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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 Cloning and sequence analysis of the growth hormone gene in Indian elephants(Department of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Biostatistics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Bhosale, R A; KAU; Aravindakshan, T VThe study was undertaken with the objectives of cloning and sequence analysis of the growth hormone gene of the Indian elephants. The growth hormone is a peptide hormone produced in the anterior pituitory. It stimulates the growth of vertebates. It is a protein hormone of about 190 amino acids, synthesized and secreted by cells called somatotrophs. Growth hormone is a major participant in the control of several complex physiologic processes, including growth and metabolism and it is also of considerable interest as a drug used in both humans and animals. The genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples and a 1712 bp fragment of the entire transcriptional unit of the GH was amplified by PCR using synthetic oligonucleotide primer pair designed based on the 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences of goat growth hormone gene. The gel purified PCR product was ligated in to the pGEM®-T Easy cloning 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 1.712 kb GH gene insert in the vector was sequenced by the dideoxynucleotide sequencing method with primer walking using an automated DNA sequencer. The nucleotide sequence showed 75 to 96 per cent homology with pig and 77 to 95 per cent with that of Dolphin GH genes, respectively. The exon-intron boundaries in the porcine gene occur at the codons of the amino acid residues, Gly-4 (intron 1), Phe-57 (intron 2), Ser-96 (intron 3) and Arg-150 (intron 4). The all four residues are conserved in both species and also in African elephants. 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. Evidence for some homology was also seen in intron 1, which showed maximum 84 per cent similarity with giraffe. In contrast, intron 2, 3 and 4 showed no significant similarity both in length and in sequence with other animal species. The Indian elephant GH gene has an open reading frame of 648 nucleotides encoding a signal peptide of 26 amino acid residues and a mature protein of 190 amino acid residues with both NH2- and COOH- terminal phenylalanine. Alignment of this sequence with African elephant counterpart showed that 189 amino acid residues are identical with only one variant while, with pig sequence it showed 186 identical residues with four variants. The predicted secondary structure showed that the larger α-helical lobe is formed by four sections of the polypeptide chain (residues 3-34, 47-80, 110-126 and 148-172) while the smaller lobe, which encompasses a small antiparallel beta-sheet and a small irregular structure formed the remaining structure of the polypeptide chain. The predicted tertiary structure of the Indian elephant GH showed high homology with the human GH structures. Overall, the structures of Indian elephant GH gene was found to be very similar to that of African elephant and porcine reflecting their high degree of amino acid sequence identity (99 – 97 per cent).ThesisItem Open Access Polymorphism of ovine fecundity gene linked microsatellite markers in malabari goats(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Seena, T X; KAU; Raghavan, K CThe objective of the present study was to explore the polymorphism of ovine fecundity gene linked microsatellite markers in Malabari goats. Malabari goats are one of the most prolific breeds in India. The microsatellite markers OarAE101, BMS2508 and BM1329 linked to the Booroola gene (FecB) and the microsatellite markers TGLA54 and TGLA68 linked to Inverdale (FecX1) gene in sheep were selected for the study. The DNA samples from 120 Malabari goats which had given birth to singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets in the second and subsequent parities were utilized for the study. DNA was isolated by phenol chloroform extraction procedure with some modifications. The DNA samples were amplified by PCR using the radioactively labeled microsatellite primers. The amplified products were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography. The genotypes of animals were determined for each microsatellite loci by comparing the sizes of alleles with M13 phage DNA sequencing ladder. The microsatellite markers OarAE101, BMS2508 and TGLA54 were found to be monomorphic in the population under study. The microsatellite markers BM1329 and TGLA68 were found to be highly polymorphic in Malabari goats. A total of 15 alleles with 167-195 bp for the locus BM1329 and 8 alleles with a size range of 98-114 bp were observed for the locus TGLA68. The total number of genotypes observed was 34 for BM1329 locus and 12 for TGLA68 locus. Heterozygosity of 0.8660 for the locus BM1329 and 0.8024 