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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 In vitro maturation of caprine follicular oocytes(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Ambili, John; KAU; Joseph, MathewThis study was designed to analyse the effect of three oocyte retrieval methods, aspiration, slicing and puncture on the yield of different quality grades of oocytes and to evaluate the in vitro maturation rate of different grades of caprine oocytes. One hundred and thirty eight ovaries of Malabari goats and its crossbreds collected from the slaughter house were subjected to the oocyte retrieval methods. The oocytes harvested were graded based on the number of cumulus cell layers and ooplasm character into A, B, C and poor quality grades. Oocytes of A, B and C grades were subjected to maturation for 24 h in TCM-199 medium under standard culture conditions. Average yield of COC per ovary by aspiration, slicing and puncture was 3.93 ± 0.11, 4.44 ± 0.06 and 3.59 ± 0.07 respectively. Yield was significantly higher in slicing method than aspiration and puncture. The percentage yield of A, B, C and poor quality grades of oocytes by aspiration method was 26.74 per cent, 26.62 per cent, 24.77 per cent and 21.87 per cent respectively. Mean yield of oocytes of each quality grade by the same method were 1.05 ± 0.05, 1.05 ± 0.08, 0.98 ± 0.07 and 0.86 ± 0.04 respectively. Slicing yielded 23.08 per cent A class, 28.15 per cent B class, 24.44 per cent C class and 23.96 per cent poor quality oocytes. Mean yield of oocytes per ovary in these classes by slicing method were 1.04 ± 0.04, 1.25 ± 0.05, 1.08 ± 0.07 and 1.06 ± 0.06 respectively. Percentage yield of A, B, C and poor quality oocytes by puncture was 29.01 per cent, 30.26 per cent, 22.07 per cent and 18.66 per cent respectively. Mean yield per ovary by puncture method was 1.04 ± 0.04, 1.08 ± 0.03, 0.79 ± 0.04 and 0.67 ± 0.03 for A, B, C and poor quality oocytes respectively. No significant difference was observed in the yield of A, B and C class oocytes between aspiration, slicing and puncture. Yield of poor quality oocytes were significantly more in slicing method. The cumulus expansion rate of A class oocytes obtained by aspiration, slicing and puncture was 77.75 per cent, 69.70 per cent and 71.49 per cent respectively. Class C oocytes exhibited a cumulus expansion rate of 63.48 per cent, 51.37 per cent and 63.39 per cent respectively when collected by aspiration, slicing and puncture method. Class C oocytes obtained by aspiration, slicing and puncture when subjected to in vitro maturation exhibited a cumulus expansion rate of 39.17, 32.57 and 37.29 per cent respectively. Retrieval method was found to have no significant effect on cumulus expansion potential of caprine oocytes, whereas the COC morphology had significant effect on cumulus expansion potential. Nuclear maturation rate of A class oocytes collected by aspiration, slicing and puncture method were respectively 40, 30 and 50 per cent and polar body extrusion rate was 30, 20 and 30 per cent respectively. Class B oocytes exhibited nuclear maturation rate of 20, 10 and 30 per cent and polar body extrusion rate of 10, 10 and 20 per cent respectively by aspiration, slicing and puncture. Ten, 10 and 20 per cent of C class oocytes retrieved by aspiration, slicing and puncture exhibited nuclear maturation and 10 per cent polar body extrusion was observed in C class oocytes retrieved by puncture. None of the C class oocytes collected by aspiration or slicing exhibited polar body extrusion. This study proved that slicing is a better method than aspiration or puncture for retrieval of oocytes from caprine ovaries as it yielded more number of oocytes per ovary. Retrieval methods had no significant effect, whereas COC morphology was found to have significant effect on cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation and polar body extrusion rates of different grades of oocytesThesisItem Open Access Effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone and prostaglandin for improving reproductive efficiency in goats(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Julliet; KAU; Joseph, MathewWith the objective of studying the effect of GnRH and prostaglandin for improving reproductive efficiency in goats the study was carried out at University Sheep and Goat Farm, Mannuthy using 42 cycling goats. Based on the behavioural and physiological changes associated with oestrum the goats were divided into two groups viz., Group I and Group II. Group I animals were those that exhibited pronounced oestrus signs and were divided into two subgroups namely Group IA and Group