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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 Microbiology × Author: Arul Mary Luveena, A × Author: KAU × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2009 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Antioxidant potential of malphigia glabra(acerola) berries in rats
    (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Mannuthy, 2009) Arul Mary Luveena, A; KAU; Karthiayini, K
    The present study was designed to assess the effect of aqueous extract of mature fruits of Malphigia glabra (Acerola) berries on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Forty-two adult male Wistar albino rats were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into five groups with eight animals each in G1, G2 and G5 and nine animals in G3 and G4. Group G1 served as normal control rats. The G2 (untreated vehicle alone) rats were administered with 40 % sucrose syrup p.o. @ 10 ml/kg b.w. on day one and two and then at three days interval for 21 days. The G3 group of rats were administered with paracetamol @ 2 g/kg b.w. p.o., on day one and two and at every three days interval upto day 18. The G4 (curative group) rats were administered with paracetamol p.o. @ 2 g/kg b.w. on day one and two and at every three days interval upto day 18 and Acerola berry extract (20 ml/ kg b.w., p.o.) for 21 days. The G5 (protective group) rats were given Acerola berry extract p.o. @ 20 ml/ kg b.w. for 17 days and paracetamol p.o. @ 2 g/kg b.w. on day 18 and 19. Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals. Blood samples were collected from eight animals in each group on day zero, four, 10, and 21. In G5 group, an additional blood collection was made on 18th day of the experiment before administration of paracetamol. The haematological parameters such as total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) and serum biochemical parameters such as alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, reduced glutathione were analysed. One animal each from G3 and G4 was euthanized on day four and rest of the rats were euthanized on day 21. Levels of liver reduced glutathione, lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on 21st day were estimated. Representative samples of liver and kidney tissues collected on day four and 21 were subjected to histopathological examination. Administration of paracetamol in G3 group caused a significant (P 0.05) increase in the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, total cholesterol, BUN and total, direct and indirect bilirubin while reduced glutathione content was significantly reduced. The activities of liver reduced glutathione and SOD were also decreased significantly whereas the liver lipid peroxide content was significantly increased. Haematological analysis showed significantly decreased TEC and Hb concentration and a significantly increased TLC with monocytosis. No significant (P> 0.05) variation was observed in body weight, and in the levels of serum total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin:globulin. Histopathology indicated necrosis of hepatic cells, diffused haemorrhage, central venous congestion and focal coagulation in liver; while tubular dilatation and congestion was observed in kidney. Administration of Acerola berry extract along with paracetamol in G4 (curative group) rats effectively reversed the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, total cholesterol, BUN, total bilirubin (direct and indirect), reduced glutathione (in liver and serum), liver SOD and lipid peroxides in liver to normalcy signifying the antioxidant and hepatocurative effect of the extract. However, the active antioxidant components of Malphigia glabra such as vitamin C and polyphenols has a short half life, so that the berry extract could not produce any prophylactic effect against paracetamol induced toxicity in G5 (protective group) rats, evidenced by toxic range of values.