Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding

About the Department

The Department of Animal Breeding & Genetics came into existence in the year 1950. Earlier, it was one of the constituent units of the Animal Husbandry Department, along with Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.

After implementation of the Minimum Standard of Veterinary Education as per the Veterinary Council of India Act, 1984, the name of the department became Department of Animal Genetics & Breeding in 2016.

Since its inception, the department has been actively engaged in teaching, research and extension activities. With the initiation of the B.V.Sc. & A.H. degree programme at Bihar Veterinary College, Patna in 1950, the department started teaching the basic principles of genetics and animal breeding.

The Post-Graduate programme in Animal Genetics & Breeding was introduced in 1960. The first M.V.Sc. degree was awarded to Dr. R. J. Prasad in 1962 and the first Ph.D. degree was awarded to Dr. R. L. Singh in 1973.

The department has undertaken various research programmes related to animal genetic resources, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, breed characterization and genetic improvement of livestock. Extension activities are also undertaken for genetic improvement of livestock through appropriate breeding programmes.

Core Academic & Research Areas:
Animal Genetics, Animal Breeding, Population Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics, Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources, Breed Characterization and Genetic Improvement.

Mandate

Teaching

To teach undergraduate and postgraduate students on genetic principles and their application for genetic improvement of livestock and poultry species, along with Biostatistics and Computer Application.

Research

To conduct need-based research for genetic improvement of livestock and avian genetic resources through the formulation of appropriate breeding programmes.

Extension

To transfer the outcomes, technologies and packages of practices developed through research to livestock and poultry farmers.

Facilities

Computer-cum-Statistics Laboratory

Facility for statistical analysis, biometric techniques, computer applications and quantitative genetics studies.

Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Laboratory facility supporting molecular genetics, genetic characterization and related research activities.

Academic Activities

U.G. Courses (As per VCI)

Sr. No.	Course	Credit Hrs.	Units / Course Content
1	Animal Genetics & Breeding	3+1	Unit-1: Biostatistics & Computer Application Unit-2: Principles of Animal and Population Genetics Unit-3: Principles of Animal Breeding

M.V.Sc. Courses (As per ICAR)

Sr. No.	Course No.	Course Title	Credit Hrs.
1	AGB 601	Animal Cytogenetics and Immunogenetics	2+1
2	AGB 602	Molecular Genetics in Animal Breeding	2+1
3	AGB 603	Population and Quantitative Genetics in Animal Breeding	2+1
4	AGB 604	Selection Methods and Breeding Systems	3+1
5	AGB 605	Biometrical Techniques in Animal Breeding	3+1
6	AGB 606	Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources	2+0
7	AGB 607	Cattle and Buffalo Breeding	2+1
8	AGB 608	Small Farm Animal Breeding (Sheep, Goat, Swine and Rabbit)	2+0
9	AGB 609	Poultry Breeding	2+1
10	AGB 610	Laboratory Animal Breeding	1+0
11	AGB 691	Master’s Seminar	1+0
12	AGB 699	Master’s Research	20
Total Coursework			22+7=29

Ph.D. Courses (As per ICAR)

Sr. No.	Course No.	Course Title	Credit Hrs.
1	AGB 701	Recent Advances in Animal Genetics	2+0
2	AGB 702	Recent Trends in Animal Breeding	2+0
3	AGB 703	Advances in Biometrical Genetics	2+1
4	AGB 704	Advances in Selection Methodology	2+1
5	AGB 705	Bioinformatics in Animal Genetics and Breeding	2+0
6	AGB 706	Advances in Molecular Cytogenetics	2+0
7	AGB 707	Utilization of Non-Additive Genetic Variance in Farm Animals	2+1
8	AGB 791	Doctoral Seminar I	1+0
9	AGB 792	Doctoral Seminar II	1+0
10	AGB 799	Doctoral Research	45
Total Coursework			16+3=19

Research Activities

Completed Research Projects

Network Project of AnGR on “Survey and characterization of Bachaur Breed of cattle in Bihar”.
Duration: 3 Years | Funding Agency: NBAGR (ICAR) | PI: Dr. S. R. Singh | Co-PI: Dr. K. G. Mandal
Non-plan Project on “Development of Breed Descriptors for Shahabadi cattle and Diara buffalo in their native tracts”.
Duration: 3 Years | Funding Agency: BAU, Sabour / Bihar Animal Sciences University | PI: Dr. K. G. Mandal | Co-PI: Dr. Birendra Kumar
DNA Polymorphism of MHC DRB3 gene in Crossbred and purebred Cattle in their native tract.
Duration: 3 Years | Funding Agency: BAU, Sabour | PI: Dr. Birendra Kumar | Co-PI: Dr. K. G. Mandal
Study on DNA polymorphism at Fec B gene and its association with litter size trait of Local Goats in Bihar.
Duration: 2 Years | Funding Agency: BAU, Sabour | PI: Dr. R. K. Singh | Co-PIs: Dr. S. B. Verma, Dr. K. G. Mandal, Dr. Birendra Kumar

Ongoing Research Projects

Study on Genetic and Non-genetic Factors Influencing Milk Production Efficiency of Cattle of Shahabad Region of Bihar.
Year of Start: 2019–20 | Duration: 1 Year | Funding Agency: Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna | PI: Dr. R. K. Singh
Morphometric Characterization and Factor Analysis of Buffaloes of Kosi Region of Bihar.
Year of Start: 2019–20 | Duration: 1 Year | Funding Agency: Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna | PI: Dr. R. K. Singh