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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively.
Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively.
On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs.
In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc.
During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).
Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.
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ThesisItem Open Access Milk protein polymorphism and milk composition in Vechur cattle(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Thirupathy Venkatachalapathy; KAU; Sosama, IypeThe native cattle of Kerala have been evolved through several generations of natural selection against high humidity, heavy rainfall and hot climate. They have been considered as non – descript animals, but there has been variety with characters distinguishing from others and known as Vechur Cattle of Kerala. The Vechur cattle had their origin in Vechur near Vaikom of Kottayam district of Kerala. They were very popular four decades back for their relatively higher milk production compared to other local cows. The extremely small size of the cow, good adaptation and high disease resistance are the traits very much favoured by the farmers. Farmers preferred Vechur cattle for ploughing in marshy lands because of the small size and light weight. The emergence of crossbreeding led to the gradual reduction in traditionally reared Vechur cattle. Under this circumstances, the present work was undertaken to characterise the Vechur cattle of Kerala by studying (a) certain genetic markers in milk (b) milk components like fat, total solids and solids not fat percentage (c) fat globule size and distribution and (d) iodine value. The Vechur cows maintained under the scheme on “Conservation of germplasm of Vechur cattle” formed the material for the study. Milk proteins such as casein and whey proteins were studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in horizontal dimension (Thompson and kiddy, 1963). The fat, total solids, solids not fat percentage of milk and iodine value of milk fat were estimated as prescribed by Indian Institution Standards. The fat globule size was measured under microscope by fitting an eye piece micrometer to the eye piece of the microscope. The statistical analysis were done as suggested by Snedecor and Cochran (1967). The influence of stage and time of milking were worked out using least squares analysis of variance as described by Harvey (1986). Three proteins α, β and k – casein were identified in casein system. At αsl – casein locus three phenotypes viz. BB, and CC determined by two allele B and C were observed. Frequency of CC phenotype (0.64) was highest a followed by BC (0.22) and BB (0.14). Frequency of B and C allele were 0.25 and 0.75. The β – casein locus consisted three phenotypes viz. AA, AB and BB with A and B allele. The frequency of AB phenotype was highest (0.57) followed by AA (0.29) and BB (0.14). Frequency of A allele was 0.57. At k – casein locus two phenotypes AA and AB with A and B allele were identified. The frequency of AB was (0.83) and frequency of A allele was 0.59. Two whey proteins α – lactalbumin and β – lactoglobulin were identified. At α – lactalbumin locus two phenotypes AA and AB with two allele A and B were observed. The frequency of AA and AB phenotypes were 0.57 and 0.43. The frequency of A and B allele were 0.78 and 0.22 respectively. The β – lactoglobulin locus consisted of three phenotypes viz. AA, AB and BB with A and B allele with frequency of 0.57, 0.29 and 0.14 respectively were identified. The frequency of A allele was 0.71. The frequency of C allele at αsl – casein locus was lower than the other Indian breeds like Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi and Rathi, but higher than exotic breeds like Jersey and Holstein and crossbred cattle of Kerala. The A variant at β and k – casein locus had frequency lower to other Indian breeds, exotic breeds of cattle and crossbred cattle of Kerala. The A variant at α – lactalbumin and β – lactoglobulin locus had much higher frequency than other Indian, exotic breeds of cattle of cattle and crossbred cattle of Kerala. B variant in vechur cattle was lower in frequency compared to other Indian breeds. The average milk fat percentage for 1 – 44 weeks of lactation was 5.95 + 0.12, 6.62 + 0.13 in the morning and evening respectively and the mean milk fat percentage for morning and evening milk was 6.23 + 0.19. The mean milk fat percentage at first week was 4.05 + 0.19, 4.65 + 0.17 and by 20th week of lactation was 5.92 + 0.08, 6.55 + 0.07 in the morning and evening milk respectively. The evening milk had uniformly higher fat percentage than morning milk. The fat percentage showed an increasing trend with advancing stage of lactation. The least squares means for morning and evening milk were 5.99 + 0.03 and 6.62 + 0.03 respectively and overall mean was 6.13 + 0.04. The mean total solids percentage of milk at first week was 12.64 + 0.17 and 13.57 + 0.19 in the morning and evening milk and it steadily increased to 14.75 + 0.13 and 15.31 + 0.18 in the morning and evening milk by 20th week of lactation. The average total solids percentage in milk from 1 – 44 weeks of lactation was 14.79 + 0.13 and 15.53 + 0.13 in the morning and evening respectively and the average for morning and evening together was 15.16 + 0.11 per cent. An increasing trend was noticed in total solids percentage as the lactation advanced. The evening milk showed uniformly higher total solids percentage compared to morning. The least squares mean was 15.02 and the adjusted mean for morning and evening was 14.85 + 0.05 and 15.55 + 0.05 percent. Least squares analysis of variance showed