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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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ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of eugenia jambolana (njaval) leaves on paracetamol induced toxicity in rats(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, 2008) Midhun, M V; Aravindakshan, C MThesisItem Open Access Low dose gamma irradiation on the keeping quality of minced beef(Department of Livestock Products Technology College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, 2006) Jenifer, P; Kuttinarayanan, PThesisItem Open Access Marker assisted selection for milk production traits in vechur cattle(Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Mannuthy, 2005) Shymaja, Uthaman; Raghunandanan, K VThesisItem Open Access Clinico-therapeutic studies on bacterial mastitis in goats(Department of Veterinery Epidmiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Science,Mannuthy, 2005) Sreeja, S; KAU; Vijayakumar, KThe lactating does in the University goat and sheep farm were screened for subclinical mastitis once in three months using the California mastitis test. The occurrence of subclinical mastitis was found to be 30.2 per cent. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between occurrence of subclinical mastitis and teat length whereas there was significant association between distance from teat tip to floor. Among 642 samples screened 194 samples were found to be positive by CMT. The arithmetic mean cell counts for each CMT score ranged between 0.736 ± 0.033 x106 and 20.417 ± 0.851 x106 cells/ml. Among CMT positive samples MWST and MAMP detected 62.89 per cent and 43.29 per cent as positive for subclinical mastitis. Comparison of screening tests revealed that significant positive correlation existed among the four tests namely CMT, MWST, MAMP and SCC. Comparison with culture results showed that score ‘3’ of CMT score ‘3+’ of MWST and grade 3 of MAMP reaction detected the maximum positive cases. CMT scores and SCC in bacteriologicaly positive samples showed significant association. Among the TIST positive milk samples 20 (44.44 per cent) were culture positive. Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant isolate in both clinical and subclinical caprine mastitis. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity pattern revealed that chloramphenicol was the most sensitive antibiotic followed by ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. The isolated pathogens showed maximum resistance to sulpha. Comparison of treatment trials in 24 clinical goat mastitis cases using ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin with 12 animals in each group revealed that clinical and bacteriological cure was better in the case of ciprofloxacin. Clinical and bacteriological cure was comparatively less in gangrenous mastitis cases. Eighteen Staphylococcus isolates from clinical mastitis cases and 23 Staphylococcus isolates from subclinical cases were typed by RAPD fingerprinting. Twelve different genotypes were obtained among which genotype c predominated in clinical mastitis whereas in subclinical cases b and i were the common Staphylococcal genotypes. Clinical and bacteriological cure rates were 100 per cent for RAPD type l in the ceftriaxone treated group and genotypes c and i in the ciprofloxacin treated group of animals. A possible relationship regarding the genetic make up of the different Staphylococcal isolates was elucidated from the phylogenetic tree generated from the RAPD fingerprints.ThesisItem Open Access Immunoprophylaxis against common dog tick using gut antigen(Department of Veterinary Parasitology,College of Veterinary and Animal Science,Mannuthy, 2005) Ajithkumar, K G; KAU; Subramanian, HThe occurrence of tick infestation in dogs in the Corporation of Thrissur, Kerala, India, was studied in 1200 dogs during a period of one year from July 2004 to June 2005. Four hard tick species viz Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. haemaphysaloides, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, H. bispinosa var. intermedia were identified. Significant difference in species wise prevalence was found on 124 tick positive dogs. The most prevalent species of tick infesting dogs was found to be R. sanguineus (8.58 per cent) followed by H. bispinosa (1.33 per cent), R. haemaphysaloides (0.33 per cent) and H. bispinosa var. intermedia (0.08 per cent). Three species of ticks namely R. haemaphysaloides, H. bispinosa, and H. bispinosa var. intermedia have been recorded in dogs for the first time from Kerala. The influence of month, season, age, gender and breed on the prevalence rate were observed. Prevalence rates were calculated by month, season, age, gender and breed. No significant difference (P>0.05) of tick infestation during different months was observed due to temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall. No clear pattern of seasonality was observed for R. sanguineus, which was present throughout the year. The different variables considered in the present study such as age and gender were not significantly associated with the presence of tick infestation in dogs. There was a highly significant (P<0.01) association between breed and the intensity of infestation with maximum intensity of infestation in