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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level.
Genesis of AAU -
The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati.
Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.
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ThesisItem Open Access Histological, ultrastructural and molecular studies on guard hair for species difference of Hoolock Gibbons (Hoolockhoolock) found In Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara Campus, 2023) Ahmed, Jahan; Sharma, MunmunHoolock gibbons are the only ape species found in India and its population is confined to the north eastern states of India. The Hoolock gibbons are tailless and have distinctive call pattern.The gibbons have strong hook shaped hands for grasping branches, brachiating arms and long and strong legs to help them in jumping and propelling across branches of trees. Gibbons found in India has been identified based on their phenotypic characters as Western Hoolock gibbons found in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram while the ones found in Arunachal Pradesh were classified as Eastern hoolock gibbon. These classification is purely based on the external observation and phenotypic characters. There has been a debate regarding the species found in India, initially it was believed to be one single species but later on it was found that there are two species namely the Western Hoolock gibbon and Eastern Hoolock gibbon. Recently, a new sub species has been added from Mishmi hills in Arunachal Pradesh called as Mishmi gibbons (Holoockhoolockmishmiensis) . All the classifications are based on morphological characteristics. In Western Hoolock gibbons, the newborns are milky white and turn to black in both sexes by the age of 2 years. Males remain black and the scrotum appears distinct by seven months. In females when they reach adult stage, the hairs turn into golden blond colour with white brows and a white frame in the face. The white brows are found in males as well. These are distinctive characteristics of Western Hoolock gibbons. Eastern Hoolock gibbons are similar to the Western Hoolock gibbons except that the adult female is pale colour with more distinct paler arms. The male has a white genital tufts and spaced out white eyebrows. The length of the hairs varied in different body regions being shortest hairs in the forehead region of male hoolock gibbons from Assam and longest in the shoulder region in both sexes of gibbons from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya. The hairs were curly and twisted. The hairs were observed to have a fine lustrous texture. In male eastern hoolock gibbon it was observed that the hair diameter in the forehead region was 43.43 ± 0.19 μm and in female it was 46.55 ± 0.21 μm. In western hoolock gibbon from Assam the hair shaft diameter was 43.22 ± 0.59 μm in male and in female it was recorded as 44.55 ± 0.23 μm. In western hoolock gibbon from Meghalaya it was observed that the hair shaft diameter in male was 41.88 ± 0.26 μm while in female it was 39.74 ± 0.61 μm. Hair medulla was present only in the male gibbons from Arunachal Pradesh. The medulla pattern was continuous and elongated in shape. Hair medulla was observed in gibbons of all the three states. The hair medulla was elliptical and fragmented in structure. The cortico medullary index was maximum in female hoolock gibbons from Arunachal Pradesh i.e. 34.66 ± 0.04 μmand minimum was recorded from hoolock gibbons in Meghalaya gibbons i.e. 30.06 ± 0.2 μm. 2D electrophoresis revealed two protein bands in the range of 61.98 KDal and 44.3 KDal. Highest value was recorded from male Eastern hoolock gibbon at 172.7 ± 0.28 Kdal while lowest was recorded from Western hoolock gibbon from Assam at 5.04±0.14. Molecular analysis indicates that hoolock gibbon from NE are Hoolockhoolock or western hoolock gibbon.ThesisItem Open Access ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE POST-NATAL DEVELOPMENT OF MALE GENITAL SYSTEM OF PATI DUCK (Anas platyrhynchos) OF ASSAM(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2020-11) HMANGAIHZUALI, ELIZABETH VL; Sarma, KabitaThe present study was undertaken to elaborate certain gross anatomical, histomorphological, histochemical, ultrastructural, haematological and serum biochemical aspect of male genital organs of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos) of Assam during the postnatal development. Total 30 (thirty) numbers of apparently healthy Pati ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were utilized for present study. The testis of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos) was located within the abdominal cavity. The organ was elongated rice-grain like in 1 month which changed to oval shaped in 20 weeks and bean shaped in 30 and 40 weeks. The epididymis was found on the dorso-medial aspect of testis. The epididymal duct of the testis continued as Vas deferens. The convoluted vas deferens tightly coiled in a zingzag pattern till 20 weeks and the convolutions loosened in 30 and 40 weeks. The vas deferens was translucent in 1 month and 6-8 weeks whereas in 30 and 40 weeks they were opaque white with presence of spermatozoa in the lumen. The phallus coiled in anti-clockwise direction from the base to the apex. The ejaculatory groove and sulcus divide the shaft into two lateral bodies. The length increased with age. The testis of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos) had a capsule which had