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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Open Access
Isolation and identification of viruses from waterfowls seen in Kerala
(Department of microbiology, College of veterinary and animal sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Bindu, M S; KAU; Krishnan Nair, G
In the recent years, frequent outbreaks of poultry diseases have caused significant economic losses and among the various sources of infection, freeflying migratory birds and waterfowls are reported to be an important source for the introduction of disease to domestic flocks. These freeflying pirds and waterfowls abound in the waterlogged areas of Kerala especially Alleppey, Kottayam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. Heavy losses were reported each year due to severe outbreaks of duck plague and duck pasturellosis resulting in the wiping out of the duck population in the state. This may be due to the introduction of the disease agents by migratory waterfowls. Hence a study was undertaken to elucidate the role of waterfowls in the spread of diseases to domestic poultry and ducks. A total of 52 waterfowls were caught from different parts of Kerala of which 15 were lesser whistling teals and 37 were gargany. Postmortem examination of these birds were carried out and the required materials were collected. Impression smears from the cut surface of the liver revealed intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatic cells in four cases (Bird Nos. 17, 23, 27 and 49) and two haemagglutinating agents were isolated from the cloacal swabs of the bird numbers 18 and 22. The haemagglutinating agents developed lesions in the chicken embryos which died 3 to 5 days after inoculation. the allantoamniotic fluid of the affected embryos agglutinated teal and chicken erythrocytes. The lesions exhibited by the embryos infected with Ta were congestion of the CAM and embryos while in T22 the embryos were stunted, curled and at the same time congested. The liver of the embryo had yellowish brown patches. The haemagglutination activity of both the viral isolates were tested with red cells of various species like cattle, horse, human '0', duck, rabbit and pig but was negative in all cases. Both the isolates lost their infectivity and haemagglutination property at 56°C for 30 min. the infectivity and HA activity of the viral isolates T18 and T22 were retained at pH 7.2 and were completely destroyed at pH 3.2 and pH 9. Both the isolates were sensitive to treatment with chloroform, revealing both as enveloped viruses, wherein the infectivity was completely lost and HA activity was considerably reduced. In the case of Tl8 HA activity was reduced from 512 to 16 and for T22 from 128 to 8. The nucleic acid types of the viral isolates were confirmed by inoculating the isolates to chicken embryo fibroblast cultures pretreated with 100 µg and 200 µg per ml of IudR which led to the conclusion that Ta was a RNA virus and T22 a DNA virus. The ELD50 of Ta and T22 were 107 ELD50/ml and 106 ELD50/ml. The ICPI, MDT and IVPI. were calculated as for NDV. The ICPI for the isolates were 0.83 and 0.30 for T18 and T22 respectively, MDT was 120 hr for both and the IVPI was calculated to be zero in both cases, indicating that both the isolates were nonpathogenic. In cell cultures both the isolates produced CPE which affected the whole monolayer by 96 hrs. In the case of Tl8 the CPE was characterised by rounding and clumping of cells, the infected cells showing a tendency to get separated from the neighbouring cells leaving long cytoplasmic strands, syncytium formation with four or five nuclei and severe cytoplasmic vacuolation. For T22 the CPE was characterised by rounding and cytoplasmic vacuolation and karryorhexis. Intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies could be demonstrated. The pathogenicity studies of both the isolates were carried out in one week old and six week old ducklings and chicken, for which both were nonpathogenic and did not exhibit any clinical signs or mortality. But viral infection was established in six week old chicks by virus isolation till the 14th day of infection from the cloacal swabs for both the isolates. The sera collected from these birds revealed an antibody titre of 16 for T¬18 and 8 for T22 indicating the infection. The antigenic relationship of the isolates was examined with NDV, EDS-76 and fish viruses (FV and F6), of which T22 did not show any antigenic similarity with any of the viruses. But T1B on the contrary exhibited antigenic relationship with the fishviruses FV and F6 but no antigenic similarity with NDV and EDS-76. The antigenic similarity exhibited by T18 with the fish viruses leads to the conclusion that waterfowls may be disseminating the viruses responsible for the outbreak of epizootic ulcerative syndrome in fishes. The morphological features of T18 by electronmicroscopy revealed an enveloped virus with a size of 150-185 nm with pleomorphic forms and peplomers of a length of 18-20 nm. Except the length of the peplomers it similated a paramyxovirus. The morphology of T22 was not studied due to technical defects.
