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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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End date: 2004 × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON SOME ASPECTS OF INFERTILITY IN JERSEY COWS USED EXTENSIVELY IN EMBRYO TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY.
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) SHAH, RAKHIBEN MADANBHAI; PATEL, D. M.
    The present investigation on "Studies on some aspects of infertility in Jersey cows used extensively in Embryo Transfer Technology" was undertaken on Jersey animals (n=10) at the Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand Campus Anand. The study was carried out during the months of May 2003 to September 2003 The experimental animals were located at Reproductive Biology Research Unit, Veterinary College, Anand. All the Jersey cows were used in research related to non-surgical embryo transfer and were super-ovulated and flushed number of times under the strict Veterinary care. Also, excellent quality embryos after evaluation were transferred into some these animals, which served as recipients. Preliminary examination was made to know the reproductive status of the animals. Animals were divided in two groups. In first group normal estrus cycle of animals before breeding were observed. In the second estrous cycle of the first group all the animals were given intrauterine antibiotic, ampicilin and cloxacilin preparation (Ampoxin 2 gm containing ampicilin 1000 mg. and cloxacilin 1000 mg). In the second group animals were treated with GnRH (Receptal, 5 ml, I/M) and were bred. Blood collection was made at weekly interval and the pregnancy diagnosis was done on day 45 post breeding. The blood serum levels of glucose, calcium, phosphorus, calcium: phosphorus ratio, iron, copper, cobalt, zinc, manganese were lower in these animals. Repeated rectal examination of these cows revealed the cause of infertility to be cystic ovarian degeneration (two animals), ovarobursal adhesion (one animal), and early embryonic mortality (two animals). Tubal insufflation method of testing fallopian tube patency revealed bilateral complete tubal blockage in two animals and partial tubal blockage in three animals. These findings clearly demonstrated that superovulation in embryo transfer technology lowers the fertility in cows and repeated super ovulation lead to sterility in cows.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON CLINICO-ETIOPATHOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS CANINE DERMATOSES
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) Nair, Sreegeetha Sreedharan; Nauriyal, D. S.
    On screening of 2618 dogs brought at the Zaveri Clinic affiliated to the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand during the period January 2001 and December 2001, the overall incidence of dermatitis was observed to be 23.68 per cent (620 cases). Of the various types of dermatitis studied the incidence of tick infestation was found to be maximum (19.19%) whereas that of acanthosis nigricans was minimum (0.32 per cent), Greater number of cases of dermatitis were observed during the rainy season (45.48%) while breedwise GSD (27.90%), Spitz (26.12%) and Mongrel (21.29%) showed higher susceptibility to skin afflictions. More than 50 per cent of the affected dogs were found to be males and 48.06 per cent dogs presented with dermatological afflictions were between 1 to 6 years of age. Microscopic examination of the skin scrapings collected from suspected cases of scabies, demodicosis and fungal infection revealed Demodex spp. (10 cases), Sarcoptes scahiei var. cams (13 cases) and fungal hyphae or spores (15 cases). Further, cultural inoculation of scrapings from suspected cases of fungal infection resulted in isolation of 10 fungal isolcates identified as Trichophyton spp. (2), filamentous fungi (4), Aspergilhis spp. (2) and yeast (2 isolates). The bacteriologjcal culture examination of 43 pus swabs collected from pyogenic skin lesions resulted in the growth of 44 bacterial isolates which were obtained either as nionomicrobic or as mixed culture. Similarly bacterial cultural examination of otic exudates also yielded growth of bacterial isolates in pure culture or mixed culture, Among various bacteria cultured, Staphylococcus spp, accounted for the highest number of isolates from cases of pyoderma as well as otitis externa. One of the ear exudates collected from a Cocker Spaniel with seborrhoeic sicca resulted in the isolation of Malassezia pachydcnnatis: In vitro antibacterial susceptibility test performed on all the bacterial isolates obtained from cases of pyoderma and otitis externa exhibited highest sensitivity to ciprofloxacin which also proved to be the most effective antibacterial when used in the treatment of clinical cases. Hematological study conducted on dermatitis revealed statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration and total erythrocytic count, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophilia and eosinophilia, Histopathological study of the biopsy specimens collected from cases of dermatological afflictions revealed characteristic changes. The histopathological alterations observed in the biopsy specimens of pyoderma comprised of acute superficial pyoderma, deep pyoderma and chronic suppurative deimatitis. Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stained sections of skin infected with fungi showed fungal spores and hyphae along with other pronounced histological changes such as hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, presence of scales on the epidermis as well as follicular changes. In case of scabies, predominenl changes noticed included presence of degenerated pieces of mites mixed with exudate in the epidermis or epidermal burrows, in demodicosis, the predominent changes included dilatation of hair follicles with mites, folliculitis and destruction of hair follicles and dermal tissue. Skin biopsies from cases of flea-allergic dermatitis, tick, lice and fly infestations showed body parts of parasites and their excreta mixed with keratin and cellular debris on the superficial epidermis. The cases of allergic dermatitis revealed epidermal and dermal oedema, superficial exudate, necrotic changes and cellular infiltration. The seborrhoeic lesions revealed hyperkeratosis of epidermis, hyperkeratotic projection of papillae and keratin plugging of the hair follicles. In acral lick dermatitis, notable microscopic changes included sebaceous gland hyperplasia, hyperkeratinization and destruction of collagen fibre. The biopsy from callus lesions revealed subepidermal cyst and keratin pearl and dermal fibrosis. Histological changes in acanthosis nigrican included detachment of keratin layer, epidermal papillae and atrophy of hair follicles. Histopathological investigation of tumourous masses revealed characteristic lesions of lipoma, fibromelanoma, hemangioma and adenocarcinoma. The cases of pyoderma and pyogenic lesions were treated successfully with systemic antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and cephalexin and topical antiseptic preparations. The dogs suffering from fungal infections were treated effectively with topical antifungal drugs alone or in combination with griseofulvin. In infestations caused by Sarcoptes and Demodex spp., topical use of amitraz and subcutaneous injection of ivermectin or simultaneous use of both drugs brought about clinical and parasitological cure. In case of scabies, use of other ectoparasiticidal drugs viz. deltamethrin and cypermethrin also proved to be effective. In flea-infested dogs and dogs with other arthropod parasites like ticks, lice and flies, treatment of both the animal and its environment with acaricidal drugs was found to be effective in controlling parasite population. The ectoparasiticidal compounds found effective against fleas were carbaryl and deltamethrin. The insecticides found effective against ticks, lice and flies included deltamethrin, cypermethrin, carbaryl and amitraz. Combination of topical use of these drugs along with subcutaneous injection of invermectin also proved to have appreciable parasiticidal effects on arthropods. The effective management of immune mediated dermatoses (contact dermatitis, atopy, food allergy and drug allergy) was done by identification of the underlying cause, its correction and control of pruritus with topical and systemic antipruritic agents. In cases of seborrhoea, the lesions showed resolution with the use of selenium sulphide containing antiseborrhoeic shampoo for bathing, topical use of keratolytic compound along with dietary supplementation with sunflower or peanut oil. The cases of acral lick dermatitis were treated effectively with combination of drugs comprising of oral administration of corticosteroids and intra-lesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide. The callus condition was clinically managed by daily soaking of the affected area in luke-warm water and topical use oremollienl cream on the lesions. The lesions observed in acanthosis nigrican were treated with topical application of compound containing benzoic acid and use of corticosteroid drug. The pruritus associated with various disorders barring demodicosis was controlled with systemic use of prednisolone in tapering dosage. Non-sleroidal antiinflammatory drugs like clemastine and hydroxyzine also showed excellent therapeutic response in most of the cases of pruritus. The treatment protocol found effective in the treatment of ear infection comprised of cleaning of ear debris using a ceruminolytic/ear wax dissolvent and subsequently instillation of ear preparations containing antibacterial drugs (in cases of bacterial infection) or antifungal drugs (in case of mycotic infection). The cases of otitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis were treated successfully by systemic use of ketoconazole and instillation with otic preparation containing antifungal agent.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF "KATHIAWARI" BREED OF HORSE USING MICROSATELLITE MARKERS
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) GANGARAMBHAI, KORINGA PRAKASHKUMAR; Solanki, J. V.
