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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 Management of Oestrous Cycle in Crossbred Cattle Using Prostaglandin(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1994) Ajit Kumar, G; KAU; Madhavan, EWith the object of studying the efficacy of administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha in the management of oestrous cycle and fertility of fixed time insemination in induced oestrus, 96 heifers and cows which were cycling, selected from Kerala Agricultural University Livestock Farms, were allotted to three different groups. Sixteen heifers and 16 cows in group I were given 25 mg PGF2 alpha (Lutalyse) intramuscularly when they had functional corpora lutea, while in group II, 16 heifers and 16 cows were administered two injections of PGF2 alpha 25 mg each 13 days apart. Sixteen heifers and 16 cows were treated as control (Group III). Twelve heifers (75%) and 16 cows (100%) in group I and all animals in group II responded to treatment. Mean time taken for induction of oestrus was 56.64 and 65.44 h respectively in heifers and cows. This difference was statistically significant. Parity of cows significantly influenced the time taken for induction of oestrus. Duration of oestrus was significantly different between heifers (21.86 h) and cows (31.13h) of the experimental group. Significant difference in the duration of oestrus was observed among cows between experimental and control groups. All experimental animals which responded to PGF2 alpha showed marginal increase in physical characters of the reproductive tract like vulval oedema, hyperaemia of vaginal mucosa, vulval discharge and tonicity of uterine horns. Majority of the experimental animals showed medium to high intensity of oestrus compared to natural oestrus. The first insemination and overall conception rates of heifers in group I, inseminated 72 h post-treatment, were 33.33 and 66.67 per cent respectively as against 33.33 and 50 per cent when inseminated 96 h post-treatment. Cows in groupI recorded 25 and 62.50 per cent and 37.50 and 62. 50per cent first insemination and overall conception rates respectively when inseminated 72 h and 96 h post-treatment. When heifers and cows in group II were inseminated 72h after the administration of the second dose of PGF2 alpha, 12.50 and 25 per cent conceived at first insemination with overall conception rate of 62.50 and 37.50 per cent respectively. The corresponding values in group II, when inseminated 96 h, were 25 and 12.5 per cent and 50 and 12.5 per cent respectively. Among control 6.25 per cent of heifers and 18.75 per cent of cows conceived at first insemination. The first insemination conception rate of heifers of experimental (25%) and control groups (6.25%) were significantly different. However, overall conception rate did not differ between the three groups. There was no influence of parity or season on the conception rate. Similarly the time taken for induction of oestrus, duratioh of oestrus, physical changes of the reproductive tract during oestrus and intensity of oestrus did not affect the conception rate. Heifers and cows required 1.88 and 1.93 inseminations respectively per conception when treated with PGF2 alpha as against 3.14 and 3.33 in the control group. Though, the present investigation revealed that PGF2 alpha can be used in the management of oestrous cycle in crossbred heifers and cows with fixed time insemination, the high cost of the drug and the conception rate obtained warrant further studies on fertility in relation to detected oestrus and fixed time insemination after the administration of PGF2 alpha.ThesisItem Open Access Reproductive pattern and performance of nanny goats in Kerala(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Krishna Kumar, G; KAU; Sudarsanen, VA study to elucidate the reproductive pattern and performance of nanny goats under the agroclimatic conditions of Kerala conducted on a flock of 154 nanny goats of mixed genotype, Malabari, Saanen x Malabari and Alpine x Malabari, maintained under the All India Co – ordinated Research Project on goats for milk, Kerala Agricultural University, has revealed the following results and conclusions. The method adopted was detection of oestrus twice a day using a vasectomised buck and by clinical examination. On detection, all animals of good reproductive health were bred artificially with freshly collected semen extended in Tris buffered yolk extender and preserved at low temperature. A group of animals were given a second insemination after seven hours of the first insemination for a comparison of the success rate to single and double inseminations during a