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Departments
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Colleges
Animal Genetics & Breeding
The Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding came into existence in the year 1975 as a result of reorganization of the erstwhile Department of Animal Husbandry. The department is engaged in teaching, research and extension activities in various fields of Animal Genetics and Breeding. The M.V.Sc. degree programme was initiated in the year 1981 and three students were admitted in the session 1981-1982. The Ph.D. degree programme was initiated in the year 1990 and two students were admitted in the very first batch.
A total of 71 students were awarded with M.V.Sc. degree in this Department till date and a total of 17 students were awarded with M.V.Sc. degree during the reporting period i.e. 2015-2020. A total of 19 students were awarded with Ph.D. degree in this Department till date and a total of 4 students were awarded with Ph.D. Degree during the reporting period i.e. 2015-2020. Research programmes for MVSc and Ph.D. students were undertaken in important areas of Animal Genetics & Breeding encompassing basic as well as applied research with a view to improve livestock and poultry of the region.
.OBJECTIVES
To impart education in the field of Animal Genetics & Breeding.
· To undertake research in the field of Animal Genetics & Breeding.
· To address different field oriented issues pertaining to animal breeding through PG research programmes
· To prepare the students to become competent professionals in the field of animal breeding and to pursue their career in relevant areas.
# | Course No. | Course Title | Course Credit | Syllabus |
1 | AGB 2nd year * | Animal Genetics and Breeding | 4(3 + 1) | * courses are compulsory |
# | Course No. | Course Title | Course Credit | Syllabus |
1 | AGB 601 * | ANIMAL CYTOGENETICS AND IMMUNOGENETICS | 3(2 + 1) | |
2 | AGB 602 * | MOLECULAR GENETICS IN ANIMAL BREEDING | 3(2 + 1) | |
3 | AGB 603 * | POPULATION AND QUANTITATIVE GENETICS | 3(2 + 1) | |
4 | AGB 604 * | SELECTION METHODS AND BREEDING SYSTEMS | 4(3 + 1) | |
5 | AGB 605 * | BIOMETRICAL TECHNIQUES IN ANIMAL BREEDING | 4(3 + 1) | |
6 | AGB 606 * | CONSERVATION OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES | 2(2 + 0) | |
7 | AGB 607 * | CATTLE AND BUFFALO BREEDING | 3(2 + 1) | |
8 | AGB 608 | SMALL FARM ANIMAL BREEDING | 2(2 + 0) | |
9 | AGB 609 | POULTRY BREEDING | 3(2 + 1) | |
10 | AGB 610 * | LABORATORY ANIMAL BREEDING | 1(1 + 0) | * courses are compulsory |
# | Course No. | Course Title | Course Credit | Syllabus |
1 | AGB 701 * | RECENT ADVANCES IN ANIMAL GENETICS | 2(2 + 0) | |
2 | AGB 702 * | RECENT TRENDS IN ANIMAL BREEDING | 2(2 + 0) | |
3 | AGB 704 * | ADVANCES IN SELECTION METHODOLOGY | 3(2 + 1) | |
4 | AGB 705 * | BIOINFORMATICS IN ANIMAL GENETICS AND BREEDING | 2(2 + 0) | |
5 | AGB 706 * | ADVANCES IN MOLECULAR CYTOGENETICS | 2(2 + 0) | |
6 | Agb 707 * | UTILISATION OF NON-ADDITIVE GENETIC VARIANCE IN FARM ANIMALS | 3(2 + 1) | |
7 | AGB703 * | ADVANCES IN BIOMETRICAL GENETICS | 3(2 + 1) | * courses are compulsory |
Projects
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On Going
- ASTEC sponsored project on "Technology generation for value added geese meat products and awareness for entrepreneurship development in geese farming in Assam: an approach towards upgrading underestimated noble sector of poultry",
- ASTEC sponsored project on "Technology generation for value added Geese meat products and awareness for entrepreneurship development in Geese farming in Assam: an approach towards upgrading underestimated noble sector of poultry, ASTEC, Assam.",
- ASTEC sponsored project on "“Technology generation for value added Geese meat products and awareness for entrepreneurship development in Geese farming in Assam: an approach towards upgrading underestimated noble sector of poultry”", projcet cost Rs.2.90 Lakh
- DBT sponsored project on "Technology Intervention in household piggeries for doubling farmer’s income for setting up rural transformation clusters", projcet cost Rs.56.69 Lakh
- ICAR sponsored project on "Strengthening Assam Agricultural University with Education Quality Parameters for Production of 21st Century Ready Human Resource",
- DBT sponsored project on "Strategic Inclusion of Different Varieties of Dietary Nano- Iron and Zink particles for better Health and Production Designer Meat.",
- NEC sponsored project on "Pig Farming through promotion of Farmer Producer Organization", projcet cost Rs.6 Crore
- DBT sponsored project on "Molecular characterization of fecundity genes in Assam Hil Goat", projcet cost Rs.50.4 Lakh
- ICAR sponsored project on ""ICAR- Mega Seed Project (MSP) on Pig. AAU, Khanapara"", projcet cost Rs.58.50 Lakh
- ICAR sponsored project on "ICAR-Mega Seed Project (MSP) on Pig AAU, Khanapara", projcet cost Rs.34.70 Lakh
- ICAR sponsored project on "ICAR-All India Co- ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pig, AAU, Khanapara", projcet cost Rs.3 Lakh
- ICAR sponsored project on "ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig", projcet cost Rs.73.75 Lakh
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Completed
- ICAR-CIRC, Meerut, UP sponsored project on "“Improvement of the performances of Lakhimi cattle under farm conditions as well as at farmer's level”", implemented in 2022. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arundhati Phookan)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular characterization and development of breed signature for indigenous sheep of North East India", projcet cost Rs.30 Lakh implemented in 2018.