Open Access
Superovulation and embryo recovery in rabbits
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Sathesh Kumar, S; KAU; Suresh Nair, S P
Superovulation was induced in Newzealand White and Sovira. Chinchilla breeds of rabbits by administration of a single dose of 150 IU PMSG followed by double mating at induced cycle and 150 IU HCG soon after second mating to induce ovulation. The onset and intensity of oestrum, number of ovulations, embryo recovery and quality of embryos were studied and compared with those of the controls of the respective breeds. The mean interval from PMSG administration to onset of oestrus in both the breeds was 56.0 + 5.1 h. It was further observed that most of the treated animals showed intense oestrum when compared to controls. The ovulation rate based on the number of corporalutea in control animals of Newzealand White breed was 4.7 + 1.2 as against 22.0 ± 1.35 in the treated group. There was significant difference (P<0.01) in the ovulation rate between the groups. The percentages of embryo recovery, fertile embryos and transferrable embryos in the control group were 47.22, 86.7 and 92.3 while those of the treatment group were 31.67, 100 and 87.8 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. While the control animals in Soviet Chinchilla breed has an ovulation rate of 6.7 ± 0.65, the treated rabbits showed a higher ovulation rate of 20.0 ± 3.2. There was significantly higher ovulation rate (P<0.01) in treated group when compared to controls. The embryo recovery rate, fertilized embryos and transferrable embryos in the control group were 53.33 per cent, 77.8 per cent and 93.8 per cent respectively. The corresponding values in the treatment group were 36.27 per cent, 69.82 per cent and 93.1 per cent respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups. No breed influence on the above parameters could also be noticed in this study It may be concluded that superovulation could be successfully induced in Newzealand White and Soviet Chinchilla breeds of rabbits with single dose of 150 IU PMSG, followed by 150 IU HCG soon after second mating. Eventhough there was superovulation, the embryo recovery rate was comparatively lower in the treated group probably on account of an altered oestrogen-progesterone profile interfering with the transport of the zygote, however the fertilization rate and the quality of the embryos were unaffected with the superovulation treatment.
Open Access
Evaluation of holstein crossbred bulls based on milk composition of progeny
(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Radhika, G; KAU; Sosamma Iype
Sire evaluation programmes in Kerala state, so far have been hinged around milk production alone, and no emphasis has been laid on milk constituents. The milk constituents like fat and solids not fat determined the market value and consumer's receptivity of milk. Reports on sire evaluation on the basis of milk constituents were seriously lacking in literature and hence the present investigation was undertaken with a view to compare the crossbred sires on the basis of milk yield, fat, total solids, and solids not fat percentages and their yields. 1284 milk samples belonging to 222 animals (103 progenies of Holstein crossbred bulls with superior genetic worth and 119 contemporaries) calved during the period 1995~96 formed the material for the study. These animals belonged to farmers in the area of six AI centres around Thrissur and also the animals maintained in three University Livestock farms. Milk samples were collected during early, middle and late lactation both in morning and evening, and the samples were analysed for fat, total solids and solids not fat percentages. Milk fat percentage was estimated by Electronic Milk Tester with frequent standardisation with Gerber's method. Total solids percentage was determined by Gravimetric method and solids not fat by finding the difference between total solids and fat percentages of milk. Fat, total solids and solids not fat yields were calculated by multiplying the percentages of these constituents with cumulative milk yield for each stage for lactation and adding. -- The statistical analysis was done as per standard procedure. Least squares technique as described by Harvey (1986) was