for the locus TGLA68 were observed. The polymorphic information content (PIC) computed was 0.8526 and 0.7823 for the loci BM1329 and TGLA68 respectively. A significant difference in the alleles 181bp and 191 bp (P≤0.01) and the alleles 179 bp and 185 bp (P≤0.05) and the genotype 177/191 (P≤0.01) for the locus BM1329 were found in different types of births. The genotype 175/185 of the microsatellite marker BM1329 was found to be significantly related to a higher litter size when compared to the mean litter size of the population in Malabari goats (P≤0.01). The allele 104 bp of the locus TGLA68 was found to be significantly different in different types of births (P≤0.01). The highest frequency (0.4545) was observed in triplets followed by twins (0.2177) and singles (0.1847). The genotype 104/106 was found to be significantly different in different types of birth with triplets having a frequency of (0.4545), followed by singles (0.1087) and twins (0.0333). The season of birth had no significant effect on the type of birth and number of kidding in Malabari goats. Identification and selection of individuals that carry the alleles and genotypes associated with high prolificacy is possible in Malabari goats based on the above result. So new breeding strategies involving selection for high prolificacy can maximize the net profit of farmers. This study has brought to light important information improving the reproductive performance of Malabari goats by marker assisted selection.ThesisItem Open 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, MathewThe 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.ThesisItem Open 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 AThe 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.ThesisItem Open 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 CGenetic 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.ThesisItem Open Access Microsatallite marker based characterization of indigenous pigs of Kerala(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Ariprasath, K; KAU; Usha, A PThe study was undertaken to assess the genetic diversity among four indigenous pig population of Kerala using microsatellite markers. The animals were selected from various part of Kerala, population I included the conserved Angamali pigs from university farm, Mannuthy, population II consisted of animals from Koothattukualm, population III were the animals from Ollur and animals from border districts of Kerala formed the population IV. Genetic analysis was carried out using five polymorphic microsatellite markers. Blood samples were collected from 100 unrelated indigenous pigs from all four populations and DNA was isolated. The phenol-chloroform method of extraction yielded 224.35±9.86µg/5ml of blood. PCR conditions were standardized for all five selected markers namely, S0005, S0101, SW1026, SW2517 and S0008. The forward primer of each marker was endlabelled with γ32 P-ATP as source of radio signal. The M13 single strand DNA was sequenced and used as a size standard. Autoradiography was employed to visualize the results. A total of eight alleles were detected in S0005 and S0101, five alleles in each of SW1026 and S0008, and six in SW2517. The heterozygosity varied from 0.7747 in SW2517 to as large as 0.8475 for S0005. The heterozygosity values for S0101, SW1026 and S0008 were 0.7774, 0.7672, and 0.7424 respectively. The PIC values ranges from 0.6974 for S0008 to 0.8291 for S0005. The PIC values for S0101, SW1026 and SW2517 were 0.7483, 0.7284 and 0.7381 respectively. The allele frequencies were used to estimate the Nei’s standard genetic distance among the populations. The distance measure ranged from 0.5704 to 0.7161, with the highest value noticed between population II and IV and the lowest between population I and III. A dendrogram was constructed using the POPGENE version 3.2 program which grouped the population I and IV in one cluster and II and III populations in another cluster.ThesisItem Open 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 VThe 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.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of porcine immune responses among different genetic groups(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Jeeeba K George; KAU; Rajan, M RPorcine immune responses were evaluated using PHA skin test and microhaemolytic assay in this study. Investigation was undertaken in three genetic groups namely Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire. The economic traits studied were birth weight, litter size at birth, weaning litter size and weaning body weight. The cell-mediated immune response was assessed by noting cutaneous response to intradermal injection of phytohaemagglutinin. Humoral immune response was assessed by noting antibody response to sheep red blood cells. Correlation of immune response with growth, disease occurrence and mortality among the