a significant effect of time of milking and stage of lactation on milk fat and total solids percentage of milk. The average solids not fat percentage from 1 – 44 weeks of lactation was 8.84 + 0.12 and 8.92 + 0.14 in the morning and evening milk respectively. The average for morning and evening milk was 8.88 + 0.13 and least squares mean was 8.90. The mean solids not fat percentage of milk at first week was 8.60 + 0.24 and 8.93 + 0.22. It was 8.83 + 0.11 and 8.76 + 0.15 percent at 20th week of lactation in the morning and evening milk respectively. No trend of increase was noticed in the solids not fat percentage in relation to the stage of lactation. The least squares analysis of variance showed no significant effect of time of miling and stage of lactation on solids not fat percentage. Total solids and solids not fat did not have strong association in general. The positive correlation between total solids and fat percentage were not significant. The negative correlation between fat and solids not fat percentage were also not significant. The milk fat and total solids percentage were higher than other Indian breeds of cattle, but lower to buffalo. The solids not fat percentage of milk was similar to other Indian breeds of cattle. The mean size of fat globule was 3.21 µ and the range was 2.54 to 4.07 µ. The mean diameter of fat globules was found to be 3.02 + 0.05 µ in the morning and 3.40 + 0.05 µ in the evening milk. The mean size of fat globules estimated in goat (Malabari and their crosses), crossbred cattle and Murrah buffalo were 2.60 µ, 4.87 µ and 5.81 µ respectively. The average fat globule size was found to be decreasing as the lactation advanced. The proportion of small size fat globules were found to be increased and the larger size of fat globules decreased towards the end of lactation. No correlation was noticed between fat globules size and fat percentage. The iodine value ranged from 28.61 to 30.29 and the average iodine value was 29.60 + 2.20. Based on available reports this appeared to be similar to buffalo, higher than goat and lower than cows. The size of fat globule (3.21 µ) was higher than the goat and lower to the other breeds of cattle and buffalo. Since the milk fat has higher production of smaller size fat globules and saturated fatty acids, it would be therapeutically useful in malabsorption syndromes due to its easy digestability. The larger proportion of small size fat globule is associated with high phospholipid content because of greater surface area. Phospholipids are important in the development of nervous system in babies. Thus Vechur cow milk appear to be suitable for infants and even sick. Studies on more number of cows are required for confirmation of results. It can be concluded that Vechur cattle of Kerala has unique characteristics of its own and have separate identity from other breeds of cattle not only by its small size but also due to its milk protein variants, composition of milk, size of fat globules and level of saturated fatty acids.ThesisItem Open Access Characterisation and evaluation of the dwarf cattle of Kerala(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Girija, C R; KAU; Sosamma, IypeThe native cattle of Kerala have been treated as non descript animals always eventhough they possess some special features. The dwarf cattle often called as Vechur were very popular in Central Travancore until 35 years back. With the emergence of the crossbred population of cattle the traditionally reared local cattle have gradually suffered genetic erosion. Under this circumstance, the present work was undertaken to characterize and evaluate the germplasm of local dwarf cattle of Kerala by studying (a) the karyotype and morphology of chromosomes using G-banding (b) the population structure by means of gene frequencies of different blood proteins (c) the growth and production performance. The characterization and the evaluation would help in finding out the genetic differences of the dwarf cattle which will help in deciding about the conservation of their germplasm as a reserve for the future. The dwarf cattle maintained under the ICAR scheme on “Conservation of germplasm of Vechur cattle of the coastal area and the dwarf cattle of the high ranges of Kerala” formed the material for the study. The characterization and evaluation was carried out through the cytogenetic, immunogenetic and polymorphism studies as well as through the description of the growth and production traits. Karyotype analysis was carried out using peripheral blood leukocyte culture technique described by Halnan (1977) and Halnan (1989) with suitable modifications. G-banding of chromosomes were done by the method described by Thiagarajan (1993). Blood protein polymorphism systems such as Haemoglobin and transferring were studied by poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis in horizontal dimension. (Gahne et. al. 1977) with suitable modifications. The statistical analysis of the growth and production data were done as suggested by Snedecor and cochran (1967). The diploid chromosome number of the dwarf cattle was found to be 60, with 29 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. All the autosomes and the ‘Y’ chrosome were acrocentric. The X chromosome was submetacentric. The relative length of the autosomes ranged from 1.757 to 5.431 per cent. The relative length of the X and Y chromosomes were found to be 5.591 per cent and 2.875 per cent respectively. In the karyological array, the X chromosome occupied the first position. The X chromosome was biarmed and the arm ratio and centromere index obtained were 2.182 and 0.314 respectively. The karyotype and morphometric measurements resembled the finding in Bos indicus group of cattle. The G-banding pattern of chromosomes