employed to analyse the effects of centre, sire and season on the characters studied. The effect of centre was highly significant, while effects of sire and season were non- significant. The overall average 305 day milk yield was found to be 1829.68 kg. The progenies in the first lactation had higher averages compared to the contemporaries in different parities. Among the centres progeny average of 305 day milk yield was maximum for University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy (2800 kg) followed by Ramavarmapuram (2426.71 kg). University farm milk samples revealed higher values for 305 day milk yield, fat, total solids and solids not fat percentages compared to field milk samples. Among the centres, Arimbur recorded comparatively higher fat percentages during all stages of lactation. An important result from legal point of view was that,66.67 per cent of cows in the early stage of lactation, recorded morning milk fat per cent below the legal standards of 3.5. In case of solids not fat, 46.5 per cent were below the PFA standard of 8.5 per cent. Total solids and fat percentage showed an increasing trend with the progress of lactation. But such a trend was not observed for solids not fat percentage. Heritability estimates were calculated by paternal half-sib method for milk yield and its composition. Milk fat percentage had the highest heritability estimate of 0.326iO.234. The estimates of sire merit of Holstein Friesian test bulls for 305 day milk yield.fat, total solids and solids not fat percentages and yields, were computed by three methods of sire evaluation viz., daughter's average, contemporary comparison and least squares means. The yield characteristics were found to have more genetic variance than the corresponding percentages and hence preferred for sire evaluation. Since there was slight difference in the ranking of sires by these methods there is a need to study the accuracy of evaluation by different methods and then to choose the best method for evaluation under field conditions. The observation on the low milk fat and solids not fat percentages pinpoints the necessity of urgently amending PFA act for the benefit of the farmers.
Open Access
Comparative efficacy of different antigenic preparations from Pasteurella multocida for detection of antibodies by enzyme immuno assay
(Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Rinita Sing; KAU; Jayaprakasan, V
In this study IHA, plate ELISA and DIA were employed to monitor antibody from ducks vaccinated with three different types of vaccine ( bacterin, bacterin with adjuvant and sonicate adjuvanated vaccine) prepared from P. multocida. Three different type of antigens viz., Crude capsular extract (CCE), Potassium thiocyanate extract ( KSCN) and sonicated antigen were used to coat NCM/ microtitre plate or for sensitization of SRBC. Forty ducklings of four week age were used for immunization. They were divided into four groups each group comprising of ten ducklings. Groups one, two and three were vaccinated with bacterin, bacterin with adjuvant and sonicate adjuvanated vaccine, respectively. Antibody was monitored upto 35th day post vaccination by IHA, Plate ELISA and DIA, employing CCE, KSCN and sonicated antigen. Group one ( vaccinated with bacterin) gave a higher mean titre value followed by IHA and plate ELISA, irrespective of the type of antigen employed, followed by group three ( birds vaccinated with sonicate adjuvanated vaccine) and group two ( birds vaccinated with bacterin with adjuvant ). Irrespective of the antigens employed in the tests, plate ELISA gave the highest sensitivity ( cent per cent) followed by IHA and DIA, whereas the highest specificity was observed by DIA, over IHA and plate ELISA. When the comparison was made between antigens a high mean titre value was obtained with sonicated antigen, followed by KSCN extract and CCE. Crude capsular extract antigen gave cent per cent specificity by all the tests, while the other two antigens gave a low percentage of specificity. As the immunological test with highest specificity is the one preferred, CCE was shown to be superior over KSCN extract and sonicated antigen in IHA, plate ELISA and DIA for the detection of specific antibodies against P. multocida in ducks.
