No abstract

The study was carried out on two different genetic groups of pig viz. Duroc and Hampshire maintained at pig breeding farm of National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati. Effect of different genetic group and non-genetic factors (year and season of farrowing and parity) were estimated by least squares analysis of variance for different litter production, weight and pre weaning growth rate. Genetic group and parity revealed highly significant (P<0.01) effect on all the traits under study. However, effect of year and season of birth was non significant in most of the cases. The pre weaning mortality of Hampshire pigs was found to be less than Duroc. The performance of litter production and weight traits of Hampshire pigs were found to be better than Duroc pigs in the farm.Key words: Duroc, Growth performance, Hampshire, Litter traits, Piglets.Pig rearing is one of the most important occupations of rural society especially for the tribal masses of India. Preweaning growth characteristics are the best indicator for early selection of pigs . Heavier pigs at birth and weaning have a competitive advantage and remain heavier throughout their stay in group (Beaulieu et al., 2010). The pre weaning performance depends upon various genetic and non genetic factors to a maximum extent. The present study was planned to find out the effect of different genetic and non-genetic factors on growth performance of pre weaned piglets of Duroc and Hampshire pigs.The present investigation was carried out on two different genetic groups of pig viz. Duroc and Hampshire maintained at pig breeding farm of National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati. A total of 191 farrowings were recorded and the weight of the piglets were taken with electronic balance on the day of birth and then weekly basis up to 35 days and their mean values were calculated. Farrowing records of more than two litter size at birth were considered for the present study.Piglets were housed with their dam in indoor pens (12.0 ft × 10.0 ft with concrete flooring) varying from 6 to 10 piglets/pen. Water was available ad lib. at all times. Creep ration (maize-56.5 parts, wheat bran-10.0 parts, soybean meal-12.0 parts, groundnut cake-19.0 parts, mineral mixture-2.0 parts, and salt-0.5 parts) of 20% CP and 2779 Kcal/ kg were offered to them from 15th day @ 20g / piglet till weaning. The creep ration was increased @ 20 g/ piglet till first week after weaning (Banik et al., 2012). The weaning has been practiced on 35 days. All the piglets were dewormed at three weeks of age. The economic traits viz., litter size at birth (LSB), litter weight at birth (LWB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter weights at weaning (LWW), individual weight at birth (IWB), individual weight at weaning (IWW) and growth rate (GR) were recorded. A least square model as suggested by Harvey (1987) to estimate the effect of genetic group (2), year of birth (5), season of birth (3) and parity(5) were used by using the model; Y ijklm =m+G i +P j +S k +Pa l +e ijklm , Where Y ijklm =is m th observation of d...

Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) plays a central role in growth and production through its influence on important metabolic activities in mammals which prompted its wide commercial use including use as a candidate marker. In present experiment, polymorphism at exon 2 and 3 of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone gene (GHRH) was studied using PCR-RFLP in crossbred and exotic pigs, commonly found in north east India. Restriction enzyme digestion of 467 bp PCR amplicon with AluI revealed 1 genotype. Comparison of obtained sequences revealed large scale nucleotide and residue substitutions. Observed polymorphism may be associated with wide variability in growth (rate) of different breeds of pig.

No abstract

Background: Sahiwal is an outstanding milch breed of cattle originated from the Sahiwal area, Montgomery district of Punjab in Pakistan. Performance evaluation of this breed in the high humid condition of north-east India is very much limited. Assam Agricultural University is maintaining a pure herd of Sahiwal cattle in the College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara since August 2017 to conserve, propagate and bring about genetic improvement of this breed.Methods: The study was carried out in Sahiwal cattle farm, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati by utilizing 25 numbers of Sahiwal calves. Least squares analysis of variance technique (1975) was undertaken to analyze the body weights of calves at monthly intervals up to six months of age. Result: Overall mean for body weights of calves were found as 26.96 ± 0.27 kg, 32.03 ± 0.47 kg, 37.03 ± 0.62 kg, 42.91 ± 0.76 kg, 48.45 ± 0.77 kg, 55.22 ± 0.77 kg, and 62.08 ± 0.88 kg at the day of birth, 1st month, 2nd month, 3rd month, 4th month, 5th month and 6th month respectively. Analysis of variance revealed that the bodyweight of male calves was significantly heavier than that of the female calves ( less than 0.05).

The present study was conducted at Institutional livestock farm complex, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara. A total of 37 adult Sahiwal pure breed cattle were selected to study their phenotypic and Morphometric characteristics. Phenotypic characteristics were visually recorded and morphometric measurements were taken with a measuring tape. Coat and face colour of most of the animals are deep brown in colour but also few light brown colour animals were noticed. The muzzle, eye lashes, hooves and tails colour of Sahiwal cattle are mostly black.  Deep and light brown colour Hump was found.  A well-developed udder, a large pendular dewlap and long naval flap were found. The average Heart Girth, Body length, Ear length, Ear width, Neck length, Hoove length, Hoove circumference, Tail length were found to be 103.33±2.79, 62.33±0.48, 10.08±0.39, 6.58±0.28, 25.83±0.50, 4.33±0.18, 11.33±0.28, 39.83±0.27, 24.33±0.28, 113.41±2.27 cm respectively.

No abstract

The study was conducted at Govt. Duck and Poultry Farm, Joysagar, Sivasagar district of Assam with theobjective to develop a meat type duck variety by crossbreeding Vigova Super M Drakes with Pati Ducks.The resulting F1 Generation Ducks were studied for their phenotypic characteristics in comparison to theirparent line. The Body Weight of the F1 generation Duck were studied in comparison to their parent line.The F1 generation were also fed different ration along with different housing conditions. Different bodymeasurements were also studied along with their coat colour. The F1 generation showed marked increasein body weight in comparison to Vogova Super M duck and Pati Duck. Moreover the F1 generation fed onbroiler ration and housed in field condition showed marked increase in body weight in comparison to theduck fed with Layer ration and ducks kept in farm condition. The different body measurement shows themale to be superior to the females in different parameters with different coat colour. The major colourpattern of bill, shank and feet was found to be yellow, whereas skin was mostly white in colour and plumagecolour pattern found to be white, black and brown in different parts of the body.