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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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1982 - 198911
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Subject: Veterinary Pathology × End date: 1989 × Start date: 1982 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 11
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biology of neoplastic cells of ethmoid carcinoma
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1985) Madan Sing, Karki; KAU; Rajan, A
    Attempts were made to propagate the ethmoid carcinoma cells in vitro to study the biological behaviour of the neoplastic cells and their relationship with the host. Efforts were also made to transplant the neoplastic cells in laboratory animals and tumour bearing natural hosts so as to lay out a model system for further investigation. In vitro propagation was tried by obtaining the tumour tissues from nine cows and three goats. Cells were grown in Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS). TC – 199 and Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium with 10 to 20 per cent calf serum. The cell suspension was seeded into tissue culture bottles, milk diluting bottles and test tubes and incubated at 370 C. No growth was observed in the cultures made from the tumour tissue of cows. The tumour cells from two goats grew in monolyerand were maintained for nine days. There was no difference in growth of cells in different media employed. Insulin supplementation in the media did not cause any difference in the growth of the cells. Subsequently the cells died even after subculturing and changing of the media. Absence of certain unknown factors required by the neoplastic cells for growth was considered responsible for failure of the growth. Transplantation studies were carried out in autologous, homologous and heterologous species of animals using the tumour tissue framgments, homogenate, filtrate and cell suspension. No autograft or heterotransplant were successful. Homologous transplantation resulted in a firm painless growth at the site of injection. The growth initiated a cell – mediated immune response at the site of implantation. Failure of neoplastic cells to grow in the other hosts was considered to be due to rejection of the transplants by the host’s immune system.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of the reproductive organs in experimental hypothyroidism in goats
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1982) Nemali Mohan, Reddy; KAU; Rajan, A
    A survey study was conducted to assess the role of hypothyroidism in the etiology of reproductive disorders in goats. Lowered functional activity of the thyroid was associated with postpartum anoestrum, repeat breeding and delayed puberty. An experimental model of controlled hypothyroid state was induced in goats, using different dose regimes of thiourea with the objective of studying the sequence of physiopathological changes in hypothyroidism and its influence on reproduction. Clinically healthy young and adult cross-bred goats of both sexes were employed for the study. The animals were divided into control, Treatment I (T1) and Treatment II (T2) groups. Groups T1 and T2 were administered thiourea orally at the rate of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively. Clinical symptoms and growth rate were studied. Protein bound iodine, total serum protein and serum cholesterol were estimated. Haematological data were collected and the semen characteristics were evaluated. On the 90th day of the experiment both control and experimental animals were sacrificed leaving at least one animal in each group. These animals were maintained without treatment with thiourea for a further period of 90 days and sacrificed. Cross lesions and histopathological changes in tissues were recorded. Weakness, lethargy, depression, reduced feed intake, subcutaneous oedema of varying degree, loss of libido in males and anoestrum in females were the important clinical features observed. There was stunting of growth and apparent reduction in weight of the animals dosed with thiourea. On discontinuation of treatment with thiourea all the clinical signs manifested disappeared and the animals gained weight progressively. There was significantly decrease in the protein bound iodine, and increase in the total serum protein and cholesterol level in all the animals dosed with thiourea. The values reached the normal level on discontinuation of treatment with thiourea. Microcytic hypochronic anaemia was evident in hypothyroid goats. There was improvement in haemogram values on withdrawal of thiourea administration. Reduction in quantity and quality of semen was observed in hypothyroid goats. The semen appeared normal in quality and quantity on discontinuation of thiourea administration. Gelatinisation of subcutaneous fat and hypertrophy and dilation of the left verntricle were the common findings at autopsy. There was significant increase in the relative weight of the thyroid, pituitary and the adrenal gland. Histologically the thyroid glands exhibited varying degree of hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Predominant histological changes in the pituitary was hyperplasia and hypertrophy of basophil cells and degenerative changes in the acidophils. Adrenal gland showed hypertrophy and depletion of fat in the zona fasciculata. On discontinuation of treatment with thiourea all the lesions disappeared. A significant decrease in the relative weight of the testis and epididymis was observed in all the goats dosed with thiourea. Histologically the seminiferous tubules were small and lined by single layer of spermatogonial cells. Some tubules contained degenerated and desquamated cells without any evidence of sperms. The tubules of the epididymis were small in size and the lining cells showed deciliation and desquamation. These degenerative changes were found to be reversible on discontinuation of treatment with thiourea. The accessory sexual glands, the seminal vesioles and the prostate weighed less in hypothyroid goats. Histologically