revealed 72 regions and 314 G-bands. The Y chromosome had 7 G-bands in the ‘q’ arm which resembled the ‘q’ arm of Bos taurus described in the international system for cytogenetic nomenclature of domestic animals. There were two haemoglobin variants HbA and HbB and three phenotypes viz. HbAA, ,HbAB and HbBB , in the population. The heterozygocity was found to be 0.4815. The population was found to be in genetic equilibrium with respect to the Haemoglobin locus. Six transferring phenotypes controlled by three alleles TfA, TfD and TfE were observed. The frequency of TfE (0.359) allele in the dwarf cattle was as high as the frequency of the allele reported in the zebu cattle. The absence of transferring variants like TfF, TfH, TfN and TfG and higher frequency of TfE allele are probably indicative of the genetic isolation of the population from exotic breeds. The absence of TfB and TfF allele which is present in Gir, Hariana, Kankrej, Kangayam, Ongole, Red Sindhi, Sahiwal and Tharparkar also indicates that the dwarf cattle has not inherited genes from the above cattle breeds. The body weights and measurements of calves at birth studied showed that the male calves had a higher body weight (12.55 ± 0.31 kg with a CV of 7.86 per cent) than female calves (10.78 ± 0.40 kg with a CV of 15.02 per cent). The same trend was observed with regard to the birth body measurements also. The heart girth measurement and body weight showed a positive correlation from birth to the 24th fortnight. There is a 100 per cent increase in the birth weight by the 5th fortnight and a three-fold increase by the 10th fortnight. The average daily gain in weight for the four periods I e., fortnights 0-6, 7-12, 13-18 and 19-24 were 0.160 ± 0.011, 0.167 ± 0.018, 0.212 ± 0.011 and 0.139 ± 0.015 respectively for female calves and 0.188 ± 0.023, 0.145 ± 0.016, 0.116 ± 0.025, 0.242 ± 0.049 kg respectively in male calves. During the period from birth to 6th fortnight the growth rates in males and females were similar. The gain in body weight per day during the periods from 7 to 12th and 13 to 18th fortnight was comparatively less for males but the trend reversed during the period of fortnights for 19 to 24th. The average body weights of adult females and males were 126.90 ± 3.56 kg (CV 16.39%) and 210 ± 15.75 kg (CV 14.95%) respectively. The body measurements such as length, heart girth and height (in cms) in females were 97.5 ± 1.12 (CV 5.85%), 115.60 ± 1.32 (CV 5.82%) and 87.53 ± 0.82 (CV 4.82%) respectively. The corresponding figures in males were 111.5 ± 3.77 (CV 6.76%), 146.0 ± 2.92 (CV 3.99%) and 107.5 ± 1.35 (CV 2.50%) respectively. The average body weights and measurements were lesser than those reported in other Indian breeds and crossbred cattle. The total lactation milk production performance of the dwarf cattle was 471.68 ± 38.72 kg (CV 45.29%) in an average lactation length of 217 ± 16.50 days (CV 32.20%). The average daily yield was 2.17 ± 0.11 kg (CV 29.48%). The dwarf cattle attained a peak yield of 3.71 ± 0.16 kg (CV 21.5%) in 23.23 ± 1.703 days (CV 37.38%). The milk production performance eventhough was lesser than crossbreds or some recognized Indian breeds, the milk production in comparison with the body size was reasonable. Considering the morphology of the Y chromosome, the Hb as well as Tf polymorphism and their allelic frequencies, it is to be summarized that the stock of dwarf cattle of Kerala maintained at Kerala Agricultural University is genetically isolated from the other cattle breeds of the country and world. The body size and milk production of the cow indicates its suitability for a farmer who requires milk just for home consumption. The study strongly confirms the necessity of conservation of the dwarf cattle of Kerala which is the smallest variety available in India and perhaps in the world itself.ThesisItem Open Access Prevalence of yeast and yeast like fungi in bovine mastitis and their in vitro drug sensitivity(Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Sukumar, K; KAU; James, P CThe present investigation was undertaken to identify the the biochemical polymorphism at serum alkaline phospha tase (SAP) loci and to study the heterogenity of SAP variation in crossbred cattle It was also envisaged to analyse the association of SAP variation and traits of economic importance such as milk production and composition of milk One hundred and ten animals belonging to two different crosses of local nondescript cattle viz Crossbred Holstein Friesian (57) and Crossbred Brown Swiss (53) were typed for SAP variance by standardising Horizontal Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) Two genotypes FS and SS were determined The highest frequency of FS genotype was in Holstein Friesian crossbred than in Brown Swiss crossbred The genotype FF was absent in both the crossbreds The highest frequency of SS genotype was in Brown Swiss crossbred than in Holstein Friesian crossbreds Two alleles namely pF and P$ with two phenotypes FS and SS were identified as SAP locus pT allele had the frequency of 0 20 and pS allele had the frequency of 0 80 in the pooled crossbreds Both the Holstein Friesian crossbreds and Brown Swiss crossbred are in genetic equilibrium at the SAP loci No association could be established between milk yield (305 days) and serum alkaline phosphatase level A non significant negative correlation existed between milk fat percentage and SAP level whereas a significant positive correlation existed between milk SNF percentage and SAP level The correlation between SAP level and milk total solids were found to be negative and non significant in Brown Swiss crossbreds whereas a non significant positive correlation existed between the SAP level and milk total solids in Holstein Friesian crossbreds