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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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1984 - 19862
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Subject: Animal Physiology × Author: KAU × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1980 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Certain physiological studies on the Indian elephants
    (Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1986) Sreekumar, K P; KAU; Nirmalan G
    Clinically healthy 44 Indian elephants, of varying ages and both sexes, maintained under ideal conditions of management formed the subjects for the study. Prediction equations to estimate body weight and height at shoulder from linear measurements had been derived. True body surface area in elephants was measured. Formulae for computation of total body surface area from areas of individual regions of the body and from body weight and height had been presented and its usefulness discussed. Normal values for haematological parameters viz., specific gravity, viscosity, icterus index, pH, coagulation time and erythrocyte sedimentation rates had been established. At 15 minutes, 50 per cent of erythrocytes had settled. Use of erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a clinical test is discussed. Elephants had low albumin and high globulin levels and the A/G ratio was less than one. The electrophoretic fractionation of total proteins and lipoproteins have been discussed. Polymorphism in albumin was observed but no variant of haemoglobin could be detected. Levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase have been assayed. The mineral status of elephants had been established. Normal levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc as well as the iron: copper ratio had been worked out.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development and function of the ovary and the uterus in goats
    (Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1984) Mathai, E; KAU; Nirmalan, G
    In Alpine-Malabari cross-bred female kids., the birth weight was found to be 1.88-+0.048 kg.The gain in weight was maximum (15.36%)during the first 30 days but was only marginal after 210 days.Linear measurements of teat also showed changes parallel to the body weight.From 30th day onwards, many small follicies were seen projecting from the ovarian surface. Appearance of large follicles on 150th day indicated the attainment of full functional activity of the ovary by that time. The right ovary weighed significantly more than that of the left.The weights of thyroid, adrenals and pituitary, as percentage to weight at slaughter, showed a linear reduction as the age advanced.Onset of puberty was observed to occur at 231.40_+6.271 days in Alpine-Malabari goats. The weight at puberty was 13.19_+0.35 kg. The length of oestrous cycle was 508.17_+ 66.55 hours (12.17 days). The occurence of short (5-15 days), medium (16.24 days) and long (25 days and above) oestrous cycles were recorded as 6.32 per cent, 84.09 per cent and 9.09 per cent respectively. The average duration of oestrum was 49.43 _+ 6.18 hours. The weight of ovary was maximum on the 18th day of oestrum cycle in adult Alpine-Malabari cross-bred goats. The weight of fallopian tube was highest on the day of oestrum. Packed cell volume and total leukocyte count were significantly more on the day of oestrum. In the differential distribution of leuckocyts, Iymphocytes registered a low count while the number of neutrophils and eosinophils recorded a rise on the day of estrum suggestive of a stress-like state. At brith, the ovary showed a single layer of cuboidal cells in the germinal epithelium. Primary, secondary and degenerating follicles were seen. On 30th day, tertiary follicles also were noted.Large ovulatory follicles were seen on the 120th day in histological studies. Uterine mucosa colummar epithelium. at brith was lined by tall pseudostratified Uterine lumen was almost obiterated by endometrial folds. Five different layers viz. epithellal lining, vascular layer, stratum compactum, stratum spongiosum and stratum basale could be distinguished from 30th day. Active secretion of endometrial glands was noted by 150 days. Intense alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity was noted in theca cells of follicles and in luteal cells. Acid cells of endometrium and glands showed high activities of alkaline and acid phosphatases. During luteal phase of oestrous cycle both ACP and ALP activities were more than those in follicular phase. The serum glutamate oraloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels were more corresponding to the period of higher growth rate. On the day of oestrum GOT values in serum, ovarian and uterine tissue were significantly more. However, GPT, ALP and ACP activities did not reveal any significant difference during the four phases of oestrous cycle. Administration of gonadotropin relasing hormone (GnRH) resulted in an increase in weight gain of kids. In the treated kids early onset of puberty and a higher number of ovarian follicles were observed. Growth of ovarian tissue and tubular genitalia- especially the uterus- were more in treated kids.