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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON SEMINAL CHARACTERS, FREEZABILITY AND FERTILITY OF CROSSBRED ( K X HF; K X J ) BULLS(AAU, Anand, 1986) BELORKAR, PRAKASH M.; KODAGALI, S. B.The present investigation on “ Studies on Seminal Characters, Frrzability and Fertility of Crossbred Bulls” was undertaken during a period of one year (wet, cold and hot seasons) at the Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gujarat Veterinary College, G.A.U., Anand. The study included evaluation of seminal characteristics, assay of seminal biochemical constituents, freezability, efficacy of various dilutors, cytomorphology and mensuration characteristics of spermatozoa, extra celluar release of enzymes and effect of additives on semen quality and fertility. Bulls were ranked depending on the freezability. The 8 bulls were divided into two groups viz., good and poor freezability groups having equal bulls of each breed/type.ThesisItem Open Access GYNAECOLOGICAL, MICROBIOLOGICAL AND HISTO-PATHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS WITH THERAPEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN REPEAT BREEDER BOVINES(AAU, Anand, 1984) Kavani, F. S.; Kodagali, S. B.The present study was undertaken with objectives to elucidate some of the aetiological factors involved in repeat breeding conditions and suggest therapeutical measures. Gynaecological examination, of a total 318 repeat breeding buffaloes and 81 repeat breeding cows showed 40.67 and 49.15 per cent genital disorders respectively. Inter-oestrul lengths of 1121 oestrous cycles in 243 repeat breeding buffaloes and 584 oestrous cycles in 81 repeat breeding cows were studied. Abnormal cycle lengths were 63.25 per cent in buffaloes and 54.46 per cent in cows.ThesisItem Open Access MONITORING POSTPARTUM REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN KANKREJ COWS THROUGH CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS, BLOOD PROFILE AND HORMONAL THERAPY(AAU, Anand, 2012) NAIKOO, MEHRAJUDDIN; Dhami, A. J.The present study was carried out at Livestock Research Station of the University on 42 Kankrej cows of 2nd to 4th parity. The chief objectives were: to monitor the early postpartum period (0-90 days) clinically and through plasma profile of progesterone, metabolites and macro-micro minerals at 10 days intervals; to evaluate the efficacy of a sustained release mineral supplement (Mega bolus PO) on the day of calving and five oestrus induction and synchronization protocols (Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2α) on day 90-95 postpartum towards augmenting reproductive efficiency of anestrous and subestrous cows (6 animals in each group), keeping 6 normal cyclic animals as control, and its effect on above profile till day 40 post-treatment/post- AI, and to compare plasma profiles of conceived and non-conceived cows at first Al. The time required for expulsion of fetal membranes, weight of expelled fetal membranes and the birth weight of calf (pure and crossbred) were 5.04 ± 2.0 hrs, 2.84 ± 0.76 kg and 24.29 ± 1.54 kg, respectively. The Kankrej cows showed complete uterine involution by mean interval of 36.80 ±1.21 (range 32-45) days postpartum. The interval for occurrence of first oestrus postpartum clinically and through plasma P4 profile was 105.49 ± 1.66 (range 86-106) and 56.42 ± 3.88 (range 30-80) days, respectively (P<0.05). The first service and overall conception rates obtained at spontaneous/ induced oestrus, within 150 days postpartum were 30.95 (13/42) and 40.47 (17/42) per cent. The comparative evaluation of the efficacy of five oestrus induction/ synchronization protocols tested, on 6 cows each, viz. Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2α revealed oestrus induction response of 66.66, 83.33, 50.00, 66.66 and 66.66 per cent, respectively, with behavioural signs at FTAI as confirmed by palpation per rectum. The first service conception rates obtained were 16.66, 33.33, 16.66, 50.00 and 50.00 per cent, respectively, as compared to 33.33 per cent in normal cyclic control cows. The corresponding second service conception rates were nil, 25.00, 20.00, nil, nil and nil per cent, as compared to 25.00 per cent in untreated control animals. The overall conception rates of three cycles over the 45 days period were 33.33, 50.00, 33.33, 50.00 and 50.00 per cent, respectively, as against 50.00 per cent in normal cyclic group. The results of CIDR, Cosynch and PGF2α protocols were better than the Ovsynch and normal control groups.