    It is essential to characterize the germplasm for introgenetic variability, which will help in planning for conservation strategy as well as genetic improvement. Microsatellite markers are widely accepted as a marker of choice as they are highly polymorphic single locus DNA sequenced throughout the genome and are readily adaptable to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Present study is an attempt to characterize Kathiawari horse breed using fifteen sets of equine microsatellite markers. DNA samples were taken from sixty horses from its native tract. These samples were assessed for genetic variation using fifteen equine specific microsatellite markers viz. loci NVHEQ 05, NVHEQ 21, NVHEQ 54, NVHEQ 79, LEX 20, HTG 07, NVHEQ 29, ASB 02, NVHEQ 18, HMS 03, HMS 07, NVHEQ 11, VHL 20, HTG 14 and HTG 15. All samples did not respond to PCR amplification. Forty seven to fifty eight samples yielded amplification. The PCR products were checked on 2% agarose for amplification. Further the amplicons wefe run on sequencing PAGE (DenaturingPAGE) with 10 bp ladder for allele sizing and allele typing. The sizes (length) of different microsateliites were found to be approximately 153bp, 174bp, 173bp, 176bp, 216bp, 142bp, 122bp,200bp,137bp, 166bp,178bp, 126bp, 97bp, 142bp, and 144bp for microsateliites NVHEQ 05, NVHEQ 21, NVHEQ 54, NVHEQ 79, LEX 20, HTG 07, NVHEQ 29, ASB 02, NVHEQ 18, HMS 03, HMS 07, NVHEQ 11, VHL 20, HTG 14 and HTG 15, respectively. A wide range of genetic analyses were then performed on the resultant data. A high level of genetic variation was observed. Microsateliites NVHEQ 05, NVHEQ 21, NVHEQ 54, NVHEQ 79, LEX 20, HTG 07, NVHEQ 29, ASB 02, NVHEQ 18, HMS 03, HMS 07, NVHEQ 11, VHL 20, HTG 14 and HTG 15 showed 4, 4, 2, 5, 6, 4, 5, 5, 8, 8, 6, 6, 8, 4 and 3 alleles as well as 7, 7, 2, 7, 13, 6, 12, 9, 11, 20, 14, 10, 20, 9 and 5 genotypic combinations, respectively. The heterozygosity values in these microsateliites were 0.5306, 0.5745, 0.1400, 0.6400, 0.8600, 0.5472, 0.8200, 0.8200, 0.6792, 0.7959, 0.7241, 0.8478, 0.8235, 0.7400 and 0.5185 for microsateliites NVHEQ 05, NVHEQ 21, NVHEQ 54, NVHEQ 79, LEX 20, HTG 07, NVHEQ 29, ASB 02, NVHEQ 18, HMS 03, HMS 07, NVHEQ 11, VHL 20, HTG 14 and HTG 15 respectively. Microsatellite LEX 20 was highly polymorphic and NVHEQ 54 was least polymorphic among all fifteen microsateliites. Polymorphic information content (PIC) was calculated from number of alleles and heterozygosity. It was 0.441, 0.485, 0.122, 0.483, 0.737, 0.434, 0.732, 0.664, 0.711, 0.752, 0.707, 0.699, 0.820, 0.682 and 0.377 for microsatellite NVHEQ 05, NVHEQ 21, NVHEQ 54, NVHEQ 79, LEX 20, HTG 07, NVHEQ 29, ASB 02, NVHEQ 18, HMS 03, HMS 07, NVHEQ 11, VHL 20, HTG 14 and HTG 15 respectively. The microsatellites were found to be highly polymorphic with 2 to 8 alleles, 0.1400 to 0.8600 heterozygosity and 0.122 to 0.820 PIC in the Kathiawari horse. This is the first reported molecular characterization study on Kathiawari horse.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, ANTIMICROBIAL SENSITIVITY, PCR - BASED DETECTION AND MOUSE PATHOGENICITY OF PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA FIELD ISOLATES
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) KIRTIBHAI, PATEL HETALBEN; Purohit, J. H.
