This research examined the effects of storage temperature and storage time on the somatic cell count (SCC) of milk from Anatolian buffaloes, which was measured with the DeLaval cell counter (DCC). Storage temperature and time are among the different factors that potentially affect the SCC of Anatolian buffalo milk. In this context, 20 milk samples were collected from Anatolian Buffaloes and analyzed. The milk samples were divided into two groups according to their measured level of SCC. These two groups were the low score (LT= 3.16 cell/ml) group and the high score (GT 3.16 cell/ml) group. The mean logSCC values of the low score and the high score groups were determined as 2.27+-0.045 and 4.06+-0.019 cells/ml, respectively. In this research, the effects of storage temperature (4 deg C, 21 deg C) and storage time (fresh milk, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 24 h) on logSCC were determined to be statistically significant (P LT 0.01). Thus, increases in storage temperature and storage time were associated with an increase in the logSCC of the milk samples. In this study, the effects of storage temperature (4 deg C, 21 deg C) and storage time (fresh milk, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 24 hours) on logSCC were determined to be statistically significant (P LT 0.01). Thus, increases in storage temperature and storage time were associated with an increase in the logSCC of the milk samples.

Buffalo milk is the most preferred commodity in Pakistan due to high fat contents. Hydrolysis of circulating triglycerides and uptake of fatty acids in the mammary gland is regulated by lipoprotein lipase (LPL). This study is designed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LPL gene among high and low milk producing buffalo breeds of Pakistan. We selected samples (n=50) of each Nili-Ravi a high milk producing and Azakheli a low milk producing buffalo breeds. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction. LPL region of exon 2 region along with exon/intron boundaries were sequenced and data was analyzed for variation detection. Allele frequency was calculated using Hardy-Weinberg equation and in-silico analysis was performed for functional prediction and genetic diversity assessment. We found one single nucleotide polymorphism c.258+43C GT T in the intronic region of LPL gene. This polymorphism followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both Nili-Ravi (P-value = 0.538) and Azakheli (P-value = 0.077). Association of T-allele analysis predicted it significantly higher (P-value = 0.009) in Nili-Ravi. We found one novel SNP (c.258+43C GT T) in the LPL gene in both high and low milk producing buffalo breeds of Pakistan but high in Nili-Ravi. Lower splice site effect suggests its less strength of association with milk producing trait.

The study reports the physicochemical content of raw and pasteurization milk from Bhadawari, Mehsana and Nagpuri Indian buffalo breeds. The study demonstrated the protein, fat, lactose, total solid content, and percentage of casein of the raw milk for Nagpuri, Mehsana and Bhadawari as 4.5+-0.51, 5.4+-0.62, 4.8+-0.41, 7.2+-0.32, 6.1+-0.66, 7.0+-0.84, 5.4+-0.65, 6.2+-0.65, 5.1+-0.54, 17.2+-1.21, 18.8+-1.54, 18.1+-1.22, 10.8+-1.20, 11.4+-1.02 and 11.5+-0.98 respectively. The study further extended to determine the growth profile of Lactobacillus plantarum (LAB) isolated from sheep milk, in the milk of different buffalo Indian breeds. The isolate was identified as a LAB by 16S rRNA sequencing technique. These LAB thrived in the different milk were characterized by colony forming unit (CFU). The study finally revealed that CFU count was found significantly higher (P LT 0.05) in Mehsana milk as comparative to other milk treated samples of Nagpuri and Bhadawari buffalos.

The present study was conducted to investigate the normal somatic cell count (SCC), associated factors in hygienic management and to define subclinical mastitis in buffaloes in Puducherry. Samples were collected from 50 clinically normal buffaloes stationed at different farms of Puducherry region. Somatic cell count was measured for all the milk samples using Newman-Lampert staining technique. The upper limit of SCC was determined as GT= 2, 00,000/ml of milk based on the mean +- 2SD of a total SCC. California mastitis test (CMT) was conducted for all the animals. In the present study subclinical mastitis was diagnosed on the basis of samples with SCCs GT= 2, 00,000/ml. In the present study 96 percent of the milk samples were negative for California mastitis test (CMT). The SCC of CMT positive quarter was significantly higher (P LT 0.01) than CMT negative quarters. Subclinical mastitis was found only in three buffaloes in the present study. Somatic cell counts were significantly higher in the buffaloes with subclinical mastitis. Regarding the hygiene, all the farms had poor management and improper housing. Proper education on hygienic management is need of the hour for buffalo owners of Puducherry region.

The present study was conducted in buffaloes to determine the occurrence of subclinical mastitis and its diagnosis in relation to milk SCC and biochemical composition. The results showed that taking quarter foremilk (QFM) somatic cell count (SCC) threshold limit of LT 200*10**(3) cell for defining healthy quarters, 16.48 percent of buffaloes and 5.79 percent of quarters were positive for specific subclinical mastitis. In total, 57/363 (15.70 percent)of quarters were bacteriological positive with 21 (5.79 percent) representing specific and 36 (9.92 percent) latent infections. The major pathogen isolated were 28 (49 percent) coagulase-negative staphylococci followed by 16 (28 percent) S. aureus, 09 (16 percent) Streptococcus and 4(7 percent) Corynebacterium spp. The average QFM SCC was found as 52.50*10**(3) cells /ml for the quarter with no bacteria, and 356.51*10**(3) cell /ml for the quarters infected with one or the other bacteria (p LT 0.05). The milk electrical conductivity (EC), Fat and Lactoseshowed significant alterations with the quarter infection, the EC and Fat increased while Lactose decreased in infected quarters (p LT 0.05). The California mastitis test CMT) at cut off score of GT 0.5 for diseased quarters showed 68.75 percent sensitivity with 99.09 percent specificity. The EC with 87.50 percent sensitivity and 74.02 percent specificity and Lactose with 84.37 percent sensitivity and 66.16 percent specificity also showed significant (p LT 0.01) discrimination ability to differentiate healthy and mastitis quarters in buffaloes. The milk pH was not found to be a good parameter to identify diseased quarters.

