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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 Induction of parturition and evaluation of postpartum fertility in crossbred cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Sheeja, S; KAU; Aravinda Ghosh, K NA preliminary study was conducted by collecting data regarding gestation length and details of calving among crossbred cattle of the University Livestock Farm and local breeds belonging to “ICAR Scheme on Conservation of Germplasm of Vechur Cattle”. The mean gestation length of crossbred cattle of ULF was 274 ± 0.48 days and that of Vechur scheme was 282 ± 0.98 days. The average birth weight of new born calf at ULF was 26.52 ± 0.39 kg and that of Vechur was 10.43 ± 0.12 kg. The sex ratio of male and female was 1: 0.9 and 1: 1.2 for ULF and Vechur scheme respectively The main experiment was undertaken to develop a suitable protocol for induction of parturition in crossbred cattle with prolonged gestation and to assess the postpartum fertility of these animals. The study was performed in 24 pregnant animals of the University Livestock Farm and private farms near by Mannuthy during the period from December 2008 to February 2010. In all animals in group I, II and III, the drug was administered for inducing parturition on 286th day of gestation. In group 1, 24 mg of dexamethsone, in group II 500µg of prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) and in group III, a combination of 12 mg of dexamehasone and 250 µg cloprostenol was administered intramuscularly and group IV acted as control. The mean time taken in hours for induction of parturition in group I to III was 39.50 ± 1.26, 30.50 ± 2.17 and 26.90 ± 1.80 respectively and the least time was recorded in combination group. The duration for first stage of labour in groups I to IV was 4.00 ± 0.16, 3.12 ± 0.15, 3.24 ± 0.02, 4.49 ± 0.12 hours respectively and for second stage was 1.27 ± 0.02, 1.12 ± 0.14, 1.21 ± 0.12, 1.53 ± 0.10 hours respectively. The mean time for the expulsion of placenta was 6.67 ± 0.33, 6.35 ± 1.87, 3.02 ± 0.13 2.74 ± 0.14 hours respectively. The mean weight of the placenta for the groups was 2.87 ± 0.43, 3.50 ± 0.54, 3.00 ± 0.28, 3.60 ± 0.25 kg and the mean number of cotyledons were 89.50 ± 0.76, 91.20 ± 0.60, 90.5 ± 0.84, and 91.50 ± 0.76 respectively. The incidence of dystocia in groups I to IV was 50, 0, 33.33 and 50 per cent respectively. The incidence of retention of foetal membranes in groups I to IV was 50, 33.33, 16.66 and 16.66 per cent respectively. In group I, the incidence of postpartum prolapse of genital organs, downer cow and mastitis were recorded as 16.66 per cent each. The sex ratio for the groups I to IV was 1:1, 0.57: 1, 1:1 and 1:1. The mean birth weight in kg for the male calves was 29.33 ± 1.2, 26.65 ±6.5, 31.5 ± 3.40, 34.66 ± 2.03 respectively. Similarly the birth weight of female calves were 30.00 ± 1.15, 27.25 ± 1.97, 23.33 ± 2.40, 32.33 ± 1.20 kg respectively. There was steady increase in body weight of calves as age advanced in experimental and control groups, however there was no significant difference between groups in mean body weight gain. The mean peak yield in the present lactation for the experimental and control animals was 9.57 ± 0.58, 11.33 ±1.17, 11.67 ±1.54 and 13.17± 0.75 liters respectively. The corresponding values in the previous lactation for the experimental and control groups were 11.48 ± 0.48, 11.60 ± 0.75, 12.70 ± 0.47 and 13.50 ± 0.65 liters respectively. The day of peak yield in the present lactation was 25.00 ± 0.63, 21.66 ± 0.61, 22.33 ± 1.05 and 19.16 ± 0.79 days and the corresponding values in previous lactation were 19.80 ± 0.95, 18.70 ± 0.67, 20.30 ± 1.28 and 19.30 ± 0.63 days respectively. The disappearance of lochial discharge for the experimental and control groups was 20.16 ± 1.04, 17.31 ± 1.13, 17.17 ± 0.87, 21.00 ± 1.26 days respectively. The first postpartum oestrus was observed at 33.20 ± 1.25, 30.70 ± 0.88, 29.50 ± 0.76 days for experimental animals and for control animals it was 31.60 ± 0.76 days. Similarly, the second postpartum oestrus was on 59.00 ± 1.22, 51.83 ± 0.83, 48.33 ± 1.99, 53.83 ± 0.94 days respectively. Conception rate for the first AI in group I to IV was 0, 50, 50, and 33.33 respectively where as the overall conception rate for these animals was 16.66, 66.66, 83.33, 66.66 per cent respectively. The