German shepherd dogs. Sites of attachment of ticks were ear, neck, interdigital space, dorsum of the body, eyelids, perianal region, withers, thorax and hind limbs. Highly significant variation (P<0.01) was observed between attachment sites with maximum on ear (84.68 per cent) followed by neck and interdigital space. Tick-bite naive guinea pigs inoculated with gut extracts and Freund’s adjuvant revealed induced immunity against R. sanguineus expressed by altered feeding and fertility parameters consisting of the prolonged engorgement period, reduced engorged female weight and feeding efficiency index, prolonged pre oviposition period, reduced oviposition period, egg mass weight, egg rate conversion efficiency and larval mass. Except the incubation period all the reproductive and feeding parameters differed significantly compared to the control. Inradermal test done on immunised guinea pigs to assess cell mediated immunity revealed both immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Humoral immune response assessed by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and passive haemagglutination (PHA) revealed that the former was less sensitive compared to the latter. Passive haemagglutination test detected anti tick antibodies as early as 14th day post immunisation. Peak titre 1:128 reached on the 35th day post immunisation.ThesisItem Open Access Clinical and ultrasonographic investigations of ascites in dogs(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2005) Jegaveera Pandian, S; KAU; Usha Narayana, Usha NarayanaStudy entitled “Clinical and Ultrasonographic Investigation of Ascites in Dogs” was conducted in ten dogs. The study aimed at understanding the etiopathogenesis of ascites in dogs. The parameters observed were signalment, history and detailed clinical examination, electrocardiography, ultrasonography of liver, kidney and heart, course of illness, estimation of haemoglobin concentration packed cell volume(PCV), total plasma protein, albumin, A: G ratio, liver enzymes like alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), protein content in ascitic fluid , ascitic fluid to plasma protein ratio, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, sodium and potassium. Inappetance and lethargy were observed in dogs with liver diseases. Cardiac palpitation, loud heart sounds and strong femoral pulse were noticed in dogs with CHF. Non- specific and vague signs were noticed in dogs with nephrotic syndrome. Deep ‘Q’ waves in leads I, II and aVF, prolonged ‘QRS’ duration, S-T slurring, tall ‘R’ waves, mild sinus arrhythmia and S1, S2 and S3 pattern were the abnormal ECG findings in dogs with CHF. No marked changes could be observed in the ECG of dogs with ascites of hepatic and renal origin. Ultrasonography of liver revealed hyperechogenicity of parenchyma, specks of hyperechogenicity and mildly echogenic gall bladder contents in three out of five dogs with ascites of hepatic origin. Two dogs had uneven and eroded borders along with hyperechoic liver parenchyma in dogs with ascites of hepatic origin. Nephrosonogram was unremarkable in all the ten dogs. Ultrasonographic findings and serum biochemical findings were coinciding with each other. Ultrasonography was an efficient tool in studying the changes of liver parenchyma and portal vasculature. ECG in cardiac diseases was complementary to echocardiography. Echocardiography was efficient in diagnosing DCM (two dogs) and HCM (one dog). All the dogs with liver diseases had mild to marked elevation in serum levels of ALT and/ or ALP. Hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia were observed in dogs with liver and kidney diseases. Liver and kidney function tests were unremarkable in dogs with nephrotic syndrome and heart diseases. Treatment regimen involved administration of furosemide and/ or furosemide + spironolactone, silymarin, Liv- 52 Vet, enalapril, digoxin and prednisolone as the case may be. Six out of 10 dogs survived beyond 30 days following the therapy instituted. Nephrotic syndrome in dogs could be concluded by progressing hypoproteinemia especially hypoalbuminemia, low- protein ascites, negative ECG and echocardiographic findings and non- responsiveness to therapy. Nephrotic syndrome can be confirmed by biopsy and / or urine protein: creatinine ratio. Liver diseases can be confirmed and characterized only with biopsy.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative evaluation of membrane protein and biofilm vaccines against duck pasteurellosis(Department Of Poultry Sciences,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Indu, K; KAU; Krishnan Nair, CA research work was undertaken to prepare effective vaccines against P. multocida grown under different conditions and assess their immunopotency in one month old ducklings. The purity of the Pasteurella multocida A: 1 strain (DP1) and A: 4 strain (PA4) was confirmed as per standard procedures. Pathogenicity of DP1 and PA4 was assessed in six to eight week old mice. The isolates killed the intraperitoneally inoculated mice within eight hours and within 24 h when injected by subcutaneous route. Pasteurella multocida A: 1 was used for the preparation of different vaccines. The organism was grown in BHIB for preparation of ordinary bacterin. The in vitro biofilm formation of the organism was assessed by growing it under