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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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Subject: Animal Genetics and Breeding × Author: KAU × End date: 2007 × Start date: 2007 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of lactation milk yield and polymorphism of alpha-lactalabumin gene in crossbred cattle of kerala
    (Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Reshmi, R Chandran; KAU; Stephen, Mathew
    The present study was carried out to assess the milk yield of crossbred cattle of Kerala by studying four different zones of the state viz. northern, southern, central and highlands and to analyse the association of α-lactalbumin gene polymorphism with milk production of crossbred cattle in Kerala. One day milk yield of 500 animals from each zone, at a lactation stage of 7-13 fortnights after calving was recorded. From this one-day milk yield 305-day milk yield of crossbred cattle was predicted using the formulae given by Iype (1991). The predicted lactation milk yield was used for estimating average milk yield of crossbred cattle in Kerala. The overall least squares mean of 305-day milk yield was 2351 ± 28.9 kg. Least squares analysis of variance has shown that different zones and parity exerted significant effect on 305-day milk yield (P ≤ 0.05). The highest least squares means for 305-day milk yield was in southern zone and the lowest was in central zone. The least squares mean for 305-day milk yield according to parity was highest in second parity, followed by third parity and the lowest was in fifth parity. Genomic DNA samples isolated from 25 crossbred cows selected at random from each zone was subjected for PCR-RFLP of α-lactalbumin gene at two different specific loci. On successful amplification the expected 166 bp and 429 bp fragments were obtained. Digestion of 166 bp amplified product with Mnl1 enzyme revealed similar pattern of digestion for all animals studied, indicating the absence of α-LA/Mnl1 (+) in the population. Restriction of 429 bp amplified product with Bsp12861 enzyme revealed two digestion patterns (indicating the presence of two α-LA/Bsp12861 alleles). The gene frequencies of α-LA/Bsp12861 (+) and (-) alleles were 0.08 and 0.92 respectively. In the crossbred population studied, none of the animal showed α-LA/Bsp12861 (+/+) genotype. The average milk yield of 79 α-LA/Bsp12861 (+/+) genotypes was 2779 kg and that of 16 α-LA/Bsp12861 (+/+) genotypes was only 2364 kg. However, the difference was statistically non-significant. It is suggested to conduct further research in large samples to confirm the findings and to identify other polymorphic loci associated with milk yield.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic divergence in rabbits used for breeding in Kerala
    (Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) NIsha Valsan; KAU; Bindhu, K A
    The genetic divergence among three breeds of rabbit, viz. Newzealand White, Soviet Chinchilla and Grey Giant was studied using microsatellite markers. A set of twelve microsatellite markers were tested, out of which three markers (Sol 03, Sol 33 and Sol 44) were selected based on their polymorphism. The PCR products were separated by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiographed. The Sol 03 locus was found to be the most polymorphic with fourteen alleles in the pooled population. The values for heterozygosity and PIC in Newzealand White at the Sol 03 locus were recorded as 0.840 and 0.836, in Soviet Chinchilla as 0.766 and 0.764, while in Grey Giant, the heterozygosity and PIC values stood at 0.775 and 0.765, respectively. Eight alleles were detected at the Sol 33 locus. The maximum values for heterozygosity (0.858) and PIC (0.854) were observed in Grey Giant while Newzealand White (0.672 and 0.667, respectively) recorded the lowest. In Soviet Chinchilla, values for heterozygosity and PIC were 0.691 and 0.680 respectively. with mean heterozygosity and PIC values of 0.740 and 0.764. Sol 44 locus revealed four alleles. The highest values for heterozygosity (0.728) and PIC (0.702) at the Sol 44 locus were recorded in Grey Giant, while the lowest (0.567 and 0.477) in Soviet Chinchilla. The heterozygosity and PIC values were 0.586 and 0.502, respectively in Newzealand White. The genetic distance was calculated based on Nei’s formula, and the highest value was noticed between Soviet Chinchilla and Grey Giant (0.6942) while the lowest between Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla (0.2022). The dendrogram constructed using POPGENE program grouped Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla in one cluster indicating their closer relationship. Grey Giant was found to be the most widely separated breed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic and phenotypic variations of geographically different goat populations of Kerala
    (Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Jimcy Joseph; KAU; Raghavan, K C
    Genetic diversity of four geographically different goat populations in Trivandrum, Kottayam, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts in Kerala was analysed based on physical, biometrical traits and microsatellite markers. Based on physical traits, the populations were not very distinct and uniformity was seen with respect to coat colour, horn pattern, presence or absence of tassels or beard and hair pattern. The animals were predominantly horned and short haired with coat colour of white or a combination of white with either black or brown. Majority of animals did not possess tassels or beard. The biometrical traits observed in the present study were body measurements, peak yield and prolificacy. Body weight of adult female goats was predicted using the regression equation based on the power function of chest girth. It was shown that the animals of Trivandrum district had higher values for almost all body measurements and predicted body weight, while the Thrissur population had lowest values for these growth traits. Animals of Kottayam and Kozhikode came in between. Percentage of multiple births was also higher in Trivandrum goat population (68) compared to other populations indicating high prolificacy. Highest peak