Open Access
Influence of coconut oil and sunflower oil on plasma and liver lipid profile and production performance in Japanese quail (Coturrix coturnix japonica)
(Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Mini, K P; KAU; Philomina, P T
The role of dietary factors in the genesis and development of atherosclerosis has been associated with elevated serum cholesterol levels, both in man and animals. Coconut oil has been a dietary component for keralites from time immemorial. There are several reports implicating coconut oil (a saturated fat) as one of the major factors involved in the production of increased blood cholesterol level leading to the increased incidence of cardio vascular disease (CVD) in human beings and animals. Nosystematic investigation has been carried out so far to study how increasing unsaturation of the oil affects lipid metabolism in warding off atherosclerosis. In addition to the chain length of fatty acids their relative position in the triglyceride molecule appears to affect their potency for atherogenicity. Gingelly oil is commonly used as one of the energy source in poultry feed and sunflower oil is also gaining popularity now a days, since many reports indicated that feeding of unsaturated fat decreased the cholesterol content in the body. Hence it was thought worthwhile to study the influence of these three oils on the levels of total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and phospholipid in plasma and liver, the concentration of HDL – cholesterol and (VLDL + LDL) – cholesterol in plasma, weight of the liver and the level of total cholesterol in egg yolk. The production performance under these dietary oils was also assessed in Japanese quails by recording the egg production, egg weight and egg mass, feed consumption, body weight and feed efficiency. A total number of 72 (36 males and 36 females), four –week old Japanese quails of the same strain (egg type) and hatch were procured from the Kerala Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mannuthy and divided into three main groups (12 males and 12 females in each main group viz. G1,GII, GIII) and then subdivided to 12 males and 12 females as M-I, M-II and M-III (males) and F-I, F-II and F-III (females).The birds were provided grower ration upto sixth week of age and then adult ration, from the sixth to the 10th week of age in males and 16th week of age in females. The standard ration was incorporated with the different dietary oils at 2 percent level viz. GI (MI and F-I) with gingelley oil, GII (MII and F-II) with coconut oil and GIII (MIII and F-III) with sunflower oil. Feed consumption, egg production and egg weight were recorded daily and body weight recorded weekly. The eggs from the three groups (F-I, F-II and F-III) were collected on the last day of 14th, 15th and 16th week of age, weighed and stored at 40c for biochemical analyses. The male birds were sacrificed at the 10th week of age and females at the 16th week of age. The weight of the liver noted and plasma and liver stored at – 200C for analysis. Total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL – cholesterol (VLDL + LDL) Cholesterol and phospholipid in plasma of male and female Japanese quails were not significantly different among the groups, since the normal level (2%) of oils used in the present study was not able to exert any significant influence on the lipid metabolism to quails. The total lipid content in the liver in male quails was not significantly different among the groups. In the female quails the total lipid content in liver of gingelley oil fed group (F-I) was significantly higher than that of coconut oil fed (F-II) and sunflower oil fed (F-III) groups. Lower triglyceride lipase activity in coconut oil and sunflower oil fed groups, which causes decreased break down of triglyceride in adipose tissue and lower transportation of fatty acids to liver in these two groups. Irrespective of sex the triglyceride and total cholesterol content in liver were not significantly different among the groups. The liver phospholipid content in male quails of gingelley oil fed group (MI) was significantly higher than that of sunflower oil fed group (MIII). Sunfloweroil (unsaturated fatty acids) causes enhanced faecal excretion of free fatty acids. The total lipid, triglyceride, (VLDL + LDL) – cholesterol and phospholipid in plasma were significantly higher in adult female quails compared to male in all the groups. In the laying bird lipids are sysnthesised in the liver and transported to the ovary in the form of lipoproteins. This is the reason for higher total lipid, triglyceride and phospholipid in plasma of laying hen (VLDL + LDL) – cholesterol content was also higher in the female quails since they are the transport form of cholesterol from liver to the ovary. The total cholesterol and HDL – cholesterol were higher in male quails compared to females, since the cholesterol is not eliminated through the egg yolk and are mainly found along with the HDL fraction in males unlike females. The total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol content in liver of female quails were significantly higher than