highest conception rate was obtained in group III. The mean calving to conception interval for the experimental and control animals was 91.50 ± 15, 77.66 ± 9.38, 74.00 ± 7.00 and 82.00 ± 13.97 days respectively Premature induction of parturition was carried out in four downer cows presented at Veterinary College Hospital, Mannuthy which failed with routine medical treatment and having the gestation length of 253, 285, 270 and 275 days. In the first two animals parturition was induced with prostaglandin and the time taken for induction was 48.30 and 31.20 hours respectively. In dexamethasone treated animal calving occurred at 51 hours after administration of drug. Similarly the time taken for induction in animal which treated with combination of dexamethasone and prostaglandin was 29.45 hours. All the three animals in which prostaglandin and its combination with dexamethasone, recovered from recumbent stage after delivery and had regained normal feeding habits. The animal treated with dexamethasone had not regained the normal condition and was advised disposal. But all the four calves survived in this experiment. The present study revealed that induction of parturition with prostaglandin alone in normal dose and its combination with dexamethasone at a lower dose were equally useful for successful induction of parturition in animals with prolonged gestation with least reproductive complications. When parturition was induced with dexamethasone milk yield was found to be reduced during early stages of lactation while when prostaglandin and its combination with dexamethasone were used reduction in milk yield was negligible. In animals in which parturition was induced with prostaglandin and its combination had normal disappearance of lochial discharge, early involution of uterus and had early normal postpartum oestrus and had fairly good overall conception rate. Further it is recommended that premature induction of parturition in downer cows when all other medical treatments have failed, prostaglandin or its combination with dexamethasone could ideally be used to induce premature induction of parturition to save the life of mother and new born.ThesisItem Open Access Seasonal fertility of billy goats(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Ibraheem Kutty, C; KAU; Sudarsanan, VBiweekly data on body weight, scrotal circumference, testicular length and diameter and weekly data on semen parameters as volume, colour, pH, consistency, density, sperm concentration, mass activity, initial motility, sperm abnormality, vitality, metabolism and resistance to hyperosmotic medium of seven billy goats were pertaining to four seasons arrived at on the basis of a simultaneously kept daily record of maximum-minimum temperature, humidity and day length. It was statistically analysed to find out that the differences between seasons were significant to be attributed to the environmental variables. Mean body weight, scrotal circumference and testicular length and diameter were 43.62 ± 1.11 kg, 25.08 ± 0.12 cm, 8.57 ± 0.07 cm and 5.32 ± 0.03 cm respectively. There was no significant difference between the seasons except in testicular diameter and they were found to maintain an inverse relationship with day length and humidity. Mean volume, pH, initial motility, sperm concentration, total number of sperm per ejaculate, live sperm per cent, abnormal sperm per cent, MBR time and R value were 0.75 ± 0.04 ml, 6.25 ± 0.02, 73.51 ± 0.98 per cent, 3600 ± 144 millions/ml, 2660.6 ± 133.96 millions, 83.44 ± 0.76, 4.33 ± 0.43, 277.1 ± 14.27 seconds and 84.75 ± 12.39 ml respectively. There was no significant difference between seasons in these parameters except, pH, initial motility, live sperm per cent and R value. They were found to have a significant difference between seasons and were found to maintain either direct or indirect relationship with humidity and day length. Semen on extension with milk antibiotic extender and on storage under refrigeration was found to fast deteriorate rendering it unusable in 24 h. Semen on the day of collection and extension, was used for artificial insemination and result of insemination was found to be independent of the significant or nonsignificant seasonal differences of semen parameters. But, during the period of study, there were two peaks in conception and two peaks in birth corresponding to it. The