Thirty-six healthy Tarai buffaloes (280-350+-10 kg body weight, 2nd to 4th parity) were selected to investigate their milk composition. The selected animals were divided into four groups having nine buffaloes in each group as, each group from early, mid and late lactation and another group of dry buffaloes. The study carried out in four seasons and climatic variants of temperature and relative humidity were recorded for each month where temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated. Results of milk composition with advancing in lactation stage showed significantly (P LT 0.05) higher values for milk fat, urea and total solids. In season-wise, milk constituents of fat, protein and total solids were found significantly (P LT 0.05) higher during winter season except higher milk urea in summer season. Other milk constituents include lactose, SNF and pH were remain unaffected throughout the lactation period and seasons. Milk somatic cell count (SCC) is affected by both lactation period and seasons but the variations stood non-significant. Calculated THI in tarai region was found higher (79 LT THI LT 84) during summer and rainy seasons. It may be concluded that Tarai buffalo performances are affected by seasonal variations and lactation period as indicated in milk composition variations. Thus, Tarai buffalo could perform better if improvement in their management system of housing and feeding of quality nutrients.

In order to evaluate and compare the properties of type traits in Khuzestani and Azeri river buffaloes, 148 and 336 Khuzestani and Azeri buffaloes were used, respectively. Animals were evaluated for traits such as Height at Withers, Body depth, Body length, Heart girth, Hip width, Pin width and Hip to Pin length. The averages for these traits in Khuzestani breed were 145.2+-6.63, 78.27+-5.43, 140.5+-10.05, 208.87+-13.75, 57+-4.44, 25.29+-3.03 and 44+-2.97 cm and in Azeri breed were 138.93+-6.39, 76.4+-5.61, 136.22+-10.05, 184+-13.66, 54.96+-4.85, 26.43+-3.94 and 43.8+-3.44 cm, respectively. The effect of breed on height at withers, heart girth and hip width was quite significant (P LT 0.001) and values for these traits in Khuzestani breed was higher than Azeri. The effect of parity number for all studied traits was significant (P LT 0.001), except for the heart girth. Heifers had the lowest values among different age groups and differences in this group increased with increasing age and parity. Also, the effects of province as a factor for climate and culture circumstances on studied traits was quite significant (P LT 0.001), except for the heart girth and hip to Pin length. Buffaloes in Guilan province had lowest and buffaloes in Khuzestan and Kermanshah provinces had the highest values.

The present study was undertaken (1) to characterize the FA composition particularly on the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (2) to investigate of physicochemical properties of Anatolian water buffalo milk, and from six different provinces in Turkey. The fat amount in water buffalo milk samples were in the range of 5.97+-0.30 percent to 9.19+-0.57 percent and the mean fat was 6.96+-0.25 percent. The main individual FA in water buffalo milk were in the order 16:0, 18:1 cis-9, 14:0, and 18:0. The CLA, bovinic acid (cis-9, trans-11), represented 1.09+-0.06 in water buffalo milk. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were the potent fraction in water buffalo milk fat (70.63+-0.7), MUFA and PUFA were 29.37+-0.7 and 0.2+-0.03, respectively. The data exhibit statistically differences (P LT= 0.05) in the proportions of individual FA were detected among different provinces in Turkey. Anatolian water buffalos were poor in terms polyunsaturated FA compared to other water buffalos from different countries. Therefore, these results may provide useful information about the nutrient composition of buffalo milk and further studies are warranted to improve the technological and nutritional characteristics of Anatolian buffalo milk.

Foot and mouth disease is among the top listed livestock diseases causing severe economic losses. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of FMD and detection of FMD virus shedding in milk of apparently healthy buffaloes and cattle of Pakistan. A total of 30 dairy farms were selected and registered in rural areas of Punjab consisting of minimum 15 animals. A total of 180 serum samples were collected and subjected to Non structural proteins (NSP) ELISA. The milk of sero-positive animals were collected and detected for the presence of FMD virus using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The results of current study showed overall seroprevalence 71.66 percent (129/180) with 65.38 percent in buffaloes and 76.47 percent in cattle. The FMD virus was detected in 24.03 percent (31/129) of sero positive samples. Among the FMD virus positive samples 65.51 percent belongs to serotype O and 35.48 percent belongs to Asia I, while none of the other serotypes were detected. The detection of FMD virus from the milk of apparently healthy buffaloes and cattle is an alarming situation and it may be considered as a potential role in the transmission of FMD.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is a causative agent of Johne's disease, a disease with considerable economic impact on dairy buffalo herds. The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of MAP infection in buffaloes and its excretory pattern through buffalo milk. A total of 74 milk samples were collected from apparently healthy buffaloes of organized and unorganized sectors located in Tamil Nadu and subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining and Polymerase chain reaction (IS900 and F57 genes). Out of 74 samples, 3 (4.1 percent), 21 (28.4 percent) and 14 (18.9 percent) samples shed MAP organism by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, IS900 PCR and F57 PCR respectively. Besides age of the animal, stage of lactation and herd management were associated with excretion of MAP in milk. These results showed the high prevalence of MAP infection in buffaloes and warrants further studies and necessary actions to delineate the MAP infection in buffalo population.