heat. Following breeding, the duration of gestation, durations of stages of parturition, presentation of kids, incidence of multiple birth and secondary sex ratio were also recorded. Daily record of maximum and minimum temperature for a period of one year of the study was maintained. The period was divided into four quarters almost in agreement with the four natural seasons and the conceptions during each of the quarters were related with their secondary sex ratio and birth weight records to know the influence of the environmental temperature on them. Placental area weight records were also maintained and by applying linear regression equation they have been correlated with the birth weight to establish that the birth weight difference was due to the influence of environmental temperature on placental growth and development. Goats were found to be polyoestrous and 61. 54 per cent came into oestrus during the period from April to September when the day is long. Of the two peak breeding activities noticed the greater one occurred in July and the other during November. Breeding activity was found to be low during the months of January and February. The duration of oestrous cycle was found to be 18 – 23 days but the cycle length varied from 6 to 140 days. 45.8 per cent of the animals had an oestrus duration of less than 18 days. Duration of oestrus varied from 12- 48 h. Cessation of oestrus was noticed in 84.8 per cent of animals by 36 h and in 93.26 per cent of animals by 48 h. Conception percentage to first time single and double inseminations during a heat were 33.93 and 42.85 respectively. Overall conception percentages for the above were 71.42 and 82.14 respectively. Average gestation length was 145.62 ± 0.23 days while with singleton, twin and triplet, the durations were 146.05 ± 144.86 ± 0.32 and 145.25 ± 1.03 days. In twin pregnancies and in pregnancies with male foetus/foetuses in both singleton and homogamous twin, was found to have lesser duration of gestation. Mean durations of the first, second and third stages of labour were 57.47 ± 10.29 , 14.52 ± 1.34 and 128.87 ± 4.84 min respectively. Presentation of kids at the time of birth was 88.9 per cent in anterior and the rest in posterior presentation. Secondary sex ratios of singleton and multiple pregnancies were 52.05 and 54.08 per cent with an overall of 53.22 per cent. No significant variation could be observed in the secondary sex ratio of kids those were conceived between seasons having variable environmental temperature. Mean birth weight of kids born during the three trimesters with mean environmental maximum temperature 39.0, 33.4 and 36.30 C were respectively 1.64, 1.92 and 1.88 kg. Between the trimesters having 39. 00 C and 33.40 C there was a significant increase in birth weight. A definite correlation was found to exist between the placental weight and birth weight and the placental area and birth weight. The following conclusions were derived : 1. There is a reproductive pattern difference as could be seen from the above as 61.54 per cent of the oestruses occurred during the period of long days, contrary to the belief that breeding season of goats is the short days. Peak breeding activity was also noticed during the month of July. An instinctive attempt to reduce the number of births during the months of heavy rain which is not conducive for the survival of the young could be appreciated from the low breeding activity seen during January and February. 2. The duration of oestrous cycle, oestrus, gestation and the first, second and third stages of parturition were found to be in consonance with the already available informations. 3. Two inseminations during a heat was found to improve the conception percentage over single insemination. 4. Incidence of multiple pregnancy was found to be lower in the flock. 5. Secondary sex ratio of the kids born was 53.22 per cent and it confirms well with the reports already available. Presentation of foetus was anterior in 88.9 per cent and the rest of posterior presentation. 6. Conception between periods of variable environmental temperature did not seem to influence the sex ratio, to significantly alter the secondary sex ratio. 