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ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF RUMEN FERMENTATION PATTERN AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION IN MURRAH BUFFALO, VECHUR AND CROSSBRED CATTLE ON DIFFERENT FEEDING REGIMEN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-12-30) SAJITH PURUSHOTHAMAN; Shyama K.A study was conducted to assess the rumen fermentation pattern and nutrient utilization in Murrah buffaloes, Vechur and Crossbred cows fed different total mixed rations (TMR). Six each of Murrah buffalo, Vechur and crossbred calves were selected as uniformly as possible with regard to age (8-12 months), sex and body weight from Vechur farm, University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme, Mannuthy and formed three treatment groups. In phase-I all the animals were fed with standard farm ration as TMR for a period of one month and rumen fermentation profile, nutrient digestibility, hematological profile and microbial protein production was studied. Thirty TMRs were prepared using unconventional feed ingredients available locally and green grass in 50:50 and in vitro evaluation of 30 TMRs in all three species was conducted using in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT). Ranking of the TMR’s was done using cluster analysis and two best TMR for each species were selected. Using the two TMR selected, two feeding trials of one month duration was conducted for all three species. The results revealed that rumen fermentation parameters such as rumen ammonia nitrogen, TCA nitrogen and total nitrogen were non significant between the groups. Crossbred cows fed with TMR containing dhanwantharam thailam residue (trial-I) showed significant increase in dry matter intake (per 100 kg and per unit metabolic body weight) than TMR containing rape seed cake (trial-II). Haematological and biochemical parameters falls in the physiological range for both groups. Apparent digestibility co-efficient for TMR containing dhanwantharam thailam residue showed significant improvement for ether extract digestibility while crude fiber digestibility was more in Trial-II. On volatile fatty acid analysis it showed increased concentration for acetic acid in trial-I while propionic acid production was improved in trial-II. In Murrah buffaloes, group fed with TMRs containing turmeric waste (trial-I) and tapioca starch waste (trial-II) did not show any significant difference for rumen fermentation parameters. Animals fed with TMR-I containing turmeric waste showed significantly improved digestibility for crude protein, organic matter and nitrogen free extract than animals fed TMR-2 containing tapioca starch waste. Volatile fatty acid profile showed increased concentration of acetic acid and acetate: propionate ratio in TMR-2. In Vechur cows animals fed with TMR containing soya sauce waste (trial-I) showed a significantly increased total nitrogen content than animals fed with tapioca starch waste in trial-II and control. All haematological parameters were not significant among animals of different groups and well within the normal range. In Vechur cows on volatile fatty acid analysis TMR-I fed animals showed improved acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid production than TMR-II and control. DMI/100 kg bodyweight and DMI/kg metabolic body weight were also significantly improved in Trail-I than as compared to animals fed with tapioca starch waste in trial-II. On thorough examination of results, it can be concluded that crossbred cows fed with TMR containing dhanwantharam thailam residues showed improved nutrient digestibility than animals fed with TMR containing rape seed cake without any difference in rumen fermentation parameters and hence can be recommended. In Murrah buffaloes, the group fed with TMR containing turmeric waste showed better performance and hence can be recommended. In Vechur cows the TMR containing soya sauce waste fed animal showed better nutrient digestibility and dry matter intake and hence recommended.ThesisItem Open Access REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF EARLY POSTPARTUM CROSSBRED COWS SUPLLEMENTED WITH BYPASS FAT AND SUBJECTED TO HORMONAL INDUCTION OF OESTRUS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-11-30) ANI S.DAS; Metilda JosephPostpartum infertility due to negative energy balance is a major problem among the high producing cows of Kerala, incurring huge economic loss. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of bypass fat on the reproduction and production parameters of high yielding crossbred cows with or without postpartum hormonal induction of oestrus and its techno-economics. The trial was conducted with four experimental groups of six cows each (GI – control, GII- 200 g bypass fat 90 days, GIII – 200g bypass fat daily + Ovsynch protocol on day 45postpartum, GIV – Ovsynch protocol alone). The animals in GII and GIII were observed to be superior in milk production parameters viz. peak yield (P<0.05), and days taken for attaining peak yield. Cessation of post-patum lochial discharge and its characteristics were normal in all groups. The animals in GII and GIII showed earlier post-partum oestrus compared to others (P<0.05). As per rectal examination and ultrasonographic findings, more number of animals in GII and GIII showed early resumption of ovarian cyclicity. The number of days taken for complete involution of uterus and reduction of uterine wall thickness as per ultrasonographic examination were significantly lower in those animals fed with bypass fat. With respect to various serum biochemical parameters, blood glucose and total cholesterol were significantly higher (P<0.01) in those animals fed with bypass fat. Blood urea nitrogen, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides were significantly lower (P<0.01) in bypass fat fed groups. (GII and GIII). The mean circulating blood progesterone level and serum insulin concentration were also significantly higher (P<0.05) in the animals fed with bypass fat. The conception rate was highest in GIII followed by GII. The study indicated that it is ideal to supplement bypass fat before attempting hormonal induction of oestrus in early postpartum cows for enhanced reproductive efficiency. The techno-economic analysis of study showed that bypass fat supplementation is a financially viable, eco-friendly and socially acceptable method for improving the production and reproduction parameters of the cows, thereby augmenting the farm income.ThesisItem Open Access DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT OF CANINE PYOMETRA FOR RESTORING BREEDING EFFICIENCY(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-05-09) UNNIKRISHNAN M. P.; M.O.KurienA study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of different therapeutic protocols in the treatment of canine pyometra, based on clinical, haematobiochemical, B-mode ultrasonographic and Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation. Combination treatment using mifepristone @ 2.5mg/kg b. wt. bid orally for five days, along with incremental doses of dinoprost from 10 to 50 µg/kg b. wt. tid; 48 h after initiation of mifepristone, till complete uterine evacuation was superior for therapeutic management of canine pyometra in terms of clinical recovery and future fertility. Haematology recorded anaemia, leucocytosis with neutrophilia and lymphopenia in patients with pyometra, which resolved after treatment. Serum biochemistry revealed marginal rise in blood urea nitrogen, high C-reactive protein and rise in progesterone values, which reduced to normal by day 15 of treatment. Early reduction in progesterone was noticed in cabergoline-based group. B-mode ultrasonography revealed uterine horn distension with anechoic to hypoechoic contents and thickened wall, which reduced to normal by day 15 of treatment. Delay in uterine resolution was noticed in cabergoline-based group. Doppler ultrasonography revealed increased uterine blood flow velocity (peak systolic velocity: 0.69 ± 0.05 to 0.75 ± 0.07; end diastolic velocity: 0.27 ± 0.02 to 0.31 ± 0.01) and decreased resistive index (0.59 ± 0.04 to 0.62 ± 0.06), which returned to normal after treatment. Bacteriological isolates from anterior vagina revealed E. coli (52.63 %), followed by Staphylococcus spp. (37.74 %), Streptococcus spp. (5.66 %) and Pseudomonas (3.77 %). Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. were sensitive to amikacin, whereas Staphylococcus spp was most sensitive to ceftriaxone-tazobactam. Streptococcus spp. was 100 per cent sensitive to cephalosporin. Hyper-salivation was the most common side effect of prostaglandin treatment, exhibited in 31.25 per cent of dogs. Time taken for complete uterine evacuation varied between 5.88 ± 0.40 and 8.25 ± 0.73 days, with more in cabergoline-based group. Fertility studies revealed better cyclicity and conception in 75 and 66.67 per cent, respectively of mifepristone-dinoprost combination treated dogs, whereas overall cyclicity and conception was 68.75 and 54.55 per cent, respectively. Overall recurrence of 28.13 per cent was recorded after medical treatment with minimum recurrence (12.5 %) in mifepristone-dinoprost treated dogs.