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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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1992 - 199818
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Subject: Veterinary Pathology × End date: 1998 × Start date: 1990 × Type: Thesis ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 18
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of hypothyroidism in pigs
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1995) Prasanna, K S; KAU; Sreekumaran, T
    An experimental model of hypothyroid state was induced in piglets, using thiourea with the objectives of studying the sequence of clinico pathological changes and its influence on the animal health and growth. Tweleve Large White Yorkshire male piglets of 2 – 3 months age were selected for the study. The animals were divided into control group of six animals and experimental group of six animals. Experimental hypothyroidism was induced by feeding thiourea daily for a period of three months at the dose level of 50 mg per kg body weight. Haemogram, body weight, plasma proteins, serum cholesterol and serum thyroxine values were estimated at periodic intervals. The piglets were subjected to detailed autopsy after sacrifice. Gross lesions were recorded and detailed histopathological examination of tissues was carried out. During the course of experiment all the experimental animals recorded stunted growth and appreciable reduction in feed intake and alopecia of neck and shoulder regions. There was significant increase in blood cholesterol values and plasma protein level in thiourea fed group. A significant reduction in serum thyroxine level was also recorded. There was significant increase in the relative weight of thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands of experimental animals. Gelatinisation of subcutaneous fat and dilatation of right ventricles were common findings at autopsy. Histologically the thyroid glands exhibited varying degree of hyperplastic changes and depletion of colloid in the follicles. Hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the lining epithelium was also observed. Predominant histological changes in the pituitary was hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the basophil cells and degranulation of the acidophil cells. Adrenal glands showed diffuse hyperplasia of zonafasiculata and accessory cortical nodule formation. Skin revealed acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and keratinisation of harifollicles. In all the hypothyroid animals testis showed varying degree of tubular degeneration. A random survey study was conducted to assess the thyroid status of pigs from different parts of Kerala using serum thyroxine as the marker. This concluded that most of the animals had the normal range of serum thyroxine levels.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of the Harderian Gland in chicken and duck
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1998) Mohan S; Valsala K V
    The lymphoid tissue of the upper respiratory tract includes paraocular and paranasallymphoid structures as well as some lymphoid accumulations in the pharynx and larynx. However, of all these paraocular lymphoid tissue, the Harderian gland is highly immunopotent. The role of the Harderian gland in the immunopathological response was evaluated taking chicken and duck as models and RD, IBD and Duck plague vaccines as antigens. The sequential cellular response following ocular antigenic stimulation was clarified. Significant increase in the plasma cell number, enlargement of the lymphoid foci and Russell body formation following ocular antigenic stimulation were the hall marks of the immune response of the Harderian gland of the chicken but this was not so much significant in the case of ducks. Harderian gland was highly reactive especially in the chicken but not so much in the case of ducks. Intraocular vaccination was found to be comparatively more effective in immunological protection in chicken. It would therefore, appear that through local administration of the antigen at the Harderian gland the duck may not respond in the same way as in the case of chicken. It was pointed out that the local antibody produced by the Harderian gland contributed in a major way to the immunological defence at the oculonasal and oropharyngeal areas and it has an obvious relevance to the epidemiology and the control of respiratory viral diseases in the avian species.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Immunopathological response of the duck (Anas platyrrhyncos domesticus) to sublethal dose of selected agro-chemicals
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Vijayan, N; KAU; Valsala, K V