7. Environmental temperature at the time of conception was found to significantly influence the birth weight of kids. From the correlation that could be established between placental weight and birth weight and between placental area and birth weight it could be inferred that the environmental temperature effect on birth weight is through its influence on placental development and growth.ThesisItem Open Access Superovulatory response, embryo collection and transfer in crossbred cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Unnikrishnan, M P; KAU; Suresan Nair, S POut of eleven crossbred cows superovulated with 2000 IU of PMSG on day eleven and 25 mg PGF2 alpha 48 h later, nine animals (81.8%) exhibited oestrum after an average interval of 39.44 ± 2.44 h. Average duration of oestrum was 40.00 ± 2.00 h with 66.7 per cent of them exhibiting intense heat signs and 33.3 per cent exhibiting only moderate heat signs. Average number of corpora lutea and unovulated follicles in both the ovaries put together was 6.67 ± 0.50 and 6.22 ± 0.57 respectively. Ovarian response was more in right ovary than in left ovary, though not statistically significant. Average fluid recovery on flushing was 79.5 per cent which was comparatively low. The average embryo recovery and percentage of embryo recovery were 3.38 ± 0.70 and 53.11 ± 10.18 respectively, which was comparatively lower. The reason for poor recovery of embryo was attributed to poor fluid recovery on flushing. The average number and percentage of transferrable embryo recovered were 1.50 ± 0.53 and 33.34 ± 10.14. Reason for these lower rates were attributed to loss of embryo quality, due to prolonged action of PMSG. Donors of parity over three performed better on superovulation and flushing, than those below three. Animals of age group six to nine years produced more transferrable embryos than cows of age group ten and above. A conception rate of 30 per cent was achieved after transfer of embryos to naturally synchronised recipients. Heifers appeared to be better recipients than cows. Although a high incidence of abortion was encountered, birth of an embryo transfer male calf was also recorded in the study. All the donor cows came into regular oestrous cycle within four months of superovulation treatment.ThesisItem Open Access Superovulation, Sychronisation of oestrus and embryo transfer in crossbred cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Suresan Nair, S P; KAU; Neelakanta Iyer, C PThe object of the present investigation was to ascertain the influence of varying doses of FSH and PGF2₻on various parameters of superovulation and embryo collections, with the ultimate aim of fixing the optimum dose of FSH and PGF2 ₻ required for successful superovulation in crossbred cows. Detailed investigation was made in a herd of 32 crossbred cows belonging to the University Livestock Farm, attached to the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, during the period from April 1989 to December, 1991. The animals were randomly divided into 6 groups based on 3 doses of FSH and 2 doses of PGF2 ₻ administered. It was observed that 20 mg of FSH, with 25 mg of PGF2 induced satisfactory superovulation response and 20 mg of FSH with 15 mg of PGF2 ₻ resulted in better embryo quality. Further increase in the dose did not show any improvement in the responses. Right ovary showed more response than the left. Day 11 was found to be ideal for starting superovulation treatment, and day 6 for embryo collection, though statistically no significant influence was noticed by day of collection on superovulation response. Parity and age of donors had no influence on superovulation. Rainy and summer months were found to be better seasons for superovulation treatment than winter. Shorter duration (24 hr) of oestrum was noticed in more number of animals. 20 mg of FSH and 25 mg of PGF2 ₻ (group 3) yielded better cervical dilatation and flushing efficiency. Level of progesterone increased following superovulation treatment and declined 3 days before oestrum and reached the lowest level on day of oestrum. Pregnancy rate achieved was 33.3 per cent, but calving percentage was nil.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of different glycerol concentrations on freezing of buck semen(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Prasanth, V; KAU; Mathai, EWith the object of studying the effect of different concentrations of glycerol on post-thaw motility and fertility of frozen buck semen, five Malabari crossbred (Alpine x Malabari) bucks maintained at Artificial Insemination Centre and 75 does in heat, brought to the A. I. centre, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur were used. The average volume of semen was 0.71 ± 0.02 mI. Semen volume varied significantly between bucks. The average colour index was creamy, density was DDDD and the mass activity was ++++. The average pH of semen was 6.85 ± 0.01. The average sperm motility percentage was 85.83 ± 1.05. Motility percentage varied significantly between bucks. The average sperm concentration was 2842.33 ± 153.93 millions/mI. Highly significant difference in sperm concentration was noted between bucks. The average