that of male quails. There was higher lipid synthesis in the liver of female quails under the influence of oestrogen. There was no significant difference in the liver phospholipid content between male and female quails . No significant difference in the weight of the liver among the groups in both male and female Japanese quails could be noticed. However, weight of the liver in females was significantly higher than the males in each group. There was no significant difference in the total lipid and total cholesterol content in egg yolk among the groups, at the 14th, 15th and 16th week of age. This was because the total lipid and total cholesterol content in the egg yolk has to be maintained at a constant level in order to create a favourable environment for the development of the embryo. Female quails attained sexual maturity earlier at the end of fifth week (38 to 41 days of age). Egg production started on the 38th day in groups F-II and F-III while it was on the 41st day in group F-I. The egg production was lower in gingelley oil fed group (F-I) than coconut oil fed group (F-II) may be due to lower mineral absorption in gingelley oil fed group. The egg weight was higher in sunflower oil fed group (F-III) than coconut oil fed group (F-II) since sunflower oil in the diet causes higher protein retention. The egg mass was not significantly different among the groups. However, the egg weight and egg mass significantly increased with age. There was no significant difference in feed intake among the groups in both male and female Japanese quails as the caloric value of the feeds were the same. Female quails had higher feed intake than males due to their higher growth rate. The body weight of the male quails was not significantly different among the groups. The body weight in gingelley oil fed group was the lowest among the female quails during most part of the experimental period, since there is lower mineralization of bones in that group. The body weight of female quails in the three groups was significantly higher than that of males. Feed efficiency was not different among the groups in male Japanese quails. Among the female Japanese quails coconut oil (F-II) and sunflower oil (F-III) fed groups had better feed efficiency than gingelley oil fed group (F-I), lower rate of absorption of minerals in gingelley oil fed group (F-I) may the reason for the lowest feed efficiency and body weight. In order to arrive at a conclusion as to which of the particular oil is ideal for health and for better production performance in Japanese quails, higher levels of oils are to be incorporated and a more detailed study is required.
Open Access
Assessment of paratenic hosts in the transmission of Ancylostoma caninum to dogs
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Deena Antony, U; KAU; George Vargese, C
An investigation into the “Assessment of paratenic hosts in the transmission of Ancylostoma caninum to dogs” was carried out during the period from October 1996 to September 1997. The experimental animals comprised of 24 day old chicks, 15 one month old albino mice, 60 cockroaches collected locally and 10 pups of 6 to 8 weeks old. Larvae obtained from faecal cultures set in room temperature were used for infecting paratemic hosts. The migration and distribution of A. caninum larvae in the tissues of chicks infected orally with 1000 larvae were studied. Larval yield at necropsy from different organs after digestion with artificial gastric juice revealed a 50.1 per cent recovery at 4hr after inoculation followed by a sharp decline to 4.5 percent at 72hr. Larvae were detected in the lungs and liver at the rate of 67 and 63 respectively. The gastro intestinal tract yielded the maximum number of larvae (215) at 4hr after infection. Migration in the muscles of neck and thorax was detected at 12 hr after infection. But no larvae were recovered from heart, spleen and kidney. Migration and distribution of A.caninum larvae in the tissues of mice orally infected with 1000 larvae and the establishment of patent infection from mice to definite host were studied. Highest larval recovery was at 4 hr post infection (48.6%) and lowest was (13.6%) at 30 days post infection. Migration of larvae to the liver and lungs occurred within 24 hr. No larvae were recovered from spleen, kidney and heart. Migration in the muscles of throax and head and neck occurred within 4 days. In the infected cockroaches, living larvae were found in the muscles, wall and lumen of the gut region and haemocele. Histopathological lesions included mild disruption of the villi with mild infilteration of the inflammatory cells in the intestine, areas of congestion, haemorrhage and necrosis were noticed in the liver and lungs with sections of larvae found rupturing the wall of the alveoli. Patent infection was established in hookworm free pups . Infected with larvae, recovered from infected chicks, mice and cockroaches and the pre-patent period was found to be 18 to 19 days. The present observation established that chicken, mice and insects like cockroaches might act as paratenic hosts for A.caninum, thus serving as natural sources of infection to pups.