    The study was conducted with the objective of assessing the teratologic, embryotoxic and immunopathologic effects of two agro-chemicals carbofuran and 2,4-D used in agricultural operations, on duck embryos and ducklings. The embryological studies included the observation on the embryonic defects and weight of the lymphoid organs along with the histopathologic and ultrastructural studies of the lymphoid organs like the bursa, spleen and thymus. The results showed that the contamination of the eggs with the above chemicals caused moderate deleterious effects on the lymphoid system, though no teratologic effects could be observed. The histological and ultrastructural changes also confirmed the deleterious effects at the tissue and cellular level. The immune system of the ducks exposed to the above chemicals for two different durations were assessed using a battery of tests. The humoral immune system was assessed based on the body weight, lymphoid organ weight, haematological evaluation, serum biochemical evaluation and the evaluation of HI titre against NDV. The cell-mediated immune system was assessed by the skin reactivity tests to DNCB and PHA. LMIT and GVHR were also employed to assess the cell-mediated immune system. The histological and ultrastructural studies were also conducted after six weeks and ten weeks of the experiment. The assessment of the immunological profile employing these elegant tests revealed that these agro-chemicals caused mild but significant suppression of the cell-mediated and humoral immune response. By this investigation it was clarified that these agro-chemicals have mild to moderate degree of immunotoxic effect when exposed for a short duration, but the changes were severe when exposed for longer duration. From the .studies, it was demonstrated that the immunotoxic effect of carbofuran is more compared to 2,4-D (herbicide) and the changes were dose and time dependent.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Prevalence and pathology of dermatological disorders in cattle
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Anilkumar, R; KAU; Rajan, A
    A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of dermatological disorders encountered m cattle m Kerala To study the prevalence of various types of skin disorders data were collected from the Disease Surveillence Report published by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry during the period 1989 1993 The various skin disorders encountered according to this data were tail necrosis (1 44 per cent) cutaneous mycosis (10 58 per cent) Eczematosis (6 09 per cent) pox (4 75 per cent) tick infestation (37 22 per cent) lice infestation (25 72 per cent) mangy dermatitis (13 82 per cent) wart (0 36 per cent) In this study tick infestation was found to be highly prevalent. Dunng the course of this investigation skin biopsies collected from 97 cattle were subjected to detailed gross and histopathological examination They were classified as Cutaneous ulceration (22 68 per cent) Fly bite dermatitis (15 46 per cent) Decubitus ulcers (12 47 per cent) Hyperkeratosis (9 3 percent) Papillomatosis (9 27 per cent) Hypertrichosis (8 25 per cent) Ectoparasitic mjuiy (6 19 per cent) Teat lesions (6 19 per cent) Fibroma (2 07 per cent) Dermatophilosis (1 03 per cent) Squamous cell carcinoma (1 03 per cent) and Fibrosarcoma (1 03 per cent) Cutaneous ulceration was the most common disorder encountered and Biopsies revealed epidermal lysis In fifteen animals fly bite dermatitis was noticed with greyish white necrotic papules and wheals on the neck shoulder ears and around eyes Perivascular changes were seen microscopically Nine cases of hyperkeratosis were studied which may be associated with hypovitammosis A Udder and teat papillomatosis was encountered m nine animals with ballooning degeneration and clumping of keratohyahn granules microscopically Eight crossbred cattle recovered from the foot and mouth disease had hypertrichosis Hair coat was shaggy and wavy Ectoparasztic injury was encountered m cattle mainly due Boophilus infestation Teat lesions encountered were mamly due to traumatic injury and chapping Two cases of fibroma and one case of fibrosarcoma were encountered on the teat of cattle A growth on the vulval region was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma An expenmental study on the cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction m cattle to PHA, 2 4 DNCB and BCG was earned out Mast cell response to these mitogens was also studied Effect of Agropesticides Furadan and BHC on local application on the skin of calves were studied Dermatosis was the charactenstic response The need for taking care to avoid pesticide contamination on the skin of animals was stressed
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Aflatoxin induced cytological alterations in ducks
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Vigil Anbiah, S; KAU; Manomohan, C B