live sperm percentage was 91.03 ± 0.56. There was highly significant difference in live sperm percentage between bucks. Significantly higher percentage of sperm motility was noted in spermatozoa with seminal plasma than in spermatozoa without seminal plasma at 60 minutes of incubation. Slight increase in motility percentage was noted for spermatozoa with and without seminal plasma at 10 minutes of incubation. From 10 minutes to 60 minutes motility was gradually decreasing. Between bucks there was highly significant difference in sperm motility of incubated spermatozoa. Live sperm percentage was significantly higher for spermatozoa without seminal plasma at all time periods of cold shock. There was a rapid reduction in live sperm percentage at five minutes of cold shock. The live sperm percentages between bucks were significant at different time periods except at 10 minutes and 30 minutes of cold shock. The average time taken for reduction of methylene blue by spermatozoa with and without seminal plasma were 173.16 ± 8.77seconds and 197.00 ± 9.97 seconds respectively. Significant difference was noted in methylene blue reduction time between bucks. Average percentage sperm motility after washing was 76.71 ± 0.79. Maximum percentage motility after glycerolisation was obtained in six per cent glycerolated semen (67.85 ± 1.39). There was highly significant reduction in motility percentage after glycerolisation. Maximum post-thaw motility was obtained in six per cent glycerolated extender (42.00 ± 1.84). Highly significant reduction in motility percentage was noted after freezing. The conception percentage and kidding percentage were 47 .36 and 43. 85 respectively. Average gestation length was 149.85 ± 4.45 days. The number of kids per kidding averaged 1.7. Percentage of male and female kidsborn were 51.16 and 48.83 respectively. From this study it could be inferred that Tris extender with six per cent glycerol was superior to Tris extender with four per cent, five per cent or seven per cent glycerol for better post-thaw motility and fertility of frozen buck semen.ThesisItem Open Access Synchronisation of oestrus super ovulation and embryo collection in goats(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Benjamin, E D; KAU; Nair, M SWith the object of evolving effective methods for standardising techniques for synchronisation of oestrus superovulation and collection of embryos 18 healthy goats were selected from the goat farm attached to the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy and randomly divided into three different groups with six animals in each Animals m the first group were given two doses of 10 mg PGF2cl H days apart and those in the second group were given 12 5 mg progesterone injection daily for 16 days Six animals in the third group were not given any treatment and kept as control The respective treatments were repeated in group I and II after a period of sixty days and superovulation in group I was carried out with eCG injection 1000 IU given intramuscularly on the day previous to the second dose of PGF2a In group II superovulation was done by intramuscular injection of 1000 IU eCG given on the 15th day of progesterone treatment All the animals in the above groups and animals in the control group were inseminated with good quality buck semen four to six hours after the onset of oestrus Embryos were collected surgically m all the eighteen goats by flushing the fallopian tube towards the fimbria after conducting laparotomy of the inseminated goats on the left flank All the animals in group I came to oestrus 57 8 ± 5 65 h after the second injection of PGF2a and the duration of oestrus was 48 ± 8 76 h In group II 83 33% were m oestrus at an interval of 101 6 + 6 11 h after the last progesterone injection and the duration of oestrus was 28 ± 1 41 h The results of administration of eCG in the second treatment regime with PGF2a in group I revealed that all animals in this group evinced oestrus at a mean interval of 50 3 ± 10 86 h after the second injection of PGF2a and the mean duration of oestrus was 44 ± 4h The total number of ovulation points on both the ovaries in this group were 8 4 ± 1 94 with 4 ± 1 30 and 4 4 ± 0 748 for the right and left ovaries respectively The total number of unruptured follicles on both the ovaries was 5 33 ± 1 64 The animals in group II after administration of eCG and progesterone evinced oestrus 72+9 06 h after the last progesterone injection with the duration of oestrus as 38 3 ± 4 46 h The total number of ovulation points on both the ovaries was 12 8 ± 1 4 and the values were 7 5 ± 2 31 for the right and 5 3 ± 2 04 for the left ovary The total number of unruptured follicles