~ 353 ~ Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2019; 7(5): 353-355 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 JEZS 2019; 7(5): 353-355 © 2019 JEZS Received: 22-07-2019 Accepted: 24-08-2019 SK Joshi Scientist (Animal Science), KVK, OUAT, Jharsuguda, Odisha, India J Udgata Senior Scientist and Head, KVK, OUAT, Jharsuguda, Odisha, India S Sathapathy Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Histology, CVSc and AH, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India SK Sahu Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Anatomy and Histology, CVSc and AH, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Correspondence SK Joshi Scientist (Animal Science), KVK, OUAT, Jharsuguda, Odisha, India Gross morphological studies on the brain of Kadaknath fowl in growing period SK Joshi, J Udgata, S Sathapathy and SK Sahu Abstract The present gross morphological study was carried out on the brain of six healthy birds of Kadaknath Fowl in growing period (7 weeks to 16 weeks). The birds were procured from the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar and the research work was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jharsuguda, OUAT. It was found that the brain of Kadaknath fowl subdivided into cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The cerebrum was by far the largest part of the brain, and it comprised of two symmetrical halves called cerebral hemispheres. The shape of cerebral hemispheres was almost similar to the shape of entire brain. The apparently closely apposed cerebral hemispheres were separated by a median (longitudinal) inter hemispheric fissure (groove). A small transverse fissure separated the cerebrum from the cerebellum. The gyri and sulci were absent in the cerebrum. On ventral surface, ill-developed olfactory lobes were observed anteriorly on either side of the median fissure. The mid brain blended directly with the medulla oblongata posteriorly. The medulla oblongata was almost occupied dorsally by the cerebellum. Keywords: Brain, gross, grower, Kadaknath, morphology Introduction Poultry production in India has emerged from an unscientific farming practice to commercial production system with state-of-the art technological inventions [11] . Little attention has been paid for indigenous chicken, due to its poor producing ability though there is enormous development in poultry industry [7] . Native indigenous poultry breeds contribute about 10 to 15% to the total poultry population of India. There are about 20 indigenous breeds of chicken found in India, so we need to conserve and improve their genetic resources. Out of many indigenous poultry breeds, Kadaknath or Kalamasi, the fowl having black flesh is an important indigenous breed of poultry found in vast areas of Western Madhya Pradesh mainly the Jhabua [3] and Dhar Districts and adjoining areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. They are Jet black, pencilled and Golden Kadaknath are the three main varieties of Kadaknath breed [10] . It is locally known as "Kalamasi" due to its black flesh [8] . Most of the internal organs show the characteristic black pigmentation, more distinct in trachea, thoracic and abdominal air sacs, gonads, elastic arteries, at the base of the heart and mesentery. Blackish colouration is also found in the skeletal muscles, tendons, nerves, meninges, brain and bone marrow [4] . The study of brain can be related with the cognitive behaviour of the bird such as learning, memory, etc., which could be further explored by the neuro-anatomists. The present gross morphological study was carried out on the brain of Kadaknath fowl in growing period (7 weeks to 16 weeks) to establish a baseline data for this breed for future research. Materials and methods The Kadaknath chicks were obtained from the Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar. The chicks were reared at KVK, Jharsuguda, OUAT and six healthy birds were selected from grower stage (7 weeks to 16 weeks) to study the gross morphological features of brain. The head of the birds were carefully removed at the level of second cervical vertebrae [9] . The cranial cavity was cut open by scissors, forceps and scalpel and nasal bones, temporal bones were severed by bone cutter rostrally and laterally up to the level of base of skull. Cranial nerve attachments were severed gently to remove the intact brain and thereafter the meninges were separated. The intact brain samples were washed in normal saline solution to study the detailed morphology.