mvc

MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL NUTRITION


Genesis

Department of Animal Nutrition is one of the oldest Department in Madras Veterinary College. It was recognized as a separate unit during the year 1950 and recognized as regional centre for postgraduate education as early as in the year of 1958. In the year 1960 it was recognized for carrying out Ph.D. programmes. So far around 155 post graduate theses and Ph.D. theses have been generated in this department. The department established good infrastructure facilities as early as in 1980 to conduct advance research in ruminant nutrition and mineral nutrition.

Objectives

  • To impart education in Animal Genetics and Breeding at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
  • To carry out characterization and conservation of native germplasm.
  • To formulate breeding policy.
  • To develop human resources in the areas of Animal Breeding, Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics and Artificial Breeding.
  • To cater to the needs of stakeholders through training and advisory services.

Education

The department offers various undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral courses in the field of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

Research

Ongoing Research Projects

S. No. Title Funding agency
1. ICAR Outreach/Network scheme on “Estimation of methane emission under different feeding systems and development of mitigation strategies” ICAR-NIANP
2. Revolving fund scheme on 'Creation of Veterinary Dietetic Services Unit at Teaching Hospital of Madras Veterinary Hospital' TANUVAS
3. Self financing scheme on “Nutritional Novelties” TANUVAS
4. Revolving Fund Scheme on “ Feed Quality Control Laboratory” TANUVAS

Completed Research Projects

S.No. Title of project Duration Budget (Rs.in lakhs) Funding Agency
From To
1 All India co-ordinated research project on determination of the availability of animal feed resources and their utilization with special emphasis on crop residues, by-products of industries, forests, aquatic and slaughter house in origin and animal organic waste for evolving economic rations of livestock and poultry 1987 1992 90.00 Indian Council of Agricultural Research
2 Study of tree fodder resources in Tamil Nadu. 1992 1993 2.47 Krishnamoorthy International Agriculture Development Foundation
3 Network programme on micronutrients in animal nutrition and production. 1994 2003 104.61 Indian Council of Agricultural Research
4 Post Qualification education in veterinary and animal sciences in India. (page x-xi) 2002 2005 10.00 Commonwealth of Learning, Canada
5 Improvement of feed resources and nutrient utilization in raising animal production 2003 2013 159.61 Indian Council of Agricultural Research
6 Nutritive value of sugarcane tops and its effects on reproductive performance in cattle. 2003 2007 7.04 NABARD
7 Optimizing supplemental nutrition for range grazed sheep in Tamilnadu 2004 2008 19.64 Indian Council of Agricultural Research
8 Evolving substrate specific customized fibrolytic enzyme mixture for enhancing nutrient utilization from fibrous / NSP rich feed ingredients / crop residue 2006 2010 49.32 Government of India, Department of Bio Technology
9 Use of herbal extracts to inhibit methanogenesis in ruminants 2009 2011 1.474 Tamil Nadu state Council for Science and Technology
10 NADP on Validating the research on mineral map of Tamil Nadu 2010 2011 20.72 Government of Tamil Nadu
11 Enhancing utilization of nutrients in feed / fodder through TANUVAS - GRAND Supplement – A Pilot Project 2012 2013 10.00 Government of Tamil Nadu
13 The effect of TANUVAS GRAND supplement in augmenting milk production and preventing metabolic disorder in cattle Four months
(2012-2013)
13,770 CAD Commonwealth of learning

Salient research achievements

  • Development of TANUVAS-RUSITEC (Rumen simulation Techniques) for conducting In vitro evaluation of feedstuffs.
  • Formulation and production of Area specific TANUVAS-SMART mineral mixture to reduce the cost and environmental pollution.
  • Technology developed for enriching and ensiling sugarcane tops.
  • Technology developed for farm gate fibrolytic enzymes production from agricultural by-products.
  • Species specific probiotics were isolated and synthesised for broiler chicken.
  • Methods for mitigating methane emission from ruminants using several feed additives were evaluated.
  • TANUVAS-GRAND (Gruel Rooted Additive Nutrient Drops) was prepared for preventing acidosis and improving milk production in ruminants.
  • Nano mineral synthesis was standardized and evaluation in chicken and small ruminants is in progress.

Extension

  • Production and Supply of TANUVAS-SMART mineral mixture on cost basis
  • Providing consultation services on feeding of animals
  • Providing Animal Feed Quality Assessment services to the farmers and entrepreneurs

Thrust Areas

  • Mineral Nutrition- (Area specific and Nano minerals)
  • Ruminant nutrition (Methane mitigation through feed additives)
  • Feed enzymes (Fibrolytic enzymes production)
  • Probiotics & Prebiotics
  • In ovo nutrition
  • Alternate to antibiotics

Facilities Available

  • The department has a lecture hall with seating capacity of 70 and seminar hall equipped with audio visual aids. The department library has more than 200 books in nutrition and its allied subjects.
  • The department has a well-equipped under graduate (175 m2), post graduate (57 m2) and quality control (175 m2) laboratories. Basic and advanced instrumentation are available in the laboratories for carrying out various analyses.
  • The department also has facilities for conducting biological trials which include, Poultry cages (Broiler chicken) and Metabolic crates (small ruminants)

Faculty

  • Dr.B. Mohan, Professor and Head
  • Dr.L. Radhakrishnan, Professor
  • Dr.M. Manobhavan, Assistant Professor
  • Dr.M.P.Vijayakumar, Assistant Professor

The Professor and Head,
Department Of Animal Nutrition,
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007.
Phone: +91-44-25364000
E-mail: hodannmvc@tanuvas.org.in