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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Immunopathologic and toxic effects of endosulfan in chick embryo
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Kalai Selvan, P; KAU; Divakaran Nair, N
The present study was undertaken to investigate the immunopathologic and toxic effects of endosulfan in chick embryo. The embryos were exposed to endosulfan at various dose levels through different routes. The weight of the embryo, bursa, thymus and spleen, histopathology of the lymphoid organs, liver, kidney and brain and quantification of the preformed maternal IgY level in the egg yolk were the parameters analysed to study the effects. Endosulfan was found to be teratogenic at the grven dose levels. The abnormalities observed were agenesis of beak, crossed beak, short lower beak, eventration of viscera and curled toe. Endosulfan did not cause any significant gross changes in the developing embryos except mild haemorrhages. Endosulfan treatment did not produce any significant reduction in the weight of the embryos as well as the weight of the lymphoid organs. On histopathological examinations endosulfan was found to be nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic to the embryos. Varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis was evident in kidney and liver. Effect on the bursa, thymus and spleen were mild to moderate where in the degenerative changes predominated. Dose dependent increase in the involution process of the thymus as evidenced by increase in the Hassal's zone was observed. The lesions in the developing lymphoid organs reflected that endosulfan is toxic to the system and going to affect the immunocompetency by way of immunosuppression and thereby rendering the chicks susceptible to various diseases. The study indicated that the endosulfan treatment did not have any effect on the preformed maternal immunoglobulin level in the egg yolk.
Open Access
Pathology of cardio-pulmonary disorders in canines
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Pradeep, M; KAU; Vijayan, N
The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of various cardiac and pulmonary disorders in dogs. The data collected from the autopsy records maintained at the Centre of Excellence in Pathology, Mannuthy and seventy eight samples of heart and lungs from necropsy cases formed the basis of the study. Ninety nine per cent cases showed varying types of cardiac and pulmonary lesions. The highest incidence in the heart was dilated (75.32 per cent) and hypertrophic (15.58 per cent) cardiomyopathies. The other lesions found were hydropericardium, cardiac tamponade, haemorrhage, myocarditis, endocarditis, endocardial fibroelastosis, valvular blood cyst coronary arteriosclerosis and mural. thrombus. Myocardial infarction was found to be confined to the left ventricles and interventricular septum in all the encountered cases (5.19 per cent). Pulmonary congestion (70.51 per cent), haemorrhage (32.47 per cent) and edema (31.17 per cent) were observed with higher incidence rate. The other lesions found in the lungs were bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, collapse, infarction, mineralization, ossification, anthracosis and endarteritis obliterans. Metastatic osteosarcoma in the lungs, metastatic lymphosarcoma in the heart and lungs were also observed. The incidence of cardio-pulmonary disorders encountered was relatively high. The need and scope for investigation into the pathological disorders of the heart and lungs of canines were highlighted.
Open Access
Pathology of the prostate gland in dogs
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2004) Dhanya Menon, KAU; Vijayan, N
The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence and nature of pathological conditions of the canine prostate. A detailed systematic examination of 100 carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail. The study confirmed prostatic disorders as an age related problem and also warned that involvement of the prostate in concurrent pathological affections of the urogenital system should not be overlooked. Heavy breeds like the German shepherds were found to be the most susceptible to prostatic diseases. An age related increase was also seen in the prostatic weight, circumference and length. Prostatic lesions could be encountered in 49 per cent of the cases. The most common prostatic disease encountered in this study was benign prostatic hyperplasia followed by prostatitis, prostatic atrophy, prostatic adenocarcinoma and squamous metaplasia. Glandular, cystic and complex types of hyperplasia could be observed. The identification of prostatic adenocarcinoma in a castrated dog pointed to the necessity to study the role of extra gonadal sex hormones in prostate carcinogenesis. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. were isolated from cases of prostatitis. Acid phosphatase activity was more for hyperplastic and neoplastic prostates when compared to the normal prostate. This indicated that prostatic acid phosphatase could be used as a marker for the diagnosis of canine prostate cancer both by impression smears and cryostat sections.