the cells lining the glands were small inactive, vaculated and hyalinised. After discontinuation of administration of thiourea the reparative changes were almost normal. There was significant decrease in the relative weight of the ovary and uterus in all the animals dosed with thiourea. Histologically ovaries were found to be inactive and only few scattered immature follicles were seen. Uterine glands were few and non secretary type. The lining epithelial cells did not show active mitosis. On discontinuation of treatment with thiourea the weight of the ovary and uterus increased and histologically ovaries and uterus were found to be normal. Kids and female goats were more susceptible to the effects of hypothyroidism. The significant pathological changes observed in the reproductive organs have clarified the importance of hypothyroidism in inducing sub-fertility and infertility in goats. The reversible nature of the lesion was also proved.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of the reproductive system in ducks
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1986) Jayakumar, P M; KAU; Valsala, K V
    A study was conducted on the pathology of the reproductive system in ducks. A survey conducted on the prevalence of diseases based on the data for a period of 11 years at the Government Duck Farm, Niranam revealed the incidence of hepatosis (64.58%), hepatitis (9.07%), enteritis (8.58%), tuberculosis (2.61%) and miscellaneous disorders (15.13%). The latter category included pulmonary edema, omphalitis and transport stress. In a separate study, the reproductive organs of 194 female ducks and 26 male ducks were examined systematically and gross and histopathological lesions encountered were studied. The diseases encountered in females were hypoplasia of left ovary and oviduct (20%), impaction of oviduct (5.45%), haemorrhagic cyst in the ovary (7.27%), salpingoperitonitis (10.9%), oophoritis (49.09%), cystic right oviduct (1.82%), mycotic salpingitis (1.82%) and tuberculous salpingitis (3.63%). In males atrophic testis (66.3%) and seminoma (33.3%) were the diseases recorded. Experimentally, pure aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A were administered to six ducks each, at the rate of 25 µg per duck daily for a period of three months. Clinically all the experimental ducks showed unthriftiness. But it was more pronounced in aflatoxin group. In both aflatoxin and ochratoxin group, the birds showed reduced weight gain and decreased feed intake. There was reduction in the weight of the testis in both aflatoxin and ochratoxin groups. Histologically, in the aflatoxin group, marked disruption in the organisation of germinal epithelium, absence of sperm bundles and edema of the interstitial tissue were the lesions observed. In the ochratoxin group, the basement membrane was found to be unaffected. Both aflatoxin and ochratoxin were found to cause degenerative changes in the testicular tissue. However, aflatoxin was found to cause more pronounced changes than ochratoxin. From the studies made, it was concluded that both aflatoxin and ochratoxin can induce degenerative changes in the testis and it was surmised that this would lead to subfertility and infertility. The need for feeding a diet free of mycotoxins to ensure profitable duck farming was stressed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of the eye in cattle bearing carcinoma of the mucosa of the ethmoid
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1982) Jose, C J; KAU; Ramachandran, K M
    Eighteen cattle from different parts of Kerala, affected with ethmoid carcinoma were subjected to detailed investigations of the ocular changes. The incidence of eye involvement in cases of ethmoid tumour in cattle was assessed on the basis of reports or informations received from field veterinarians and cattle owners from different dietricts of Kerala. Incidence, clinical manifestations, intraocular pressure, gross pathological cbanges and biometry of the eye were studied. The effect of the tumour mass on the eye and the possible causes for the different ocular changes has been discussed. The highest incidence was found in the age group of six to ten years. The earliest case was recorded in a heifer aged four years. The frequency of the incidence was high in females (88%). Crossbred animals were found to be more affected (83%). The tumour was also encounter~d in three purebred cattle. Ninetyfour percent of the tumour affected animals showed exophthalmos either unilateral (82%) or bilateral (18%). Tbe left eye was affected in 14 percent and the right eye in 86 percent cases. It is suggested that 37 exophthalmos can be considered as a pathognomonic clinical manifestation for ethmoid tumour affected cattle. Blindness was observed in 90 percent of the affected eyes, ectropion in 85 percent cases and corneal cbanges in the form of keratitis or opaCities in 90 percent cases. Episcleritis, anterior uveitis, euphora, purulent discharges were the other clinical manifestations. Glauc~a, was found to be a characteristic feature in ethmoid caroinoma. Involvement of the optic nerve, optic diso, retina, vitreous and other deep structures of the eyes were also notioed by gross examination of the whole eye at autopsy. The lens showed varying degrees of displacement or luxation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Embryo mortality in chicken
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1987) Lalithakunjamma, C R; KAU; Krishnan Nair, M
    The nature of embryomortality in hatcheries and the posiible causes for embrypathies were studied. Experimental studies were conducted by inoculating Oxytetracycline, Ochratoxin A, Citrinin and a combination of ochratoxin A and Citrinin and avian influenza virus. Ultrastructural studies were conducted to elucidate the subcellular changes in the liver and kidneys of the embryo after administration of the mycotoxins. The various abnormalities noticed were early embryonic death, curled embryos, dead in shell, live sticky embryos, oedema of head and neck emphalitis and septicaemia, gastroachisis with herination of yolk sac, coelosoma, dwarfs, curled toe, microphthalmia, anopthalmia, brachycephaly, parrot beak, crossed beak, brachygnatha, streptosomia and a few cases of diprosopus, polymelia