IB. Group II animals were those that exhibited weak oestrus signs and were divided into three subgroups namely Group IIA, IIB and IIC. Group IA animals were administered 0.0042 mg Buserelin (1 ml Receptal) a potent GnRH analogue on day 0, and Group IB served as the Control. Blood was collected prior to GnRH administration and breeding from all does. The mean duration of oestrum in Group IA and IB was 19.33 ± 0.45 and 33 ± 0.58 h respectively. The conception rate in Group IA and IB was 50 per cent and 66.66 per cent respectively. The serum P4 level on day 0 in does in Group IA and IB was 0.43 ± 0.05 ng/ml and 0.40 ± 0.05 ng/ml respectively. Group IIA and Group IIB does were treated as per the CO-Synch protocol (i/m inj. of 0.0042 mg of Buserelin (1 ml Receptal) on day 0, 125 µg cloprostenol (0.5 ml clostenol) on day 7; 0.0042 mg of Buserelin and mating on day 9) and prostaglandin protocol respectively (two intramuscular injections of 125 µg cloprostenol (0.5 ml clostenol) 11 days apart followed by mating at 72 and 96 h), while Group IIC served as the control. The oestrus response, oestrus onset interval, duration of oestrum and conception rate in Group IIA was 90.9 per cent, 47.6 ± 0.45 h, 24.5 ± 0.63 h and 40 per cent respectively. The oestrus intensity score of induced oestrus ranged from 0 to 13. The serum P4 level in pregnant and non pregnant does was not significantly different on days 0, 7 and 9 (P>0.05). The oestrus response, oestrus onset interval, duration of oestrum and conception rate in Group IIB was 81.8 per cent, 54 ± 1.006 h, 39.77 ± 1.54 h and 66.66 per cent respectively. The oestrus intensity scores in induced oestrus ranged from 0 to 13. The serum progesterone level in does that became pregnant and those that were non pregnant were not significantly different on day 0, 11, and at 72 and 96 h. In Group II C the duration of oestrum and pregnancy rates was 40 ± 0.91 h and 33.33 per cent respectively. Pregnancy diagnosis was done at three months of gestation by abdominal palpation and the accuracy of the method was 90.9 per cent. Mean gestation length was 146.03 ± 0.76 days. Litter size at birth in Group IA, IB, IIA, IIB and IIC was 2, 2, 2, 1.83 and 2 respectively. Average birth weight of kids was 2.35 ± 0.164 kg and the mean birthweight of male and female kid was 2.42 ± 0.98 kg and 2.28 ± 0.36 kg respectively. Thus from the present study, it can be concluded that :- 1. Administration of GnRH on the day of oestrum in animals exhibiting pronounced oestrus signs failed to improve conception rate when compared to the control. 2. In animals exhibiting weak oestrus signs both CO-Synch and double prostaglandin protocols resulted in higher conception rate when compared to control group. 3. The double prostaglandin protocol was found to be more efficient in improving conception rate in animals exhibiting weak oestrus signs.ThesisItem Open Access Detection of serum relaxin as a diagnostic tool for early pregnancy diagnosis in bitches(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Deepthi, L; KAU; Sreekumaran, TWith the object of fioding a suitable and reliable method of early pregnancy diagnosis in bitches, the study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of trans abdominal palpation, ultrasound scanning and relaxin detection was conducted. The study consisted of 45 apparently healthy bitches whieh were brought to the clinics for finding the optimal breeding time. Out of this, ten animals were selected at random for pregnancy diagnosis and were subjected to different methods of pregnancy diagnosis at different gestational age-16 to 20 days, 21 to 24 days and 25 to 30 days post breeding. Blood samples were collected for the estimation of haemoglobin, packed eell volume and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at the day of breeding and also at the above gestation periods. Body weights were reeorded at the day of breeding and also at different gestation periods. In the present study, it was found that abdominal palpation was difficult m diagnosing pregnancy between 16 to 20 days of gestation. When palpation was done in between 21 to 24 and 25 to 30 days post breeding, the accuracy obtained was 50% and 70% respeetively. This study suggests that trans abdominal palpation was not useful in diagnosing early pregnancy. By ultrasound scanning, the percentage accuracy at 16 to 20 days was 50%, which improved to 80 percent and 100 percent at 21-24 and 25-30 days post breeding respeetively. Foetal heartbeat could be observed in all the positive cases from 24 days of gestation. Pseudo-pregnancy, pyometra and abortion could be easily identified by this method. The earliest positive