VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAMAKKAL

Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding

BACKGROUND
            The Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding was established during 1987 by offering undergraduate courses. The postgraduate programme was started in the Department during the year 1993. To its credit, the Department has well equipped Cytogenetics and Biometrical Laboratory. Apart from undergraduate teaching, the Department involves in the survey, evaluation and characterization of native breeds of livestock.
OBJECTIVES
a. General Objectives

• To offer Animal Genetics and Breeding courses to undergraduate  and postgraduate students.
• To formulate and carryout research with financial assistance from the University / External funding agencies.

b. Research  objectives
i.  Survey, evaluation and characterisation of native breeds of livestock.
ii. Performance evaluation of production and reproduction traits of crossbred cattle and buffaloes in organized farms.
COURSES OFFERED 
The following courses have been offered to the undergraduate and postgraduate students at this Department.

Undergraduate:

• AGB 121 –Principles of Genetics and Population Genetics (2+1)
• AGB 211 – Livestock and Poultry Breeding (2+1)

Postgraduate:

• AGB 601 – Molecular Genetics (2+1)
• AGB 602 – Quantitative Genetics (2+1)
• AGB 603 – Biochemical and Immunogenetics (2+0)
• AGB 604 – Artificial Breeding (2+1)
• AGB 605 – Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (2+1)
• AGB 606 – Cytogenetics (2+1)
• AGB 607 – Small Farm Animal Breeding (Sheep, Goat, Swine and Rabbit) (2+0)
• AGB 608 – Design and Analysis of Animal Breeding Experiments (3+1)
• AGB 609 – Cryopreservation of Gametes and Embryo (1+1)
• AGB 610 – Poultry Breeding (2+1)
• AGB 611 – Genetics of Growth, Reproduction and Disease Resistance in farm Animals (2+0)
• AGB 612 – Laboratory Animal Breeding (2+0) 

ACHIEVEMENTS / EXCELLENCE
Research

a. Completed external funded research projects

Sl. No.	Name of the Scheme	Funding Agency	Year of Start
1.	A Survey of Kangayam Cattle	ICAR, New Delhi	1993 –1997
2.	Operational research project on “Field Application of Artificial Breeding in Goats	Tamil Nadu State Council For Science and Technology.	1993 – 1996
3.	Survey, Evaluation and Characterization of Coimbatore Sheep	NBAGR, Karnal.	2004 - 2006
4.	Performance analysis of Jersey cattle at Exotic Cattle Breeding Farm, Eachenkottai	TANUVAS PLAN Scheme	2006-2007

b. Ongoing research project

Characterization and Evaluation of Kodi Adu Breed of Goats of Tamil Nadu, India. International Foundation for Science, Sweden (2010-2012)

c. Completed postgraduate research work
Ph.D

• Sister chromatid exchange analysis in cattle chromosomes.
• Genetic analysis of milk production and reproduction traits of a Murrah buffalo herd in coastal region of Tamil Nadu.

M.V.Sc

• Evaluation of production and reproduction performance of Toda buffalo
• Distribution and characterization of Kangayam cattle.
• Characterization of Kangayam cattle with haemoglobin,  albumin and transferrin variants as genetic markers
• Genetic polymorphism of milk proteins in Kangayam  cattle
• Characterization  and evaluation of Kanni Adu breed of goats
• Characteristics and performance of Vembur sheep in the habitat
• Studies on haemoglobin, transferrin and serum alkaline phosphatase variants  in Kanni Adu breed of goats
• Factors affecting production and reproduction performance of Jersey cattle   in the Nilgiris
• Sister chromatid exchange analysis in chromosomes of goats inhabiting industrial area
•  Karyological studies in Indian donkey (Equus asinus)

d. Proposed Research projects

1. Sheep husbandry based integrated approach for empowerment of SC/ST rural   women in tribal villages of Kolli Hills of Tamil Nadu” submitted to Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi.
2. Genetic variation on the control of resistance to infectious diseases in small ruminants for improving animal productivity in Tamil Nadu submitted to IAEA, Vienna, Austria

Out reach

• Analysis of production and reproduction performance of different breeds/species of livestock and progeny testing data for evaluating and ranking of breeding bulls.
• Advice and guest lectures to farmers and Veterinary Assistant Surgeons on selection and breeding strategies for genetic improvement of dairy cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats through mass media and various training programs.

FUTURE PLAN

• Evaluation, conservation and propagation of important indigenous breeds of livestock.
• Identification of  molecular variation in genes associated with production and reproduction traits of native breeds of livestock
• Cytogenetic screening of breeding bulls and infertile animals for genetic defects and diagnosis of freemartinism.

FACULTY MEMBERS

Name	Designation	Email & Tel No.
Dr.S.Panneerselvam	Professor and Head	Panneer57@rediffmail.com9442620242
Dr. N. Murali	Associate Professor	murali_vet@rediffmail.com9442385520
Dr.A.K.Thiruvenkadan	Associate Professor	drthirusiva@yahoo.com9443565565
Dr.R.Saravanan	Assistant Professor	mrsagb@gmail.com 9487536632