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous sheep of North-East India.", projcet cost Rs.30 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arundhati Phookan)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous sheep of North-East India.", projcet cost Rs.30 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bula Das)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous sheep of North-East India.", projcet cost Rs.30 Lakh implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Galib Uz Zaman)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous sheep of North East India", implemented in 2018. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arpana Das)
- DBT sponsored project on "Isolation, Characterization and Development of Culture Method for Long Term Preservation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Doom Pig", projcet cost Rs.101 Lakh implemented in 2017.
- DBT, Govt. of India sponsored project on "Isolation, Characterization and Development of a Culture Method for Long-Term Preservation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Doom Pig", projcet cost Rs.72.472 Lakh implemented in 2017. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arpana Das)
- DBT, Govt. of India sponsored project on "Isolation, Characterization and Development of a Culture Method for Long-Term Preservation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Doom Pig", projcet cost Rs.72.472 Lakh implemented in 2017. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bula Das)
- DBT sponsored project on "Isolation, Characterization and Development of Culture Method for Long Term Preservation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Doom Pig", projcet cost Rs.101.43 Lakh implemented in 2017. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arundhati Phookan)
- DBT sponsored project on "Conservation of Indigenous Pig of Assam through Handmade Cloning Technique", implemented in 2017. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Dhireswar Kalita)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular characterization and development of breed signature for indigenous ducks of NE India", projcet cost Rs.24 Lakh implemented in 2016.
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous Ducks of North East India", projcet cost Rs.24 Lakh implemented in 2016. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arpana Das)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous Ducks of North East India", projcet cost Rs.24 Lakh implemented in 2016. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Bula Das)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular Characterization and Development of Breed Signatures for Indigenous Ducks of North East India", projcet cost Rs.24 Lakh implemented in 2016. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Galib Uz Zaman)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Molecular characterization and development of breed signature for indigenous ducks of NE India", projcet cost Rs.24 Lakh implemented in 2016. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Arundhati Phookan)
- DBT, Govt. of India sponsored project on "Capacity Building and awareness generation for enhanced productivity of Pig through Assisted Reproductive Biotechnology in North Eastern Region through Community Participation", projcet cost Rs.35 Lakh implemented in 2015. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Dhireswar Kalita)
- ICAR-NBAGR sponsored project on "Network Project on Characterization of Local cattle of Assam", projcet cost Rs.39.2 Lakh implemented in 2014. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Galib Uz Zaman)
- ICAR-NBAGR sponsored project on "Network Project on Characterization of duck of Assam", projcet cost Rs.25.2 Lakh implemented in 2014. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Galib Uz Zaman)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Promotion of Agricultural Centric Sustainable Livelihood Security for Tribal farmers of Assam under the Boko & Bongaon Block of Kamrup district (TSP)", implemented in 2013. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Dhireswar Kalita)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Sustainable Piggery Centric Activities for Tribal Farmers of Assam", projcet cost Rs.46 Lakh implemented in 2013. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Dhireswar Kalita)
- Ministry of Agriculture, GOI sponsored project on "Conservation of Doom pigs", projcet cost Rs.29 Lakh implemented in 2010.