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Prevalence and pathology of necrosis of extremities in cattle
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1989) Xavier, C J; KAU; Maryamma, K I
    A study on the prevalence and pathology of necrosis of extremities in cattle was conducted. It was found that the disease was more prevalent in buffaloes than in white cattle. The chief clinical manifestation was necrosis of tail. A close association between mouldy paddy straw and the disease syndrome was observed. Animals observed during the study were found to be free from systemic disturbances.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Cellular response in inflammatory reaction in the duck
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1985) Valsala, K V; KAU; Krishnan, Nair M
    The cellular dynamics in ducks associated with inflammatory response induced by various immunogenic and non-immunogenic agents was studied for the first time. The inflammatory response was induced in the web of ducks using turpentine, dextran sulphate, talc, Staphylococcus aureus, homologus erythrocytes and Freund’s complete adjuvant. The biopsy specimens were collected from half an hour up to 21 days at specific time intervals and examined to assess the cellular response and the chronology of cellular events taking place during the emigration process was depicted. The comparative features of cellular events taking place when different agents were employed were also clarified. The light microscopic studies were supported by electron microscopic studies. Irrespective of the agents employed to elicit the inflammatory reaction it was found that there was emigration of heterophils and monocytoid cells from the arterioles and venules concurrently even though there was quantitative difference in the number of emigrating cells due to different agents. Initially there was high predominance of heterophils in the exudate and later there was predominance of macrophages or lymphocytes. Participation of basophils was also evident at the initial stages. Lymphoid foci formation with germinal centres particularly when antigenic stimulus was used was a characteristic feature. It was demonstrated that monocytoid mononuclear cells transformed into macrophages, epithelioid cells and giant cells. The morphological features of the heterophilic granules were studied by electromicroscopy. Large dense granules with one or two electron dense core and light granules with fibrillary matrix were seen. The process of endocytosis of the foreign body involved fusion of phagosomes. The active heterophil was demonstrated to contain more glycogen. The transformation of monocytoid cells into macrophages was demonstrated to be associated with increase in size and number of endoplasmic reticulum and formation of well developed golgi complex and lysosomes. Epithelioid cells were devoid of phagolysosomes. It was clarified that the lymphocytes underwent transformation into plasma cells under antigenic stimulation. The plasmacytoid transformation was evidenced by formation of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The systemic response to Ranikhet disease virus and Duck plague virus was studied. The tissue destruction and cellular response to RD virus were meagre. Heterophilic and monocytoid cell reaction was still the initial response. In duck plague infection there was progressive necrosis and this was associated with pronounced lymphoidreaction indicative of an immunologic reaction. In Ranikhet disease infection thelymphoid reaction was not as pronounced as in duck plague virus infection.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Immunopathological response of kids in pneumonia
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1986) Anilkumar, T V; KAU; Rajan, A
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Immunopathological response of pigs In aflatoxicosis
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1986) Gopalakrishnan Nair, M; KAU; Maryamma, K I
    The immune response of pigs fed aflatoxin at two different dose levels. 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg body weight was studied. The reduction in weight gain observed in the aflatoxin fed pigs was associated with decreased feed consumption and total serum protein concentration. There was increase in ESR and decease in PCV, haemoglobin and total erythrocyte count in the toxin fed groups. The neutrophilic and lymphocytic count did not show any significant variation except when the animals contracted mange infection. Following infection there was slight neutrophilia. The cell-mediated immune response was assessed employing ANAE, PHA and DNCB as markers. A decrease in the immune response was documented in the aflatoxin fed pigs. The humoral immune response was found to be suppressed as evidenced by a decrease in the concentration of total serum protein and gammaglobulin in the toxin fed groups. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils and macrophages was assessed using Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test. The data revealed a decreased phagocytic activity. Haemorrhages were seen in almost all the visceral organs.The liver of aflatoxin fed animals was enlarged and icteric. The gall bladder was distended and oedematous. Fetty change centrilobular necrosis, haemorrhage, bilary hyperplasia, fibrous tissue proliferation, reticular collapse and focal lymphocytic infilteration were the characteristic histological features. Haemorrhage and haemosiderosis evident in the spleen. Tubular degeneration and focal haemorrhages were seen in the kidney. The thymus and the lymphnodes revealed depletion of lymphoid cells and focal areas of haemorrhage. Some of the lymphnodes revealed reactive proliferative response. Regular screening of feed for aflatoxin was advocated as a routine farm operation to prevent the deleterious effect of aflatoxin on the health and productivity of pigs.