    Two isolates of Pasteurella multocida each from poultry, sheep, rabbit, buffalo and the vaccine strain (P52 strain) were studied for cultural, morphological and biochemical characterization, antimicrobial sensitivity, PCR-based detection and mouse pathogenicity of P. multocida field isolates. The heart blood and organs of the experimental mice were processed for reisolation of P. multocida. The heart blood and reisolated organisms from the experimental mice were subjected to PCRbased detection. All the test isolates were Gram negative, cocco-bacillary rods and produced non-haemolytic colonies on blood agar and failed to grow on MacConkey agar. All the isolates (100%) were positive for oxidase, catalase, indole production, nitrate reduction and fermentations of glucose, mannitol, sucrose and mannose while negative for citrate utilization and fermentation of maltose, arabinose, lactose, dulcitol, salicin and trehalose. The isolates (100%) were sensitive to enrofloxacin, flumequine, chloramphenicol and tetracycline, while nine isolates (90%) were sensitive to norfloxacin and cephalexin, two isolates (20%) were sensitive to penicillin G. All the isolates were (100%) resistant against sulphadiazine while four isolates(40%) were intermediate to penicillin G. Sixty per cent of P. multocida isolates were sensitive to Allium sativum, 40% sensitive to Ocimum sanctum, 20% sensitive to Zingiber officinale, 10% sensitive to Azadirachta indica, 10% sensitive to Curcuma longa. All the isolates were lethal to mice. Significant difference was observed in death time between species and between dilutions. Poultry isolates were found highly pathogenic to mice. Gross changes in mice were characterized by congestion and haemorrhages in most of vital organs. Histopathological lesions were characterized by mild to sever congestion, haemorrhages, and bacterial emboli. PM-PCR from reisolated colonies of P. multocida and gemomic DNA of test isolates were tested by PCR-based characterization, which revaled amplified product of approximately 465 bp size of all the P. multocida isolates, E.coli did not show amplification. Direct PCR from mice blood could not show any amplification.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    SURVEILLANCE OF HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICAEMIA IN GUJARAT STATE WITH ISOLATION, BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND PCR BASED DETECTION OF PASTEURELLA MULTOCIDA FROM THE FIELD OUTBREAKS
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) NADODHA, J. V.; Purohit, J. H.
    The present research work was undertaken with a view to study the surveillance of Haemorrhagic Septicaemia in relation to agro-climatic zones of Guajrat State during the period of January 1998 to December 2003 with isolation and identification of Pasteurella multocida from the field outbreaks in cattle and buffaloes. The isolates were studied for their in vitro antibiotic sensitivity. The PM-PCR was also tried for detection of P. multocida. The data during the study period were collected from the respective sources. The data were compiled and distributed year, month and zonewise. Incidences of HS were correlated to meteorological parameters of different zones. A total of 226 clinical samples (109 each of blood and nasal swabs and eight morbid material) were collected from suspected cases of HS in cattle and buffaloes and processed for demonstration of bipolar organisms and isolation of P. multocida. The isolates were identified by cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The isolates were subjected to in vitro antibiotic sensitivity. The colony PCR was carried out for detection of P.multocida. The highest number of HS outbreaks were recorded during the year 1998 and lowest were found in 2000. The outbreaks were observed throughout the year but more number of outbreaks were found during the rainy season, i.e., in the months of August and September. Amongst the agro-climatic zones, maximum number of outbreaks were recorded in Zone-IV, whereas minimum in Zone-VII. Positive correlation was observed between outbreaks of HS and rainfall, relative humidity and minimum temperature. While no correlation was observed with outbreaks of HS and maximum temperature. A total of four isolates of P.multocida were recovered only from buffaloes blood which showed the presence of bipolar organisms in smear. All the isolates produced non-haemolytic, round, grayish, smooth and mucoid colonies on blood agar but failed to grow on MacConkey agar. The isolates were found non-motile, Gram negative, coccobacillary rods. All the isolates produced oxidase, catalse, indole and reduced nitrate but did not utilise citrate. They fermented glucose, sucrose, mannitol and maimose but not fermented maltose, arabinose, lactose, dulcitol, salicin, inositol and trehalose. All the isolates were found sensitive to gentamicin, chloramphenicol and cephalexin, while two isolates were sensitive to tetracycline, ampicillin and nitrofurantoin. All the isolates were found to be resistant against penicillin-G and streptomycin. All the P. multocida isolates along with P52 vaccine strain amplified product of approximately 465 bp size while E.coli failed to amplify.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative Evaluation of Dexamethasone Induced CYP3A and CYP2H1 Gene Expression by Quantitative RT-PCR in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn Chicks
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) KALIA, ANIL KUMAR; Sarvaiya, J. G.