three parts viz., tunica serosa, tunica albugenia and tunica vasculosa. The thickness of the capsule of the testis gradually increased along the advancement of the age i.e. from 1 month to 40 week age group. The collagen, reticular, elastic and nerve fibers were observed within the capsule and as well the peritubular area of the seminiferous tubules. The thickness of the capsule and distribution of all the fibers increased along with the advancement of the age i.e. from 1 month to 40 week age group. The parenchyma of the testis of the Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos) consisted of complex and convoluted seminiferous tubules separated by interstitial connective tissue. No lobulation and mediastinum testis. The diameter as wells as layers of cell of the ST increased with age. One month and 6-8 weeks birds semiferous tubules were mainly composed of Sertoli cells, spermatogonium cells and vacuolated cells. In 20 weeks the cells were 3 to 5 layers consisting of spermatocyte along with other cells. The ST of 30 and 40 weeks age groups had 8 to 17 layers of cells formed by different stages of spermatogenesis. The interstitial connective tissue decreased with increased in age. The epididymal region consisted of rete testis which was intracapsular and extracapsular, efferent duct with smooth and folded epithelium, collecting duct and epididymal duct having the same epithelial lining. The vas deferens diameter increased with age. Smooth epithelium at the cranial part and folded epithelium at caudal part. The phallus has a narrow lumen which was surrounded by a very large lymphatic space and vascular body. In the present histochemical study of male genital organ of Pati duck, the reaction of Alkaline Phosphatase enzyme decreased with age in the testis, moderate in the vas deferens and intesnse in the phallus. The reaction of the Acid Phosphatase moderate in the testis and vas deferens of all age group, while phallus had intense and moderate activity area. The Adenosine Tri Phosphatase (ATPase) activity increased with increased in age in the testis, weak activity in the vas deferens and phallus with intense and weak activity area. Under TEM two types of leydig cells viz., elongated and polygonal shaped was found, they contain numerous lipid droplets along with mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Sertoli cell had large and irregularly shaped nucleus which had intranuclear cleft. The prominent nucleoli of sertoli cell nucleus had a very dense and moderately dense area. In the peritubular space layers of overlapping myoid cells was found. Within seminiferous tubules cellular detailed of spermatogenic cells were observed. Age related change observed with Testosterone hormone which increased with increased in age. T3 and T4 hormones were higher in younger age while Cortisol was higher in older groups. Among the haematological parameters significant changes was found in PCV, WBC, monocyte and neutrophils. ALP was the only serum enzyme which showed significant changes between age groups. Serum metabolites viz., total protein, albumin and creatinine showed significant changes among the differentage group.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC AND ZINC IN GUT INTEGRITY OF PRE AND POST WEANED PIGLETS: AN IMMUNOMORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR ANALYSIS(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2019-07) KALITA, ARUP; Talukdar, ManmathPresent study was undertaken to elaborate alteration of histomorphological, histochemical, ultrastructural, immunofluorescence, gut microbiota, cytokine gene profile and brush border enzyme activity of histocompartments of small intestine in control (basal diet) and treatment (basal diet + probiotic + zinc) group piglets during pre and post-weaned period. This study was assumed to understand the effect of probiotic and zinc on gut digestibility and immunity compared to the control piglets so that the productivity of this important species of farm animal could be enhanced. Besides, this information was assumed to help to control the post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets that causes significant economic losses in pig production. Eighteen (18) numbers of apparently healthy Large White Yorkshire piglets, irrespective of their sex were utilized in the present study. These piglets were selected from three litters (6 piglets from one litter) and were divided into control (basal diet) and treatment (basal diet + probiotic + zinc) groups, consisting of 3 animals in each group. The probiotic (dosed daily with 1.25 109 CFU/gm) and zinc (ZnO dosed daily with 2000 ppm) was supplemented orally to the treated piglets from birth to 10 days of age. The weaning of the piglets was done at 28 days. The animals were sacrificed at day 20, day 30 and day 60 from both the groups. The histomorphological, ultrastructural, histoenzymatic, immunofluorescence and cytokine gene expression were performed to study the alteration in treatment group of piglets. Besides, examination of brush border enzyme activity was done to evaluate the conversion of disaccharide into monosaccharide in these two groups of piglets. The villus and crypt morphometry revealed higher villus height, villus width, crypt depth, crypt width, villus enlargement factor and crypt enlargement factor, and lower villus crypt ratio in treatment group of piglets. This might indicate greater absorptive capacity of available nutrients and higher epithelial turn-over rate to compensate losses