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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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20072
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Subject: Animal Reproduction and Gynecology × End date: 2007 × Start date: 2007 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen 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, T
    With 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 conditions
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    ThesisItemOpen 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 N
    The 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.