pattern appeared to be an adjustment of reproduction by the female to the varying food availability and climate with little involvement of the male.ThesisItem Open Access Ultrasonographic evaluation of prostate gland in dogs(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Divya Nair, R; KAU; Aravinda Ghosh, K NUltrasonographic evaluation of prostate gland of adult male dogs was carried out in the present study to correlate with the fertility of the animal. Initially digital examination of the prostate gland per rectum was performed in 56 male dogs of four different breeds German shepherd, Rottweiler, Dachshund and Spitz to find the location, symmetry, consistency, mobility and pain on palpation. All the dogs were subjected to transabdominal ultrasonographic evaluation of the prostate. Prostatic measurements were taken in longitudinal and transverse sections. In German shepherd dogs of mean age 4.03years and mean body weight 24.21kg, the mean prostatic volume and weight based on formula calculation were 26.62±1.58 and 24.33±1.65 respectively. In Rottweiler, of 3.35 year and 35.25kg, the calculated mean prostatic volume and weight were 26.32±2.55 and 24.01±2.66 respectively. In Dachshund, the mean age was 3.94 years and the mean body weight was 8.71 kg. Calculated mean prostatic volume and weight were 13.07±0.96 and 10.89±0.10 respectively. In Spitz of mean age 2.95 years and mean body weight 5.46 kg, calculated mean prostatic volume and weight were 11.63±0.24 and 8.71±0.25 respectively. In diseased animals, of mean age 6.67 years and mean body weight 20.35kg, calculated mean prostatic volume and weight were 42.73±8.46 and 41.12±8.82 respectively. The measurements were found greater than measurements of adult animals and that suggested prostatic diseases. Four dogs were found having benign prostatic hyperplasia and one with prostatic cyst and another with prostatic abscess. Transrectal ultrasonography was done in German shepherd and Rottweilers and for German shepherd, the mean prostatic length obtained was 2.95±0.10cm and the mean width was 2.44±0.15. For Rottweiler, the mean prostatic length obtained was 2.92±0.15cm and the mean width was 2.42±0.17. Urine and blood were collected from 10 prostatic disease suspected animals and from 10 apparently healthy animals for detailed clinical investigation. Prostatic fluid was collected from them for cytology and culture and sensitivity tests. In disease suspected and normal healthy dogs, urinalysis could not establish major findings except of the presence of few more erythrocytes and squamous epithelial cells in urine of diseased animals. Culture and sensitivity of urine and prostatic fluid were negative in all the dogs. In 40 per cent of the diseased dogs there were presence of neutrophils and in 30 per cent of them, there were few erythrocytes. The mean erythrocyte count obtained for the normal and disease suspected animals were 3.33±1.06 and 3.89±1.41 respectively. The mean leucocyte count obtained for the normal and diseased dogs were 9485.33±1825.95 and 9854± 1921.02 respectively. There was leucocytosis with left shift in one animal. The mean values for Serum alkaline phosphatase in normal and disease suspected dogs were found as 55.53±11.06 units and 62±9.6 respectively. The mean values for serum acid phosphatase in normal and disease suspected dogs were 4.85±1.96 and 4.74±2.10 respectively. From the study, it was found that prostatic disorders mostly BPH were commonly encountered in older dogs without significant change in clinical and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, real- time B- mode ultrasound transabdominal and transrectal scanning was found to be reliable, safe and accurate for the examination of prostate gland in dogs. However, in small breeds, transrectal scanning using a specialised smaller rectal probe will be useful for the evaluation of prostate gland.