on both the ovaries was 3 2 + 1 579 The results of embryo collection in animals in group I revealed that the average number of embryos collected from both the ovaries was 4 8 ± 0 97 with 2 2 ± 0 66 for the right and 2 6 ± 0 39 for the left ovary The total number of embryos collected from all the animals in both the ovaries was 24 (57 14%) of which 17 (70 83%) were transferrableThesisItem Open Access Reproductive performance of cows under homoeothermal disturbances(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1995) Athman, K V; Sudarsanan, VBased on the data on the maximum minimum temperature and humidity for a period of two years a year of study was divided into four seasons of JJA SON DJF and MAM The mean maximum environmental temperature of the seasons were 29 56 31 52 32 73 and 34 88°C respectively Two thousand two hundred and ninety eight cows brought to the AI centre from the homesteads of Mannuthy were grouped into 11 treatments of pre and post insemination rests and no rests They were bred by artificial insemination and results of insemination were assessed on the basis of non return Mean conception rate of the seasons were statistically analysed to know the effect of environmental temperature and the effect of pre and post insemination rests to the animals There was no significant difference m conceptions between seasons between the post insemination rests and no rests and between pre insemination rests of 30 and 60 minutes and no rest Conception per cent was significantly higher in the animals those were given pre insemination rest for 90 and 120 minutes Animals with light coat colour had a significantly higher conception rate than those with dark colour irrespective of the seasons Animals inseminated m the afternoon were generally found to have a better conception rate than those inseminated m the forenoon There was no significant difference in the conception rate of heifers and cows both between seasons and between themselves So also there was no significant difference in conception rate of parity groups both between seasons and between themselves Statistical analysis of seasonal mean weight of foetal membranes mean number of cotyledons and mean area of cotyledons and mean birth weight of calves did not show any correlation to suggest influence of seasonal environmental temperature on placental development and birth weight of calvesThesisItem Open Access Prostaglandin therapy for post-partum clinical endometritis(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Jacob, T C; KAU; Madhavan, EThe object of the investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic values of alpha# for evolving a non antibiotic alternative for the treatment of post partum clinical endometritis. For this, 42 cross-bred cows, belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, having post partum clinical endometritis were divided into four groups. Group I consisted of 10 animals which were watched for their natural oestrus and inseminated twice at 24 hours interval. In group II, 11 animals were observed for their natural oestrus and inseminated twice at 24 hours interval and were given post insemination intrauterine antibiotic treatment 24 hours later based on antibiotic sensitivity test. Eleven animals in group III were subjected to induction of oestrus by administration of PGF2 alpha (Lutalyse) 25 mg intramuscular 8-12 days of their cycle and inseminated twice at 24 hours, at the induced oestrus. Group IV consisted of 10 animals subjected to induction of oestrus as in group III and inseminated twice at 24 hours interval and were given post insemination intrauterine antibiotic therapy based on sensitivity tests, 24 hours later. The observations made and inferences drawn are given below. The interval from the administration of PGF2 alpha to the onset of oestrus ranged from 4.8-120 hours (mean 61.81 hours) and 36 to 72 hours (mean 54.0 hours) in group III and IV, respectively. The mean duration of oestrus was 21.6 hours, 23.36 hours, 28.36 hours and 31.60 hours in the four groups respectively. The duration of oestrus showed significant variation between groups I and IV (f = 2-8910) and between groups II and IV (t* = 2.6445). The percentage of intense, medium and weak oestrus was 66.66, 23.80 and 9.52 per cent respectively in natural oestrus and 66.66, 19.04 and 14.28 in induced oestrus respectively. The difference in the intensity of oestrus between natural and induced oestrus was not significantly different, although, a slightly high incidence of weak oestrus was observed, when oestrus was induced with Lutalyse. Physical changes of the reproductive tract' like oedema of the vulva, congestion of vulval mucosa and