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE AND HEAT STRESS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY COWS AND VALIDATION OF CONTINUOUS BODY TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT IN IDENTIFYING ESTRUS(AAU, Anand, 2012) SUTHAR, VISHAL S.; Dhami, A. J.The present study with four experiments and manifold objectives were conducted on German (HF) dairy cows at or affiliated farm facilities of Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany, during January 2010 to June 2012. The overall objectives of this study were to evaluate: 1) performance of temperature data logger in in vitro and in vivo conditions, 2) validity of BT to identify induced estrus, 3) effect of exogenous and endogenous P4 on BT of dairy cows and 4) and to study effect of heat stress on BT and postpartum performance of dairy cows. In first study to evaluate performance of temperature data logger (Minilog 8, Vemco Ltd., Halifax, Canada), three sub-experiments were conducted. The study began with an in vitro validation of 24 temperature loggers comparing them to a calibrated liquid-in-glass thermometer as a reference method (sub-experiment 1). The association and agreement between the 24 temperature loggers with the reference method was r = 0.996 (P < 0.001) and a negligible coefficient of variance (0.005) between the loggers. In vivo temperature loggers were tested in 11 healthy postpartum cows (sub-experiment 2) and 12 early postpartum cows with greater BT (sub-experiment 3). Temperature loggers were set to record VT and RT at 1 min intervals. To prevent rectal and vaginal straining and potential expulsion of temperature logger an epidural injection of 2.5 ml of 2% Procain was administered. Association between RT and VT was r = 0.92 (P < 0.001) in sub-experiment 2 and r = 0.94 (P < 0.001) in sub-experiment 3 with a negligible difference of -0.1 and 0.01°C, respectively. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated an agreement between RT and VT for healthy and early postpartum cows with greater BT in sub-experiment 2 and 3, respectively. Therefore, continuous VT monitoring with temperature loggers can be used as a measure for BT in dairy cows.ThesisItem Open Access HORMONAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE IN FERTILE AND INFERTILE POSTPARTUM SURTI BUFFALOES(AAU, Anand, 1999) Shah, Rohit G.; Kavani, F. S.The study entitled "HORMONAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE IN FERTILE AND INFERTILE POSTPARTUM SURTI BUFFALOES" was conducted on 39 suckled postpartum Surti buffaloes of University farm, Navsari, in three experimental phases/groups (viz., Fertile-18Vs infertile-8; GnRH treatment-6 Vs control- 5 and PGF2α treatment-7 Vs control-4) to know their postpartum hormonal., biochemical and reproductive status, and to evaluate the effect of GnRH (Fertagyl, 250 µg i.m. on day 40 postpartum) and PGF2α (Prosolvin, 15 mg i.m. on day 10 postpartum) on reproductive efficiency as well as above profiles. Jugular blood samples (604) were collected at weekly intervals from the day of calving to at least 91 days postpartum in all animals, and additional collections were made in GnRH treated group at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes of injection and in PGF2α treated group at 0,1, 2 and 3 days of PG injection. Blood plasma stored at -20°C was used to determine hormonal profiles (Progesterone, P1 and estradiol- 17β, E2) , biochemical constituents (Total cholesterol, Total protein. Calcium, Inorganic phosphorus, Ca : P ratio, Ionized calcium) and trace elements (Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese) by standard procedures. The uterine involution and ovarian changes were evaluated with the help of rectal palpations. The reproductive attributes viz., placental expulsion time and weight, regression of pregnancy CL, initiation of ovarian activity, uterine and cervical involution, first heat/ovulation postpartum, service period and number of services/conception were also assessed.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON SEMINAL CHARACTERISTICS, BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS FREEZABILITY AND FERTILITY IN MEHSANA BUFFALO BULLS(AAU, Anand, 1987) BHAVSAR, B. K.; Kodagali, S. B.The present investigation on "Studies on seminal characteristics, biochemical constituents, freezability and fertility in Mehsana buffalo bulls was undertaken with the objectives and purpose of elluicidating the normal semen characteristics, biochemical profile of semen, seminal plasma and spermatozoa with special emphasis on variations of DNA, RNA and trace elements content (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) and their relationship with freezability and fertility . Effects due to months and seasons were studied in order to knnow the factors which impede reproductive efficiency and fertility. This would help in augmenting