in height of villi in treated piglets especially during early postweaning period. In the mucosa of villus and crypt, the number of goblet cells, argentaffin cells and tuft cells were increased in treatment group of piglets. These findings might be concluded with better enhancement of epithelial barrier, higher production of gastrointestinal hormones, better microenvironment of gut and defense mechanism which resulted in effective immunity and digestibility in this group of piglets. In the lining epithelium of small intestine, the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) was higher in treatment group piglets that could be the result of a nonspecific stimulation of the local immune system possibly by certain antigens of probiotic bacteria. The increased number of IEL might be an indicative of more mature and efficient adaptive immune response in piglets fed with probiotic and zinc than the control animal. In the histotopographic areas, the CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, IgA+ cells and IgM+ cells were increased in treatment group of piglets. These findings might be interpreted with more production and secretion of secretory IgA, enhancing defense against pathogens, maintenance and enhancement of epithelial cell integrity and production of more immunoglobulin to ensure a fast reaction against potential pathogens. These might led to better mucosal immunity in the probiotic and zinc treated piglets. In the treatment group of piglets, the brush border enzyme activity was higher to convert their respective substrates into glucose that might be indicative of more absorption of glucose from the available carbohydrate present in the intestine, and resulted with better growth and development in this group of piglets. The increased activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase in treated piglets might be correlated with higher secretion of glands and greater absorptive capacity of enterocytes. Similarly, higher ATPase and non-specific esterase activities might be indicative of more concentration of B and T cells in follicular and interfollicular areas of PP in treatment group of piglets, respectively. The cultivable cell counts of lactic acid bacteria were higher in treatment group of piglets. These more number of beneficial microbiota might reduce the pathogenic bacterial load in the small intestine and provide a healthy environment for better digestion and immunity in treatment group of piglets especially in early post-weaning period. The marginal up-regulation of cytokine expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 transcripts in treatment group of piglets might have resulted in the stimulation of innate immune cells to eradicate microbes and enhancement of IgA B-cell population in the young ones and increased epithelial cell turn-over. The down-regulation of cytokine expression of IL-8, IL-12 and IL-18 transcripts in treatment group of piglets possibly lead to decreased activity of NK cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes which was an indicative of lesser infections associated with intracellular pathogens and presence of healthy intestinal epithelial cells in the gut.ThesisItem Open Access POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE HARDERIAN GLAND OF PATI DUCK ( Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) OF ASSAM(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2019-10) RAJKHOWA, JITEN; Sarma, KabitaThe present study was undertaken to elaborate certain gross anatomical, histomorphological, histochemical, ultrastructural and biochemical aspect of Harderian gland of Pati ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam during the postnatal development. Total 45 (forty five) numbers of apparently healthy Pati ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) were utilized for present study. The Harderian gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) was located within the orbit. The gland was flat, oval and coma shaped with irregular border. The gland had two surfaces i.e. the parietal and the visceral surfaces, two borders and two blunt poles. The parietal surface was found convex and attached to fascia covered by the nasal bones and interorbital septa of the orbit. The visceral surface was concave and it was attached loosely to the eye ball with fascia. The lobes of the Harderian gland became more prominent with the advancement of the age. The gland was light pink while freshly collected. The arterial blood supplied and the venus drainage was by the ophthalmic artery and vein. The slender branch of oculomotor nerve innervated the Harderian gland. The result reflected an ascending trend from 0 week age group to 42 weeks age group in all the gross parameters. There were slight difference between left and right gland in all the gross parameter but statistically not significant (p value > 0.05). A short single duct was observed in the Harderian Gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus). The duct opened into the conjunctival sac at the base of the 3rd eyelid. The Harderian gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) had a capsule which was consisted of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics. The thickness of the capsule of the Harderian gland was increased slightly along the advancement of the age i.e. from 0 week to 42 weeks age group. The capsular connective tissue penetrated the parenchyma of the Harderian gland in the form of septa or trabeculae. The collagen, reticular, elastic