    The present work was planned to study induction of CYP3A and CYP2HI genes by Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Quantitative RT-PCR in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Legiiorn chicles. Total RNA was extracted from the liver tissue samples using Tri Reagent based method. The quantity of extracted RNA was assessed spectrophotometrically at 260/280nm, and it ranged from 1.7 to 2.0 OD suggesting good quantity of RNA extraction. The quality of extracted RNA was checked by 1% formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis and it showed bands at 28s, 18s and 5s rRNA subunits suggesting good integrity of RNA. First strand cDNA was synthesized using one step RT-PCR Kit. The PCR was performed and the product was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis which yielded targeted amplification of 1107 bp, 1567 bp and 486 bp amplicon for CYP3A, CYP2HI and p-actin genes, respectively. β-actin (house keeping gene) was used as an internal control for normalization of CYP3A and CYP2H1 gene transcripts. Quantitative RT-PCR was done to quantify gene expression level of CYP3A and CYP2H1 genes. Four end points were selected for sample dropping at 26th, 31st 36rd and 41st cycles to perform Quantitative RT-PCR. The quantity of expressed genes was detected by Gene tool software using 1 kb DNA ladder having concentration of 7.1 ng/0.5 μl at 500 bp as reference. Relative expression ratio of CYP3A and CYP2H1 genes was calculated by Relative Expression Software Tool (REST), It was found that CYP3A is up regulated by a factor of 1.271 and 1.2 in Bantam and White Leghorn chicks, respectively and down regulated by a factor of 11.385 in Bantamized White Leghorn chicks. In Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn chicks CYP2H1 gene was down regulated by factor 1.68 and 1.3 respectively, but up regulated by a factor of 1.126 in case of Bantam chicks. The PCR efficiency ranged from 1.4 to 1.9, 1.36 to 1.8 and 1.36 to 4.4 for CYP3A, CYP2H1 and P-actin genes, respectively in Bantam, Bantamized White leghorn and White Leghorn chicks.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative Evaluation of Phenobarbital Induced CYP3A and CYP2H1 Gene Expression by Quantitative RT - PCR in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn Chicks
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) Vaghaji, Goriya Harshad; Bhavsar, S. K.
    The present work was planned to study induction of CYP3A and CYP2H1 genes by Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Quantitative RT-PCR in Bantam, Bantamized White leghorn and White leghorn chicks. Out of 18 chicks of Bantam, Bantamized White leghorn and White leghorn, 3 from each group were treated intraperitoneal with phenobarbital at the dose rate of 12mg/I00gm body weight and control group were treated with same volume of 0.9% normal saline. After 24 hrs of medication, they were sacrificed and liver samples were collected from each bird. Total RNA was extracted from the liver tissue samples using Tri Reagent® based method. The quantity of extracted RNA was assessed spectrophotometrically at 260/280nm, and it ranged from 1.7 to 2.0 OD suggesting good quantity of RNA extraction. The quality of extracted RNA was checked by 1% formaldehyde agarose gel electrophoresis and it showed bands at 28s, 18s and 5s rRNA subunits suggesting good integrity of RNA. First strand cDNA was synthesized using one step RT-PCR Kit. The PCR was performed and the product was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis which yielded targeted amplification of 1107 bp, 1567 bp and 486 bp amplicon for CYP3A, CYP2H1 and p-actin genes, respectively. β-actin (house keeping gene) was used as an internal control for normalization of CYP3A and CYP2H1 gene transcripts. Quantitative RT-PCR was done to quantify gene expression level of CYP3A and CYP2HI genes. Four end points were selected for sampling at 26th, 31st 36rd and 41st cycles to perform Quantitative RT-PCR. The quantity of expressed genes was detected by Gene tool software using Ikb DNA ladder having concentration of 7.1 ng/0.5 μl at 500bp as reference. Relative expression ratio of CYP3A and CYP2H1 genes was calculated by Relative Expression Software Tool (REST), ft was found that CYP3A is up regulated by factor of 1.339, 14.507 and 1.004 in Bantam, Bantamized White Leghorn and White Leghorn chicks, respectively. In Bantam and Bantamized White Leghorn chicks CYP2HI gene was up regulated by factor 1.503 and 80.871 respectively, but down regulated by a factor of 1.965 in White Leghorn chicks. PCR efficiency was judged by Ling PCR software. The PCR efficiency ranged from 1.3 to 1.7, 0.86 to 1.7 and 0.91 to 1.58 for CYP3A, CYP2H1 and p-actin, respectively in Bantam, Bantamized White leghorn and White Leghorn chicks.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DETECTION OF INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE VIRUS (IBDV) FROM BURSAL TISSUE BY RT-PCR AND ITS COMPARATIVE EFFICACY WITH CONVENTIONAL PRECIPITATION ASSAYS
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) Makadiya, Nirajkumar Ratilal; Jhala, M. K.