Animals belonging to the FS genotype are better milk producers compared to the SS genotype For higher fat percentages the performance of SS genotype was compara tively better The performance of SS genotype is better for producing milk with more than 8 5 percentage of SNF FS genotype performed better for producing milk having higher percentage of total solidsThesisItem Open Access Parentage control in cattle using blood types(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Mary John, V; KAU; Nandakumaran, BImmunogenetic studies were carried out in four hundred and eleven cross-bred cattle maintained at the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy and Cattle Breeding Farm , Thumburmuzhi The animals belonged to three genetic groups, viz Jersey cross breds, Brown-Swiss cross breds and Holstein Friesian cross breds The animals were typed for blood group factors and haemoglobin Blood group reagents were produced from iso immune sera, hetero immune rabbit sera and colostrum of an immunised cow Eleven reagents were produced by the above cited methods and seven of them were comparable to international reagents Serum from two animals (Animal Nos 248 and 743) were used as sources of anti J whose titres were being assessed periodically by haemolytic technique The titre varied from 0 to 1 32, but no association with seasons of the year, could be noticed Typing of cross bred animals was done with 28 blood group reagents (14 internationally comparable and 14 new reagents) The internationally comparable reagents were B, Y25 E 3 , C23 R, , F, V, J, L, S, H and Z Anti J from two different sources (Animal Nos 248 and 743) were used and one (Animal No 743) seemed to be the sub type of other (Animal No 248) Standard haemolytic test was carried out for typing animals for their blood group factors The factors occurred in the three genetic groups with varying gene frequencies A good agreement was observed between the observed and expected numbers in each genotypes with respect to FV locus in all the population except in Holstein Friesian cross breds (P < 0 05 ) The mode inheritance of blood group factors showed that the cattle red blood cell antigenic factors were inherited as dominant over their absence The cross-bred population was also typed for haemoglobin Electrophoresis was carried out in poly acrylamide gel Only two haemoglobin variants viz HbA and HbB and three phenotypes viz Hb AA, Hb AB and Hb BB were A observed The gene frequencies of Hb allele was 0 67, 0 6 6 and 0 83 m Jersey cross breds, Brown Swiss cross breds and Holstein Friesian cross-breds, respectively The genotype frequencies at haemoglobin locus for the pooled cross breds were 0 5036 (Hb AA), 0 4307 (Hb AB) and 0 0657 (Hb BB), respectively Genetic variability of breeds was studied m terms of heterozygosity at Hb locus and Friesian cross breds were found to have least heterozygosity, ie 0 282ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies on the immune response of broiler rabbits(Department of animal breeding and genetics, College of veterinary and animal sciences, 1995) Nandakumar, P; KAU; Mukundan, GThe scope and potential of broiler rabbit production as an alternate source of meat appears to be tremendous taking into account the unique biological attributes of rabbits. However breeding experiments utilising temperate breeds like Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla under the humid tropics of the state revealed heavy pre – weaning mortality, high incidence of diseases, sub optimal growth and reproduction. Indirect selection for diseases resistance has been proposed as the most viable approach and immune responsiveness has been suggested as one of the best indicators of disease resistance. Serum gammaglobulin (SG) level, Frossman antibody titer to SRBC, antibody reponse to BRBC, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to intradermal injection of phytomitogen PHA – M, and contact sensitivity to DNCB challenge were assessed among 135 breeding rabbits below one year of age and belonging to Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla breeds. The effects of breed, sex, sire and body weight on the above immune traits were analysed. Heritability estimates were made for each of the above traits. Association of diseases like coccidiosis, mange and adult mortality with each of the above immune traits was worked out. Association of maternal immune trait status with litter traits was assessed. This research approach was aimed at developing an alternate breeding strategy in the indirect selection for disease resistance, growth and viability. SG level ranged from 9.13 to 84.70 mg/ml with a mean of 28.59 mg/ml. Soviet Chinchilla breed had a significantly (P= 0.048) higher SG level with a mean of 29.51 mg/ml compared to 27.25 mg/ml in Newzealand Whites, differences among males and females were not significant. Sire effects was not significant on SG levels and haritability estimate was 0.1259. Adult body weight had no significant effect on SG level among broiler rabbits. Association of SG level with litter size at birth was not significant. But SG level had a highly significant effect on the litter size at weaning. Correlation of SG level with pre – weaning mortality (- 0.430) was highly significant (P < 0.01) and negative litter weight at birth and at weaning were significantly correlated with SG level among broiler rabbits. No significant association could be observed between SG level and the incidence of mange and adult mortality. But a higher SG level among broiler rabbits was found to be significantly (P = 0.0440) associated with the incidence of naturally occurring coccidiosis. Presence of Frossman’s antibodies to SRBC was confirmed in adult rabbit sera. The Forssman antibody titer (1 + loge) ranged between 1.693 and 5.159 with a mean of 2.776. Breed and sex effects were not significant on Frossman antibody titer to SRBC. Effect of sire on this trait was not significant and the heritability estimate was 0.360. Frossman antibody titer had no significant effect on adult body weight, or litter traits among broiler rabbits. Correlations of Frossman antibody titer of the dam with the litter weight at birth, litter weight at weaning and pre – weaning mortality were not significant. No significant associations could be observed between Frossman antibody titer incidence of mange, coccidiosis and adult mortality. Pre – immunisation titer to BRBC among broiler rabbits was zero indicating the absecnce of Feossman antibodies to BRBC. Antibody titres to BRBC (1+ loge) were 4.594, 4.425 and 4.311 respectively at the first, second and third week post immunisation. The highest antibody response was at the first week, which began to decline gradually. The influence of breed and sex on the antibody response to BRBC were not significant during the first, second and third week post immunisation. Sire effect was highly significant on the antibody response to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation in Newzealand White rabbits. The effect of sire on antibody responses to BRBC was not significant during the first and third week post immunisation in Soviet Chinchilla breed though it was significant during the second week post immunisation. The heritability estimates of antibody responses to BRBC were 0.9200, 0.9400 and 0.9067 respectively during the first, second, and third week post immunisation. The correlations of adult body weight with antibody responses to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation were (-) 0.244, (-) 0.224 and (-) 0.216 respectively. The correlations were highly significant and negative. Antibody responses to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation was not significantly associated with litter traits among broiler rabbits. The incidence of naturally occurring coccidiosis, mange and adult mortality was not significantly associated with antibody response to BRBC. The mean pre – injection skin thickness was 2.140 mm in Newzealand White and 2.224 among Soviet Chinchilla breed. The mean PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours post injection were 2.259, 1.544 and 0.778 mm respectively. Breed effect was not significant on the pre – injection skin thickness or on the PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The effect of sex was highly significant in the skin thickness with males having a thicker skin compared to females. The effect of sex on PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours was highly significant with a female superiority for DTH responses to PHA – M. The effect of sires was not significant on pre – injection skin thickness. Sire effects were highly significant on the PHA responses at 24 and 72 hours and approaching near significance at 48 hours in Newzealand White rabbits. However, sire effect was not found to be significant on the PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours post injection among Soviet Chinchillas. Heritability esimates for pre – injection skin thickness, PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 0.7637, 0.8600 and 0.6370 respectively. Adult body weight was not significantly associated with the skin thickness and the PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Litter size at birth was significantly less in thick skinned does, though weaning litter size was significantly higher in them. PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours had no significant effect on litter size at birth and at weaning or any other litter traits. Pre – injection skin thickness and PHA responses at 24 and 72 hours were not significantly associated with the incidence of mange, coccidiosis and adult mortality. But reduced PHA response at 48 hours significantly pre – disposed the rabbits to body mange. Contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge averaged 3.585 mm, 1.796 mm and 1.085 mm respectively. Breed and sex had no significant effect on the contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge. Sire effect on contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge was not significant in Newzealand White rabbits. Among Soviet Chinchillas also effect of sire was not significant on contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24 and 72 hours, though highly significant at 48 hours. Heritability estimates for contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post – challenge were, 0.3820, 0.5490 and 0.3039 respectively. Contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge was not significantly associated with adult body weight, litter size at birth and litter size at weaning. Contact sensitivity of the doe at 24 hours post challenge was positively correlated with pre – weaning mortality and litter weight at birth. Lowered contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24 hours had a highly significant effect on the incidence of naturally occurring body mange among rabbit. The incidence of mange was near significant level among broiler rabbits with a lowered contact sensitivity at 48 hours post challenge also. No significant association could be observed with contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours on the incidence of coccidiosis and adult mortality. Correlations between serum gamma globulin level and Frossman antibody titer to SRBC (0.271) was highly significant correlations of Frossman antibody titer with antibody response to BRBC during the first, second and third week post immunisation was also highly significant. Pre – injection skin thickness had a highly