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of blood urea nitrogen,mineral status and uterine PH on fertility in dairy cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Seena, N S; KAU; Athman, K VAn investigation was carried out with the objective of studying the effect of BUN and uterine pH on fertility in dairy cows under farm and field conditions and also for correlating the mineral status with fertility using 40 crossbred dairy cows selected at random during oestrus, 20 each from those belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy (Group I) and those brought for insemination at Artificial Insemination Centres at Mannuthy and Kokkalai (Group II). All the cows in Group I were found to be maintained in a relatively high nutritious diet computed as per the scientific feeding standards compared to Group II animals. Detailed clinico-gynaecological examination was carried out and blood samples and uterine mucus were collected from all the selected cows during oestrus for estimation of biochemical parameters and uterine pH respectively. They were inseminated during the most appropriate period of oestrus and were subjected to pregnancy diagnosis at 60 days post insemination. Conception rates in both the groups were compared in relation to each parameter. The mean duration of oestrus was slightly higher in Group II (30.00 ± 2.11 hours) compared to Group I (26.10 ± 1.74 hours). Intensity of oestrus was high, medium and low in 40, 45 and 15 per cent of animals respectively in Group I and 50, 40 and 10 per cent in Group II. Physical changes of reproductive tract viz. degree of vulval oedema and hyperemia of vestibular mucous membrane were more pronounced in animals of Group II compared to Group I, where as degree of tonicity was high in Group I compared to Group II. Characteristics of cervical mucus were also found to be affecting fertility. Better conception rate was obtained in animals with clear and stringy cervical mucus exhibiting typical type of fern pattern. Spinnbarkeit value did not vary much between conceived and non-conceived animals. Uterine pH did not show a marked variation between groups, even though a slightly higher value was recorded in Group I. But, an inverse relationship could be obtained between BUN level in serum and uterine pH during oestrus. Correlation between uterine pH and BUN level was highly significant (P<0.01) with a correlation co-efficient of r = -0.896 and r = - 0.753 in groups I and II respectively. The mean blood urea nitrogen level in animals of Group I was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in Group II. The BUN level also varied significantly (P<0.05) between conceived and non-conceived animals of both groups. A marginal increase in plasma glucose level could be noticed in conceived animals compared to non-conceived animals of Group I. The mean serum total protein was significantly higher (P<0.01) in Group I compared to Group II. The serum level of minerals viz. calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper were also correlated with fertility. The mean level of serum calcium and manganese varied significantly between groups I and II, but there was no significant difference in serum phosphorus, zinc and copper between two groups. Also, a slightly higher mean value was observed for serum calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc in conceived animals compared to non-conceived. But serum copper level did not vary between conceived and non-conceived animals. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that the elevation in systemic concentration of urea is likely to impair fertility in dairy cows as a consequence of alterations in uterine environment. The benefits of feeding excess dietary protein and urea to maintain peak milk production should be compared with potential negative effects on fertility. Hence, a good nutritional management is essential for improved fertility in dairy cows.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of boar semen extended in belt`s ville thaw solution(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Kantharaj, S; KAU; Athman, K VAn experiment was conducted to study the effect of natural service and artificial insemination on reproductive performance of pigs and to assess the fertility and preservability of boar semen extended in Belt's ville thaw solution. Twenty-four Large White Yorkshire (LWY) gilts, twenty-four sows and six LWY boars were selected for the study. Out of six boars, three boars were used for natural service and the other three maintained for artificial insemination purpose. A total of 52 ejaculates were collected from boars maintained for artificial insemination purpose at weekly intervals by the gloved hand technique. Among these boars, no significant differences were found for most of the semen characteristics except proximal and distal