Open Access
Hormonal induction of oestrus in bitches
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Shibu Simon; KAU; Athman, K V
With a view to make commercial dog breeding a viable enterprise, a study was undertaken to induce fertile oestrus in anoestrous bitches. A preliminary survey was also carried out ill IIl1d around Thrissur to elucidate the reproductive parameters and breeding practices in relation to feeding, housing and managemental practices adopted by the dog breeders. The survey carried out in 100 bitches revealed that the mean of puberty, oestrus interval, duration of bleeding, duration of oestrus, number of matings, duration of muting, gestation period, duration of whelping and litter size was respectively, 11.4 months, 6.8 months, 8.5 days, 7.6 days, 1.74 times, 16.2 minutes, 61.9 days, 5.3 hours and 6 pups. The conception rate was found to be 49.2 per cent. The percentage incidence of perinatal mortality of pups and pseudopregnancy in bitches was observed to be 15.8 and 3.2. Most of the managemental factors were not found to significantly influence the tl productive parameters covered in the survey. However, conception rate and litter size in bitches kept along with males was higher probably on account of the fact that more number of rnatings were allowed during oestrus. Twenty four anoestrus bitches aged 2 to 6 years were randomly allotted to four groups of 6 bitches each. While group J received 20 IU/kg PMSG for 5 consecutive days, group If received PMSG nl the satuv dose rute as ill ----- --- \'1 \~~~ group I followed by 500 IU of hea. While group III received clomiphene curate 50 mg daily for 5 days, group IV was eated as control. Exfoliative vaginal cytology was studied in all the bitches from day 1 to 19 of treatment. All bitches were given natural scrvite/1l1tificial insemination ill the induced oestrus. In group I, 83.3 per cent of bitches came: to oestrus at a mean of 12 days from the beginning of treatment and gave 1I conception rate of 50 per cent with a III ea 11 litter size of 3.3. III group 11, cventhough a similar percentage of bitches CUIlIC to oestrus at U fJleUII of 13.8 days, hut a conception rate of 33.3 pcr cent was obtained with a mean litter ~llC of 2.5. In contrast, in groups III and IV, none of the bitches came to oestrus and concci vcd. The response to treatment in groups I and Il with respect tu the duration and intensity of pro- oestrus and oestrus, acceptance, conception and litter size was comparatively lower in the induced oestrus than ill natural oestrus. Similarly, the anuclcar cell peaks in these two groups were much lower than that reported in natural oestrus. It is concluded that, bitches in anoestrus could be induced to come into fertile oestrus with PMSG alone or in combination with hCa eventhough the conception rate was lower than in natural oestrus. Since a better conception and litter size was obtained with PMSG alone and the cost of treatment is less in this protocol, it is preferred over a combination treatment of PMSG and hCG.