sliminess did not show any variation between the natural oestrus and induced oestrus. The percentage of animals showing purulent discharge, discharge with flakes and cloudy discharge showed a marked reduction when treated with PGF2 alpha alone and a combination of PGF2 alpha and antibiotics. Similarly the percentage of animals showing clear discharge increased enormously by above treatments. The bacterial organisms isolated from the uterine discharges were citrobacter spp. 23.84 per cent, Bacillus spp.. 23.80 per cent, S. aureus .14.28 per cent, Pseudomonas 14.28 per cent, Corynebacterium spp. 9.52 per cent, Coagulase negative staphylococci, 9.52 per cent and the yeast Candida guilliermondii 4.76 per cent. Gentamicin was the most sensitive antibiotic for most of the organisms isolated, followed by chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline and sulphadiazine. Penicillin was the most resistant followed by streptomycin and nitrofurantoin. Significant difference in the overall conception rate was observed between different groups; the overall conception rate was significantly higher in group IV than in group I and II (t1 = 4.8341 between groups I & IV and t' = 2.9186 betweengroups II & IV). Significantly higher conception rate was observed in group III than group I also (t ' = 5.5886). The number of inseminations required per conception was lowest in group III and highest in group I. Thus, it appeared that PGF2 alpha in combination with antibiotic was beneficial in the treatment of clinical endometritis. But since the number of inseminations required for conception was lower in group III than group IV and because, there is no significant difference in the overall conception rate, between these two groups, it could be inferred that administration of antibiotics along with P G F 2 alpha did not have any added advantage. Furthermore, considering the harmful effects of administration of antibiotics, it may be stated that PGF2 alpha alone would be beneficial in the treatment of post partum clinical endometritis and can be recommended as the drug of choiceThesisItem Open Access Pathological conditions of ovary and bursa in cross-bred cattle(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Viju George; KAU; Prabhakaran Nair, KTwo hundred and fifty two non – gravid genitalia and 13 gravid genitalia of cross – bred cows collected from slaughter houses were examined morphologically for lesions in the ovary and bursa and those with gross lesions were examined histopathologically for confirmation of the conditions. Eighty – seven pairs of ovaries showing cyclic activity, nine pairs of ovaries from pregnant animals, 12 pairs of inactive ovaries and 1.4 pairs of senile atrophic ovaries were utilised for biometrical studies of ovaries, corpora lutea and graafian follicles. While out of the 252 genitalia examined, 139 (55.16 per cent) showed one or more lesions of the ovary and bursa, only 39.28 per cent showed one or more lesions in the ovary. The ovarian pathological conditions were inactive ovaries (23.41 per cent), cystic ovaries (2.78 per cent), cystic corpora lutea (2.78 per cent), haemorrhage in the ovary (5.56 per cent), persistent corpus luteum (0.79 per cent), retention cyst (0.79 per cent), par ovarian cyst (3.17 per cent) and par ovarian abscess (0.40 per cent). The incidence of pathological conditions of bursa was 26.98 per cent, which included bursitis and ovarobursal adhesion (25.79 per cent), hydrops bursa (0.40 per cent) and haemorrhagic bursitis (0.79 per cent). The most common type of bursitis was fibrinous which was the mildest and was of no significance in causing infertility. The strandular type of ovarobursal adhesions might lead to subfertility or infertility. The weight and dimension of senile atrophic ovaries were significantly higher than those of ovaries in follicular and luteal phases of the cycle and inactive ovaries (P > 0.01). Similarly the weight and dimensions of ovaries in follicular and luteal phases of the cycle were significantly more than those of inactive ovaries (P > 0.01). However no significant differences in the weight and dimensions of ovaries in follicular and luteal phases of cycle and the right and left ovaries in both phases of cycle were noticed. It may be concluded that the pathological conditions affecting ovaries and bursa of cross – bred cows slaughtered at local slaughter houses were fairly high probably on account of the fact that most of the cows slaughtered were problem breeders. The biometrical and gross morphological studies of the ovaries of cross – bred cows in cycle, anoestrum and senility would greatly help the clinician in differential diagnosis of these conditions.