Open Access
Efficacy of argyrrophilic nucleolar organizer region count test for in vivo biomaterial evaluation
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Umashankar, P R; Divakaran Nair, N
The efficacy of argyrophilic Nucleolar organizer Region (AgNOR) count test in the evaluation of biomaterial was assessed in this study utilizing a reactive (medium chromic catgut) and a non-reactive (Polypropylene) material. The materials were implanted into rat gluteus muscle for a duration of seven and 14 days and sham surgery done on a separate group of animals served as the control. The tissue response such as inflammation, muscle degeneration and peri-implant scar thickness around the reactive and non-reactive implant and the controls at seven and 14 days were studied using H&E and special stains for collagen. Besides this the estimation of collagen of the reactive and non-reactive material implanted tissue was studied. The observations made in this were compared with the fibroblast proliferation response at the respective durations as assessed by the AgNOR count estimation. On histopathological evaluation, the reactive material showed an initial acute inflammatory response with mild fibrosis and collagen deposition which subsequently settled into a chronic form with severe fibrosis and more collagen deposition at the end of 14 days. Non-reactive material elicited an acute inflammation initially (seven days post implantation) which settled into a mild chronic response at 14 days post implementation. Mild fibrosis and less collagen deposition were noticed in the peri-implant area at both the duration. Observations on fibroblast proliferation as assessed by AgNOR count test well correlated to the above findings. The AgNOR counts observed with reactive material at seven days and 14 days were 1.97 + 0.03 and 2.23 + 0.02 respectively. The counts for non-reactive material were 1.81 + 0.01 and 1.67 + 0.02 at seven and 14 days post implantation respectively. The collagen content of the reactive and non-reactive implanted tissue did not reveal any statistically significant difference as compared with the respective control. From this investigation it was proved that AgNOR count test could be reliably applied for biomaterial evaluation even at seven days duration and it formed a valuable adjunct to the routine method employed in the in vivo evaluation of biomaterials.
Open Access
Hepato-renal pathology in canines
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Lakshmi, R; KAU; Koshy Varghese
The present investigation was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of the liver and kidney disorders in canines. The results of the present investigation and the evaluation of data from the records revealed a high incidence of liver (76 percent) and kidney (85 per cent) disorders. A detailed systematic examination of one.hundred cases of canine carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail and were classified based on age, sex and breed. Vascular and degenerative changes were the predominant lesions in these organs. The other lesions recorded in the liver were necrosis (15 cases), hepatitis (19 cases), fibrosis (9 cases) and cirrhosis (2 cases). One case each of cholangiocarcinoma, hepatic cyst and adhesion of diaphragm and the liver was encountered in the present study. Among kidney disorders, glomerular lesions were predominant next to vascular and degenerative changes. A total of 59 cases had some lesions in the glomeruli of which, 32 hadglomerulonephritis. PGN was the predominant type of glomerulonephritis. Males had a higher predilection for PGN and it was common in animals less than three years of age. MN and MPGN were common in animals more than three years of age. The high incidence of glomerular lesions and their possible causes were discussed. Tubulo-interstitial nephritis was observed in 16 cases. Interstitial nephritis was common in males while both cases of pyelonephritis were seen in females. Acute interstitial nephritis was seen in animals less than five years of age while all cases of chronic interstitial nephritis was seen in animals more than five years of age. Bacterial isolations were obtained in the liver or kidney or both in only 14 cases. Viral etiology was suspected in two cases where intranuclear inclusions were seen in the hepatocytes and the glomerular epithelium. The high incidence of vascular lesions without any evidence for infectious etiology in rest of the animals suggested the involvement of some toxic factors. The importance of identifying the specific etiology in these suspected cases of toxic conditions and the need and scope for further studies in these lines were highlighted.
Open Access
Pathology of the reproductive system of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sivakumar, V; KAU; Mammem, J Abraham
The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of various diseases affecting the reproductive system of Japanese quails. The data collected from the autopsy records maintained at the Centre of Excellence in Pathology, Mannuthy and one hundred and two samples of reproductive organs obtained from the necropsy cases formed the basis of the study. Retrospective survey revealed the increasing incidence of the reproductive diseases. Out of the 1139 cases encountered, various reproductive diseases were seen in quails at an incidence rate of 25.11 per cent. Oophoritis was the most prevalent among them at an incidence rate of 9.46 per cent. The higher incidence of reproductive diseases could be attributed to the maintenance of large number of breeder stock in the quail farm, which formed the major source for the necropsy samples. The gross and histopathological examination revealed that among the reproductive diseases the highest mortality was due to oophoritis (12.64 per cent) followed by egg bound (11.75 per cent). Other cases were salpingitis, egg impaction, ovarian fibroma, testicular hypoplasia and orchitis. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus were isolated from various cases. The incidence of pathological disorders encountered was relatively high. The need and scope for investigation into the diseases affecting quail reproductive system were highlighted.