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT MILK REPLACERS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF MALABARI KIDS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-12-30) N. SASIKALA; Sabin GeorgeAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding different milk replacers in Malabari kids on their growth performance for the period of two months. Twenty four healthy Malabari kids of four days of age were selected and divided into four groups of six each, as uniformly as possible with regard to age and body weight and were allotted randomly to different experimental rations. Experimental rations were T1 (control, dam’s milk), T2 (Milk replacer based on whey powder), T3 (Milk replacer based on groundnut oilcake) and T4 (Milk replacer based on coconut oilcake). Dam’s milk and milk replacers were fed to kids at the rate of 1/6th and 1/8th of the body weight during first month and second month respectively. Kid starter and fresh green grass were offered to the kids from 15th day onwards to all the experimental kids throughout the experimental period. Data on body weight gain, body measurements, daily dry matter intake, feed conversion efficiency, haematological and serum biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma total protein, serum glucose, urea nitrogen, serum calcium and phosphorus, faecal consistency score, incidence of diseases and techno economics of production were employed for evaluation of different treatments. Average daily gain and total weight gain were 63 g and 3.98 kg, 62 g and 3.91 kg, 49 g and 3.07 kg and 47 g and 2.96 kg, respectively for kids fed T1, T2, T3 and T4. Average daily gain and total weight gain were significantly higher in T1 and T2 compared to the kid fed T3 and T4. Over all mean of body length at two months ranged from 37.75 to 39.92 cm. Mean heart girth ranged from 35.50 to 36.33 cm. Mean height at withers ranged from 36.83 to 39.92 cm. Body measurements showed no significant difference between the treatments. Total dry matter intake of kids was 6.93, 5.23, 4.80 and 4.88 kg, respectively for T1, T2, T3 and T4. Total dry matter intake was significantly higher in T1 than T2, T3 and T4. Feed conversion efficiency for kids fed T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 1.73, 1.34, 1.56 and 1.65, respectively. The haematological and serum biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin, plasma total protein, serum calcium, phosphorus, glucose, blood urea nitrogen did not show any significant difference between the treatments and the values were within the normal range reported for the species. Faecal consistency score was comparatively higher in the first fortnight than the following fortnights and the values were similar between the treatments. Out of the total cases of diarrhea, incidence was more in kids fed T4 (30 per cent). Respiratory illness was noticed higher in kids fed T3 and T4 than T1 and T2. Majority of the cases of bloat was noticed in T4 group. The feed cost per kg body weight gain for the kids fed T1, T2, T3 and T4 were Rs. 580.02, 139.60, 176.94, 179.78, respectively. Feed cost / kg gain was significantly lower in kids fed with T2 followed by T3, T4 and T1 groups. From the results obtained on the present study it could be inferred that kids in T2 had similar growth performance as that of control (T1) group. Feed cost per kg gain in T2, T3 and T4 was better than T1. Therefore it could be concluded that milk replacer based on whey powder can be given to the kids as an alternative to milk without compromising the growth performance.ThesisItem Open Access HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ECLIPTA PROSTRATA (L.) L. LEAVES ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED AFLATOXICOSIS IN BROILER CHICKEN(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, 2018-11-30) PRIYA. K; Preethy JohnThe study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of E. prostrata (Kayyonni) leaf powder on experimentally induced aflatoxicosis in broiler chicken. The leaf powder was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to find out the active principles present in it. Aflatoxin was produced in maize using the culture Aspergillus flavus NRRL 6513. The maize culture powder yielded 143.48 ppm of aflatoxin. This mouldy maize was incorporated in experimental feed to arrive 500 ppb of aflatoxin. Sixty Cobb400 day old broiler chicks weighing 50 ± 5 g were randomly divided into six groups comprising 10 birds in each group. The birds were maintained under deep litter system and provided with ad libitum water and feed throughout the experimental period. All the birds were vaccinated as per the standard schedule. Aflatoxicosis was experimentally induced in all groups except T1 and T3 by giving 500 ppb of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from eighth day of age onwards. The group T1 was kept as normal control and T2 as toxic control. T3 was fed with E. prostata leaf powder at 0.2 per cent level. The leaf powder of E. prostrata was given to T4, T5 and T6 at dose rates of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 per cent respectivelyBody weight was recorded at weekly intervals and the blood was collected from the wing vein on days 7, 21 and 42. Serum was separated and used for the estimation of biochemical parameters such as aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), cholesterol and total proteins. On the day 42, all the birds were sacrificed; detailed post- mortem examination was conducted. Liver samples were taken to estimate antioxidant parameters such as lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Representative liver samples were also taken and preserved with 10 per cent neutral buffered formalin for histopathological examinationThe preliminary phytochemical screening of E. prostrata leaf powder revealed the presence of steroid, tannins, flavonoids, diterpenes, tripterpenes and saponin.Treatment with E. prostrata leaves powder revealed hepatoprotection in dose dependent manner which is indicated by significant (P<0.05) reduction in the level of serum AST and increase in the level of cholesterol and total protein. The oxidative stress induced by aflatoxin in liver was reduced to a great extend as indicated by the increased level of reduced glutathione and decrease in the lipid peroxidation. Histopathological examination of liver showed regenerative changes in a dose dependent manner when compared with that of normal control group. Thus, it could be concluded that E .prostrata leaf powder had marked antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect on experimentally induced aflatoxicosis in broiler chickenThesisItem Open Access Development of protocol for management of hoof problems in crossbred cattle(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-09-03) POOJA U; Anil K.SThe present study was conducted to identify predisposing factors of hoof problems in crossbred dairy cattle and to develop a protocol for the management of hoof problems in crossbred cattle of Kerala. A total of 45 private farms in Thrissur and Palakkad districts and 2 farms under KVASU were taken for the study. The study covered small scale farms(1-2 animal), medium scale farms(3-10 animals) and large scale farms(>10animals) of both districts and two organized farms viz, University livestock farm, Mannuthy, and Cattle breeding farm, Thumburmuzhy. Hoof problems were identified using In stall lameness indicators and severity was assessed using locomotion score and body condition score of the animal. The large scale farms had maximum incidence (41.2 per cent) followed by medium (26.7 per cent) and small scale farms (20.0 per cent). The incidence in organized farms was thirteen per cent. The incidence of hoof problem was more in large-medium land holdings (56.3 per cent) farms where as in marginal-small farms incidence was less (10.3 per cent). The incidence of hoof problem in crossbred HF and crossbred Jersey were 31.7 per cent and 16.7 per cent respectively. The effect of age and body weight of the animal was found to be significant (p0.05). The animal reared on concrete floor had more incidence of hoof problems (46.4 per cent) compared to stone pavement which was (20 per cent). In slippery/pitted floor hoof disorders for cattle was 36.8 per (p<0.05). The incidence of hoof problem was more with asbestos as roof material (59.1 per cen). As frequency of animal bathing increases the incidence of hoof problem was found more (46.7 per cent). The average lactation yield per day was less than five litres in all animals with hoof problem and also in early stage of lactation hoof problem was found more. The animal with parity two (61.5%) is found to have more incidence hoof disorders compared to one and three. The 75 percent of animal having hoof problems was also suffering from anestrum (p<0.05). The incidence of hoof problem was only 13.6 per cent in farms with provision of foot bath whereas it was 44 per cent in farms without footbath although. The occurrence of hoof problem was more in rainy season (70.2 per cent) than in summer and post monsoon. In 2.3 per cent of farms culling was done due to hoof problems. The incidence of hoof problem was 20.7 per cent in farms where hoof trimming was carried out and 44.4 per cent incidence in farms without hoof trimmi. The average locomotion score in private farms was 4.31±0.96 whereas in organized farms it was 3.97±0.133. The average body condition score was 1.82±0.099 for private farms and for organized farms was 2.38±0.140 (p<0.05) . From this study it can be concluded that hoof disorders are a serious problem in crossbred cattle under field conditions and all efforts are needed to control by providing adequate inputs.ThesisItem Open Access A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR DIAGNOSIS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN DOMESTIC PIGS(COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2018-09-30) P. S. RESHMA; M. MiniLeptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease that in pigs primarily causes reproductive disturbances. Samples collected from Centre for Pig Production and Research (CPPR), Mannuthy and selected private farms in Thrissur were used for the present study. Serum samples (n=103) were tested using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and an overall seropositivity of 35.92 per cent could be detected. The serogroup Pomona (45.95 per cent) was the most prevalent among the 37 positive samples followed by serogroups Grippotyphosa (24.32 