    Infectious bursal disease (IBD), an economically important infectious viral disease of poultry, is caused by Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) belonging o to Avibirnavirus genus of Birnaviridae family. The disease causes considerable morbidity and mortality mainiy by immunosuppression. Emergence of very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strains in different parts of the world including India during the last couple of decades, have demanded further research efforts in understanding the added complexicity of the disease process and the means to diagnose and control it. To establish the proper control procedures, it is important to characterize the antigenic and virulent properties of the viral strains prevalent in a geographic area, and hence, it is necessary to develop rapid and accurate methods suitable for identifying as well as characterizing the virus. The present study was aimed at screening IBD suspected bursal samples by Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Conventional precipitation assays viz. Agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), Single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) and Counter Immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) were also employed so as to compare their relative sensitivity with RT-PCR as well as among themselves. Two viral RNA extraction protocols viz. phenol-chloroform and Tri Reagent method were compared for their efficacy and suitability for RT-PCR. Incidence of IBDV in relation to epidemiological factors like age, breed and strain of the birds was also studied. Processing of the 147 collected samples by AGID, SRID and CIE revealed 70.07, 72.79, and 78.23 per cent positivity respectively. CIE gave the highest positivity among the precipitation assays and hence was used for comparison of incidences as well as of sensitivity and specificity between the tests. Thirty four samples were from layer birds and 113 from broiler birds, of which, 29 (85.29%) and 86 (76.11%) were positive for IBDV antigen respectively by CIE. The strainwise incidence revealed the maximum incidence in C&M chicks (100%), followed by BV-300 (85.29%), Cobb (78.26%) Hybro (68.75%), Hubchix (57.14%) and Croiler (50.00%). The highest incidence was found in the age group > 3 <= 4 weeks, followed by > 5 <=6 and > 2 <=3 weeks age group, while, the least incidence was found in > 4 < =5 weeks of age. Thirty seven bursal samples and two live IBD vaccines were used for viral RNA extraction by phenol-chlorofomi method (protocol 1) and Tri Reagent® method (protocol 2). RNA extracted by protocol 1 was of poor quality and quantity, and failed to yield targeted amplification in all the samples and vaccines by RT-PCR, where as protocol 2 yielded RNA of good quality and quantity, and produced targeted amplicon of approximately 643 bp and 557 bp respectively for primer pairs P1, P2 and U2, L2, specific for hypervariable region of IBDV VP2 gene, for 31 (83.78%) samples and two vaccines. All the positive samples behaved similarly to the two pairs of primers, which were equally sensitive in detecting the IBDV. Sensitivity of AGIO, SRID and CIE with RT-PCR was 74.19, 77.42 and 87.10 per cent, while that of AGIO and SRID with CIE was 89.57 and 93.04 per cent respectively. Overall agreement of AGID, SRID and CIE with RT-PCR was 78.38, 81.08 and 89.19 per cent, while that of AGID and SRID with CIE was 91.84 and 94.56 per cent respectively. Specificity of all the precipitation assays used with RT-PCR was found 100 per cent.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF FEEDING MANGO SEED KERNELS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS
    (AAU, Anand, 2004) Sharm, Neeta; Pande, M. B.