    An experimental study was conducted in desi ducks to assess the cytological alterations induced by aflatoxin Bl (AFB1) and 4 dimethyl amino azo benzene (4 DAB) One hundred and eight desi ducks of one month age were selected for the study The birds were divided into two treatment groups which were given A1 Bl (l0ug/kg body weight and l5ug/ kg body weight) and 4 DAB (5 mg and 10 mg/kg body weight) and a control group each group consisted of thirty six birds Body weight haemogram clotting time total serum protein serum albumin serum globulin albumin-globulin ratio serum aspartate amino transferase serum alanine amino transferase serum bilirubin and cytogenetic assay were estimated at periodic intervals The ducks were subjected to detailed autopsy and histopathology Clinically the exprimental birds were healthy Anaemia leucocytosis and increased blood clotting time were noticed in birds which received 15 ug/kg body weight o f AFB1 and both the dose levels of 4 DAB Total serum protein was reduced in all the treated birds In the aflatoxin group serum albumin and globulin levels were decreased Albumin globulin ratio was increased in 4 DAB tieated buds Serum aspartate ammo transferase level was elevated in buds winch moved 10ug/kg body weight of A1 Bl and 10 mg/kg body weight of 4 DAB Birds which received ATB1 as well as 10 ing/kg body weight of 4 DAB showed an elevation in serum alanine amino transferase level Serum bilirubin was incieased in all the treated birds Those ducks which were fed with AFB1 at 1 5ug/kg body weight showed tendency of hepatoma formation during the experiment The ducks which received 5 mg/kg body weight of 4 DAB exhibited gross and histopathological lesions suggestive of hepatosis and mild curhosis 1 he birds given 10 mg/kg body weight of 4 DAB tevealed gross as well as histopathological lesions of hepatic degeneiutiou and necrosis and indications of neoplatic changes Trend towaids polyploidy was the major chromosomal aberration observed in ducks which received 15g/kg body weight of AFB
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Ochratoxicosis in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with special reference to Inununopathological response
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Amir Abbas, Farshid; KAU; Rajan, A
    In this investigation the pathological effects of OA in quail embryo and adult quail were studied with special reference to the immune system. Ochratoxin A (OA) was inoculated into the quail embryos, at the dose rate of 0.02 ^g per embryo. There was 68.66 per cent mortality which clearly indicated the direct action of OA. The embryos which were sacrificed on the 13th and 16th day of incubation showed significant reduction in the body weight, weight of bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus. Histological changes in these lymphoid organs were, atrophy, necrosis and depletion of lymphoid elements. Ultrastructurally the changes were time dependent. There were changes in the shape of the nucleus with condensation of granular and fibrillar components of the nucleoli. The adverse immunobiological effect of OA on the developing lymphoid organs was established by histological and ultra structural studies. OA at the dose rate of 50 /ag/bird/day for a period of 60 days was administered through oesophageal intubation. Pathological changes were sequentially documented with special reference to the immune system. In the OA fed quails, the clinical signs included emaciation and hyperexcitation at the later part of the experiment. There was highly significant reduction in the body weight, weight of bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus. The reduction in the weight of lymphoid organs gave evidence to the adverse effects of OA on the immune system. There was reduction in the total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume in OA fed birds indicating the significant damaging effect on the haemopoietic sytem. Estimation of total serum protein (TSP), serum globulin (SGI) and serum immunoglobulin fractions clarified the biological adverse effect of OA on the humoral immune system. Highly significant reduction in total leukocyte count (TLC) and T cell dependent lymphopenia proved the immunosuppressive effect of OA. There was reduction in T cells, increase migration indices in response to Fowl pox antigen in leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT), the reduction in the cutaneous response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and phytohaemagglutinin-M (PHA-M) and spleen indices in the graft versus host reaction (GVHR), clarified the immunotoxicity of OA on the cell-mediated immune system.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Neuropathology and diagnosis of rabies in domestic animals
    (Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Silamban, S; KAU; Ramachandran, K M (Guide)