per cent), Canicola (13.51 per cent), Icterohaemorrhagiae (10.81 per cent) and Tarassovi (5.41 per cent). Samples of serum (n=56), whole blood (n=52) and aborted foetus (n=7) when tested using PCR for the presence of lipl32 gene of Leptospira, DNA of three whole blood samples and one aborted foetus amplified the gene producing an expected 767 bp amplicon. Latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (FAT) was standardised using seven-day-old reference cultures of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona as positive controls at 10-fold dilutions. However, none of the abortion samples tested using LAT and FAT were positive. Attempts for isolation from positive samples were also made, but Leptospira could not be isolated from any of the foetal membrane, liver, kidney samples from the PCR positive animals. Hence in the present study, a seroprevalence of 35.92 per cent for leptospirosis among pigs in Thrissur district was detected using MAT, and PCR was found to be the most sensitive method for directly detecting the presence of the organism in clinical samples, compared to LAT, FAT and culture.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF EFFLUENT TREATMENT METHODS IN DAIRY FARM(Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur, 2018-09-30) JONATHAN JAMES MOONNUMACKAL; A. KannanA study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different effluent treatment methods in dairy farm and to analyze cost effectiveness of effluent treatments. An initial survey was conducted among hundred farms of Thrissur district using a well structured questionnaire and data was collected regarding the farming system and their effluent management. The farms were categorised into small, medium and large. Six farms from each category were selected randomlyfor effluent collection in two different season namely summer and monsoon. Effluent was collected in the morning at 8am and evening at 5pm and pooled together. Representative sample (15 litres) of pooled effluent was taken from each farm and was subjected for different treatment protocols. After the end of each treatment water quality parameters were analysed. From the data of survey, it was found that there was a positive correlation between number of animals (96 per cent) and total water used (98 per cent) with effluent output. Effluent subjected with different treatment protocols (C- control, T1- Screening, T2- sedimentation, T3- Filtration and T4- chlorination). After the end of each treatment, the water were subjected to evaluation of quality parameters like colour, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, turbidity, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Coliform count (TCC) and E. coli count. Data were compared with Indian Standards for reuse in dairy farm.The colour (Hazen) of water indicated that control (958.50 ± 4.18) was significantly higher than the rest of treatments. There was no significant difference between colour value of water from T3 (266.80 ± 5.8) and T4 (249.13 ± 8.66). T3 (filtered water) and T4 (chlorinated water) were lesser due to the respective treatments. The TDS (mg/L)of water from treatments T3 (1404.47 ± 31.68), T2 (2358.63 ± 34.52), T4 (2408.05 ±48.23) and T1 (3354.55 ± 29.65) with increasing trend were significantly lower than that of control (5161.22 ± 28.94). T2 (2358.63 ± 34.52) and T4 (2408.05 ± 48.23) were not significantly different from each other and T4 was significantly higher than that of T3. The pH of water from control (8.20 ± 0.07)and T1 (8.19 ± 0.05), T3 (7.40 ± 0.05)and T4 (7.26 ± 0.06)were significantly not different from each other where T2 (6.98 ± 0.10)was significantly different from all other treatments. The turbidity (NTU) of water from control (718.80 ± 6.86)and T1 (669.36 ± 10.16), T2 (76.38 ± 2.02)and T3 (42.26 ± 1.53) were significantly different from each other where T3 (42.26 ± 1.53) and T4 (38.00 ± 1.74)were not significantly different from each other. The BOD 5 (mg/L) of water from control (154.30 ± 1.31), T1 (131.75 ± 1.31), T2 (77.16 ± 1.31), T3 (52.41 ± 1.31) and T4 (41.44 ± 1.31) were significantly different from each other. The COD (mg/L) of water from control (1447.83 ± 15.04), T1 (1222.08 ± 19.40), T2 (672.00 ± 6.62), T3 (426.80 ± 10.37) and T4 (316.50 ± 8.51) were significantly different from each other. The TCC (MPN/100 ml) of water for control, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 22.25 ± 0.27, 21.44 ± 0.27, 12.93 ± 0.27, 11.12 ± 0.27 and < 1.80 ± 0.27respectively.Control and T1 were having highest and T4 was having least TCC. The E. coli count (MPN/100 ml) of water for control, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 22.22 ± 0.27, 21.13 ± 0.27, 12.93 ± 0.27, 11.12 ± 0.27and <1.80 ± 0.27respectively.Control and T1 were having highest and T4 was having least E. coli count.Effect of effluent treatments between the farm size revealed that parameters like pH, turbidity, COD and BOD 