the reproductive efficiency.ThesisItem Open Access MANAGEMENT OF REPEAT BREEDING HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN COWS THROUGH ULTRASONOGRAPHY BLOOD PROFILE AND HORMONAL THERAPY UNDER SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE(AAU, Anand, 2005) PATEL, JAGADISHKUMAR AMBALAL; KAVANI, F. S.The present study was carried out on 98 breedable Holstein Friesian cows of HF Project, IDC Unit, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, during the period from March to August 2004. Forty repeat breeding animals with more than three infertile cycles were divided at random in six groups with a view to study their follicular dynamics during oestrous cycle and to evaluate the relative efficacies of different hormonal therapies at breeding towards improving their reproductive efficiency together with the weekly profile of plasma progesterone and various biochemical and macro-micro minerals from the day of treatment up to 7 weeks post-treatment / post-insemination. Twenty freshly inseminated cows (normal as well as repeat breeders) were scanned trans-rectally on day 23, 26 and 29 for detection of early pregnancy and embryonic mortality by ultrasonography, along with P4 profile on day 21 to test the accuracy and reliability of two techniques of pregnancy diagnosis. Moreover, Six culled chronic repeat breeding cows were also examined for histopathological lesions of their endometrial biopsies. The incidence of both anoestrus and repeat breeding condition in the herd was observed to be higher in adult cows than the heifers (29.73 vs 25.00 % and 43.24 vs 33.33 %) with the overall incidence of 28.57 and 40.82 %, respectively. The trans-rectal ultrasound scanning of ovaries of 6 repeat breeding cows made daily using linear array transducer of 5.0 MHz frequency over one full oestrous cycle revealed the presence of two patterns of ovarian follicular development per cycle, viz. 2-waves (66.66%, n=4) or 3-waves (33.33%, n=2). In two-wave cycle, the first and second waves began at day 0.75 ± 0.25 and 13.75 ± 0.48, respectively. In three-wave cycle, the first, second and third wave began at day 0.50 ± 0.50, 9.00 ± 0.00 and 16.50 ± 0.50, respectively. The second wave appeared earlier in the oestrous cycle with 3-wave than with 2-wave (9.00 ± 0.00 vs 13.75 ± 0.48, P < 0.01). The duration of the growth and static phases as well as regression phase of the first dominant follicle did not differ between 2- and 3-wave cycles. The maximum diameter of both first dominant follicle and ovulatory follicle (14.68 ± 0.19 vs 14.30 ± 0.50 mm, 17.53 ± 0.45 vs 16.25 ± 0.64 mm) was identical in 2- and 3-wave cycles. In 2-wave cycle the maximum diameter of ovulatory follicle was significantly larger (P < 0.01) than the first dominant follicle. However, no statistical differences were observed between the maximum diameters of three dominant follicles for 3-wave cycles. The 2- and 3-wave cycles differed with respect to the mean length of intervals between two oestruses (21.25 ± 0.25 vs 23.00 ± 0.00, (P < 0.01) and between two ovulations (22.33 ± 0.33 vs 24.00 ± 0.00, P < 0.01). The follicular linear growth rate (mm/day) was lower (P < 0.01) in ovulatory follicle than in first dominant follicle in 2-wave (1.78 ± 0.05 vs 1.35 ± 0.03) and 3- wave cycle (1.79 ± 0.06 vs 1.47 ± 0.02). The linear growth rate of ovulatory follicles differed between 2- and 3-wave cycles (1.35 ± 0.03 vs 1.47 ± 0.02 mm/day, P < 0.05). In 2-wave cycle there was no relationship between the development of dominant follicle and presence of CL in either of the ovaries. While in 3-wave cycle, first dominant follicle and ovulatory follicle developed on ovary opposite of CL. No statistical difference was found in the mean number of follicles recruited per wave in 2- and 3-wave cycles. There was positive correlation between CL diameter and P4 value (r = 0.79). The average plasma P4 values were higher (P < 0.01) in 3- wave than 2-wave cycle on all days. The sensitivity and negative predictive value were 100 % on all 3 days of trans-rectal ultrasound scanning for early pregnancy diagnosis. However, the specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were highest on 29th day (87.50 %, 92.33 % and 95.00 %, respectively). The mean length of embryonic vesicle day 23, 26 and 29 was 18.47 ± 0.47, 20.33 ± 0.47 and 27.84 ± 0.20 mm, respectively. The negative predictive value was 100 % for early pregnancy diagnosis By plasma P4 profile (on day 21), but the positive predictive value was only 75 %, and diagnostic accuracy 80.00 %. Embryonic mortality was detected in 2 of 20 (10 %) cows by ultrasound between days 23 and 29 post-service. The conception rates obtained in repeat breeding HF cows following hormonal