Eighteen apparently healthy pregnant buffaloes divided into three groups according to gestational stages, i.e. early, mid and late gestation were selected and blood samples were collected. Serum total protein, albumin, globulin and A: G ratio were estimated along with IL-1 beta. The concentration of IL-1 beta increased from early gestation to mid gestation and declined towards late gestation. Concentration of serum total protein, albumin, globulin and A: G was highest during late gestation (8.23+-0.26 g/dl), mid-gestation (3.95+-0.10 g/dl/), late gestation (4.68+-0.21 g/dl/) and early gestation (0.84+-0.12). Concentration of IL-1 beta, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin and A: G was statistically non-significant during all three stages of gestation.

Data on 4971 test-day milk yield traits [milk (TDMY), fat (TDFY) and protein (TDPY)] for 691 Egyptian buffalo cows, daughters of 120 sires and 532 dams were used for fitting the lactation curve parameters of milk, fat and protein yields using multiple-trait animal model. The random effects included in the model were direct additive genetic, permanent environment and error, while the fixed effects were herd test-day, year and season of calving and parity as well as days in milk as a covariable. The means for TDMY, TDFY, TDPY and lactation curve parameters [initial (a), ascending slope (b), descending slope (c), persistency (P), and maximum milk production during lactation (Ymax) and the peak test-day (PY)] were estimated. Heritabilities of TDMY, a, b, c, P, PY and Ymax were 0.22, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.37, 0.37 and 0.38, respectively. The corresponding heritabilities for TDFY and fat curve parameters were 0.21, 0.41, 0.40, 0.39, 0.38, 0.36 and 0.42, while the estimates for TDPY and protein curve parameters were 0.22, 0.38, 0.40, 0.40, 0.38, 0.40 and 0.43, respectively. Genetic correlations among TDMY and curve parameters of a, b, c, P, PY and Ymax were 0.31, -0.23, -0.34, 0.52, 0.48 and 0.87, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk yield traits were high (mostly of 0.83 and 0.99), like the correlations between curve parameter in milk, fat and protein (from 0.71 to 0.96). In practice, genetic selection for lactation curve parameters (a, P and Ymax) in the Egyptian buffalo would improve total milk yield traits.

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.

Outcome of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is influenced by host genetic background. For this reason, polymorphism discovery association studies are a powerful tool for selective breeding helping disease control. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a regulatory cytokine produced by different cells and fine-tune immune response to bTB. Thus, in this research, we evaluated the role of the single nucleotide polymorphism g.4002C GT T in IL-10 gene for susceptibility to bTB in Mediterranean water buffalo. We characterized 184 animals grouped in cases and controls and demonstrated that homozygous subjects TT are about 3 times more susceptible to bTB compared to CC homozygous. Indeed this polymorphism is responsible of amino acid substitution p. (Thr 152 Met) in the primary protein sequence which affects protein secondary structure. This polymorphism might represent a valid tool for marker assisted selection against bovine tuberculosis in water buffalo.

The present clinical study describes successful surgical management of a rectal stricture due to circumferential fibroma (fibrous ring) in two recently calved adult buffaloes. Both buffaloes had a chronic history of straining while defecation with no rectal prolapse. At presentation, these buffaloes were passing scanty and pasty feces. Per rectal examination revealed rectal stricture due to demarkable circumferential fibrous ring which was later histopathologically diagnosed as fibroma in the sub mucosa of the rectum. Surgical resection of the fibrous ring was done under caudal epidural anesthesia. Both buffaloes recovered uneventfully and no recurrence of this condition was observed on long term follow up of 4 years and six months, respectively.

The present study was conducted on placentomes of 20 buffaloes (n=20) ranging from 38 to 243 days of gestation. Their gestational age was determined by measuring the curved crown rump length (CRL) of foetii using an inelastic thread as per formula given by Soliman (1975) in bovines. Depending on the CRL and estimated age of the foetuses, the samples were divided into 3 groups. The placental tissues fixed in 10 percent NBF were processed and stained accordingly. The present observation revealed that the cryptal epithelium was cuboidal during early and mid pregnancy but transformed to squamous during late pregnancy especially at the tip of the maternal septa. This reduction in size and nature of epithelium during late pregnancy was in order to shorten the distance between foetal and maternal tissue for substance exchange by diffusion. The trophoblastic epithelium transformed from cuboidal during early and mid pregnancy to stratified epithelium in the arcade region due to accumulation of binucleated giant cells that were involved in phagocytosis of extravasated erythrocytes in the arcade region. The phagocytosis released iron from the RBC that were probably being utilized by the developing fetus as very strong reaction for acid phosphatase was observed in the arcade region and iron in the form of fine granules were observed by special staining.