result obtained for serum relaxin detection was obtained at 20" day post breeding and the percentage accuracy was 50% at this period, as against 100% at 21-30 days of gestation. In the present study, it was found that serum relaxin test was not influenced by pseudo-pregnancy and uterine pathological conditions like pyometra. There was significant variation in haemogram (P <0.01) at the day of breeding and at different gestational age. Haemoglobin concentration at 16-20, 21-24 and 25-30 days of gestation were 10.88+0.31, 10.24+0.22, 8.77+0.28g/dl, which was lower than the value 11.56+0.27 obtained prior to breeding. The packed cell volume values were 34.66+0.9, 30.77+0.94, 28.22+1.02 and 26±0.94 percent at day 0, 16-20, 21-24, 25-30 days post breeding. There was significant variation in the values before and after conception. There was significant variation in erythrocyte sedimentation rate between day zero and at different gestational age. The values obtained varied significantly and recorded as 4.6±0.33, 14.3±1.09, 17.8±1.28 and 21.76±1.47mm/hr at day 0, 16-20, 21-24 and 25-30 days of gestation respectively. The body weight of all the ten animals varied significantly (P<0.01). It was observed that the body weight had shown a steady and progressive increase as the pregnancy advanced. The study revealed that abdominal palpation was not very useful in diagnosing early pregnancy. By ultrasound scanning, uterus as well as foetus could be visualized after 23 days of gestation. Serum relaxin detection could be used as an early tool for pregnancy diagnosis in bitches from 20 days post breeding. Results of the present study suggest that the relaxin test was accurate in diagnosing early pregnancy and its advantage being that it could be conducted and interpreted easily by a dog breeder or a dog owner. It could be concluded that detection of serum relaxin is a quick, simple and accurate tool for diagnosing early pregnancy under field conditionsThesisItem Open Access Early pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography in goats(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Sreejith, J R; KAU; Athman, K VThe objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of B-mode ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis in goats and to identify the optimum stage of gestation for early pregnancy diagnosis using of transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography. Thirty apparently healthy does with the history of breeding were selected for the study and these goats were randomly divided into three groups consisting of ten animals each. Group I consisted of ten goats which were scanned between third and fourth week (15- 28 days) post-breeding. Ten goats scanned between fifth and sixth week (29- 42 days) post-breeding, were included in group II and group III consisted of ten goats which were scanned between seventh and eighth week (43- 56 days) post-breeding. These animals were subjected to B-mode real-time ultrasound scanning transrectally (7.5 MHz probe)) and transabdominally (3.5 MHz probe). The accuracy of transrectal scanning in group I, II and III was 90, 100 and 100 per cent respectively and the accuracy for corresponding weeks was 50, 100 and 100 per cent respectively for transabdominal scanning. The embryonic vesicle was detected earliest on day 19 of gestation by transrectal scanning and on day 26 by transabdominal scanning. The embryo was first observed on day 22 and day 28 by transrectal and transabdominal scanning respectively. The foetal heartbeat which was an indication of foetal viability was detected earliest by transrectal scanning on day 24 of gestation. But by transabdominal ultrasonography, it could be detected only on day 34 of gestation. Placentomes and foetal skeleton were observed on day 42 and 54 of gestation respectively using both methods of scanning. The mean diameter of gestational sac recorded was 5.1 mm on day 19 and 27 mm on day 36 of gestation by transrectal scanning. The mean diameter of gestational sac recorded was 15.7 mm on day 26 and 34.4 mm on day 36 of gestation by transabdominal scanning. The mean crown-rump length ranged from 7.2 mm on day 22 to 34.4 mm on day 43 of gestation using transrectal scanning. By transabdominal scanning, the mean crown-rump length recorded was 16.7 mm on day 28 and 32.7 mm on day 43 of gestation. The diameter of the placentomes recorded by transrectal and transabdominal scanning on day 42 of gestation was 8.4 mm and 8.5 mm respectively. All the foetal measures by transrectal and transabdominal scanning were highly correlated (r > 0.9) with gestational age. The overall accuracy for the prediction of foetal