treatment at the time of insemination with GnRH (Receptal, 0.02 mg, i/m), LH (Chorulon, 1500 lU, i/m) and Progesterone (Proluton depot, 500 mg i/m) (6 animals each) were 66.66, 83.33 and 50.00 %, respectively, with an overall mean of 66.66 %(12/18 cows). This was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that (33.33 %, 2/6) obtained in control untreated repeat breeding cows. Out of 10 chronic repeat breeding cows (not conceived up to 3 services after previous treatment or of control group), 9 (90 %) came in oestrus with different intensity and duration when injected with PGF2α (Vetmate, 2 ml) on day 10 of cycle, and 3 (33.33 %) conceived at induced oestrus following insemination and GnRH (0.01 mg, i/m) treatment. The mean plasma progesterone value in LH treated cows was significantly (P < 0.05) higher as compared to control group (5.187 ± 0.520 vs 3.381 ± 0.408 ng/ml). The mean P4 levels in conceived and non-conceived groups were 5.679 ± 0.348 and 2.586 ± 0.230 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The P4 concentration was at the basal level on day '0' (oestrus) in both conceived and non-conceived groups (0.296 ± 0.051 and 0.321 ± 0.055 ng/ml) and increased highly significantly (P < 0.01) by 1 week postestrus/ post-insemination (4.782 ± 0.845 and 2.996 ± 0.474 ng/ml) reaching to the peak values of 7.382 ± 0.839 and 4.285 ± 0.636 ng/ml on 4th and 2nd week, respectively. The progesterone concentration in conceived group remained more or less at constant high level till 7th week post-insemination, while in non-conceiving cows it showed significant fluctuations suggestive of repeat oestruses. The overall mean values of plasma total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, Ca:P ratio, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, cobalt and manganese were 9.64 ± 0.05 g/dl, 221.29 ± 0.70 mg/dl, 61.71 ± 0.63 mg/dl, 11.81 ± 0.08 mg/dl, 8.84 ± 0.06 mg/dl, 1.344 ± 0.011, 1.840 ± 0.031 on mEq/L, 1.548 ± 0.013 ppm, 2.130 ± 0.019 ppm, 0.772 ± 0.009 ppm, 0.496 ± 0.005 ppm and 0.092 ± 0.001 ppm, respectively. The values were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in conceived group as compared to non-conceived group for plasma triglycerides (63.19 ± 0.70 vs 60.45 ± 0.99 mg/dl), calcium (12.51 ±0.11 vs 11.53 ± 0.11 mg/dl), inorganic phosphorus (9.02 ± 0.08 vs 8.69 ± 0.07 mg/dl), zinc (1.590 ± 0.020 vs 1.513 ± 0.016 ppm), iron (2.261 ± 0.026 vs 2.019 ± 0.024 ppm), copper (0.829 ± 0.013 vs 0.725 ± 0.009 ppm), cobah (0.535 ± 0.006 vs 0.463 ± 0.006 ppm) and manganese (0.095 ± 0.002 vs 0.089 ± 0.002 ppm). However, the total cholesterol content was significantly higher in non-conceived than the conceived animals (223.79 ± 0.77 vs 218.34 ±1.15 mg/dl). Moreover, the mean concentrations of plasma triglycerides, calcium, zinc, iron and cobalt were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all three treated (GnRH, LH, Proluton) groups as compared to untreated control repeat breeding cows. However, there was no remarkable effect of any of the 3 treatments or reproductive status on weekly profile of any of the biochemical and mineral constituents studied, except P4 profile. Endometrial biopsies examined from 6 chronic repeat breeding animals reveled chronic endometritis in 4 and subacute endometritis in 2 animals. The microscopic lesions of subacute endometritis were characterized by degeneration of glandular epithelium with inspissated secretions and cellular remnants in lumen and mononuclear cell infiltration, aggregation of lymphocytes in the endometrial stroma and mild to severe degeneration of stromal blood vessels. While in chronic endometritis, the lesions were extensive stromal fibrosis, extensive perivascular fibrosis, periglandular fibrosis and cystic dilatation of endometrial glands. No significant variation was observed pertaining to lesions in endometrial biopsies from left and right uterine horns and uterine body within the animal.ThesisItem Open Access FERTILITY MANAGEMENT IN POSTPARTUM SURTI BUFFALOES THROUGH CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND HORMONAL REGIMES(AAU, Anand, 2003) KHASATIYA, C. T.; KAVANI, F. S.This study was carried out on 59 Surti buffaloes of University farm, Navsari in five groups with the object of monitoring the postpartum period through clinical diagnosis and weekly plasma profile of hormonal, metabolic, biochemical and mineral constituents from day of calving till at least 105 days postpartum without or with GnRH & PGF2α treatment (on day 40-42 and 105 postpartum) with a view to improve their reproductive efficiency. All the animals were periodically palpated per rectum to monitor uterine and ovarian changes and related reproductive peridata. Hormonal profile (plasma P4, T3 and T4) was estimated by standard RIA techniques and biochemical & metabolic constituents (plasma glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AKP, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) were determined by using standard kits and autoanalyser. The levels of trace minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn) were determined on atomic absorption spectrophotometer following wet oxidation of plasma samples. (I) Effect of Hormone Therapy During Early (day 40-42) Postpartum Phase The results revealed that the regression of pregnancy CL and uterine involution were complete by day 9.39±0.27 and 31.22±0.93 without group differences. However, the resumption of ovarian activity (52.75±9.07 day) and first oestrus postpartum (78.80±6.29 days) were earlier in both GnRH and PGFaa treated conceived than control conceived buffaloes. The service period averaged 91.85±7.06 days and calving interval 402.02±7.07 days; both were shorter by 1 cycle in GnRH treated conceived than the control conceived buffaloes (69.93±4.29 vs 87.71±4.00 and 380.36±4.02 vs 400.28±3.97 days), but not in PGF2α treated and control conceived group (59.73±3.76 vs 61.20±10.87 and 369.13±3.80 vs 373.00±10.33 days). The response to both GnRH and PGFaa treatment at day 40-42 postpartum was excellent, as 88.88 % of GnRH treated buffaloes responded and came in oestrus by mean interval of 19.21±1.03 days and 77.77 % of them conceived as against 58.33 % conception rate with a mean oestrus interval of 32.14±9.03 days in control group. In PGF2α treatment group also, 83.33 % treated buffaloes responded with mean interval of 4.07±0.53 days post-treatment and all of them conceived, in contrast to 45.45 % buffaloes conceived with a mean oestrus interval of 13.4±6.76 days in PGF2α control group. The first service conception rate was above 70% in both the treatment groups. As compared to FGFaa (suboestrus) group, the buffaloes of GnRH group with inactive ovaries had significantly higher (P < 0.01) overall mean blood glucose (66.95± 1.46 vs 60.12±1.13 mg%) and total protein (8.70±0.08 vs 8.37±0.09 g%) levels. The weekly mean glucose levels in GnRH treated conceived buffaloes and that of total protein in GnRH control conceived and PGFia treated conceived buffaloes varied significantly between postpartum intervals. The glucose levels were also lower in GnRH treated and control conceived than the non-conceived buffaloes.Further, the mean blood glucose level in GnRH treatment group was significantly higher than its control group (70.16±1.86 vs 62.12±2.35 mg%), but it did not vary between PGF2α treatment and its control group (57.93±1.63 vs 61.45±1.52 mg%). The values were lowest on the day of calving and then gradually increased till 5-8 weeks postpartum, and subsequently fluctuated insignificantly till 15th week postpartum in all the groups. The protein levels were significantly higher at different weeks postpartum, including the overall mean (8.97±0.13 vs 7.92±0.14 g%) only in GnRH treated conceived than non-conceived animals, but not in PGF2α group. The plasma total cholesterol concentration and AKP activity were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in PGF2α (suboestrus) group as compared to GnRH (anoestrus) group (110.20±1.50vs 102.59±1.49mg%and 151.72±5.07vs 116.00±2.12 IU/L). Moreover the levels of cholesterol, in general, were higher and AKP lower in non-conceived than the conceived animals in most groups. The mean plasma total cholesterol levels were lowest on the day of calving, which increased linearly and significantly by 4th to 9th week, and reached to the highest levels by 10th to 14th week postpartum, and then it remained more or less consistent till 15th week postpartum in most groups. The overall mean total cholesterol content of GnRH treated/control and conceived/non-conceived groups was identical, but that in PGF2α treatment group was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than its control at 6th and 7th week postpartum, and also the overall mean (113.42±1.84 vs 104.94±2.55 mg%). Similarly, the AKP activity fluctuated non-significantly between weeks postpartum with overall mean of 122.75±4.37 vs 110.58±5.27 IU/L, respectively, but differed significantly between PGF2α control conceived and non-conceived animals (174.85± 16.45 vs 123.71±4.65 IU/L), and also between PGF2α treated conceived and non-conceived animals at 5th, 9th and 12th to 14th week postpartum including overall mean values.ThesisItem Open Access Management Of Repeat Breeding Holstein Friesian Cows Through Ultrasonography, Blood Profile And Hormonal Therapy Under Subtropical Climate(Anand Agricultural University; Anand, 2004) Patel, Jagadishkumar Ambalal.; Kavani, F.S.