Present study was designed to decipher the haemato-biochemical and hormonal profile following bypass nutrient supplementation in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation. Forty Murrah buffaloes just after parturition divided randomly into four equal groups and fed basal diet constituting common green fodder and wheat straw, while two different types of concentrates mixture (CM) having 25 (CM1, for group fed control or bypass fat, BPF diet) and 40 percent (CM2 for group fed bypass protein, BPP and BPP with BPF, BPPF diet) of BPP using variable feed ingredients in CM. Animals of group BPF and BPPF additionally fed 15 g bypass fat (long chain fatty acid of calcium salt) for each kg of milk produced for initial 90 days of lactation. Blood sampling was carried out at 0 day (before starting supplementation) and thereafter at an interval of one month, till 120th day after parturition, to find out the effect of supplementation as well is after effects. Significant reduction (P LT 0.05) in serum urea on day 60 was observed in bypass protein fed groups (BPP and BPPF) remains indicative of efficient nitrogen utilization. Thus overall mean total protein in bypass protein fed groups (BPP and BPPF) was higher (P LT 0.05) than control group. Values of albumin also on day 90 (P LT 0.01), 120 (P LT 0.05) as well as overall mean remained higher (P LT 0.001) in group fed CM high in rumen protected protein (BPP and BPPF) than groups fed low bypass protein CM (control and BPF). Supplementation of BPPF improved (P LT 0.05) overall mean cholesterol level as compared to control. Reduction (P LT 0.05) in low density lipoprotein values was observed on day 60 in BPF group as compared to others, while overall mean high density lipoprotein (HDL) in bypass protein fed groups (BPP and BPPF) was found to be higher (P LT 0.01) as compared to others. IGF-1and BHBA showed non-significant difference in all treated groups at different intervals in addition of haematological parameters. It may be concluded that feeding of bypass protein (BPP and BPPF) improved serum overall total protein, albumin, cholesterol and HDL in post-parturient Murrah buffaloes during early lactation.

The present article discusses screening of 25 female buffaloes reporting with complaint of haematuria, strangury, polyuria, dribbling of urine. These were subjected to urinalysis using urine reagent strips for a quick assessment of the quality of urine to ascertain possible urinary tract disorders. Out of these 25 buffaloes, six were suspected to be suffering from urinary tract disease on the basis of presenting history and symptoms and preliminary urinalysis. Diagnosis of haemorrhagic cystitis and post-partum vaginal trauma in one case, urinary bladder tumour in two cases, hydronephrosis and a cyst beneath the rectum in one case and having purulent cystitis and urethritis with renal cysts in two cases is reported.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of soluble carbohydrate and protein supplementation on feed digestibility and rumen characteristics of swamp buffaloes fed total mixed fiber (TMF) silage by using an in vitro technique. A completely randomized design with 3 treatments (soluble carbohydrate (SCH) and protein ratio) and 6 replicates was used. Treatments consisted of total mixed fiber silage rations with SCH: protein ratio of 300 g : 300 g (1 : 1) (A1), SCH : protein ratio of 600 g : 300 g (2 : 1) (A2), and SCH : protein ratio of 900 g : 300 g (3 : 1) (A3). Measurements were taken on nutrient digestibility rates (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and crude fiber), fiber digestibility rates (NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose), and rumen fermentation condition (concentrations of RAN, total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and methane and pH). Results showed that significant effects (P LT 0.05) of treatments were found on nutrient digestibility rates (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose), rumen fermentation conditions (concentrations of RAN, total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and CH4). Meanwhile, no effects (P GT 0.05) of treatments were found on NDF digestibility and pH levels. It was concluded that TMF silage ration supplemented with SCH and protein ratio of 3 : 1 (900 g : 300 g) gave the best results in terms of nutrient digestibility rates and rumen fermentation condition of swamp buffaloes.

This study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of forage and balanced concentrate in diet or nutritional contents and nutrient digestibilities of feed, feed consumption, an average daily gain, and feed efficiency in buffaloes. This study used a completely randomized design with 4 replicates. The diet treatments were: (R1), 100 percent native grass, (R2), 70 percent native grass + 30 percent concentrate. (R3), 60 percent native grass + 40 percent concentrate (R4) 50 percent native grass + 50 percent concentrate. The experimental results showed that the amount of concentrates, significantly affected (P LT 0.05) the contents of dry matter, organic matter, and crude fiber. However, the crude protein, crude fats, digestibilityies of dry matter and organic matter of the contents were not significantly affected P LT 0.05). It could be concluded that the addition of concentrated ration to buffaloes provides better productivity than field grass, with the best treatment being the R2.