littermates were also evaluated. The highest birth weight, body weight at weaning, litter size at birth and weaning were recorded in Duroc x Large White Yorkshire, medium in Large White Yorkshire and least in Desi. The increase in skin thickness at 24, 48 and 72 hour post- injection of PHA-M was highest in Desi, medium in Duroc x Large White Yorkshire and least in Large White Yorkshire. The correlations of cutaneous response to phytohaemagglutinin with pre- weaning mortality among littermates and enteritis were found to be non-significant in Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire piglets. Among three genetic groups, serum samples from Desi piglets had a higher mean antibody titre on 7th, 14th, 21st day than the other two. Medium titre was noted in Duroc x Large White Yorkshire and least in Large White Yorkshire. Sire effect was highly significant with antibody response on seventh, fourteenth and 21st day post inoculation. The correlations of antibody response to sheep RBC with pre- weaning mortality among littermates and enteritis were also found to be non-significant in Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire piglets. The effects of sires within Desi, Large White Yorkshire and Duroc x Large White Yorkshire were found to be highly significant (P<0.01) on antibody response to sheep RBC on 7th, 14th and 21st day. Different litter traits had no significant effect on cutaneous response to PHA-M and antibody response to sheep RBC. High heritabilities were estimated for pre-injection skin thickness, cutaneous response to PHA-M at 24, 48, 72 hour post-injection and antibody response to sheep red blood cells on 7th, 14th, 21st day post- inoculation. Correlations of antibody response to sheep RBC on 14th day with cutaneous response to phytohaemagglutinin at 24 hour and 48 hour were found to be non-significant. Antibody response to sheep RBC on 21st day correlated non-significantly with cutaneous response to PHA-M at 24 hour and 48 hour. Antibody response to sheep RBC on 7th, 14th and 21st day associated non-significantly with weaning body weight and pre-weaning mortality. Even though correlations were non-significant, they revealed a negative trend. The association between cutaneous response to PHA-M at 24 hour and birth weight was non-significant.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic diversity analysis of goat breeds using microsatellite markers(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Amrita Susan, Jacob; KAU; Aravindakshan, T VThe study was undertaken to assess the genetic variability among four goat breeds of South India using microsatellite markers. Three breeds studied were native to Kerala. These were Malabari, Attappadi Black and non-descript goats of Thrissur. The fourth breed, Salem Black, originated in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. Microsatellite analysis was carried out using four highly polymorphic bovine markers. Blood samples from 30 genetically unrelated animals of each breed were collected and used as a source of DNA. The phenol-chloroform extraction procedure was used and the mean yield of DNA obtained was 361.43±10.73 µg/five ml blood. The four markers selected for the study were, INRA63, ILSTS030, HUJII77 and BM6121. PCR conditions were standardised for all the primers. The forward primer of each primer pair used in the PCR assay was end labeled with γ32P-ATP prior to setting up of the PCR. M13 DNA was sequenced and used as the size standard. The PCR products were separated by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Detection of the products was done by autoradiography. Gels after electrophoresis were dried and was set for autoradiography with X-ray film in a cassette fitted with intensifying screen. Allele sizes were obtained by comparing with the sequence of M13 single stranded DNA size standard. A total of eleven alleles were detected at the INRA63 locus. The mean heterozygosity and PIC values obtained were 0.774 and 0.743, respectively. Seventeen alleles were detected at the ILSTS30 locus. The mean values of heterozygosity and PIC were 0.878 and 0.866, respectively. Thirteen alleles were detected at the BM6121 locus with mean heterozygosity and PIC values of 0.851 and 0.833, respectively. The HUJII77 locus was the most polymorphic of all the four loci detecting 21 alleles. The mean heterozygosity and PIC values were 0.899 and 0.88, respectively. The allele frequency measures were used to estimate the Nei’s standard genetic distance among the populations using the PHYLIP package. The distance measures ranged from 0.388 to 0.224, with the highest value noticed between Salem Black and non-descript goats of Thrissur and the lowest between Malabari and non-descript animals. A dendrogram was constructed using the POPGENE program which grouped the Salem Black and Attappadi Black goats in one cluster and Malabari and the non-descript goats of Thrissur in another.