• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 1994

The lactation milk yields of 209 buffaloes and cattle were measured on farms in Taplejung and Dhankuta Districts in East Nepal. This includes local and crossbred buffaloes and cows. The average milk yield (${\pm}\;SD$) of 97 local buffaloes was $833\;{\pm}\;94.6\;kg$ whereas that for 83 local cows was only $455\;{\pm}\;61.5\;kg$. The milk yield of buffaloes decreased with number of calvings, but that for the cows increased. The milk yields of 18 Murrah crossbreds were on average 215 kg higher than the yields of local buffaloes, and the yields of 11 Jersey crossbred cows averaged 247 kg more than the local cows. Lactation length (${\pm}\;SD$) which averaged $326\;{\pm}\;100$ days for the buffaloes and $292\;{\pm}\;98$ days for the cows, was not affected by crossbreeding. The milk yields of the crossbreds were more variable than the local buffaloes and cows. In addition to milk yield the overall productivity of a milking animal depends on calf mortality, age at first calving, calving interval, longevity, food intake, the work performance of male cattle and the meat production of male buffaloes. Among these parameters, the work performance of Jersey crossbred and local male cattle was studied later. However, other factors could not be measured.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1732-1737
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• 2003

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding transgenic cottonseed (Bt.) vis-a-vis non-transgenic (non-Bt.) cottonseed on blood biochemical constituents in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Twenty Murrah buffaloes in mid-lactation were divided into 2 groups of 10 each. Animals of group I were fed with 39.5% non-transgenic cottonseed in concentrate mixture while the same percentage of transgenic (Bt.) cottonseed was included in the concentrate mixture fed to the animals of group II. Animals of both groups were fed with concentrate mixture to support their milk production requirements. Each buffalo was also offered 20 kg mixed green fodder (oats and berseem) and wheat straw ad libitum. The experimental feeding trial lasted for 35 days. There was no significant difference in the dry matter intake between the two groups of buffaloes. All the buffaloes gained body weight, however, the differences were non significant. Total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and packed cell volume were $9.27{\pm}0.70${\times}10^6/{\mu}l$, $13.01{\pm}0.60gdl$ and $34.87{\pm}1.47%$, respectively in group I with the corresponding figures of $8.88{\pm}0.33$, $12.99{\pm}0.52$ and $31.08{\pm}1.52$ in group II. The values of total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content and packed cell volume did not differ significantly between the two groups of buffaloes. The concentration of plasma glucose, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, triglycerides and high density lipoprotein were non significantly higher in buffaloes fed non-transgenic cottonseed than in buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. The cholesterol concentration was significantly (p<0.01) higher in buffaloes of group I ($136.84{\pm}8.40mg/dl$) than in buffaloes of group II ($105.20{\pm}1.85mg/dl$). The serum alkaline phosphotase, glutamic-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic-pyruate transaminase activities did not differ significantly between two groups of buffaloes. However, serum glutamic-pyruate transaminase activity was considerably high in buffaloes fed nontransgenic cottonseed as compared to buffaloes fed transgenic cottonseed. Bt. proteins in serum samples of animals of group II were not detected after 35 days of feeding trial. It was concluded that transgenic cottonseed and non-transgenic cottonseed have similar nutritional value without any adverse effects on health status of buffaloes as assessed from haematobiochemical constituents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.774-780
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• 2009

