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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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20031
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Subject: Veterinary Physiology × Author: Babitha, V × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Metabolic and endocrine profile of crossbred pre-ruminant calves under extended colostrum feeding
    (Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Babitha, V; KAU; Philomina, P T
    Colostrum is a highly fortified source of nutrients having seven times proteins, twice the total solids, higher content of vitamins, minerals and a very high immune value than normal milk. In most of the commercial dairy farms where day old weaning of calves is practiced, lion share of this potent calf protein supplement is practically wasted since colostrum is unmarketable for human consumption. In this circumstance, the present study was undertaken with the objective of evaluating the effects of enhanced feeding of preserved colostrum in neonatal cross-bred calves on the health status, growth, haematological, biochemical and hormonal parameters and to find any correlations exist among these factors during their first month of life. Fresh colostrum was collected in hygienic conditions from recently calved healthy cows from the first six milkings and then pooled. The pooled colostrum was preserved in dry sterile bottles by deep freezing at -20°C until fed to calves. Crude protein content of colostrum and whole milk were estimated. Total. viable count of pooled colostrum samples were recorded before and after ultra violet irradiation for 30 minutes. Twelve numbers of healthy neonatal crossbred calves of either sex of the Kerala Agricultural University Livestock Farm, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy were divided into two groups as Group I (control) and Group II (experimental) with six calves in each group. The calves of group I were fed with colostrum for three days and then milk (one-tenth of body weight) as followed in the farm. The calves of group 11 were fed with colostrum for 30 days of age continuously at the rate of one-tenth of body weight. All calves / were provided with drinking water ad libitum and calf starter (250 g/day/calf) from 15 days of age. The animals were maintained under standard management conditions. Regular monitoring of clinical health status and individual weighing at weekly intervals from day zero (on the day of birth) to one month of all the calves were performed and recorded. Blood samples were collected from the calves of both groups soon after birth (zero day), thereafter 18 h after birth (first day), sixth day, twelfth day, eighteenth day, twenty fourth day and thirtieth day of age. The blood samples were analysed for blood glucose level and haematological parameters like haemoglobin content, total erythrocyte, total leukocyte count, volume of packed red blood cells (VPRC) and subsequently the erythrocyte indices were calculated. Estimation of concentration of serum total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, non- esterified fatty acids (NEF A), urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and bilirubin were conducted. Hormonal profile of serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and insulin were estimated. Clinical parameters of both the groups of calves were within the normal range. Calves of group II recorded a higher weekly body weight gain. Of the various haemotological parameters evaluated, haemoglobin concentration and volume of packed red blood cells exhibited a declining trend, probably due to the haemodilution after intake of colostrum and milk. The total erythrocyte count remained almost constant whereas WBe count showed a persistently an ascending pattern in both the groups, increasing trend in calves of both / protein and globulin also exhibited groups. Serum concentrations of total which can be attributed to the enhanced absorption' of unaltered immunoglobulins by pinocytosis, the property which is lost soon after the maturation of intestinal epithelial cells. Although serum albumin showed a reduction in concentration after first colostrum intake, due to the increased absorption of unaltered immunoglobulins from colostrum, albumin concentration showed a steady rise thereafter till the end of the experiment indicating the enhanced hepatic albumin synthesis. The electrophoretic separation of serum protein components of both groups of calves agreed closely with the biochemical estimation. A steady progressive increase was observed in serum concentrations of total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides of calves of both the groups throughout the experimental period with the magnitude being more in case of experimental group. This might be explained by the increased . fat content of colostrum, obviously due to an increased requirement of these components as membrane constituents and as energy reserves for the build up of body size and weight. Elevated insulin release stimulated by increased availability of amino acids would have favoured an increase in triglyceride synthesis. Fluctuating pattern in serum EF A status of both the groups might signify reduced mobilisation of fat reserves for energy demands after birth: Blood glucose level of calves of both the groups followed a continuous upstream trend, attributed to the increased energy demand for the enhanced growth. A progressive increment In BUN was more evident In experimental calves. This could be due to the higher protein degradation and subsequent / amino acid deamination, probably as a consequence of the high intake of crude protein and amino acids that were not utilised for protein. synthesis. The decreasing trend of serum creatinine levels in both the groups could be due to the decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of serum creatinine at birth leading to a high serum level at birth, which was reduced later due to the elevated GFR of creatinine during the early days of life. Increased serum bilirubin soon after birth could probably be due to the increased destruction of foetal haemoglobin (Hb) for the replacement of adult haemoglobin after birth. The serum bilirubin levels diminished towards the last quarter of the experiment tenure. Serum thyroid hormones eT3 and T4) were not found to be influenced by time or amount or colostrum or milk fed to calves. There was a fluctuating trend of T3 and T4 ratios in both the groups. The increase in insulin concentration after birth in both the groups of calves could be a consequence of enhanced insulin secretion as a result of greater nutritional intake in the neonatal life. The present investigation proved that increased dietary protein In neonatal cross-bred calves which were fed colostrum continuously for 30 days from birth brought about elevated protein anabolism in association with haematological, biochemical and hormonal changes. They were definitely having an advantage over calves fed colostrum for three days and then switched to milk as per standard feeding regime. Postnatal growth of ruminants is chiefly influenced by metabolic hormones, the secretion of which being regulated by the circulating levels of critical amino acids. The observations of the present / study revealed that nourishing the neonatal calves with protein rich colostrum for a prolonged period ensured increased availability of amino acids, especially the critical ones which can be exploited in enhancing the growth rate of the calves. Since, there is always an interest in maximising the utilisation of protein supplements, the most expensive ingredient in ruminant ration, enhanced feeding of preserved colostrum can be a promising method of improving the weight gain and health status of neonatal calves in farm conditions. Excess of colostrum that is usually wasted in large dairy farms, could be properly preserved and fed to the calves as protein rich nutrient.