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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 Physiology × Start date: 1978 ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the metabolic activity of the productive system of chicken
    (Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Ramakrishna Pillai, M G; KAU; Nirmalan, G
    Information on the specific role of onzymes in controlling the various biochemical events leading to formation of an egg in the avian oviduct is scanty. Hence, it was considered worth while to investigate the onzyme pattern in the plasma and in the reproductive organs in white Leghorn and white Plymouth Rock breeds of fowls, and to studyt the tissue localization of acid and alkaline phosphatases by histochemical techniques. The influences of various oxogenous sex hormones on the development and onzyne pattern of the female reproductive organs was also studied. The blood plasma and tissue homogenatee of the reproductive organs were assayed for alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaainace , acid phosphatase, glutante pyruvate transaminases and glucose-6- phosphatase. Many of the enzymes studied were present in the plasma and tissue homogenates without any significant breed difference. Acid phosphatase activity could not be detected in he blood [plasma of one-to-two-months-old white Leghorn and White Plymouth rock birds. In the white plymouth rock chicken,ma glutanate pyruvate transaminase activity also could not be detected. Alkaline activity was higher in the ovary of White Leghorn breed of fowls. phosphatase In the two-to-three-month-old pullets, White Plymouth rock bird showed higher concentration of glucose-6-phosphatase in their oviducts. Five-to six-month-old folwle of both the breed did not show any plasma acid phosphatase activity. But in the infundibulue, activities of both the transminaces were higher in the White Leghorn fowle. Glutamate pyruvate tranminance activity in white Plyouth rock oviducvt was conficed to the megaum and isthmue. While there was not significant difference in the morophological development of the oviduet in immature chicken under the influences of different combination of stilbestrol diprepienate and testoateronar propionate or stilbestrol dipropionate and progeetrone compared to chickens on stil bestrol dipropionate alone the White Leghorn chickens receiving stilbostrol dipropinate and testoaterins propicnate showed higher ovariam levels of acid phosphatase and glutamate transminase. pyruvate Oviducal contents of acid phosphatase, glutamate oxalocetate and glutamate pyruvate transminases were also high. In the white Plymouth rock ehicken, on the other hand, lower concentration of plasma glutnate pyruvate transmainase and lower levels of oviducal alkaline phosphatase, acid phophatase and glutanate oxalocetate transminace were evident. In between the two experimental groups, the white Plymouth rock chickens had higher content of acid phosphatase in the iethmus and glucose-6-phosphatase in the varina. But, among the control groups higher contents of plasma glutamae pyruvate transaminase and oviducak alkaline phosphatase were seen in he whit plymouth rock chicks. Stilbestrol dipropionate and progreaterone administation resulted in higher oviducal concentraion of glutamate oxalocacetate tamsmionase in white plymouth rock chicks. Glutamate pyruvate tranmnase activity could tissues studied. In white Leghorn experimental chicks the ovarian acid phosphatase content was less than their corresponding control chicks. Histochemical localisation of alkline phosphatase was seen in all the region of the female reproductive organs in both the breeds. Ovarian localization of the enzyme was in the follicular optithelium and strima with strong reaction for the enzyme in many of the blood veacole. The reaction was of stronger intensity in magmm and gvagina coupared to other regionsof the oviduct. Localization of acid phosphatase was similar to that of alkaline phosphatase. The histochemical localization of acid and alkaline phosphatase in the various regions of the female reproductive organs developed under the influence of different sex hormones were similar to those seen in adult fowls. However, the intensity of the staining reaction for the ensyme in the reproductive organs of chicks developed under the influence of stilbestrol dipropionate was more compared to that of the other two experimental groups.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessing the differences in body weight changes, rumen fermentation profile and metabolic activity between different indigenous breeds of goats subjected to summer heat stress
    (Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara, 2017) Pragna Prathap; KAU; Sejian, V
    A study was conducted to evaluate the differences in the growth performance and adaptive capabilities of three indigenous goat breeds (Osmanabadi, Malabari and Salem Black) to heat stress challenges. The primary objective of the study was to compare the growth performance and adaptive capacity of two indigenous goat breeds (Malabari and Salem Black) when they were shifted from their native tract to a new agro-ecological zone with the local breed (Osmanabadi) during heat stress exposure. The growth performance of these breeds were assessed based on BW changes, allometric measurements, GH level and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene expression patterns while their adaptive capabilities were assessed based on the changes in their metabolic and rumen fermentation profiles. Thirty six ten months to one year old female goats of Osmanabadi, Malabari and Salem Black breeds were randomly divided into six groups, OC (n=6; Osmanabadi control), OHS (n=6; Osmanabadi heat stress), MC (n=6; Malabari control), MHS (n=6; Malabari heat stress), SBC (n=6; Salem Black control) and SBHS (n=6; Salem Black heat stress). The study was conducted for a period of 45 days. All group goats had access to ad libitum feed and water throughout the study period. Heat stress group goats were exposed to summer heat stress for six hours from 10:00 h to 16:00 h while control group animals were kept in the shed protected from heat stress. Breed factor significantly (P<0.05) influenced only few growth variables such as BW, BMI, BCS. However, heat stress treatment significantly (P<0.05) reduced all growth parameters expect BMI. Further, the heat stress significantly (P<0.01) increased plasma GH concentration in goats with significantly higher (P<0.05) concentration recorded in OHS. Among the stress groups, the lower (P<0.05) PBMC IGF-I mRNA expression was recorded in OHS, while the higher (P<0.05) expression was observed in SBHS. Significantly higher PBMC IGF-1 mRNA expression in Salem black goats revealed the extreme adaptive capability of this breed as compared to other breeds to heat stress conditions. Among the metabolic activity controlling hormones, the breed factor significantly (P<0.05) influenced only plasma tri-iodo-thyronine (T3). However, heat stress significantly (P<0.05) decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in both MHS and SHS groups while significantly (P<0.05) decreased the plasma T3 in MHS. The rumen metabolites such as acetate, propionate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) showed significant (P<0.05) variation for both breed and treatment effect. The Salem Black breed did not show any significant variation for most of the rumen metabolites as compared to both Osmanabadi and Malabari breeds for the heat stress treatment. The results indicated that on comparative basis, Salem Black breed adapted better to the heat stress challenges as evident from the non-significant difference in circulating thyroid hormone levels and for most of the rumen metabolites between the control and heat stress group in this breed. Further, it has been observed that shifting of Malabari goats to the new location did not proved beneficial in terms of improving their growth performance. In addition based on the alterations in rhythmic metabolic activities, Salem Black goat breed exhibited higher adaptive capability to heat stress than the other two breeds. Thus, it can be concluded from the study that Salem Black breed was found to be superior in terms of both maintaining its productive function as well as adapting to the adverse environmental condition by altering its metabolic activities during heat stress exposure.
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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.