Open Access
Prevalence of leptospirosis among dogs in Thrissur
(Department of Preventive Medicine ,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Indu, S; KAU; Saseendranath, M R
The seroprevalence of leptospirosis in one hundred and fifty dogs from different parts of Thrissur including 138 dogs presented to the Hospital and twelve stray dogs were studied by microscopic agglutination test. Among the 150 dogs, 49 (32.67 per cent) were seropositive to Leptospira serovars pomona (53.06 per cent), canicola (32.65 per cent) and icterohaemorrhagiae (14.28 per cent) 83.33 per cent of the stray dogs were seroreacative with agglutinins to L. serovars pomona (90 per cent) and L. canicola (10 per cent) . Seroprevalence recorded was higher age wise among young dogs, upto three years of age, among the male dogs and among non-descript and German Shepherd dogs. Monthwise prevalence was higher during June, May and December. DFM examination were carried out on blood samples from 23 suspicious cases of leptospirosis and 12 stray dogs, and on urine sample from eight suspected cases. Leptospiraemia was detected in two clinical cases (C 261 and C 11556) and from two stray dogs (S-6 and S-10) Urine sampies were negative for leptospires or DFM. Culture and isolation were tried with blood sample from 23 suspected cases of leptospirosis and from 12 stray dogs, urine sample from eight suspected cases of leptospirosis and kidney tissue from six sacrificed stray dogs. Of these, blood sample from stray dog 8-6 showed evidence of growth in the medium, but leptospires could not be isolated. The culture medium with kidney tissue from stray dog 8-6 revealed the presence/growth of leptospires on DFM examination. But isolation of leptospires from amongst the contaminants was not possible on further subculture, millipore filtration or guinea pig inoculation. Haematological findings in the seropositive dogs were monocytosis which was highly significant, non- significant i~crease in the mean values of E8R, total leucocyte count and absolute neutrophil count. A slight increase in the mean PCV, absolute lymphocyte and eosinophil count were recorded. Mean haemoglobin level was slightly lower in the seropositive dogs, compared to the seronegative dogs. On biochemical analysis, significant increase (PsO.05) in creatinine level was recorded in the seropositive dogs. There was increase in the mean total bilirubin, albumin and albumin-globulin ratio in the seropositive dogs, but it was non-significant. Mean serum total protein, globulin, serum ALT values were lower in the seropositive group compared to those of the seronegative group.
Open Access
Immunodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in goats
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1997) Syamala, K; KAU; Devada, K
A serological survey was carried out on the prevalence of caprine toxoplasmosis in Kerala, by two simple and sensitive serological tests-modified agglutination test (MAT) and carbon immuno assay (CIA). A total of 152 goat sera were collected from the Government Goat Farms, Attappady and Kommeri, Kerala Agricultural University Goat Farm, Mannuthy and from the slaughter houses at Trichur and Ernakulam. The MAT carried out for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies revealed 53.29 per cent as seropositive while CIA revealed 44.07 per cent. A higher prevalence was detected among does than in bucks. A remarkable age-wise prevalence was not observed in this study. Eventhough a higher prevalence was noticed in Malabari breeds, as the number of goats in each breed was too uneven, a breed-wise prevalence could not be ascertained. Area-wise, a higher prevalence was noticed in goats that belonged to Kannur district, both by MAT and CIA. Modified agglutination test was a sensitive and specific test for the serological surveys on caprine toxoplasmosis, while CIA was a cost effective and simple test which could be made use of under our field conditions. The methods of maintenance and propagation of T. gondii RH strain in mice in the laboratory were standardised and it was found that a dose of 0.30 ml of '+++' infective fluid given intraperitoneally was sufficient for propagation of the strain in mice in the laboratory. White mice experimentally inoculated subcutaneously and intraperitoneally, exhibited similar symptoms like huddling in one corner, anorexia, rough hair coat, respiratory distress and ascites. The intracerebrally inoculated mice showed epileptic symptoms and blindness. Haemorrhage and congestion of lungs, catarrhal inflammation of stomach and intestine and necrosis of liver were the main gross lesions noticed in the acutely infected mice. Alveolar and interstitial pneumonia coagulative necrosis of liver, destruction of tubular and glomerular epithelium of kidney, necrosis of spleen and destruction of cardiac musculature were the prominent microscopic changes observed. Infection in mice by bioassay with acid pepsin digested visceral organs of acutely infected mice was successful. This indicated that T. gondii tachyzoites could survive acid pepsin for 75 min, as the tissues utilised for bioassay carried only Toxoplasma tachyzoites. Studies on the sensitivity of T. gondii tachyzoites to heat revealed that they could be killed by incubating at 56°C for 30 min or boiling at 100°C for five minutes. The method of cultivation of T. gondii tachyzoites in duck embryos by the chorioallantoic membrane route was successful resulting in yellowish white pock lesions on CAM, with congestion and haemorrhage on embryos and brain. A successful cryopreservation of T. gondii using tris-glycerol as cryoprotectant for 145 days at -20°C and for 250 days at -56°C was achieved.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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