and nerve fibers were observed along with the capsule and as well as in the septa and trabeculae. The thickness of the capsule and distribution of all the fibers increased along with the advancement of the age i.e. from 0 week to 42 weeks age group. The Harderian gland of the Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) was compound tubular gland. The columnar epithelial cells lined the tubules. There was no cortex and medulla in the gland and the tubular structures were uniformly distributed within the lobules. A central cannel was present in the gland which converged to the duct of the gland. The lymphocytes and plasma cells were found in the intertubular connective tissue. The numbers or population of plasma cell and lymphocytes were accelerated by the advancement of age. The myoepithelial cells with spindle shaped nuclei were present near the basement membrane close to the secretary cells. The histology of the duct of the Harderian gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) was like typical hollow tubular organs. There were few lymphatic nodules very distinctly present and extended from the lamina propria to the muscle layer. In the present histochemical study of the Harderian land of Pati duck, the reaction of Alkaline phosphatase enzyme was mild. The reaction of the Acid phosphatase was absent. The Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was observed moderate in all the age groups of birds. The activity of non specific Esterase was observed strong in all the age groups. The periodic acid-Schiff (PAS - Alcian Blue 2.5 pH) stain revealed positive reaction in all the age groups which indicated the presence of acid sulfated mucosubtances in the cells. In the Scanning Electron Microscopic studies of the Harderian gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) the tubular structures were looked like hole having some secretion inside it. In higher magnification the lining epithelium cells were found with some secretion at the tip of the cells. In Transmission Electron Microscopic study it was found that the secretory mucous vesicles pushed the nucleus of the cell towards the basal border. The nucleus was oval in shape and rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, golgi apparatus were observed around the nucleus. The quantity of total protein of the Harderian gland reflected a descending trend in advancement of the age of the birds. The quantity of the total lipids in the Harderian gland of Pati duck increased from 0 week age to 42 weeks age. The total lipid and total protein content of the Harderian gland of Pati duck were inversely proportional to each other.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE CYTOMORPHOLOGICAL, CYTOCHEMICAL, CYTOENZYMIC AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES ON THE BLOOD CELLS OF ADULT RHODE ISLAND RED, ASEEL AND NON DESCRIPT INDIGENOUS CHICKEN OF MIZORAM(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, 2021-12) DOLEY, PROBAL JYOTI; Sarma, KabitaMatured erythrocytes were elliptical in shape and their mean length was measured to be 12.65±0.12 μ, 12.62±0.19 μ and 12.52±0.10 μ and their mean width was measured to be 6.83±0.09 μ, 6.81±0.11 μ and 6.07±0.07 μ in Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar respectively. The hetrophils were the largest granulocyte and had a mean diameter of 10.01±0.16 μ, 10.23±0.12 μ and 9.98±0.23 μ while the basophils were the smallest granulocyte and had a mean diameter of 8.41±0.17 μ, 8.37±0.14 μ and 8.24±0.18 μ in Rhode Island Red, Assel and Zoar respectively. The eosinophils were almost equal to the heterophils and measured 9.53±0.10 μ in Rhode Island Red, 9.61±0.10 μ in Aseel and 9.82±0.24 μ Zoar. The monocytes were the largest leukocyte and had a mean diameter of 11.35±0.15 μ in Rhode Island Red, 11.97±0.27 μ in Assel and 11.43±0.10 μ in Zoar. The lymphocytes were of variable sizes and their mean diameter ranged from 5.96±0.13 μ, 6.09±0.11 μ and 5.67±0.13 μ to 9.35±0.48 μ, 9.88±0.20 μ and 9.13±0.04 μ in Rhode Island Red, Assel and Zoar respectively. The thrombocytes were the smallest blood cell and had a mean diameter of 4.85±0.10 μ, 4.93±0.15 μ and 4.47±0.08 μ in Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar respectively. Reticulocytes and siderocytes were rare in the blood of Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar. The heterophils of Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar were positive for SBB, PAS, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase while the eosinophils were positive for SBB, PAS, alkaline phosphatase, cytochrome oxidase and peroxidase. The basophils of Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar were positive for toluidine blue while the thrombocytes were positive for PAS. Under Scanning Electron Microscopy the erythrocytes appeared elliptical in shape while the leukocytes and thrombocytes appeared round in shape with variable surface modifications. Under Transmission Electron Microscopy the granules of the heterophils of Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar appeared predominantly fusiform in shape, the granules of the eosinophils appeared round in shape and that of the basophils appeared pleomorphic in shape. The cytoplasm of the monocytes, medium to large lymphocytes and thrombocytes of Rhode Island Red, Aseel and Zoar under Transmission Electron Microscopy appeared to be vacuolated and granular while that of the small lymphocytes appeared to be non vacuolated and granular.