yield was recorded for Kottayam goat population. Discriminant analysis based on morphometric measurements revealed that the most discriminative variables were head width and body length, followed by shin circumference and rump length. Mahalanobis distance calculated based on morphometric traits indicated that Thrissur and Trivandrum populations were more distant, while least distance was observed between Kottayam and Kozhikode. Discriminant analysis based on body weight, peak yield and prolificacy revealed that only body weight and peak yield variables have significant discriminative capacity. Trivandrum, Kottayam and Kozhikode populations were grouped together in one cluster based on the distance value. Thrissur population was distant from all other populations. Microsatellite analysis revealed that all the five loci were highly polymorphic with five to nineteen alleles in different populations. The total number of alleles, the mean number of alleles per locus, mean heterozygosity and mean polymorphic information content were 51, 10.2, 0.8201 and 0.8104, respectively. The values indicate that the markers can be successfully used to study the variations existing in the populations. Based on Nei’s genetic distance Thrissur and Trivandrum population were grouped together first and then with Kozhikode population, while the Kottayam population formed a unique branch in dendrogram. Unrelated distance values produced by quantitative and molecular measures of variation may be attributed in part to the environmental influences and local selection pressures. Though use of more number of markers may possibly explain the variation encountered in these traits, the present investigation reveals that selection within each population for traits of economic importance like body weight and milk production is the best method to improve the performance of goats of Kerala.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Molecular cloning and characterization of Alpha lactalbumin gene in Vechur cattle
    (Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Rajeev, M; KAU; Aravindakshan, T V
    The study was undertaken with the objectives of cloning and characterization of the gene encoding the milk protein alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) of Vechur cow of Kerala. The α-LA is a mammary gland specific protein found in high concentrations in milk of many species and has a role in regulating lactose synthase. Alpha-lactalbumin is homologous with the c-type lysozymes and provides an example of extreme functional divergence in homologous proteins with closely similar structures. The genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples and a 1756 bp fragment of the entire transcriptional unit of the α-LA was amplified by PCR using synthetic oligonucleotide primer pair designed based on the bovine α-LA gene sequence. The gel purified PCR product was ligated in to a T-vector and was transformed by giving heat shock to competent E. coli cells prepared by CaCl2 treatment. The recombinant clones among the transformed cells were identified by Blue–White Screening and the recombinant plasmid carrying the insert gene was isolated from the white clones by a modified SDS-alkaline lysis method. The 1.756 kb α-LA gene insert in the vector was sequenced by the dideoxynucleotide sequencing method with primer walking using an automated DNA sequencer. The sequence was found to be having 99 per cent homology with that of Bos taurus, 98 per cent with that of Yak and 95 per cent with that of sheep α-LA gene. Comparison of the human and Vechur α-LA genes showed identical structural organization and identifies extensive homology within the transcription unit. The exon-intron boundaries in the human α-LA gene occur at the codons of the amino acid residues, Leu-26 (intron 1), Lys-79 (intron 2) and Trp-104 (intron 3). The latter two residues are conserved in both species and also in Bos taurus, whereas Leu-26 is replaced by Trp-26 in the Vechur and bovine proteins. This strict homology in the sites of insertion of introns suggests that the exon-intron organization of these genes was established before the divergence of these species. The positions of the exon-intron boundaries are also conserved as evidenced from similar sizes of the exons. The introns sizes are also comparable except in the case of intron 1, which is much larger in the human gene as a consequence of the insertion of a Alu family repeat sequence. The Vechur α-LA gene has an open reading frame of 426 nucleotides encoding a signal peptide of 19 amino acid residues and a mature protein of 123 amino acid residues with NH2 terminal glutamic acid and COOH- terminal leucine. Alignment of this sequence with bovine counterpart showed that 122 amino acid residues are identical and with human α-LA sequence showed 73 per cent identity. The predicted secondary structure of Vechur α-LA showed that the larger α- helical lobe is formed by the amino- and carboxyl-terminal sections of the polypeptide chain while the smaller lobe, which encompasses a small three stranded antiparallel beta-sheet, and a small irregular structure, is formed by the central section of the polypeptide chain. The predicted tertiary structure of Vechur α-LA also showed high homology with the bovine and human α-LA structures. Overall, the structures of Vechur α-LA was found to be very similar to that of Bos taurus and human reflecting their high degree of amino acid sequence identity. The present study did not reveal any higher degree of structural or functional similarity between Vechur and human α-LA proteins as compared to that of Bos taurus. The superiority of human milk and its high suitability to infants could be due to the higher content of α-LA and might not be attributed to any structural variations of the protein. Since the higher content of α-LA in human milk could be due to the high expression of this gene, further studies may be carried out to find out sequence variations, if any, occur in the regulatory sequences upstream of the gene. Gene expression studies are suggestive as α-LA locus can also be used as a genetic marker to increase milk production in Vechur cattle, as this marker may be directly responsible for increased milk production.