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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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20054
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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × End date: 2005 × Start date: 2005 ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Medroxyprogesterone acetate as an aid to birth control programme in stray dogs
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Deepak Mathew, D K; KAU; Joseph Mathew
    The utility of Medroxyprogesterone acetate as an aid in the birth control programme of stray dogs was studied. Eighteen early proestrus bitches were randomly allotted to three equal groups (Group A Group B and Group C). Group A animals were administered with a single subcutaneous injection of 50 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate. Group B animals were administered medroxyprogesterone acetate orally at the rate of 10 mg per day for four days followed by 5 mg per day for another 12 days starting from the end of anoestrus. Six bitches of Group C acted as control animals. All animals in Group A and Group B responded to the treatment though one animal in Group A had returned to cycle in about 50 days. Reproductive cycle was controlled in all six animals of group A at a mean of 3.17 days and a mean of of 2.67 days in group B. Group A animals had a mean duration of control of 83.3 days while in group B it was 90 days. Vulval edema, vulval discharge, tail deviation reflex and interest in male decreased following treatment in Groups A and B while it seemed to be not changed or high in Group C animals. Detailed vaginal cytology was studied using Wright- Giemsa's stain. Cellular changes was characterized by a change from predominance of parabasal cells following treatment in Groups A and B while changes characteristic of oestrus cycle occurred in the control animals. There was significant difference in the mean percentage of parabasal cells between Groups A and B after treatment and during different stages of the oestrus cycle of the Group A up to end of dioestrus. Serum progesterone was estimated in all animals at fortnightly intervals. Animals in group A, B and C showed mean serum progesterone concentrations of 0.53 ng/ml, 0.57 ng/ml and 0.45 ng/ml during the beginning of proestrus. The mean progesterone in serum following treatment elevated in Group A to 27.83 ng/ml, while it maintained a low level of 0.55 ng/ml in group B and had a value of 4.43 ng/ml in group C which indicated oestrus phase. The progesterone level reached maximum concentration of 31.17 ng/ml on day 42 in group A and 49.00 ng/ml during dioestrus in group C. The values remained low in group B. Towards the end of experiment all animals had basal concentration of progesterone. It is concluded that reproductive control can be achieved effectively in bitches treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate by both oral and parenteral routes. Oral administration demand less technicalities and hence is more suitable for use in the field.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Population,age and sex assessment of free-ranging elephants of Periyar tiger reserve
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Subhash, C K; KAU; Saseendran, P C
    A demographic study on the free ranging elephants of Periyar Tiger Reserve was conducted from March to May 2005. Herd composition, age structure and sex assessment were the main parameters recorded. The technique of molecular sexing using dung extracted DNA was incorporated into the study to reduce error in determining sex by physical verification. The published results by different investigators on the structure and pattern of elephant population in Periyar Tiger Reserve varied widely, especially on the age structure and biased sex ratios towards females giving the elephants in Periyar Tiger reserve a high priority conservation status. This information formed the basis for the study. Of the total 239 elephants observed in 43 herds, 193 elephants were classified based on age and sex. It was found that more than 50 per cent of the recorded elephants were adult females. The calves formed 5.19 per cent, juveniles 20.76 per cent, sub adults 20.76 per cent and adult males only 0.889 per cent of the observed population. Females formed 81.99 per cent and males formed only 18.01% of the population, but the proportion of males and females in the calf and juvenile category was almost same, with a shift biased towards the females from the sub adult category onwards. The sex ratios in the juvenile, sub adult and adult categories were 1:0.9, 1:4.71 and 1:58.95 respectively. In the observed age-sex classes, adult females and sub adult females formed the major portion (69.53 %) of the population, a shift towards the older age class. The calving interval of the Periyar elephants was above 10 years and the fecundity rate 0.099 indicating a population suggestive of acute shortage of breeding bulls and approximately only one in ten adult females conceive every year. This is the first study to combine reliable conventional tools and molecular methods to assess sex of free-ranging elephant population of Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is found that molecular sexing is a very reliable tool for assessing the sex of individuals of free-ranging wild animal populations. The study infers that the present situation of the Periyar elephants is crucial and calls for further research and immediate active population management strategies.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Adaptability of crossbred pigs under different housing and feeding systems
    (Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Anton Roseline, J; KAU; Joseph Mathew
    A study was conducted to find out the adaptability of two crossbred pigs, viz., CB1 (Duroc 50% and Large White Yorkshire 50 %) and CB2 (Desi 50% and Large White Yorkshire 50%) under different housing and feeding systems. Twenty-four weaned piglets from each genetic group were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each and were subjected to four treatments, i.e., group housing with wallowing facility, fed with conventional feed (T1), group housing with wallowing facility, fed with unconventional feed (T2), individual housing without wallowing facility, fed with conventional feed (T3) and individual housing without wallowing facility, fed with unconventional feed (T4). The climatological data, rectal temperature, pulse and respiratory rate at weekly intervals, daily feed intake, fortnightly body weight and behavioural scores of the animals were recorded. The average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), total cost of production per kg of live body weight, proximate principles of the feeds and faecal cortisol level were estimated. On attaining the slaughter weight two animals from each group were slaughtered for studying the carcass characteristics. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in microclimatic variables, viz., maximum and minimum temperature and relative humidity between the treatments. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in rectal temperature between the treatments but the pulse and respiratory rates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in group housed pigs than the individually housed pigs in both the genetic groups. Significantly higher (P<0.05) growth rate in T3 and T4 groups (individually housed) of CB1 and a trend for higher growth rate in T3 and T4 groups (individually housed) of CB2 were observed. The ADG was highest in T4 followed by T3, T2 and T1 and the FCR on dry matter basis was highest in T2 followed by T4, T1 and T3 in both the genetic groups. Though there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the behavioural scores, the feeding behavioural score was better was higher in pigs fed with unconventional feed. The quantity of dung voided was highest in pigs fed with conventional feed. The slaughter weight and hot carcass weight (kg) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the T3 and T4 of CB1 pigs but these traits were numerically higher in T4 followed by T3, T2 and T1 of CB2 pigs. Back fat thickness (mm) was lesser in CB1 than CB2. Individually housed pigs had relatively higher back fat thickness in both the breeds. The loin eye area (cm2) was numerically higher in CB1 than CB2 pigs. The dressing percentage was lower in groups fed with unconventional feed (T2 and T4) and meat yield (percentage) was higher in T3 and T4 in both the breeds. The meat bone ratio was numerically higher in CB2 when compared to CB1 pigs. The moisture level was more in swill (72.03%) followed by chicken waste (71.88%) and infertile egg (59.87)%. The crude protein and ether extract were highest in chicken waste followed in infertile egg and swill. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the faecal cortisol level between the treatments of both the breeds. From this study it is concluded that both genetic combination had better performance when they were maintained on unconventional feed irrespective of their housing and feeding systems. Among these two breeds Desi 50% and Large White Yorkshire 50%(CB2) seemed to be economical under unconventional feeding in both the housing systems, considering the cost of production per kg live body weight.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Breeding behaviour and testosterone level of male spotted deer
    (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2005) Roshin Anie Jose; KAU; Saseendran, P C
    Captive population of spotted deer (Cervus axis axis) maintained in zoological gardens, Thrissur were utilized to study the breeding behaviour and testosterone level of males. Out of a total of 45 males, four males in the higher order of hierarchy were selected for the study. A total of 436 hours of observation were carried out by focal animal sampling technique using a behaviour score sheet. Faecal samples were collected from these animals and stored at -20 ºC, until it was extracted for measurement for faecal testosterone and cortisol by radioimmunoassay. Seasonal breeding activity was deduced by reducing the gestation period from the date of birth and monsoon season (35 %) followed by summer season (31%) were selected as the seasons of maximum breeding. Raining season was avoided to eliminate the errors in sample collection and observation of the herd was done in winter and summer. Four males in the higher order of hierarchy were identified based on their body size, antler size, capacity to take the vantage positions and dominance. Animals were named as alpha I, alpha II, velvet I and velvet II. The dominant male of the group was found to develop the longest antlers among the group. Similarly, the body size was more in the velvet forming stage. The blackness of the face, especially the area around the muzzle increases from non-breeding to the breeding stage. The antler cycle of males includes different stages like pedicle formation, velvet growth, velvet shedding, hardened antler stage (rutting stage) and antler cast state. Largest harem size was observed in alpha I(26)followed by alpha II(16).The most frequently observed breeding activity was sniffing 70.78% followed by flehmen 8.98%.Maximum score for breeding behavior was obtained for alpha I(13)followed by alpha II (11).But the actual breeding frequency was more in velvet I (6) followed by velvet II ,which is four per day. The mean testosterone concentration in the pedicel formation stage was 8.55±0.44ng/g of dry weight of faeces (ng/g) and concentration in the velvet stage was about 4.74±0.15ng/g. In the velvet shedding stage, the testosterone concentration was 17.77±0.71ng/g. In the rutting stage of velvet I and velvet II, the concentration was about 19.64±0.86ng/g and 16.08±0.47ng/g respectively and for alpha I and alpha II the level was 19.2±0.97ng/g and 12.8±1.58ng/g. The mean testosterone concentration in the casting stage was 6.37±0.30ng/g. The mean testosterone concentration in the stags which where in rutting stage during summer exhibited a testosterone level of 17.95±0.65ng/g and in winter rutting males the concentration was 16.19±0.18ng/g. Individual differences in the basal and peak values of faecal cortisol metabolites were observed. Mean cortisol concentration in the pedicle formation stage was 118.67±3.99ng/g and in velvet stage, it was 337.77±2.78ng/g. In the velvet shedding stage, the mean cortisol concentration decreased to 110.83±8.83ng/g. The mean cortisol concentration in the rutting stage was 121.07±6.88ng/g and in the casting stage the concentration was 114.54±5.57ng/g. There was no correlation between the breeding score and cortisol in any of the stages of sexual cycle. Similarly no correlation was found between the faecal cortisol level and faecal testosterone level. A positive correlation (ρ=. 878, p<. 01) between the breeding score and faecal testosterone was observed in animals during velvet stage. A similar correlation was also observed during velvet shedding stage and rutting stage. But in the antler casting stage and pedicel formation stage no significant correlation was seen. The results of the present study suggests that in captive herds of spotted deer, non invasive method can be successfully used to find out the testosterone levels, which can be integrated with breeding behaviour to have a better understanding of the breeding patterns of the group. This knowledge of breeding behavior in relation to testosterone level can be effectively used to adopt some measures to contain the population size.