- ICAR sponsored project on "Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources- Core Lab", projcet cost Rs.99.15 Lakh implemented in 2008. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Galib Uz Zaman)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Studies on type chracterization of Nageswari Duck of Assam", projcet cost Rs.5.95 Lakh implemented in 2002. (PI/Co-PI/Associated Scientist : Dr. Galib Uz Zaman)
- ICAR sponsored project on "Characterization and conservation of Miri poultry ", projcet cost Rs.27 Lakh implemented in 2000.
Achivements
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M.V.Sc. and PhD Degree Programme (2015-2020)
i)
M.V.Sc. Degree Programme (2015-2020)
Field
study on the performance of HD-K75, the newly released variety of pig by the
College of Veterinary Science
was carried
out across three districts of Assam showed promising result in regards to
production and reproduction characteristics. Studies on morphometric
traits, and performance
evaluation of different
reproduction and production traits in different livestock species viz., Sirohi goat reared in Assam, Doom pig of
Assam, indigenous sheep of Assam and Meghalaya, Binjharpuri cattle of Odisha, Siri cattle of Sikkim
were carried out during the
period of report. Polymorphism profiling of different candidate genes of various livestock was
also performed. PCR RFLP analysis of FecB gene with AvaII revealed
polymorphic banding pattern with three genotypes possessing equilibrium frequencies
for genes and genotype
in indigenous sheep of Assam. Polymorphic banding
pattern of of
ESR gene with PvuII was observed in Doom pig. Study
of fecundity genes ensured presence of FecB, FecG and Fec X genes in indigenous sheep of Meghalaya.
Further, PCR- RFLP analysis of fecundity genes revealed polymorphism in FecB
and FecX genes.
Genetic studies were also
undertaken on poultry sector. An investigation on
indigenous duck of Manipur were carried out to study their morphometric
characteristics as well as production, reproduction performances. Similar study
was also conducted on Daothigir chicken, an indigenous chicken variety of
Assam.
All
these studies generated baseline information on morphometric, productive,
reproductive and wool characteristics of unexplored indigenous livestock and
poultry resources found in different breeding tracts of India and would be of great help
in documentation and development of breed descriptors for their registration,
improvement and conservation.ii)
Ph.D. Degree Programme (2015-2020)
Evaluation and
identification of polymorphism of genes affecting growth and reproduction in
Assam Hill goat was studied. The study concluded that weaning weight of kid can
be considered for the selection of parent stock to increase productivity and
eventually the economic efficiency. Further, animals with higher body measurement
at initial phases of growth will perform better with respect to body weight at
later stages of growth. The
results showed monomorphic banding pattern in all the studied sample of Assam
Hill Goat in respect to FecB, POU1F1 and BMP4 gene. Sequencing revealed no stable Single
Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). Genetic studies on growth performance and
polymorphism of IGF2 and POU1 F1 genes in crossbred pigs revealed
significant effect of period
on daily body weight gain at different stages of growth. Performance of
swamp buffaloes of Assam under farm and field condition was carried out and
breed descriptors were standardized. Studies
on production and reproduction traits of Ghumusari and the Raighar breeds of
goats maintained in the breeding tracts in Odisha revealed presence of
polymorphic banding patterns in both the goat populations with respect to IGF1
gene. Breed descriptor for both breeds were developed. -
Important accomplishments
a) Type characterization and
standardization of breed descriptors for Swamp buffalo, Miri fowl, Nageswari
duck, indigenous cattle and Pati duck of Assam
b) Genetic evaluation of various grades of crossbred cattle.
c) Molecular
characterization of
different indigenous pig,
cattle and goat populations of north east India including West Bengal using
microsatellite markers.
d) Molecular
characterization and genetic diversity analysis among different indigenous duck
and sheep populations of north east India using microsatellite markers.
e) Breed/strain developed:
A variety of pig was developed under the ICAR-AICRP on pig AAU, Khanapara,
named as HD-K75 with 75% Hampshire and 25% Indigenous Pig.
f) Type characterization and standardization of breed descriptor of Assamese buffalo ( Manah), Sheep ( Asomi bhera), Muscovy duck ( Rupohi), Geese (Rajdigheli), Nageswari duck ( Nagi).
g) Polymorphism
study of candidate genes related to growth and reproduction in sheep, goat,
pigs etc.
h) Protocol developed for in vitro culture of spermatogonial stem
cells (SSCs) from Doom pig for their long term preservation.
i) Protocol developed for
successful cryopreservation of SSCs.
j) Protocol developed for the in
vitro culture of SSCs in feeder free and serum free culture
conditions.