protoplasmic droplets , which were significantly different between boars (PThesisItem Open Access Studies on anoestrum in crossbred cattle(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Vijayakrishnapillai, G P; KAU; Neelakanta Iyer, C PThe object of the study was to assess the incidence of anoestrum among crossbred cattle of Kerala and to find out the possible etiological factors so as to evolve suitable therapeutic measures for the same. For this, 184 crossbred cows and 76 crossbred heifers above 18 months of age maintained in the livestock farms attached to the Kerala Agricultural University and 401 crossbred cows and heifers presented for treatment at various infertility camps in the State were utilised. The incidence of anoestrum was assessed from the breeding history and detailed gynaecoclinical examinations. The nutritional status of the animals was determined by haematological examinations. The anoestrous animals showing nutritional deficiency were treated with Fertimin brand of mineral mixture and those showing normal nutritional status were treated with ‘Fertivet’. Among the farm animals, 28.3 per cent of cows 28.4 per cent of heifers were in apparent anoestrum though true anoestrum was observed only in 17.4 per cent of cows and 22.4 per cent of heifers. The other cases of apparent anoestrum were due to silent oestrum (3 to 15 per cent), cystic ovaries (0.5 to 1.3 per cent) and hypoplasia of ovaries (1.3 per cent). Similarly among the animals brought for treatment at various infertility camps, true anoestrum was observed only in 28.2 per cent though 49.9 per cent were reported to be anoestrous. The other cases were early pregnancy (2.7 per cent), cycling (7.7 per cent), cystic ovaries (0.2 per cent), underdeveloped genitalia, (9 per cent) ovarian hypoplasia (0.2 per cent) and in heat (1.7 per cent) Wide Ca. P ratio (2.69 and 2.46) and subnormal copper level (88.32 g/dl and 91.07 g/dl) were detected in 46.6 per cent of cows and 54.65 per cent of heifers respectively in true anoestrum. ‘Fertivet’ was capable of inducing ovulatory oestrum in 100 per cent of cows and 89.47 per cent of heifers in true anoestrum due to non nutritional causes within a period of 5.73 and 5.43 days respectively, while only 33.3 per cent of cows and 30 per cent of heifers in the control group came in heat; the variations being highly significant. Similarly, the conception rate in the treated groups was 66.6 per cent for cows and 42.11 per cent for heifers, while only one cow from the control group conceived, the variation in both the cases being significant. Treatment with ‘Fertimin could induce ovulatory oestrum in 91.67 per cent of cows and 78.26 per cent of heifers within a mean period of 38.8 and 27.77 days respectively, while the response in the control groups were only 11.1 per cent for cows and 25 per cent for heifers respectively, the difference being highly significant in both the cases. Significant variations were observed in conception rate between experimental and control groups, the values being 50 per cent for cows and 43.48 per cent for heifers in the experimental group. None of the animals in control groups conceived.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the efficiency of intra - uterine administratuion of antibiotics to improve breeding efficiency in cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Ramadas, K; KAU; Surendra Varma Raja, C KThe object of the study was to investigate the usefulness of intra – uterine antibiotic therapy at the very first breeding in bovines so as to improve the chances of conception. The experiment was conducted on animals brought for insemination at the artificial insemination centre, Trichur attached to the Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy. The animals were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The first group of 166 cows and 56 heifers was given one vial each of Dicrysticin – S in 30 ml of distilled water after 24 hours of insemination. The second group of 47 cows and 31 heifers was treated with Mastalone – U in the say way. The control group of animals (300) did not receive any treatment either before of after insemination. The conception rate of the animals treated with antibiotics was significantly higher than that in control group. Dicrysticin - S–and Mastalone – U did not show any specific advantage over the other in improving the