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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 Pathology × Author: KAU × End date: 2009 × Start date: 2009 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of a composite mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica on aflatoxicosis in rabbits
    (Centre for Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Indu, K; KAU; Lalithakunjamma, C R
    Among the various mycotoxins, aflatoxins have been the subject of most intensive research because of the extremely potent cytotoxic and carcinogenic effects. Mycotoxicosis and its counteraction have received greater attention by researchers in the last few decades. In this context an evaluation study on the protective effect of a herbal composite mixture triphala (containing Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica) on aflatoxicosis in rabbits was carried out. The study was conducted for a period of two months with twenty four rabbits divided into three groups of eight each. Rice culture containing 27 ppm of aflatoxin was added appropriately to the ration to get a final concentration of 0.5 ppm. Group I was given 0.5 ppm aflatoxin contaminated feed and group II was given combination of triphala (four per cent) and aflatoxin (0.5 ppm ) contaminated diet. Group III was provided with control diet. There were reduction in body weight gain, Hb, PCV, TLC, lymphocyte count while heterophil count, AST, ALT and ALP levels showed an increase in the toxin fed animals. Addition of triphala at four percent level in the aflatoxin contaminated feed effectively counteracted these changes. The gross and histopathological changes due to aflatoxin were reduced in triphala group. There was widespread vascular changes, extensive necrotic changes, bile duct proliferation, biliary hyperplasia and cholangiocellular carcinoma in the liver and necrotic changes in the kidney of toxin group. These changes were reduced in intensity in triphala group and there was no development of tumors in liver. Regenerative process were well pronounced in the liver and kidney of triphala group. Hence the present study revealed that supplementation of composite mixture of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica at four per cent level could counteract the toxic effects of aflatoxicosis in rabbits.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of experimental pasteurellosis in ducks
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Pramod, S; KAU; Divakaran Nair
    The present study was undertaken to evaluate the pathological aspects of pasteurellosis in ducks following experimental inoculation by different routes – subcutaneous and intranasal. The haematobiochemical changes associated with the infection were also studied. Body weight changes at weekly intervals, mortality pattern, haematological and biochemical parameters such as total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, differential leucocyte count, total protein, albumin and globulin values estimated at weekly intervals were the parameters used, to study the changes caused by the infection. Gross pathological changes and histopathological changes of heart, liver, lung, kidney, brain, intestine, spleen, caecal tonsils and bursa were also studied. Statistically significant alteration was not observed in body weight. Mean Hb, TEC, PCV, albumin, heterophil and eosinophil percentage values were markedly increased after infection. Correspondingly, the lymphocyte and monocyte counts and the total protein values showed a significant decrease. Acute onset of the disease with sudden mortality was noticed in subcutaneously inoculated birds. Peracute death without any symptoms and lesions was shown by two birds in this group. The peracute pattern of mortality seen in this group was not observed in intranasally inoculated group. But the severity of clinical signs and lesions were more in intranasally inoculated birds. After the first two peracute deaths, symptoms of acute toxaemia such as pyrexia, dullness, depression, inappetence, reluctancy to move, paralysis of limbs and neck and incordination were expressed by the birds before death. The birds died from second day after inoculation onwards revealed an acute haemorrhagic septicaemic picture on all visceral organs. Haemorrhages on epicardium and scattered pin point necrotic foci in the liver, the prominent lesions of fowl cholera, were clearly evident. These lesions were more pronounced in the birds inoculated intranasally with P. multocida, which died on 23rd, 24th and 25th day post- inoculation. The lung and brain lesions were more severe in these birds. Reisolation of P. multocida was carried out from the liver, heart and spleen of all the dead birds except control and survived birds. The present study proved that the route of entry of organism played a significant role in the progression of infection, onset of mortality, number of deaths and symptoms and lesions in fowl cholera outbreaks. The immune suppression due to lymphoid organ damage in fowl cholera make the birds more susceptible to other infections.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathological observations of Ficus tsiela (Rox b) toxicity in rats
    (Centre for Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Litty, Mathew; KAU; Divakaran Nair, N
    The present study entitled ‘Pathological Observations of Ficus tsiela (Rox b) Toxicity in rats’ was undertaken by administering the animals with different concentrations of fresh juice and alcoholic extract for a period of 21 days. The weekly body weights, clinical signs, haematology, biochemical parameters, gross pathology and histopathology of various organs were analysed to study the effect. Phytochemical evaluation of the fresh juice and extract was done and the oxidative damage of the liver was assessed by the estimation of lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione. Phytochemical evaluation of the fresh juice revealed the presence of detectable levels of tannins, glycosides, diterpenes, triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds whereas the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of tannins, phenolic compounds, diterpenes and triterpenes. The animals remained clinically normal throughout the experimental period and the body weight revealed a gradual increase. Hb, PCV, TLC and DLC revealed no variation whereas ALP, creatinine and CK values showed a significant increase in the higher dose groups. There was no variation in the level of blood sugar. There was an increase in the lipid peroxides and reduction in the glutathione in the liver homogenate which indicated oxidative damage. Gross lesions were not observed in the internal organs except congestion and diffuse enlargement of the kidney and liver in the highest dose group. Focal necrotic spots were present in the liver. Tubular and glomerular degeneration and necrosis of the kidney, sinusoidal congestion and multifocal necrosis of the liver, depletion of colloid and variation in the size of follicles of the thyroid gland, medullary cyst in the adrenal gland, goblet cell hyperplasia of intestine, intermuscular haemorrhage in the heart, reactive spleen with multiple cortical follicles with germinal centres, peribronchial lymphoid hyperplasia in the lungs were the lesions observed. The brain, spinal cord and pituitary did not reveal any signs of intoxication. The study revealed that the fresh juice and ethanolic extract at higher doses are nephro-hepatotoxic but not neurotoxic to rats.