The objectives of this study were to test the efficacy of induction of estrus and determine the timing of ovulation in relation to preovulatory LH and estrogen surges in cycling Murrah buffaloes subjected to Heatsynch protocol (GnRH-$PGF_2{\alpha}$-Estradiol benzoate). In experiment 1, the buffaloes (n = 10) were treated with Heatsynch protocol and observed for estrus and ovulation. In experiment 2 and 3, 30 cycling Murrah buffaloes were used to investigate the efficacy of Heatsynch protocol in terms of conception rates in summer (experiment 2) and winter (experiment 3) seasons. Fixed time A.I. was performed in all the buffaloes at 48 and 60 h post-estradiol benzoate (EB) injection. All buffaloes responded to the Heatsynch protocol with expression of estrus for which ovulations were induced in 8 buffaloes (80%). Mean time interval from the EB injection to ovulation was 50.0${\pm}$2.0 h (range 44.0 to 60.0 h). The interval from the end of LH surge to ovulation was 18.5${\pm}$2.47 h (range 8 to 26 h). The interval from end of estrogen surge to ovulation was 26.75 ${\pm}$2.07 h (range 22 to 36 h). Mean LH peak after EB injection occurred at 20.81${\pm}$1.61 h (range 14 to 28 h) and mean estrogen peak after EB injection occurred at 9.62${\pm}$1.03 h (range 7 to 16 h). Hence, the mean estrogen peak preceded the mean LH peak by 11 h. It was observed that the percentage of conceptions to total number of estruses for control buffaloes was 18 and 30 in summer and winter, respectively, whereas it increased to 26 and 40 in Heatsynch treated buffaloes in respective seasons. The results suggest the possibility of using Heatsynch treatment followed by fixed time A.I. in buffaloes for fertility improvement, especially since the incidence of silent heat in buffaloes is very high.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1013-1023
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• 2022

Body condition score (BCS) at calving is a vital indicator of the effectiveness of the beginning of lactation in dairy animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of BCS at calving on milk production and transition success in dairy buffaloes. Thirty-six (36) Nili Ravi buffaloes were enrolled at 40 days of expected calving and followed through 90 days of lactation. The buffaloes were categorized into three groups according to their BCS (on a scale of 1-5 with 0.25 increments) as follows: 1) low, buffaloes with BCS ≤ 3.0; 2) medium, buffaloes with BCS 3.25-3.5; and 3) high, buffaloes with BCS ≥ 3.75. All buffaloes were fed a similar diet ad libitum. The lactation diet had increased concentrate allowance according to milk yield. The results revealed that the BCS at calving did not affect milk yield; however, fat percentage (fat%) was lower in the low-BCS group. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the treatment groups, although post-calving BCS loss was greater in the high-BCS group compared to the medium- and the low-BCS groups. Similarly, the buffaloes in the high-BCS group had higher non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration compared to the low- and medium-BCS groups. No cases of metabolic disorders were observed during the study. The present results suggest that the buffaloes in the medium-BCS group appeared to perform better compared to the low- and the high-BCS groups with respect to milk fat% and blood NEFA concentration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.608-611
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• 2004

The 15 buffaloes were divided into three groups, viz. group 1: normal cyclic buffaloes; group 2: postpartum anoestrus buffaloes and group 3: post partum anoestrus buffaloes supplemented with intramuscular injections of Vit. E.-care Se containing 500 mg $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate and 15 mg selenium at weekly intervals for two months. The postpartum anoestrus buffaloes had significantly higher levels of erythrocytic lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase activities but lower glutathione peroxidase activity as compared to normal cyclic buffaloes. The supplementation of vitamin E and selenium lowered the level of erythrocytic lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase activities but it had no effect on whole blood selenium and erythrocytic gluathione peroxidase activity. All the animals in group 3 became cyclic and showed 60% conception rate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1240-1244
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• 2006

The complete coding region sequence of the SRY gene in Chinese swamp buffalo was determined by PCR product sequencing. Comparison of swamp and river buffalo SRY gene sequences revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, C/G) at the 202 bp site of the coding region. Further, a total of 124 male domestic buffaloes were genotyped at this SNP site using the PCR-SSCP method, and it was found that all Chinese indigenous swamp buffaloes had a guanine (G) at this site, while introduced river buffaloes and crossbred buffaloes showed a cytosine (C). Our findings suggested that this Y-linked SNP displayed type-specific alleles differentiating swamp and river buffaloes, and could be used as an effective marker to detect crossbreeding of swamp buffaloes with introduced river buffaloes in native buffalo populations, and thereby assess genetic diversity status and make proper conservation decisions for indigenous swamp buffaloes. In addition, this SNP can be potentially applied in the study of Asian water buffalo phylogeny from a male perspective.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.229-232
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• 1997