conception rate. The rate of conception increased on repeating the therapy at the subsequent heat. The overall conception rate in heifers was significantly lower than that in cows. Also the conception rate in dry animals was lower than that of lactating ones. To sum up, it may be stated that antibiotic infusion of uterus 24 hours after insemination could be considered as a routine measure under field condition for the overall improvement of breeding efficiency in cows.ThesisItem Open Access Observation on parturition in cross bred cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1981) Jose, V M; KAU; Neelakanta, Iyer C PThe aim of the present investigation was to study the gestation period and the process of parturition in crossbred cattle. The materials used for the present study consisted of 40 crossbred cows of Jersey x Sindhi, Jersey x Local and Brown Swiss x Local cows maintained in the Livestock Farm attached to the Kerala Agricultural University. These animals were maintained under identical conditions of feeding and management. Duration of gestation was calculated from the breeding records maintained in the farm. Signs of approaching parturition were assessed by personal observations. The presentation, position and posture of foetus were studied by rectal and vaginal examinations. The gestation length of Jersey x Sindhi, Jersey x Local and Brown Swiss x Local was 275.3 + 2.8, 279.3 + 2.5 and 280.5 + 2.6 days respectively. Breed of the dam and sex of the calf had no significant influence on the gestation length. Birthweight of calf was not significantly correlated to gestation length. Observation on the location of the foetus revealed a steadily increasing trend in the percentage of foetal extremities being presented in the pelvic cavity until a day prior to parturition. In all the animals observed, the foetuses were in anterior presentation. The position of the foetuses at the time of parturition were dorsosacral in all the cases. Changes in position and posture of the foetuses were noticed within 96 hours of parturition. In all the cows studied, there were progressive increase in vulval and udder enlargement, presence of coclostrum, relaxation of sacrosciatic ligaments and dilatation of cervix as parturitions were imminent. A significant drop in body temperature was noticed on the day prior to parturition. The total duration of parturition was 34.68 + 68.75, 668.2 + 97.17 and 912.5 + 182.68 minutes respectively for Jersey x Sindhi, Jersey x Local and Brown Swiss x Local cows, the differences being statistically significant. It was also observed, that the differences in the duration of different stages of parturition were not at variance. Intensity of labour and sex of calf had no influence on the different stages of parturition in crossbred cows. Diurnal variation of calving was noticed with 60.53 per cent during day time and 39.47 per cent during night time. All the cows except one were recumbent at the time of expulsion of foetus. Breed and sex of calf had no influence on the weight of placenta and number of cotyledons. The total number of cotyledons and large sized cotyledons were significantly higher in the gravid horn than in the nongravid horn. The small sized cotyledons were significantly lower in the gravid horn. No significant difference was observed in the number of medium sized cotyledons between gravid and nongravid horns. The weight of foetal fluids was found to range from 5.6 to 22.4 kg. with a mean of 15.214 + 2.25 kg.ThesisItem Open Access Invitro fertilization of bovine oocytes using fresh, frozen and epididymal spermatozoa(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Binoy, V S; KAU; Vijayakumaran, VThe study was designed to assess the fertilizability of bovine oocytes matured in vitro on co-culture with fresh, frozen or epididymal spermatozoa. The yield of oocytes and effect of cumulus oocyte complex (COC) morphology on in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) was also studied. A total of eighty one ovaries of abattoir origin from South Indian breeds like Hallikar, Kangayam, Khillari and crossbred cattle of Kerala were subjected to oocyte retrieval by aspiration method. Grade I (462) and grade II (138) COCs so obtained were subjected to maturation in separate groups for 24 h in Hepes modified TCM-199 enriched with sodium pyruvate, sodium bicarbonate, antibiotics, estradiol-17β, FSH, hCG