5 showed significant difference between treatment and farms and parameters like colour, TDS, TCC and E. coli had no significant difference between treatment and farms. The pH value of water from small farm (8.40 ± 0.12) was not significantly different from medium farm (8.32 ± 0.12)but significantly different from large farm (7.94 ± 0.12) in the control group. The turbidity (NTU) of water was significant different between treatments and farms. There was no significant difference between T3 and T4 in small, medium and large farms. The COD (mg/L) of water in small, medium and large farms, control (small- 1401.08 ± 26.05, medium- 1378.05 ± 26.05 and large- 1564.16 ± 26.05)were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of T4, T3, T2 and T1. The BOD 5 (mg/L) was significant difference between treatments and farms. In small, medium and large farms, control was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of T4, T3, T2 and T1.`Effect of effluent treatment between the seasons revealed that for all the water quality parameters like colour, TDS, pH, turbidity, COD, BOD5, TCC and E. coli count had no significant difference between treatment and seasons. The water quality parameters colour, TDS, pH, turbidity, Total Coliform Count and E. coli count were within the limits of Indian standards IS 10500. COD and BOD 5 were slightly higher than the limits of the Indian standards (IS 10500), so this water must be treated for reuse. The overall results in the study indicated that T4 having better efficacy compared to all other treatments. The results of the study indicated that the wastewater generated in the dairy farm can be effectively treated using the four stage treatment (C- control, T1- Screening, T2- sedimentation, T3- Filtration and T4- chlorination) in this study and the reclaimed water can be reused in the dairy farms for cleaning the shed, toconserve water and to reduce the water body contamination. The cost of the fourth treatment is comparatively higher however effectiveness of effluent treatment indicated that T4 is better in comparison with other treatments.ThesisItem Open Access POLYMORPHISM OF CANDIDATE GENES CONTROLLING TEMPERAMENT TRAITS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION ON REPRODUCTION TRAITS IN VECHUR CATTLE(Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, Thrissur, 2018-09-30) ANANDAKUMAR PONNALA; Manoj M.Temperament in cattle plays an important role in animal safety, production and reproduction performance. Bos indicus species are known for their aggressive behaviour than Bos taurus. The present study was conducted to identify the polymorphism of candidate genes controlling temperament traits and their effects on reproductive performance of Vechur cattle. The study comprised of 68 Vechur cattle that were divided into four temperament groups based on their subjective temperament score, social separation test, docile test and handler’s/milker’s score test. Available reproductive performance data of animals were collected from Vechur cattle conservation project to study the following traits - age at first service, age at first calving, service period, conception rate and number of services per conception. Six candidate genes - Tyrosinase (TYR), Dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4), Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO A), Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), Regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) and Plexin A2 (PLXA2) - for temperament were selected. Three selected SNPs from each gene were screened using PCR-RFLP/ PCR-SSCP and further confirmed by sequencing. Out of these 18 SNPs, 9 were present in the Vechur herd. The genes MAOA, TYR, CNR1 and PLXA2 contain two, two, three and two SNPs, respectively. Except TYR 6416322 SNP remaining eight SNPs, coat colour (p=0.003) and sex (p=0.001) were significantly associated with handler’s/milker’s temperament score of handler three (H3). MAOA 105380513 SNP C to T transition was fixed in Vechur population. The average service period of four temperament classes (docile, restless, nervous and aggressive) were 251.02 ± 24.04, 168.57 ± 19.28, 230.59 ± 21.75 and 243.05 ± 32.26 days, respectively. Second restless group had significantly (p=0.039) lower average service period in comparison to all other groups. However, age at first service, age at first calving, conception rate and number of services per conception were not significantly associated with temperament score in the present study. There were significant correlations among different reproductive traits. Results of this study revealed that the selected genes were having significant effect on temperament and reproduction traits, which may be confirmed by further research using larger population and more accurate temperament score. This would enable us to incorporate temperament as an important trait in the selection programmes for genetic improvement of Vechur cattle.