significant negative correlation with PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Correlations among PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours were highly significant. Similarly correlation among contact sensitivity reactions at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge were highly significant. PHA responses at 24, 48 and 72 hours had significantly high correlations with contact sensitivity to DNCB at 24, 48 and 72 hours post challenge. Prospects of utilising maternal serum gammaglobulin level as a marker in indirect selection for enhanced pre – weaning survivability and growth appears to be promising. Though increased SGlevel was found to be associated with the incidence of coccidiosis, further researches on the coccidial species and host defenses are before establishing a coccidiosis resistance phenotype associated with this trait. The differences in sire effects among the two breeds for antibody response to BRBC and PHA responses are suggestive of the genetic structure of the two breeds, especially the Soviet Chinchilla colony developed from few animals. The significant negative correlation of adult body weight with antibody responses are indicative of lower antibody responses in heavier rabbits. Strong negative correlations between PHA responses and pre – injection skin thickness and a significant effect of contact sensitivity at 24 hours on reducing the litter size at weaning appear to suggest that a low maternal cell mediated immunity might enhance pre – weaning survivability of the kits. Significantly higher incidence of mange among rabbits with a lowered PHA response at 48 hours post injection and contact sensitivity at 24 hours post challenge suggest of an enhanced cell mediated immune response conferring mange resistance.ThesisItem Open Access Genetics of body dimensions of Malabari goats and its cross in Kerala(Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Raj, Menon; KAU; Stephen, MathewThe main objectives of this study were: (1) to study the bodyweight and body dimensions of Malabari goats and its Alpine half breds, (2) to estimate the genetic and phenotypic correlations between bodyweight and different body dimensions in various genetic groups and (3) to study any other major factors affecting bodyweights and body dimensions. The study was conducted in 92 goat kids reared at the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on goats farm at Mannuthy, Thrissur. A comparative study was made on the native Malabari with its third generation cross with the exotic Alpine breed. The mean body length, heart girth and height at withers at birth wera 25.68 ± 0.53, 27.37 ± 0.46 and 29.66 ± O. 60 cm and 26.01 ± O. 16, 28.23 ± 0.23 and 30.24 ± 0.45 in male kids of Malabari and Alpine x Malabari crossbreds respectively. In the females the corresponding values were 25.63 ± 0.073, 27.56 ± 0.68 and 25.53 ± 0.48 and 25.3 ± 0.17, 27.60 ± 0.32 and 29.14 ± 0.35 cm. The mean body length, heart girth and height at withers of male Malabari and Alpine x Malabari goats at 60.39 ± 0.81, 59.66 ± 0.82 and 58.18 ± 0.91 12 months were 61.42 ± 0.90, 61.12 ± 0.90 and 59.04 ± 1 . 01 cm and 64. 19 ± O. 81, 64. 60 ± O. 73 and 61. 98 ± O. 9 cm respectively. The corresponding values for females were 58.36 ± 0.81,59.0 ± 0.7 and 58.36 ± 0.72 and respectively. There was no significant difference between the birth weights of- male and female Malabari kids and between the birth weights of the two genetic groups. But the difference was significant in the Alpine x Malabari crossbreds. There was significant difference in the bodyweight at 12 months of age between male and female Alpine x Malabari crossbred kids. No significant difference was observed in the bodyweight at 12 months between the two genetic groups. During the experiment period mean maximum and minimum temperature were 34.55 ± 1.2 and 22.03 ± 1.4 °c respectively. Season had a significant effect on the body weight at six, none and 12 months of age in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds. The effect of type of birth was not significant on the birth weights in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds and Malabari kids. Type of birth had no significant effect on the 12 months body weight in both the genetic groups. analysis showed non-significant Least squares effects of season and sex on the body weights in Malabari kids while in the Alpine x Malabari the effect of sex on body weights was significant at all the ages studied. Season at six, nine and 12 months of age had significant effects on bodyweight in Alpine x Malabari crossbreds Breed had no significant effect on body weights. The heritabilities of bodyweights at various ages were higher in Malabari when compared to Malabari x Alpine crossbreds. The highest phenotypic correlations were observed between the bodyweight and heart girth in both genetic Genotypic correlations between different groups. traits were found to be low at different ages in both the genetic groups. The highest coefficients of determination were observed at the age of six months for both the prediction equations.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of holstein crossbred bulls based on milk composition of progeny(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Radhika, G; KAU; Sosamma IypeSire evaluation programmes in Kerala state, so far have been hinged around milk production alone, and no emphasis has been laid on milk constituents. The milk constituents like fat and solids not fat determined the market value and consumer's receptivity of milk. Reports on sire evaluation on the basis of milk constituents were seriously lacking in literature and hence the present investigation was undertaken with a view to compare the crossbred sires on the basis of milk yield, fat, total solids, and solids not fat percentages and their yields. 