nutrient restricted conditions. For this, the organism was grown in TSB (0.32 per cent) supplemented with 0.3 per cent bentonite clay. For preparation of OMP suspension, the organism was grown in iron restricted condition viz., BHIB supplemented with 100 µM 2, 2’ Dipyridyl and the OMPs were extracted using sodium lauryl sarcosinate. The protein concentration of OMP suspension was estimated to be 3 mg/ml. Median lethal dose (LD50) of DP1 was 10-7.5, which contained 32 viable cells/ ml and that of PA4 was 10-7.38, which contained 24 viable cells/ ml when determined in one month old ducklings. Oil adjuvant vaccines were prepared using ordinary bacterin, bacterin made from biofilm and OMP suspension and performed the sterility, safety and potency tests of the vaccine employing standard procedures. A total of 260 four week old ducklings were divided into four groups with 65 birds in each group and the first three groups were vaccinated with ordinary bacterin, OMP vaccine and biofilm vaccine respectively. The fourth group served as control. The birds were vaccinated with 0.5 millilitre of vaccine intramuscularly in the thigh region. Blood was collected from all the ducks pre-vaccination, at weekly intervals upto 3 weeks post vaccination (PV) and then at 15 days interval upto 60 days, by cardiac puncture or by jugular venipuncture. Passive haemagglutination using GA-SRBC sensitized with sonicated antigen of DP1 was used to measure the humoral immune response. The IHA titres obtained for biofilm vaccine group on day 14 was very much higher than the other two groups. The antibody titre was observed from day seven onwards for all the groups. All the vaccine groups have shown significant difference from the control group at all the stages of the study. On homologous challenging, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rates of 80 per cent than the 70 and 50 per cent protection rates of ordinary bacterin and OMP vaccine respectively, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose on day 20 PV. On day 60 PV, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rate of 70 per cent than the 60 and 50 per cent protection rates respectively of ordinary bacterin and OMP vaccine, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose. On heterologous challenging, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rates of 70 per cent, while only 50 per cent protection was afforded by both bacterin and OMP vaccine, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose on 20 day PV. On day 60 PV, biofilm vaccine gave higher protection rate of 60 per cent while both the other vaccines gave only 50 per cent protection, when challenged with 100 LD50 dose. All the birds challenged on day 40 PV, either with homologous and heterologous organisms died. In most cases, the death occurred due to coliform infection along with stressful factor such as increased atmospheric humidity due to heavy rainfall at that time. In few cases, birds died due to pasteurellosis which might be due to lack of protective level of antibody titre. Biofilm vaccine proved to be the best among the three vaccines tried. Further field trials are to be done before advocating this vaccine for commercial use.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of blood urea nitrogen,mineral status and uterine PH on fertility in dairy cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Seena, N S; KAU; Athman, K VAn investigation was carried out with the objective of studying the effect of BUN and uterine pH on fertility in dairy cows under farm and field conditions and also for correlating the mineral status with fertility using 40 crossbred dairy cows selected at random during oestrus, 20 each from those belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy (Group I) and those brought for insemination at Artificial Insemination Centres at Mannuthy and Kokkalai (Group II). All the cows in Group I were found to be maintained in a relatively high nutritious diet computed as per the scientific feeding standards compared to Group II animals. Detailed clinico-gynaecological examination was carried out and blood samples and uterine mucus were collected from all the selected cows during oestrus for estimation of biochemical parameters and uterine pH respectively. They were inseminated during the most appropriate period of oestrus and were subjected to pregnancy diagnosis at 60 days post insemination. Conception rates in both the groups were compared in relation to each parameter. The mean duration of oestrus was slightly higher in Group II (30.00 ± 2.11 hours) compared to Group I (26.10 ± 1.74 hours). Intensity of oestrus was high, medium and low in 40, 45 and 15 per cent of animals respectively in Group I and 50, 40 and 10 per cent in Group II. Physical changes of reproductive tract viz. degree of vulval oedema and hyperemia of vestibular mucous membrane were more pronounced in animals of Group II compared to Group I, where as degree of tonicity was high in Group I compared to Group II. Characteristics of cervical mucus were also found to be affecting fertility. Better conception rate was obtained in animals with clear and stringy cervical mucus exhibiting typical type of fern pattern. Spinnbarkeit value did not vary much between conceived and non-conceived animals. Uterine pH did not show a marked variation