    An investigation was made to study the epidemiology, clinical signs, pathologic lesions and diagnosis of rabies in domestic animals in the state of Kerala. Epidemiology of rabies for the last 12 year period from July 1983 to June 1995 was assessed from the post – mortem records maintained at the department of Pathology. Regional distribution, Prevalence in each species and year – wise occurrence were studied. Canine rabies was found preponderant. Rabies was recorded in wild animals also. Detailed clinical signs and gross pathological changes in the rabies positive cases were studied. One hundred and six rabies suspected carcasses of different species of animals were examined for the disease employing Sellers’ impression smear staining, histopathology, fluorescent antibody test (FA test) and immunoperoxidase test (IP test). Twenty – two of them were confirmed positive for rabies. Negribodies were demonstrated with Sellers’ staining and histopathological staining. Sellers’ staining was identified to be the simple and rapid staining method that could be employed in the field laboratories. In addition to H & E, Mann’s stain and Sellers’ stain were applied for staining histological sections. H & E was found to be satisfactory for routine staining. Histological changes in the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum and hippocampus), salivary gland (parotid and submaxillary) and trigeminal nerve of rabies positive animals were studied. The efficacy of the diagnostic techniques used for rabies diagnosis was compared. FA test confirmed maximum number of rabies positive cases. The results of the rabies diagnosis was cross – checked by Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, USA.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Homologous and heterologous transplantation of bovine ethmoid carcinoma cells
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Ajith Jacob George; KAU; Ramachandran, K M
    Homologous and heterologous transplantation of bovine ethmoid carcinoma cells were attempted to assess the xenograftic efficiency of the neoplasm. Tumour tissue for the study was obtained from seven clinically affected cows. Histopathologically the tumours were classified as adenocarcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Tumour tissue/cell culture was successfully carried out using trypsinised single cell suspension and tumour tissue gragments. Calves were used as homologous hosts and rats, mice and rabbits were used as heterologous hosts. Cyclophosphamide, hydrocortisone and cyclosporine A were used as immunosuppressants. Transplantation was carried out subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. The inoculum consisted of trypsinised single cell suspension, tumour tissue fragments and cell suspension from tissue culture. Neoplastic cells failed to grow in immunosuppressed calves, rats and rabbits. Whereas, the tumour cells obtained by trypsinisation were successfully transplanted in mice immunosuppressed with cyclosporine A. The tumour growth was evident from the second week onwards. In immunosuppressed animals the total leucocyte count, differential leuocyte count and alphanapthyl acetate esterase positive lymphocyte count were very low compared to their controls. The results of the present study indicated that mice could be used as an experimental model for the studies on bovine ethmoid carcinoma.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Pathology of bacterial mastitis in bovines
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1998) Nandakumar, S; KAU; Sreekumaran, T
    The pathology of bacterial mastitis in bovines was studied considering the following aspects such as bacterial isolation; changes in milk, antibiotic sensitivity pattern, haematology, whey protein pattern and histopathological examination of the mammary gland and supramammary Iymphnodes. Two hundred and sixty two samples were found to be subclinically positive based on California Mastitis Test. The organisms isolated from clinical and subclinical cases were Staphylococcus, E. Coli, Gram negative bacilli, mixed infections, Streptococcus, Yeast and Gram positive bacilli in the decreasing order of prevalence. All the major pathogens were sensitive to pefloxacin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol and resistant to penicillin. Leucopenia could be noticed in clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis. Relative neutrophilia could be observed in mastitic animals. Total plasma protein was also increased. There was an increase in T-Iymphocyte count in mastitis affected animals. ~omatic cell count was increased in clinical and subclinical cases, but was not indicative of infection, unless confirmed by bacteriological examination. SOS-PAGE on whey proteins revealed an increase in protein content in mastitic milk as a result of the plasma proteins, cellular proteins, bacterial proteins. There was marked increase in immunoglobulins in mastitic milk, when compared to normal. Histopathology of mammary glands revealed the presence of inflammatory cells in the acini and interstitium of mammary glands as the main lesion. Varying degrees of inflammatory reaction could be noticed in almost all the quarters. Supra mammary lymph nodes revealed distension of subcapsular sinuses, active secondary follicles in the cortex, sinus catarrh and medullary hyperplasia in mastitis affected animals.