1284 milk samples belonging to 222 animals (103 progenies of Holstein crossbred bulls with superior genetic worth and 119 contemporaries) calved during the period 1995~96 formed the material for the study. These animals belonged to farmers in the area of six AI centres around Thrissur and also the animals maintained in three University Livestock farms. Milk samples were collected during early, middle and late lactation both in morning and evening, and the samples were analysed for fat, total solids and solids not fat percentages. Milk fat percentage was estimated by Electronic Milk Tester with frequent standardisation with Gerber's method. Total solids percentage was determined by Gravimetric method and solids not fat by finding the difference between total solids and fat percentages of milk. Fat, total solids and solids not fat yields were calculated by multiplying the percentages of these constituents with cumulative milk yield for each stage for lactation and adding. -- The statistical analysis was done as per standard procedure. Least squares technique as described by Harvey (1986) was employed to analyse the effects of centre, sire and season on the characters studied. The effect of centre was highly significant, while effects of sire and season were non- significant. The overall average 305 day milk yield was found to be 1829.68 kg. The progenies in the first lactation had higher averages compared to the contemporaries in different parities. Among the centres progeny average of 305 day milk yield was maximum for University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy (2800 kg) followed by Ramavarmapuram (2426.71 kg). University farm milk samples revealed higher values for 305 day milk yield, fat, total solids and solids not fat percentages compared to field milk samples. Among the centres, Arimbur recorded comparatively higher fat percentages during all stages of lactation. An important result from legal point of view was that,66.67 per cent of cows in the early stage of lactation, recorded morning milk fat per cent below the legal standards of 3.5. In case of solids not fat, 46.5 per cent were below the PFA standard of 8.5 per cent. Total solids and fat percentage showed an increasing trend with the progress of lactation. But such a trend was not observed for solids not fat percentage. Heritability estimates were calculated by paternal half-sib method for milk yield and its composition. Milk fat percentage had the highest heritability estimate of 0.326iO.234. The estimates of sire merit of Holstein Friesian test bulls for 305 day milk yield.fat, total solids and solids not fat percentages and yields, were computed by three methods of sire evaluation viz., daughter's average, contemporary comparison and least squares means. The yield characteristics were found to have more genetic variance than the corresponding percentages and hence preferred for sire evaluation. Since there was slight difference in the ranking of sires by these methods there is a need to study the accuracy of evaluation by different methods and then to choose the best method for evaluation under field conditions. The observation on the low milk fat and solids not fat percentages pinpoints the necessity of urgently amending PFA act for the benefit of the farmers.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of sister chromatid exchanges in cattle reared in a radio active belt area of Southern Kerala(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Dinesh, C N; KAU; Raghunandanan, KA cytogenetic investigation on the effect of long-term background radiation on cattle was carried out in this study. It involved the analysis of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) which was the most sensitive and quickest mammalian system to find out the effect of mutagens on genetic material. The technique standardized for sister chromatid differentiation (SCD) involved culturing of lymphocytes in RPMI-1640 medium and incorporation of 5-bromo-2-deoxy uridine (BrdU) at 20th hour of incubation. The cells were harvested at the end of 70th hour and the thionine stained~slides were exposed to UV light for one hour at a distance of one foot from the UV source. analysed for SCE. Metaphase spreads showing SCD were Cattle reared in the four coastal wards of Chavara Panchayat (Kovilthottam, Cherusseribhagam, Kolangarabhagam and Kari thura) were taken as experimental group. Cattle from University Livestock Farm (ULF) , Mannuthy, which has no reports of background radiation, formed the control group. The mean SCE frequency per cell was found to be 1.536 ± 0.249 and 3.368 ± 0.273 for control and experimental groups, respectively. The range and number of SCEs/cell/generation for control animals were 0 to 5 and 0.768, respectively. In the experimental group it was 0 to 9 and 1.684. Thus an increase of 119.27 per cent in SCE frequency was recorded in high background radiation area when compared to that of control. The mean SCE frequencies for cattle of Kovilthottam, Cherusseribhagam, Kolangarabhagam and Karithura were 4 ± 0.966, 2.563 ± 0.584, 3.206 ± .411 and 3.389 ± 0.504, respectively and the SCE ranges were 0 to 7, 0 to 6, 0 to 7 and 0 to 9. There was no significant difference in SCE frequency among the four wards. The difference between SCE frequencies of Kovilthottam, Kolangarabhagam and Karithura to that of control was significant. This could be due to the effect of high background radiation on DNA and chromosomes. However, difference in SCE frequency between Cherusseribhagam and control was not significant. This could be due to non- homogenous distribution of monazite deposits in the coastal belt. Though the increase in SCE frequencies