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.

This article details about successful management of prolong gestation associated with partial mummification in buffalo.

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.

A seven years old, ten months pregnant she-buffalo weighing 401 kg was presented to TVCC, COVAS, Udgir with a history of dysphagia, repeated regurgitation and swelling at ventral cervical region since the day before the animal was admitted to the clinic. The animal was suspected for oesophageal obstruction. Endoscopy done by naso-gastric route and X Ray showed oesophageal obstruction with a foreign body situated 100 cm distal from the nasal opening. The animal was cast in right lateral recumbency. The site of incision was shaved, cleaned and scrubbed using liq. 5 percent providine iodine and surgical spirit. The animal was sedated using Xylazine*. Linear infiltration was done using 2 percent lignocaine hydrochloride. A linear incision was taken at the surgical site. The overlying muscles were dissected and the esophagus was exposed. An oesophageal incision of sufficient length was taken and an impacted leather mass was removed. The oesophageal mucosa was closed with simple interrupted suture. Submucosa and muscularis part of esophagus were closed with simple continues manner. The muscles and skin were sutured with simple interrupted sutures. The animal was maintained only on fluid therapy for first 3 days. The day after surgery, the animal was seen lying prostrate with lateral deviation of neck and showing slight vaginal prolapse. The blood sample was analyzed for serum Ca level which revealed a level of 3.9 mg percent indicating severe hypocalcaemia. Calcium therapy was initiated. The animal assumed a standing posture. A day later, the animal delivered a normal female fetus. Three days later serum Ca level was re-estimated to be 8.5 mg percent. The animal resumed normal feeding and rumination after which the animal was given discharge. Sutures were removed after 15 days post operatively. Female buffalo calf and mother buffalo are healthy.

Present experiment was conducted on sixty Murrah buffalo divided into three groups: lactating, involution stage/dry and pregnant stage (non-lactating early pregnant stage, non-lactating mid pregnant stage and non-lactating late pregnant stage). Most of the alveoli were spherical to oval elongated in shape. In lactating stage, only small and medium sized alveoli were present. In involuting stage due to degeneration and inactiveness only small alveoli were recorded. In non-lactating late pregnant stage most of the alveoli were large sized. A highly significant statistical difference was noted among different stages of lactation in the diameter of alveoli. The active alveoli were lined by cuboidal epithelium to low cuboidal epithelium, while resting alveoli were lined by squamous epithelium with dark nuclei. The number of resting alveoli were found increased with the advancement of lactation. Up to two months of involution most of the alveoli were degenerative. A highly significant statistical difference was noted in the height of alveolar epithelium in different stages of lactation.

Successful pregnancy is the outcome of a well coordinated embryo- maternal communication events. Few evidences suggest the role of cytokines signaling pathways as mediators of these communications for establishment of pregnancy. In order to investigate the role of cytokines CCL8 and CXCL10 in embryonic implantation during pregnancy, the present study aimed to develop quantitative real time PCR method based on SYBR Green dye chemistry. Primers were designed for the amplification of CCL8, CXCL10 and GAPDH (endogenous control) genes specific to bovines using Primer 3 software. The amplification products for CCL8, CXCL10 and GAPDH (endogenous control) genes yielded fragments of 388, 151 and 81 bp respectively. Purified PCR Products were used for the generation of standard curve for all the three genes. Six scalars tenfold serial dilutions of every PCR product were performed for amplification of genes by optimized protocol. Each sample was run in triplicate along with a no template control for every assay. Each run was completed with a melting curve analysis to confirm the specificity of amplification and lack of primers dimers. The standards generated linear relationships with regression coefficients: r sup(2)=0.996, 0.993 and 0.992 for CCL8, CXCL10 and GAPDH genes respectively. The method posed to be reliable approach for estimating the relative expression of cytokines CCL8 and CXCL10 in peripheral blood leucocytes in buffaloes.

During the last years buffalo reproductive researchers have been tried to develop and apply fixed timed artificial insemination protocols to increase pregnancy rates to maximize improvement. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the pregnancy rates of different protocols of synchronization (Ovsynch and progesterone implants) and resynchronization of ovulation in a meat water buffalo herd during reproductive season of 2016. 194 mature Mediterranean females, were randomly assigned to four different protocols, ultrasound evaluation were used to determine cyclicity (presence of corpus luteum or follicles GT= 7 mm de diameter). 18 days after insemination all females were resynchronized and at day 25 ultrasound were performed, those nonpregnant females were inseminated 28 days after first insemination. All inseminations were performed by the same technician and only one bull was used. InfoStat software was used, statistical significance was considered when p value was lower than α of the 5 percent. No statistical significance were found within the protocols. Early embryonic dead 50 days after IA was 3.4 percent. Pregnancy rate was 47.9 percent and 53.5 percent for insemination and reinsemination respectively and the final pregnancy rate after the adjust for early pregnancy loss 73.2 percent, during the 28 days of the breeding period. The results obtained allow breeders to choose the best pharmacological option to use FTAI in their herds based on their own needs to improve production without affecting pregnancy rates.