and 20 per cent heat inactivated day zero estrus cow serum. Culture environment was set as 39o C temperature, five per cent CO2 tension and maximum humidity in a standard CO2 incubator. Maturation status of COCs was assessed by observing cumulus expansion and mucification. Oocytes with maximum degree of cumulus expansion from each group (407 and 95) were subjected to IVF using fresh (n=169), frozen (n=162) and epididymal (n=171) spermatozoa in Fert-TALP medium supplemented with epinephrine, hypotaurine, pencillamine and heparin (5-10 oocytes in 100 μl droplet). Good quality spermatozoa isolated by percoll density gradient separation technique were used for IVF. Culture conditions set for IVF were 39o C temperature, five per cent CO2 tension with maximum humidity in a standard water jacketed CO2 incubator. After 24 h co-culture in fertilization medium, the oocytes were evaluated for evidence of sperm penetration like presence of swollen decondensed sperm head, male pronuclei, two pronuclei, a clear second polar body and cleavage The total yield of oocytes by aspiration method per ovary was 11.59±0.10 (939 /81) and percentage yield of grade I, grade II and total culture grade oocytes were 49.20±0.31 (462), 14.70±0.41 (138) and 63.90±0.22 (600) respectively. Mean number of grade I, grade II and culture grade oocyte per ovary were 5.70±0.06, 1.70±0.05 and 7.41±0.07 respectively. The percentage and yield of grade I oocytes were significantly higher than grade II oocytes.Cumulus expansion rates of grade I, grade II and total culture grade oocytes were 88.20±0.75 (407), 69.21±1.97 (95) and 83.67±0.35 (502) per cent respectively. The mean number of oocytes showing cumulus expansion per ovary from grade I, grade II and culture grade COCs were respectively 5.04±0.06, 1.18±0.03 and 6.22±0.06. Grade I oocytes showed significantly higher maturation rate and mean yield of matured oocyte per ovary than grade II oocytes. The fertilization rates obtained with fresh, frozen and epididymal spermatozoa were respectively 36.52±1.68, 28.65±0.76, 46.53±1.32 for grade I; 45.00±5.63, 23.89±3.03, 35.20±4.62 for grade II and 37.86±0.47, 27.72±0.89, 44.51±0.57 per cent for culture grade oocytes. The mean number of oocytes fertilized per ovary by fresh, frozen and epididymal spermatozoa were respectively 1.87±0.06, 1.43±0.04, 2.33± 0.05 for grade I; 0.51±0.07, 0.31±0.05, 0.39±0.06 for grade II and 2.38±0.05, 1.73±0.07, 2.72±0.03 for culture grade oocytes. Significant difference was observed between three sources of spermatozoa for grade I and culture grade oocytes on fertilization rate and mean yield of fertilized oocytes per ovary. No significant difference could be observed between three sources of spermatozoa with respect to fertilizability when grade II oocytes were used.There was no significant difference between grade I and grade II oocytes on fertilization rate of fresh, frozen and cauda epididymal sources of spermatozoa. But the mean number of fertilized oocytes per ovary obtained from grade I oocytes was significantly higher than that from grade II oocytes for fresh, frozen and cauda epididymal sources of spermatozoa. The overall fertilization rate obtained was 36.70±1.71 per cent and in vitro fertilized oocyte per ovary was 2.28±0.10 in the present study. The mean motility (per cent), concentration (x 106 /ml), percentage of live sperms, dead sperms, normal spermatozoa, abnormal heads, abnormal tails, proximal protoplasmic droplet and distal protoplasmic droplet of epididymal semen were 49.17±9.26, 37175±7612 , 84.5±8.02, 15.5±8.02, 35.67±2.30, 3.17±1.58, 2.33±0.61, 11.67±4.01 and 47.17±3.17 respectively. The present study revealed that more number of grade I oocytes could be obtained by aspiration method from cow’s ovaries than grade II oocytes. Even though COC morphology has a significant role in maturation rate of oocytes, the fertilizing ability of grade I and grade II oocytes did not differ significantly after proper maturation. Epididymal spermatozoa retrieved from bulls after slaughter could be efficiently used for IVF of in vitro matured bovine oocytes equally or even better than the freshly ejaculated or frozen semen. Epididymal spermatozoa showed significantly more fertilization rate than fresh semen and this was closely followed by frozen semen (44.51±0.57, 37.86±0.47 and 27.72±0.89 per cent respectively).