between groups, even though a slightly higher value was recorded in Group I. But, an inverse relationship could be obtained between BUN level in serum and uterine pH during oestrus. Correlation between uterine pH and BUN level was highly significant (P<0.01) with a correlation co-efficient of r = -0.896 and r = - 0.753 in groups I and II respectively. The mean blood urea nitrogen level in animals of Group I was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in Group II. The BUN level also varied significantly (P<0.05) between conceived and non-conceived animals of both groups. A marginal increase in plasma glucose level could be noticed in conceived animals compared to non-conceived animals of Group I. The mean serum total protein was significantly higher (P<0.01) in Group I compared to Group II. The serum level of minerals viz. calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and copper were also correlated with fertility. The mean level of serum calcium and manganese varied significantly between groups I and II, but there was no significant difference in serum phosphorus, zinc and copper between two groups. Also, a slightly higher mean value was observed for serum calcium, phosphorus, manganese and zinc in conceived animals compared to non-conceived. But serum copper level did not vary between conceived and non-conceived animals. In light of these findings, it can be concluded that the elevation in systemic concentration of urea is likely to impair fertility in dairy cows as a consequence of alterations in uterine environment. The benefits of feeding excess dietary protein and urea to maintain peak milk production should be compared with potential negative effects on fertility. Hence, a good nutritional management is essential for improved fertility in dairy cows.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone and prostaglandin for improving reproductive efficiency in goats(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2008) Julliet; KAU; Joseph, MathewWith the objective of studying the effect of GnRH and prostaglandin for improving reproductive efficiency in goats the study was carried out at University Sheep and Goat Farm, Mannuthy using 42 cycling goats. Based on the behavioural and physiological changes associated with oestrum the goats were divided into two groups viz., Group I and Group II. Group I animals were those that exhibited pronounced oestrus signs and were divided into two subgroups namely Group IA and Group IB. Group II animals were those that exhibited weak oestrus signs and were divided into three subgroups namely Group IIA, IIB and IIC. Group IA animals were administered 0.0042 mg Buserelin (1 ml Receptal) a potent GnRH analogue on day 0, and Group IB served as the Control. Blood was collected prior to GnRH administration and breeding from all does. The mean duration of oestrum in Group IA and IB was 19.33 ± 0.45 and 33 ± 0.58 h respectively. The conception rate in Group IA and IB was 50 per cent and 66.66 per cent respectively. The serum P4 level on day 0 in does in Group IA and IB was 0.43 ± 0.05 ng/ml and 0.40 ± 0.05 ng/ml respectively. Group IIA and Group IIB does were treated as per the CO-Synch protocol (i/m inj. of 0.0042 mg of Buserelin (1 ml Receptal) on day 0, 125 µg cloprostenol (0.5 ml clostenol) on day 7; 0.0042 mg of Buserelin and mating on day 9) and prostaglandin protocol respectively (two intramuscular injections of 125 µg cloprostenol (0.5 ml clostenol) 11 days apart followed by mating at 72 and 96 h), while Group IIC served as the control. The oestrus response, oestrus onset interval, duration of oestrum and conception rate in Group IIA was 90.9 per cent, 47.6 ± 0.45 h, 24.5 ± 0.63 h and 40 per cent respectively. The oestrus intensity score of induced oestrus ranged from 0 to 13. The serum P4 level in pregnant and non pregnant does was not significantly different on days 0, 7 and 9 (P>0.05). The oestrus response, oestrus onset interval, duration of oestrum and conception rate in Group IIB was 81.8 per cent, 54 ± 1.006 h, 39.77 ± 1.54 h and 66.66 per cent respectively. The oestrus intensity scores in induced oestrus ranged from 0 to 13. The serum progesterone level in does that became pregnant and those that were non pregnant were not significantly different on day 0, 11, and at 72 and 96 h. In Group II C the duration of oestrum and pregnancy rates was 40 ± 0.91 h and 33.33 per cent respectively. Pregnancy diagnosis was done at three months of gestation by abdominal palpation and the accuracy of the method was 90.9 per cent. Mean gestation length was 146.03 ± 0.76 days. Litter size at birth in Group IA, IB, IIA, IIB and IIC was 2, 2, 2, 1.83 and 2 respectively. Average birth weight of kids was 2.35 ± 0.164 kg and the mean birthweight of male and female kid was 2.42 ± 0.98 kg and 2.28 ± 0.36 kg respectively. Thus from the present study, it can be concluded that :- 1. Administration of GnRH on the day of oestrum in animals exhibiting pronounced oestrus signs failed to improve conception rate when compared to the control. 2. In animals exhibiting weak oestrus signs both CO-Synch and double prostaglandin protocols resulted in higher conception rate when compared to control group. 3. The double prostaglandin protocol was found to be more efficient in improving conception rate in animals exhibiting weak oestrus signs.