numbers by transrectal and transabdominal scanning was 80 and 50 per cent respectively. The accuracy for prediction of foetal number using transrectal scanning in pregnant animals of group I and III was 71.43 per cent. The accuracy for the prediction was 100 per cent in pregnant animals of group II. By transrectal scanning, the accuracy for the prediction of singletons, twins and triplets by transrectal scanning was 100, 83.33 and 50 per cent respectively. By transabdominal ultrasonography, it was not possible to predict foetal number accurately in pregnant animals group I. The accuracy for the prediction of foetal number in group II by transabdominal scanning was 66.66 per cent while it was 85.71 per cent in group III. . The accuracy for the prediction of singletons, twins and triplets by ultrasonography was 50, 58.33 and 25 per cent respectively. In conclusion, transrectal scanning was accurate for pregnancy diagnosis from fourth week of gestation and transabdominal from fifth week of gestation and that real-time ultrasound scanning by both transrectal and transabdominal approaches was found to be reliable, safe and accurate for the diagnosis of pregnancy in goats from fifth week of gestation.ThesisItem Open Access Preservability of bovine preantral follicles in situ(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Harinarayanan, P M; KAU; Vijayakumaran, VThe study was designed and conducted with the objectives of assessing: (1) efficiency of two different temperatures, media and duration of storage for short term preservation of bovine preantral follicles in situ and (2) efficiency of conventional vitrification (CV) and solid surface vitrification (SSV), for long term cryopreservation of bovine preantral follicles in situ. Ovaries of six freshly slaughtered adult crossbred cows were collected and transported to the laboratory within one hour in normal saline at room temperature. The ovarian cortex from both ovaries of each animal was separated, divided further into fifteen pieces. One hour after the slaughter a cortical piece was selected at random from each animal and fixed in Bouin’s fluid for histological processing later on (control). Twelve cortical pieces from each animal were randomly allotted for short term preservation, of which, six pieces each were placed in vials containing normal saline and remaining in Dulbecco’s phosphate buffered saline (DPBS). Three vials from normal saline group and DPBS group were stored at room temperature (25ºC) and the remaining three vials from each group were stored at refrigeration temperature (3-5ºC). One cortical piece was taken out, from each media, from both the storage temperatures, at four, eight and twelve hours of storage and fixed for histological analysis. The remaining two cortical pieces were further divided into smaller fragments of approximately 1mm3 size. The fragments from one piece were vitrified using conventional vitrification (CV) and the rest by solid surface vitrification (SSV) and stored in liquid nitrogen for ten days. The fragments were warmed and fixed after the storage period. The quality of preantral follicles in the fixed ovarian tissues was evaluated based on morphology in histological sections. The preantral follicles were counted, classified as primordial, primary and secondary. Storage at refrigeration temperature preserved the preantral follicles very much better than the storage at room temperature. The amount of normal preantral follicles reduced progressively with passage of time. Primordial follicles were better adapted to preservation than primary and secondary follicles. The preantral follicles were best preserved at refrigeration temperature up to four hours of storage. The morphologically normal preantral follicles in normal saline (55.17 %) and DPBS (56.17 %) at this temperature and storage period did not show significant difference from that of control (59 %). The primordial follicles were preserved in both normal saline (61.42 %) and DPBS (61.15 %) at refrigeration temperature up to four hours, at levels similar to control (62.63 %). However, only DPBS at refrigeration temperature could ideally preserve primary (51.13 % vs. 53.06 % in control) and secondary follicles (42.10 % vs. 48.83 % in control). The number of morphologically normal preantral follicles in situ was significantly reduced after both CV (25.5 %) and SSV (37.17 %). But, SSV was significantly better than CV for preserving the quality of preantral follicles. According to this study DPBS at refrigeration temperature is ideal for preserving all the three classes of bovine preantral follicles in situ up to four hours of storage. Though vitrification of