Open Access
Pathology of cardiac disorders In cattle
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Bisi, T V; KAU; Sreekumaran, T
The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of various cardiac disorders in cattle. The data collected from the autopsy records maintained at the Centre of Excellence in Pathology, Mannuthy and hundred and one samples of heart obtained from both the slaughtered cattle and necropsy cases formed the basis of the study. Fifty five per cent hearts showed lesions of varying type. The highest incidence was for sarcocystosis (45 per cent). Vascular lesion~were present in 33.8 per cent cases. Other myocardial lesions encountered were myocardial degeneration, myocarditis and other cardiomyopathies of unknown etiology. Endocardial fibroelastosis and valvular sclerosis were observed in four cases. Valvular and coronary vessel lesions showed correlation with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The incidence of pathological disorders encountered were relatively high. The need and scope for investigation into the pathological disorders of bovine heart were highlightened.
Open Access
Pathology of gastro-intestinal discorders in piglets
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Smitha, S; KAU; Divakaran Nair, N
The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathological disorders of the gastro-intestinal system of piglets. The results of the present investigation and evaluation of the data from the records revealed a high incidence of gastro-intestinal disorders to the level of eighty eight per cent. A detailed systematic examination of fifty piglet carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail and were classified based on age and sex. Higher incidence of gastro-intestinal lesions was recorded in piglets aged 10-20 days and their possible causes are described. Vascular and degenerative changes were the predominant lesions, followed by inflammation. Among the inflammatory changes, catarrhal gastro-enteritis was the most prevalent lesions observed. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were isolated from such cases and are suspected as the possible pathogenesis has been described. Viral etiology was also suspected in certain cases as the infiltrating cells appeared predominantly Iymphocytes. Besides these ulcers were recorded in the stomach and the intestinal tract. Salmonella cholerae suis was isolated from the intestinal ulcers. Bacterial isolations were obtained in the intestine, liver, heart blood and sow's milk. A total of 17 bacterial isolations were obtained from 11 animals. Their role in the causation of gastro-intestinal disorders have been explained. Coincident with various gastro-intestinal disorders, liver of 30 cases and mesenteric lymph nodes of 28 cases revealed variety of vascular, degenerative and inflammatory lesions. In one case 'with suppurative hepatitis, Salmonella cholerae suis was isolated. The variable degrees of lymphoid depletion, degeneration and necrosis of lymphoid follicles of mesenteric lymph nodes and the Iymphocytes of Peyer's patches indicated immunosuppression. The vascular and degenerative lesions, without any evidence for infections etiology observed in the gastro-intestinal tract and liver suggested the involvement of some toxic factors. Further the higher incidence of the disorders in the young ones, the isolation mostly of the resident flora of the intestinal tract and the lymph node changes indicated the necessity for an in depth study on the role of factors like immune status of the animals and eo-pathogens in the causation of gastro- intestinal disorders in piglings,
Open Access
Pathology of the respiratory system in rabbits
(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Rekha, S; KAU; Lalithakunjamma, C R
The present study was undertaken .to assess the pathology of the respiratory system in rabbits. The results of the study revealed a high incidence (80 per cent) of respiratory disorders. A detailed systematic examination of fifty cases of rabbit carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail. Vascular and inflammatory lesions were predominant in the trachea and the lungs. Degenerative changes were seen in the trachea, pleura and the lungs. Bronchial lymph nodes revealed mild congestion and depletion of lymphocytes occasionally. A case of alveolar carcinoma was encountered in the present study. Adenomatous proliferation of the bronchial epithelium was seen in one case. Bacterial isolations were obtained from the trachea and the lungs. Escherichia coli (16 cases), Staphylococcus sp.(3 cases) and Proteus sp. (1 case) were obtained. The need and the scope of investigation into the pathological disorders in the respiratory system ofthe rabbits were highlighted.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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