in Group lA and IB was 19.33 ± 0.45 and 33 ± 0.58 h respectively. The conception rate in Group lA and IB was 50 per cent and 66.66 per cent respectively. The serum P4 level on day 0 in does in Group lA and IB was 0.43 ± 0.05 ng/ml and 0.40 ± 0.05 ng/ml respectively. Group IIA and Group IIB does were treated as per the CO-Synch protocol (i/m inj. of 0.0042 mg of Buserelin (1 ml Reeeptal) on day 0, 125 pg cloprostenol (0.5 ml clostenol) on day 7; 0.0042 mg of Buserelin and mating on day 9) and prostaglandin protocol respectively (two intramuscular injections of 125 pg cloprostenol (0.5 ml clostenol) 11 days apart followed by mating at 72 and 96 h), while Group IIC served as the control. The oestrus response, oestrus onset interval, duration of oestrum and conception rate in Group IIA was 90.9 per cent, 47.6 ± 0.45 h, 24.5 ± 0.63 h and 40 per cent respectively. The oestrus intensity score of induced oestrus ranged from 0 to 13. The serum P4 level in pregnant and non pregnant does was not significantly different on days 0, 7 and 9 (P>0.05). The oestrus response, oestrus onset interval, duration of oestrum and conception rate in Group IIB was 81.8 per cent, 54 ± 1.006 h, 39.77 ± 1.54 h and 66.66 per cent respectively. The oestrus intensity scores in induced oestrus ranged from 0 to 13. The serum progesterone level in does that became pregnant and those that were non pregnant were not significantly different on day 0, 11, and at 72 and 96 h. In Group II C the duration of oestrum and pregnancy rates was 40 ± 0.91 h and 33.33 per cent respectively. Pregnancy diagnosis was done at three months of gestation by abdominal palpation and the accuracy of the method was 90.9 per cent. Mean gestation length was 146.03 ± 0.76 days. Litter size at birth in Group lA, IB, IIA, IIB and lie was 2, 2, 2, 1.83 and 2 respectively. Average birth weight of kids was 2.35 ± 0.164 kg and the mean birthweight of male and female kid was 2.42 ± 0.98 kg and 2.28 ± 0.36 kg respectively. Thus from the present study, it can be concluded that 1. Administration of GnRH on the day of oestrum in animals exhibiting pronounced oestrus signs failed to improve conception rate when compared to the control. 2. In animals exhibiting weak oestrus signs both CO-Synch and double prostaglandin protocols resulted in higher conception rate when compared to control group. 3. The double prostaglandin protocol was found to be more efficient in improving conception rate in animals exhibiting weak oestrus signsThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF BLOOD UREA NITROGEN, MINERAL STATUS AND UTERINE pH ON FERTILITY IN DAIRY COWS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2008) SEENA. N. S; K V ATHMANAn investigation was carried out with the objective of studying the effect of BUN and uterine pH on fertility in dairy cows under farm and field conditions and also for correlating the mineral status with fertility using 40 crossbred dairy cows selected at random during oestrus, 20 each from those belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy (Group 1) and those brought for insemination at Artificial Insemination Centres at Mannuthy and Kokkalai (Group 11). All the cows in Group 1 were found to be maintained in a relatively high nutritious diet computed as per the scientific feeding standards compared to Group II animals. Detailed elinico-gynaecological examination was carried out and blood samples and uterine mucus were collected from all the selected cows during oestrus for estimation of biochemical parameters and uterine pH respectively. They were inseminated during the most appropriate period of oestrus and were subjected to pregnancy diagnosis at 60 days post insemination. Conception rates in both the groups were compared in relation to each parameter. The mean duration of oestrus was slightly higher in Group 11 (30.00 ± 2.11 hours) compared to Group 1 (26.10 ± 1.74 hours). Intensity of oestrus was high, medium and low in 40, 45 and 15 per cent of animals respectively in Group 1 and 50. 40 and 10 per cent in Group 11. Physical changes of reproductive tract viz. degree of vulval oedema and hyperemia of vestibular mucous membrane were more pronounced in animals of Group II compared to Group I, where as degree of tonicity was high in Group 1 compared to Group II. Characteristics of cervical mucus were also found to be affecting fertility. Better conception rate was obtained in animals with clear and stringy cervical mucus exhibiting typical type of fern pattern. Spinnbarkeit value did not vary much between conceived and non conceived animals. Uterine pH did not show a marked variation between groups, even though a slightly higher value was recorded in Group 1. But, an inverse relationship could be obtained between BUN level in serum and uterine pH during oestrus. Correlation between uterine pH and BUN level was highly significant (P<0.01) with a correlation eo-efficient of r = -0.896 and r = - 0.753 in groups 1 and 11 respectively. The mean blood urea nitrogen level in animals of Group 1 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in Group 11. The BUN level also varied significantly (P<0.05) between conceived and non-conceived animals of both groups. A marginal increase in plasma glucose level could be noticed in conceived animals compared to non-conceived animals of Group 1. The mean serum total protein was significantly higher (P<0.01) in Group 1 compared to Group 11. The serum level of minerals viz. calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper were also correlated with fertility. The mean level of serum calcium and manganese varied significantly between groups 1 and II, but there was no significant difference in serum phosphorus, zinc and copper between two groups. Also, a slightly higher mean value was observed for serum calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc in conceived animals compared to non-conceived. But serum copper level did not vary between conceived and non-conceived animals. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that the elevation in systemic concentration of urea is likely to impair fertility in dairy cows as a consequence of alterafions in uterine environment. The benefits of feeding excess dietary protein and urea to maintain peak milk production should be compared with potential negative effects on fertility. Hence, a good nutritional management is essential for improved fertility in dairy cows.ThesisItem Open Access DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS ON GROWTH AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKEN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2008) K. PREETHA; G. GIRISH VARMAThe present experiment was aimed at investigating growth promoting and immunomodulating effects of Spirulina platensis in broiler chicken. Thirty two numbers of day-old broiler (Vencob strain) chicks were procured and reared in battery cages under standard management conditions up to sixth week of age. The birds were randomly divided into four groups, viz. GI, GII, GUI and GIV, having eight birds in each group. Birds in groups GI (control) were fed with standard broiler starter ration (from first to fourth week) and standard finisher ration (from fifth to sixth week). The experimental groups GII, GUI and GIV were fed with standard rations supplemented with Spirulina platensis at the rate of 0.50 per cent, 1.50 per cent and 3.00 per cent, respectively. Both control and experimental rations were made isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Birds were provided with ad libitum feed and clean drinking water throughout the experiment. Bodyweight of individual birds were recorded on day one, eight, 15, 22, 29, 36 and 43. Blood was collected at fourth, fifth and sixth week of age and whole blood/plasma was used for further estimations. Estimation of total erythrocyte count (TEC), blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb), volume of packed red cells (VPRC), total leukocyte count (TEC), differential leukocyte count (DEC), and blood glucose was made using whole blood samples. Blood plasma was utilised for estimation of concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol. Erythrocytic indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC), heterophil: lymphocyte (H:L) ratio and albumin; globulin (A:G) ratio were calculated from the respective values. The data was analysed by Split plot analysis (Split on time) as suggested by Rangaswamy (1995). Bodyweight of Spirulina-fed birds (GII, GUI and GIV) were significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of control group throughout the experiment in an age and dose dependent way. Significant (P<0.01) age and dose dependent increase in TEC, Hb, VPRC, MCH and MCHC and decrease in MCV values were observed in Spirulina-fed groups, suggesting strong erythropoietic effect of Spirulina. Significant (P<0.01) age and dose dependent increase in total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and decrease in heterophil, eosinophil, and monocyte counts were noticed in Spirulina-fed groups. Total leukocyte count was higher in Spirulina-fed birds, but without increase in heterophil count, ruling out the possibility of inflammatory responses. Additionally, reduced stress and more vigilant humoral immunity could be the implication. Also, Spirulina induced significantly (P< 0.01) more plasma albumin and plasma globulin, and thus, total plasma protein output in the recipients. Since the albumin: globulin (A:G) ratio did not change significantly, both these classes of proteins were equally promoted. This would mean a general boost up in plasma protein output by the liver as well as more immunoglobulin production by the lymphocytes. Increased number of lymphocytes in Spirulina-fed birds could be attributed to the higher plane of globulins in this experiment. Plasma lipid profile showed age and dose dependent lowering of total lipid, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL cholesterol in Spirulina-fed groups compared to control group, indicating that Spirulina would reduce lipid level, especially the 'undesirable' fractions, signifying the hypolipidaemic / lipolytic activity of the alga. The significant (P<0.01) hypoglycaemic effect of Spirulina supplementation in the present study may indicate an anti-diabetic effect, which may indicate, in turn, propensity to have more lean meat than fatty meat in the subjects. The growth-promoting and erythropoietic effects of Spirulina platensis in broiler chicken may indicate its effectiveness as a nutritional supplement, while the hypolipidaemic and hypoglycaemic effects may imply better consumer safety and desirability to the broiler meat, which intum, can potentially fetch premium price to the produce in the market.