bovine ovarian tissue could not preserve preantral follicles at ideal levels, SSV was found to be far superior to CV in preserving bovine preantral follicles in situ.ThesisItem Open Access Reproductive performance of cross bred heifers under special livestock breeding programme of Kerala(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Sathyaraj N; KAU; Aravinda Ghosh, K NThe study was conducted to assess the influence of better feeding and management of calves selected under Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP) implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry of Kerala. Twenty two calves which were covered under SLBP and 11 calves which were not covered under SLBP were selected at random to form group I and II respectively. All the animals in both groups belonged to the farmers below poverty line (BPL) of Anthikad, Villadom and Ollukkara Villages of Thrissur District. Group I animals were fed with good quality compounded cattle feed supplied to farmers at 50 per cent subsidized rate from Department of Animal Husbandry and provide extension support, adequate health and insurance cover. These animals were closely monitored at monthly intervals and were dewormed at regular intervals. Group II animals were maintained by poor farmers under field condition and their feeding and management were fully dependent on the interest and capability of the farmers. The body weight of all animals in group I and II were recorded at 6th, 12th and 18th month of age and at puberty and sexual maturity. The mean body weight in animals belonging to group I at 6th, 12th and at 18th month of age and at puberty and maturity were 68.32 ± 0.88, 116.59 ± 0.94 and 178.36 ± 1.36 , 165.5 ± 0.08 and 174.55 ± 1.7 kg and in group II were 69.36 ± 1.0, 83.26 ± 0.84 and 102.16 ± 0.29, 155.26 ± 0.29 and 165.24 ± 0.2 kg respectively. The daily weight gain of animals belonging to group I and II from 6th to 12th month of age were 268.22 g per day and 77.2 g per day respectively and that from 12th to 18th month of age were 343.16 and 105 g per day respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that group I animals had higher level of significance (P<0.01) compared group II animals. It was found that all the animals in group I exhibited puberty before 21 months of age while only 2 (18.2 per cent) exhibited puberty in control group by 24th month of age. The overall age at puberty in group I experimental animals were 448.68 ± 16.20 days whereas in group II animals were 645 days. Similarly, all the experimental animals in group I reached maturity by 24th month of age while only 2 (18.2%) reached maturity in control group. The overall age at maturity in group I experimented animals was 515.09 ± 15.06 days whereas in group II animals it was 686 days. There is higher level of significance in age at puberty and maturity between these two groups. A total of 14 (63.6%) in group I whereas only 2 (18.2%) in group II conceived by 24th month of age. The overall age at conception in group I experimental animals was 619 ± 22.66 days whereas in group II control animals it was 716 days. The number of AI per conception in group I animals was 1.86 whereas in group II was 2.5. The heifers covered under SLBP had reached puberty and maturity at an early age and obtained a higher conception rate when compared to control group. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leukocyte counts, and total erythrocyte counts were estimated in all the animals at 6th, 12th and 18th month of age and at puberty and maturity. It was found that all the haematological parameters except leukocytes counts were significantly higher in group I animals from 12th month of age to maturity compared to group II animals. The blood biochemical constituents like calcium, copper, iron, cobalt, zinc and manganese were estimated by Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and phosphorus by colourimetry. The serum phosphorus, iron, cobalt and copper were found to be significantly higher in group I whereas there was no significant difference in serum calcium, zinc and manganese levels between the two groups. It is concluded that calves enrolled under SLBP implemented by AH Department of the State attained puberty and maturity at an early age and yielded a satisfactory conception rate under field conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination to improve fertility in postpartum dairy cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Rajeswari, T; KAU; Aravinda Ghosh, K NThe present research work was undertaken to evaluate different oestrus synchronization protocols and to recommend a better and more consistent timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol for improving fertility in postpartum dairy cows. The study was performed in 30 crossbred cows at day 40 postpartum belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy during the period from July 2007 to May 2008. Efficacy of various synchronization protocols for inducing oestrus and ovulation and conception rate in the experimental and control groups were determined. In Group I, 20µg of GnRH analogue (Buserelin) was administered intramuscularly on day 40 postpartum followed by 500µg of PGF2α analogue (Cloprostenol) on day 7 intramuscularly and a second dose of 10µg GnRH was administered on day 9 followed by TAI at 24th and 32nd hours. In Group II, 20µg of GnRH analogue was administered intramuscularly on day 40 postpartum followed by 500µg of PGF2α analogue intramuscularly on day 11 and a second dose 10µg GnRH analogue was administered on day 13 followed by TAI at 24th and 32nd hours. In Group III, induction of oestrus was done by administering PGF2α analogue 500µg intramuscularly on day 40 postpartum. A second dose of PGF2α analogue was administered on day 11, followed by TAI at 72nd and 80th hour. In Group IV, cows with a palpable functional CL on day 40 postpartum were administered 500µg PGF2α analogue and were inseminated at observed oestrus. Cows inseminated during first natural post partum oestrus formed the control group (Group V). In the experimental and control groups serum progesterone was estimated on day 40 postpartum, on days of hormone administration and during oestrum. Pregnancy diagnosis was done by rectal palpation of genitalia at 60 days after AI in all groups and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. Response to oestrus synchronization was 83.33, 33.33, 66.67 and 100 per cent in Group I to IV respectively. The time taken for induction of oestrum was 52.50 ± 0.99, 52.33 ± 0.71, 52.83 ± 1.40 and 53 ± 0.97 h respectively in Group I to IV but there was no significant difference between the groups. The duration of oestrus in Groups I to V were 37.33 ± 0.71, 35.67 ± 0.88, 40.50 ± 0.76, 38.83 ± 0.83 and 39.83 ± 0.48 h respectively. The percentage of animals showing high, medium and low intensities of oestrum respectively were 0, 33.33 and 50 in Group I, 0, 33.33 and 0 in Group II, 33.33, 33.33 and 0 in Group III, 83.33, 16.66 and 0 in Group IV, 83.33,16.66 and 0 in Group V. The mean serum progesterone level on day 0, 7, 9 and observed oestrum for those conceived in Group I were1.56 ± 0.69, 5.00 ± 0.94, 0.55 ± 0.09 and 0.36 ± 0.06 ng/ml. For those animals in Group I that did not conceive, the corresponding values for the same days were 0.36 ± 0.01, 0.76 ± 0.61, 0.40 ± 0.11 and 0.32 ± 0.08 ng/ml respectively. In Group II, the mean serum progesterone level on day 0, 11, 13 and observed oestrum for the conceived were 0.49 ± 0.23, 1.59 ± 0.59, 0.35 ± 0.13 and 0.88 ± 0.13 ng/ml respectively and those that did not conceive had mean serum progesterone level 0.99 ± 0.44, 0.35 ± 0.20, 0.31 ± 0.07 and 0.88 ± 0.21 ng/ml respectively. In Group III, the mean serum progesterone level on day 0, 11 and observed oestrum for the conceived were 0.83 ± 0.19, 3.05 ± 0.38 and 0.33 ± 0.10 ng/ml respectively and for the non conceived the corresponding values were 0.20 ± 0.05, 0.34 ± 0.11 and 1.39 ± 0.01 ng/ml respectively. The conceived animals in Group IV had mean serum progesterone level 2.77 ± 0.38 and 0.46 ± 0.12 ng/ml respectively on day 0 and observed oestrum while for those that did not conceive the corresponding values were 1 and 0.5ng/ml respectively. In the control group those that conceived had serum progesterone levels 1.30 ± 0.29 and 0.55 ± 0.08 ng/ml on day 40 and observed oestrum and the corresponding values for those that did not conceive were 1.6 ± 0.85, 0.685 ± 0.235 ng/ml respectively. The conception rates after synchronization in Groups I to V were 66.66, 33.33, 66.66, 83.33 and 66.66 per cent respectively. The overall conception rate in Groups I to V were 83.33, 83.33, 66.66, 83.33 and 66.66 per cent respectively. The mean calving to conception interval for the experimental groups was 53.84 ± 2.31 days whereas the corresponding values for the control and herd were 95 ± 6.19 and 200.78 ± 15.97 days respectively. The present study revealed that treatment with GnRH and PGF2α during early post partum period was useful for reducing the intercalving interval in a herd. Similarly single PGF2α administration on confirmation of a functional CL by clinical examination was useful and more economical for individual animals and small herds. Hence it is recommended that Ovsynch and PGF2α protocol could be suitably employed for reducing the intercalving