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. 

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.