Effects of short-term treatment with somidobove (recombinantly produced bovine somatotropin, BST) on estrous cyclicity and fertility were studied in dairy buffaloes. Twenty buffaloes of Nili-Ravi breed calving during the same season were assigned to either control (n=8) or treated group (n=12). The buffaloes of treated group received single infection (prolonged release) of 320 mg of somidobove on day-60 postpartum. The mean values for interval to first postpartum estrus, first service conception rate, services per conception, service period and calving interval for the treated group were 96.4 days, 66.7%, 1.70, 164 days and 473 days, respectively. The corresponding values for the control group were 92.5 days, 62.5%, 1.87, 135 days and 439 days. Means of all variables did not differ between control and treated group (p > 0.05). Three buffaloes of the control and four buffaloes of the treated group did not conceive at first service. Out of these, two buffaloes of control and one buffalo of treated group exhibited normal estrous cycles. It is concluded from these data that short term BST-treatment has no adverse effect on reproductive functions of dairy buffaloes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1858-1864
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• 2007

Influence of varying level of sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation on milk yield and its composition was examined in a randomized complete block design in early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes during summer. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated. The diet 0B contained 0 while LB, MB and HB diets contained 0.50, 1.0 and 1.50% SB levels, respectively. The diets were randomly allotted to twenty buffaloes, five in each group. A linear increase in nutrient and water intake was recorded with increasing SB level. Buffaloes fed MB and HB diets showed higher nitrogen balance than those fed 0B and LB diets. A significant increase in blood pH and serum bicarbonate was noticed with increasing SB level. Urine pH increased significantly with increased SB level. A linear increase in milk yield was also noticed with increasing SB level. Milk fat% increased significantly in buffaloes fed MB and HB diets compared with those fed 0B and LB diets. Buffaloes fed HB diet had higher conception rate and less services per conception than those fed 0B diet. This study indicated that a high SB diet not only increased dry matter and water intake, milk yield, milk fat% but also increased conception rate in early lactating buffaloes during summer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.1634-1637
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• 2001

Allantoin and uric acid were estimated in milk to study the association between the levels of these purine derivatives and milk production per day under given feeding regimens. Keeping the stage of lactation, parity and initial milk yield in view thirty lactating buffaloes were randomly selected from early lactating group. All the animals were fed 30 kg green, 2 kg straw and 5 kg concentrate mixture on per animal/day basis at basal level up to 8 1 produce. 1 kg concentrate mixture, soaked cotton seed and boiled cotton seed was fed for every 2 I milk, respectively in Group I (control), Group II and Group III animals. Average milk Allantoin and Uric acid levels were $120{\pm}11.7g/ml$ and $4.03{\pm}0.63g/ml$, respectively in milk. Cotton seed feeding enhanced the milk production significantly (p<0.01) in comparison to concentrate mixture fed control group animals. A significant difference (p<0.01) in milk allantoin levels was found over the different feeding management at higher level of production group animals. Study also revealed a significant negative correlation between the milk allantoin and production per day r=-0.43 (p<0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.1523-1526
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• 2001

To study the secretion of trace elements during early lactation, twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes were selected from the herd of the institute. The buffaloes were divided into two groups of six each. Buffaloes of group I were not injected and served as control. Buffaloes of group II received oxytocin injection (2.5 I.U.) intramuscularly for a period of five days for let down of milk. Milk samples were collected from both groups of buffaloes five days before, during and after the administration of oxytocin. Aliquots of milk samples from each buffalo were composited in proportion to their milk yield and used for analysis of trace elements in milk. In both the groups of buffaloes Cu, Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn contents did not vary significantly between animals. However, Ca levels varied significantly (p<0.01) between animals. Administration of oxytocin influenced (p<0.01) Cu, Mg, Zn, Fe and Mn secretion in milk. However, Ca secretion was not affected by oxytocin administration. Secretion of these elements also varied significantly during different days of the study. Zinc content of milk in the control group also varied significantly (p<0.01) during different days and periods of study indicating thereby no effect of oxytocin. The study indicated that administration of oxytocin increases Cu and Mn content and decreases Mg, Fe and Zn content without altering the Ca concentration of milk.