The Present study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the pattern of calf mortality (0 to 1 year age) from 1992 to 1993 to 2015 to 2016 in an organized Murrah buffalo herd maintained at Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB), Hisar, Haryana. During the study period, highest calf mortality (8.35 percent) was observed inperiod P1 (1992 to 1995), while lowest mortality (2.64 percent) was observed in P7 (2010 to 2013) with an overall mortality rate of 4.94 percent from1992 1993 to 2015 to 2016 over the period of twenty five years.The overallage-specific mortality (9.5 percent) was observed highest in Group I: birth to three months age,while lowest mortality (2.5 percent) was observed in Group 3: 6 to 12 months age. There was no significant difference in overall sex-specific mortality (P LT= 0.01) over the period of twenty four years. Highest proportionate mortality rate (37.6 percent) was observed during winter season and greatest losses in terms of proportionate mortality rate (30.7 percent) were attributed to gastrointestinal plus pneumonia causes of mortality. Chi square test depicted statistically significant association of period, age group, season and cause of deathwith the calf mortality at P LT = 0.01. Retrospective investigation indicates that overall calf mortality rate from birth to one year of age was much lesser during the recent period (P7: 2.6 percent, P8: 3.1 percent) possibly attributed to good husbandry conditions including routine vaccination schedule, optimum colostrum feeding and improved nutritional management as contributing factors here for a steady improvement in the management and health status of calves through time. Based on findings of the highest mortality up to 3 months age (9.5 percent) in the present study, proper hygienic conditions in calf sheds, adequate healthcare, appropriate colostrum feeding and good husbandry conditions during this critical period are recommended to minimise the calf exposure to new infections.

The present study was undertaken to identify the difference in sperm kinematics in Murrah buffalo bulls in different seasons. Eight Murrah buffalo bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, ICAR-NDRI Karnal. Frozen semen samples of the bulls were obtained and sperm kinematic parameters were measured by computer-assisted sperm analyzer. The sperm kinematic parameters included curvilinear velocity (VCL), linear velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), distance of average path (DAP), distance straight line (DSL), straightness coefficient (STR), linearity (LIN), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and beat cross frequency (BCF). Morphological abnormality of sperm includes bent tail (BT), coiled tail (CT), distal droplets (DD) and distal mid-piece reflex (DMR). Analysis revealed that the proportion of BT was significantly (P LT 0.05) lower in winter and autumn season as compared to summer and rainy season. Percent of total motile and progressive motile sperm was significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in winter season as compared to summer and rainy season. The VAP, VSL and VCL of sperm motion were significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in winter and autumn season as compared to the summer season. The DAP and STR were significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in winter and autumn season as compared to summer and rainy season. DSL and LIN were significantly (P LT 0.05) lower in summer and rainy season followed by autumn and winter season. Post-thaw motility and motion parameter varied significantly between seasons, and higher sperm motility was maintained in semen cryopreserved in winter followed by autumn, rainy and summer season.

A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the effect of season and climatic factors on age at puberty, service period and successful mating of Nili-Ravi buffalo maintained at a Public Sector Dairy Farm in Okara, Pakistan. Records, spread over a period of 13 years (2000 to 2012), for 583 buffaloes were analyzed for this purpose. Age at puberty was calculated by subtracting date of birth from date of first fruitful service. Average age at puberty and service period were 1056.87+-83.11 and 193.81+-47.32 days respectively. Season of birth had a significant effect (P LT 0.05) on age at puberty. Calves born in winter had a shorter age at puberty (962.09+-9.81) compared with those born in other three seasons (spring, summer and autumn). Effect of calving season on service period was significant (P LT 0.05). Autumn calvers had the shortest service period (193.81+-47.32). Service period did not differ with calving year (P GT 0.05). Month of the year and successful mating (r = 0.67) were positively correlated with each other (P LT 0.05). Maximum and minimum number of successful mating were recorded in October (21.75 percent) and June (3.88 percent). The correlation between individual climatic factors (i.e. daily temperature, rain fall, sunshine hours, relative humidity) and successful mating was non-significant (P GT 0.05). It was concluded that climatic factors did affect the reproductive activities but their individual effect was non- significant in buffalo. However, season, a combination of climatic factors, had significant effect on reproductive activities.

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.

The aim of present study was to evaluate efficacy of Modified Co-Synch Plus Protocol with or without progesterone device for estrus induction, progesterone concentration and conception rate in Murrah buffaloes under field conditions during summer season. The study was conducted using 30 postpartum anestrus Murrah buffaloes divided in two groups. In Group 1 (n=15), the buffaloes were administered with PMSG 400 IU on -3 day, Buserelin acetate 10 micro g, on day 0, cloprostenol 500 micro g, on day 7, and on day 9 h CG 2000 IU. Thereafter, timed artificial insemination (TAI) was done at the time of h CG injection and 24 h later once again. In Group 2 (n=15), the buffaloes were treated with same protocol as Group 1, in addition to progesterone device, which was placed in vagina on day 0 and was removed on day 7 of the protocol. Thereafter, TAI was done as in Group 1. Plasma Progesterone concentration was estimated during the different days (-3, 0, 7, 9 and 10 day) of protocol. The estrus induction rate was 86.6 percent and 100 percent in Group 1 and Group 2 respectively showing very good estrus (46 percent), good estrus (30.7 percent) and poor estrus (23.07 percent) in Group 1 while very good estrus (46.6 percent), good estrus (40 percent) and poor estrus (13.4 percent) in Group 2. The conception rates in Group 1 and 2, at FTAI and overall including subsequent estrus were 46.2 percent and 61.53 percent and 53.33 percent and 73.33 percent respectively. The plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (P LT 0.05) on day 7 in Group 2 than Group 1 (4.16+-0.32 vs 2.30+-0.24 ng/ml). Both two protocol treatment during non breeding season resulted in very good estrus induction and acceptable conception rate in anestrous buffaloes.