period in post partum dairy cows.ThesisItem Open Access Factors affecting conception rate on artificial insemination in goats(College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Remya Rajan, V; KAU; Metilda, JosephWith the objective of evaluating the factors affecting conception rate on artificial insemination in goats, a study was carried out at Artificial Insemination Centre, under the department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur using 22 ejaculates collected thrice weekly from an adult Malabari crossbred buck. Semen samples for chilling were diluted in Tris-yolk buffer and preserved at 3-5oC for 72 hours. Cryopreservation was done in Tris yolk glycerol extender after the removal of seminal plasma. The semen was diluted and packed in 0.25 ml straws and each dose contained 200 million progressively motile sperms before processing.A total of 44 adult healthy does brought to the AI Centre for insemination were selected for the study after detecting heat using buck jar technique. Selected does were at random allotted to four groups with eleven animals in each group. Does belonging to Group I, II and III were inseminated using chilled semen having motility over 35 per cent and stored for 0-24 h, 24-48 h and 48-72 h respectively. Animals of Group IV were inseminated using frozen semen having a minimum of 35 per cent post thaw motility. Transcervical insemination was carried out in the does in oestrus by speculum method. The depth of penetration of AI gun was assessed using another sheath as yardstick. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at two months of gestation by ultrasonography or at three months of gestation by abdominal palpation.Average volume, density and mass activity of buck semen were 1.25 ± 0.97 ml, DDDD and ++++ respectively. Colour of the semen was creamy with a yellowish tinge. Average semen pH and sperm concentration were 6.89 ± 0.21 and 2781.82 ± 51.69 millions per ml respectively. The mean percentage of initial motility, sperm viability, abnormality and intact acrosomes was 82.77 ± 0.33, 90.14 ± 0.53, 2.28 ± 0.12 and 92.27 ± 0.21 respectively.The percentage of sperm motility at 24, 48 and 72 h of preservation at refrigeration temperature was 70.25 ± 0.60, 61.13 ± 0.72 and 42.81 ± 0.95 respectively. The live sperm percentage dropped to 83.42 ± 1.27 at 24 h, 78.84 ± 1.47 at 48 h and 74.57 ± 1.53 at 72 h of preservation by chilling. The percentage of sperm abnormalities increased to 2.97 ± 0.13 at 24 h, 4.12 ± 0.15 at 48 h and 5.34 ± 0.11 at 72 h of preservation. The percentage of intact acrosomes was 90.27 ± 0.18 at 24 h, 87.71 ± 0.37 at 48 h and 85.09 ± 0.44 at 72 h of refrigeration storage. There was significant difference between sperm motility, viability, abnormality and acrosome integrity at various storage periods.The percentage of sperm motility of 78.50 ± 0.50 at the end of initial extension decreased to 37.67 ± 0.49 after cryopreservation. The mean live sperm percentage was 84.66 ± 0.91 at the end of initial extension which after freezing and thawing dropped to 60.36 ± 0.77. The mean percentage of sperm abnormalities increased from 3.82 ± 0.12 to 6.34 ± 0.22 at the end of cryo preservation. The mean percentage of intact acrosomes was 85.68 ± 0.72 at the end of initial extension which showed a decrease to 76.06 ± 1.41 after cryopreservation. There was significant difference (p<0.01) between semen quality of frozen semen and chilled semen at various storage periods. Predominant behavioural signs observed using “Buck jar” technique were bleating, wagging of tail, frequent urination and flehmen reaction with an average intensity of heat score 2.91 ± 0.10. The major clinical signs were vulval oedema, moistness and hyperaemia of vagina, mucus discharge and opening of cervical os. Average depth of penetration of AI gun was 20.07 ± 1.35 mm. Overall conception rate in does inseminated using chilled semen was 72.73 per cent. Conception rate in Group I, II and III were 81.82, 63.64 and 72.73 per cent respectively, which did not differ significantly. The conception rate in does inseminated using frozen semen was 27.27 per cent. The study indicated that progressive motility and fertility of buck semen decrease on freezing causing a significant (p<0.01) reduction in conception rates compared to chilled semen. Intensity of heat and depth of penetration of AI gun have significant correlation with pregnancy status of does inseminated using frozen semen. The study revealed that liquid storage of buck semen under refrigeration is a viable alternative for propagation of germplasm of superior bucks with low freezability as it ensures better conception rates.