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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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Subject: Veterinary Bacteriology × Author: KAU × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2009 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hypoglycaemic effect of fruits of musa AAA (chenkadali) on diabetic rats
    (Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, COVAS, Mannuthy, 2009) Smitha, Kaimal; KAU; Sisiliama, George
    The present study was conducted to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of ethanol extract of mature green fruits of Musa AAA (Chenkadali) in alloxan diabetic rats. The effects were also compared with a reference antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide. Adult female Sprague-dawley rats were used for the experiment. Rats were randomly divided into six groups viz. G1 – normal control, G2 – diabetic control, G3 – normal rats administered with the extract (500 mg/kg), G4 and G5 – diabetic rats administered with the extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg respectively), G6 – diabetic rats administered with glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). G2, G4, G5 and G6 were made diabetic by sub-cutaneous injection of alloxan @ 130 mg/kg body weight. Diabetes mellitus was confirmed on the 8th day of alloxan administration (day 0). Blood samples were collected on day –7, 0, 15 and day 30. Blood samples were also collected on day 21 for the estimation of fructosamine. Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals. Animals were euthanized on 31st day of the experiment. Biochemical parameters viz. haemoglobin, serum glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, fructosamine and ALT activity were estimated. Oxidative damage to liver and pancreas were assessed by estimation of lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione levels in both tissues. Liver glycogen was estimated and weight of liver was noted. Representative samples of liver and pancreas tissues were subjected to histopathological examination. Alloxan administration caused a significant increase in the level of serum glucose, fructosamine, triacylglycerol and cholesterol while a significant decrease was noted in the body weight, weight of liver, haemoglobin and level of liver glycogen. Body weight of diabetic control rats was significantly lesser than all the other groups by 30th day of experiment. Increased level of lipid peroxides, decreased level of GSH and increased activity of serum ALT indicated oxidative injury to the tissues of liver and pancreas. In the diabetic control rats, lesions in the pancreas consisted of scattered necrosis of islet cells, reduction in the cell number, hyalinisation and congestion of acinar capillaries while multifocal diffused haemorrhage, central venous congestion, diffused areas of necrosis and focal coagulation were observed in the liver. Both the doses (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) of the extract were effective in reducing the metabolic derangements and oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus. On comparison between the two doses, 500 mg/kg was found to be more effective, especially to increase the level of haemoglobin, reduce blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum ALT and to alleviate the oxidative stress as evidenced by increasing GSH content and decreasing lipid peroxides in tissues of liver and pancreas. Histopathological examination of pancreas and liver of treated groups showed almost normalized histological architecture. The effect of the extract (500 mg/kg) on parameters viz. body weight, triglycerides, ALT, liver lipid peroxides and liver reduced glutathione were comparable to that of glibenclamide whereas, haemoglobin, blood glucose, liver glycogen and GSH and lipid peroxides in pancreas showed better effect than glibenclamide.