    The effect of feeding mango seed kernels on the performance of broilers was planned using day old 240 unsexed 'VenCobb" commercial chicks from 0 day to 6 weeks of age. Four treatments were T1 (diet containing 0% mango seed kernel), T2 (diet containing 5% mango seed kernel), T3 (diet containing 10% mango seed kernel) and T4 (diet containing 15% mango seed kernel). Completely Randomized Design was followed. The nutrient requirements were met as per the recommendations of BIS (1992 a, b) feeding standards. The feeds were supplemented with coccidiostats and vitamins. The birds were vaccinated as per schedule. All the four treatment rations were fed from 0-6 weeks in cages. The average initial weight of the chicks was 48.03 ± 0.40, 48.27 ± 0.30, 48.53 ± 0.87 and 48.50 ± 0.58 g while the average final weight was 1292.90 ± 18.06, 1299.77 ± 19.82, 1292.20 ± 22.57 and 1044.73 ± 20.59g. The gain was 1244.87 ± 18.10, 1251.50 ± 19.79, 1243.67 ± 9.91 and 996.23 ± 20.4Ig under T1 ,T2 ,T3 and T4, respectively. The treatment groups T1, T2 and T3 were at par while T4 differed significantly from T1, T2 and T3. Treatment T4 showed least growth. The average feed consumed during starter period was 1528.18 ± 17.49, 1455.85 ± 35.45, 1465.80 ± 24.36 and 1317.62 ± 24.24 g for T1,, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The non significant difference in average feed consumption for T1, T2, T3 during 0-4 weeks and significant reduction of feed consumption for T4 suggested that mango seed kernel at 10% is quite palatable to broilers (starter phase) while 15% level of mango seed kernel reduced the feed intake during 0-4 weeks. During 5-6 weeks, the feed consumption was significantly higher for T1 (1493.80 ± 18.40) and significant reduction in feed consumption for T2, T3 and T4. (1155.85 ±35.48, 1165.70 ± 24.28 and 1190.00 ± 35.01g) indicated that mango seed kernel inclusion in the ration reduced the feed intake of birds without any adverse effect on growth at the rate of 5 and 10% inclusion levels. Average total feed consumption ( g/bird) was recorded as 3021.98 ± 32.61, 2611.80 ±70.89, 263,1.50 ± 48.60, 2507.62 ± 52.35g which further suggested that mango seed kernel inclusion in broilers ration reduced the total feed consumption of birds . The average dry matter intake per kg metabolic body weight was 89.18 ± 2.59, 98.52 ± 3.04, 98.50 ± 4.82 and 96.72 ± 3.81g under T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively, with no significant differences. Average crude protein intake per kg gain was 498.03 ± 7.05, 426.77 ± 13.84, 433.61 ± 5.43 and 517.37 ± 17.04 g under treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. It was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4 and T1 as compared to the treatments T2 and T3 (having 5 and 10% level of MSK). The average nitrogen balance was +2.53 ± 0.11, +2.67 ± 0.24, +2.13 ± 0.38 and +1.97 ± 0.23 g/ bird /day with average calcium balance of +1.13 ± 0.08, +1.06 ± 0.09, +0 .81 ± 0.11 and + 0.77 ±0.15 g/bird/day . The balances of nitrogen and calcium were positive and more or less similar in all the four treatment groups. However positive and significantly higher phosphorus balance was found In T2 (+0.83 ± 0.07) and least in T4 (+0.23 ± 0.06 g/bird/day). Average values for dressing percentage varied from 71.56 to 77.20% and remained almost similar under all the four treatment groups. Similarly, statistically non significant differences were observed in gizzard, heart and abdominal fat weight under all the four treatment groups suggesting that there was no untoward effect of feeding MSK on gizzard, heart and abdominal fat up to 15% level in broiler ration but liver weight was significantly lower in T4 treatment group. Spleen weight was also significantly low in T4 and Ti treatment groups. The weight was least in treatment T4 indicating that MSK had some effect on liver and spleen. Spleen weight was significantly higher in T2 and T3. Feed conversion efficiency (kg feed /kg gain) during 6 weeks observed was 2.43 ± 0.03, 2.09 ± 0.05, 2.15 ± 0.04 and 2.52 ± 0.08 for treatment groups T1, T2 ,T3 and T4 respectively. The FCR was better in T2, T3 and poor in T4. Feed consumed per kg gain in birds of T4 and T1 groups was found significantly (P<0.05) higher than T2 and T3 The diets of birds fed either 5 or 10% MSK (T2 or T3) required lesser amount of feed per kg gain in weight. These findings indicated that higher levels of inclusion of MSK (15%) in diet required more amount of feed per kg gain in weight. The cost of feeding (feed cost / kg gain) was significantly higher in T4 (Rs.19.63 ± 0.65) as compared to T2 (Rs. 15.97 ± 0.37) and T3 (Rs.16.35 ± 0.20). The treatments T1, (Rs. 18.46 ± 0.26) and T4 (Rs. 19.63 ± 0.65) were at par. Over all results revealed that mango seed kernel is an acceptable ingredient in broiler rations up to 10 per cent level without affecting growth rate and production performance of broilers and therefore, can be incorporated at 10 per cent level in broiler ration with economic advantage