in Karithura, Kolangarabhagam and Kovilthottam were statistically significant, cattle reared in this area did not reveal any deviation in physiological and phenotypic performance. Thus this study indicates that SCE frequenc,y for cattle reared in Chavara panchayat with high background radiation was significantly higher than that of control group. This discloses the occurrence of chromosomal damage in this area though these cattle performed normally. This may be because of the repair mechanism or balanced by exchange mechanism during active replication of chromosomes.ThesisItem Open Access Immunogenetic influences on litter traits, viability and growth in broiler rabbits(Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Marykutty, Thomas; KAU; Nanadakumar, PA detailed investigation into the genetic and environmental factors influencing litter traits, growth and viability among three temperate broiler breeds of rabbits namely New Zealand white, Grey Giant and Soviet Chinchilla, maintained at rabbit research station under the Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding of Kerala Agricultural University was undertaken. The effect of breed and sire on litter traits, growth and viability were assessed. Association among these traits were estimated. In an attempt to ascertain the genetics of humoral immune response of broiler rabbits, antibody response to chicken RBC was analysed. The influence of breed, sex and sire on humoral immune response was ascertained. Heritability of humoral immune response was worked out. The interrelationship between humoral immune response, growth and viability was estimated. Litter size at birth averaged 4.37 ±0.15 among rabbits. The effect of breed and sires within breed was not significant on this trait. Grey Giant rabbits had highest litter size at birth. Overall mean for litter weight at birth was 227.36 ± 6.81 g. Breed and sire effects were not significant on litter weight at birth. Grey Giant breed had highest litter weight at birth of 236.70 ± 14.74 g. Breed differences were significant (P:5 0.05) for the litter size at weaning among broiler rabbits. Grey Giant had largest weaning litter size of 1.96±0.25 followed by New Zealand White (1.87 ±0.24) and Soviet Chinchilla (1.18 ± 0.21). The effect of sires on this trait was not significant. The effect of breed on litter weight at weaning was significant (P:5 0.05). Grey giant had heaviest litter weight at weaning with a mean of 1084.15 g New Zealand White and Grey Giant had weaning litter weight of 1073.88 g and 707.96 g respectively. Sire component of variance was not significant for this trait. Pre-weaning mortality among the three breeds of broiler rabbits averaged 76.20%. The influence of breed on preweaning mortality was significant (P :50.05). New Zealand White rabbits had least preweaning mortality and Grey Giant suffered from maximum preweaning losses. Preweaning mortality among the litters of various sire groups were not differed significantly. Phenotypic correlation coefficient among litter size traits and litter weight traits studied were positive and highly significant (p:5 0.01). Litter size traits had highly significant (P:5 0.01) positive correlation with litter weight traits. Pre-weaning mortality had a highly significant (P:50.01) negative correlations of (-)0.27, (-)0.85 and (-)0.81 respectively with litter weights at birth and at weaning and litter size at weaning. Association between litter size at birth and preweaning mortality was significant (P:5 0.05) and negative. Genetic correlations of litter size at birth with litter weight at birth and litter weight at weaning were highly significant (P:=:; 0.01) and positive. Litter weight at birth had a highly significant (P:=:; 0.01) genetic correlation with litter size at weaning. Overall mean of body weight at weaning was 611.73 g among rabbits. Effect of breed and sire was not significant on this trait. Grey Giant, New Zealand White and Soviet Chinchilla respectively had weaning weight in grams of 641.92, 614.33 and 564.36. Body weight at 12 week averaged 1168.41 g in broiler rabbits. Though the breed effect was not significant, Soviet Chinchilla had heaviest body weight at 12 week with a mean of 1237.66 g followed by New Zealand White (1132.97 g) and Grey Giant (1121.19 g). The effect of sire was significant(p :=:;0.05) for the variation body weight at 12 week. Effect of breed, sire and sex on Forssman antibody titre to chicken RBC was not significant. Forssman antibody titre (1 + loge) averaged 0.11 in the population. Antibody response to chicken RBC peaked 7 day post immunisation with a mean of 4.208 and dwindled to a mean of 3.454 and 2.932 respectively on 14 and 21 day post immunisation. The effect of breed was not significant on 7 and 14 day post- immunisation antibody titres to chicken RBC. However, 21 day post- immunisation antibody titres to chicken RBC was significantly (P::; 0.05) influenced by the breed. Soviet chinchilla rabbits consistently had higher antibody titres with a mean of 4.3715,3.6320 and 3.2903 at 7, 14 and 21 day post-immunisation. Though not significant, males had higher antibody titres to chicken RBC compared to females. sire had significant effect on 7th day (P = 0.0486), 14th day (P = 0.0218) and 21 st day (P = 0.0047) post- immunisation antibody titres. Heritability estimates were high for the immune response traits. Phenotypic correlation between 7, 14 and 21 day postimmunisation antibody titres were highly significant (P::; 0.01). Association of Forssman antibody titre with postimmunisation antibody titres were not significant. Body weight at weaning had significant (P::; 0.05) negative correlation of (-)0.18 and (-)0.19 respectively, with 14 and 21 day postimmunisation antibody levels to chicken RBC.