The objective of the present study was to measure pixel intensity mean (Echogenicity) and pixel intensity standard deviation (Heterogeneity) of testicular parenchyma in constantly low or high sperm concentration producing bulls. The average sperm concentration/ml in ejaculate over thirteen month's period (GT= 100 ejaculates) was recorded. On the basis of sperm concentration, bulls were grouped into: Low sperm concentration (Group A, n=6: age 4.5 to 6 years) and High sperm concentration (Group B1, n=6: age 4.5 to 6 years and B2, n=3: age 7 to 7.5 years) for this experiment. Digital image analysis of ultrasound scan images was done to measure echogenicity and heterogeneity by using ImageJ software. There was no significant difference in echogenicity values between groups, whereas image heterogeneity values of Group A showed statistically significant (P LT 0.05) lower in comparison with B1 and B2. However, between Group B1 and B2 there was no difference. No correlation was observed between the echogenicity and heterogeneity values in any of the groups. Heterogeneity of echo structure may indicate the seminiferous tubule diameter, sertoli cell population and fluid density within tubules. In conclusion, lower sperm output was observed in testes that were less heterogenic at the tissue level. The heterogeneity values in bulls for rejection at the time of BSE (Breeding soundness evaluation) should be studied in more detail to have more insight and to incorporate in BSE of Murrah bull.

In this study, the status of water buffalo breeding in each geographical region in Turkey was examined, and the activities of enterprises were analysed from technical and economic perspectives. Four regions and the cities in these regions where buffalo breeding was concentrated in Turkey were chosen by Purposive Sampling Method, considering the number of water buffaloes, milk production and their share in the buffalo population and buffalo milk production in Turkey. A total of 462 sample enterprises were chosen from these cities by Stratified Random Sampling Method. The research data were collected through the questionnaires administered in face-to-face interviews with the producers. The data collected reflect the buffalo production in Turkey in 2014. The study examined socio-economic structures of the enterprises, revealing their capital structures and annual economic activities. The Marmara region ranked first in the time spent in buffalo breeding (26.62 years). Gross profit income was positive in four regions. Absolute profit and relative profit indicators were negative for farms in the Black Sea region and favourable for farms in other regions. For the development and promotion of buffalo breeding, the breeders should be further educated about better breeding practices, small enterprises should be modernized and expand their operations, efforts for the betterment of breeding practices should be intensified, existing wetlands should be protected and enhanced, the production costs (feed cost etc.) should be reduced, state subsidies should be granted to real producers, the public should be educated about the high nutritional value of water buffalo meat and milk through promotional campaigns, and buffalo producers should be better organized in producer unions.

To evaluate the role of dietary supplementation of astaxanthin, prill fat and their combination on antioxidants and immune status of lactating buffaloes during heat stress. Twenty four lactating buffaloes (first to fourth parity) were selected and divided equally into four groups i.e. Group I (control), Group II (astaxanthin 0.25 mg/kg body wt/day), Group III (prill fat 100 g/animal/day) and Group IV (astaxanthin + prill fat). Plasma was separated from the blood collected at fortnightly interval for the analysis of antioxidant enzymes and interleukins levels. The levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly lower in astaxanthin supplemented groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to Group I and Group III. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine (Interleukin-2) was significantly (P LT 0.05) lower in astaxanthin supplemented groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to Group I whereas levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-10) was significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in all supplemented groups (Group II, Group III and Group IV) than Group I. Results showed that, dietary supplementation of astaxanthin (potent antioxidant) was able to alleviate the heat stress induced changes by lowering the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-2) and improving the levels of anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in lactating buffaloes during summer season.

Raw milk samples of 503 individual buffaloes were collected from dairy farms located in Agra and Mathura cities in North India. Multiple tests (Indirect Fluorescent Agglutination test (i_FAT), IS900 PCR, Microscopy, Indigenous ELISA kit (i_ELISA), Dot-ELISA (d_ELISA) and Latex agglutination test (LAT)) based bio-load and bio-type profile of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) was studied. Cumulatively average bio-load was 61.2 percent using three antigen and three antibody based. In i_FAT, IS900 PCR and microscopy, 43.5, 13.3 and 40.9 percent milk were positive for MAP, respectively. Whereas, 32.8, 49.3 and 44.1 percent milk samples were positive in i_ELISA, d_ELISA and LAT, respectively. Bio-typing of representative milk samples using IS900 PCR positive raw milk (67), 13.4 percent were infected with 'Indian Bison Type' biotype using IS1311 PCR_REA. Study concluded that 'Indian Bison type' was the predominant bio-type infecting lactating buffaloes of this region. Raw milk was highly convenient sample in buffaloes and 'milk samples' were first time screened without initial processing of milk samples. Detection limits of each tests was improved. Results of five tests (d_ELISA, LAT, i_ELISA, microscopy, i_FAT were comparable, except IS900 PCR. High bio-load of MAP in milk of buffaloes was major health hazard for human health. High bio-load of MAP was alarming and calls for initiation of Johne's disease control programs in the country.

Present study was undertaken to appraise dynamic changes in metabolic and hormonal profile in water buffaloes during post parturient peak lactation. Total 30 early lactating buffaloes were studied and compared at two points, first at 15 to 20 days and second at 40 to 45 days post calving. The parameters investigated were milk yield, milk composition, blood glucose, beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHBA), glucagon, Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxin (T4). Farm history, milk samples and blood samples were collected at two time points from all the buffaloes for analysis. Buffaloes during post parturient peak lactation showed significant (P LT 0.05) changes in milk yield and milk fat and non-significant (P LT 0.05) changes in milk SNF percentage, glucose, BHBA, glucagon T3, and T4, respectively. In the conclusion, study recorded deviation in metabolic and hormonal profile during early peak lactation.

In the present study, the buffalo having surgical affections of claw were divided randomly in to two groups having six animals in each group. Tourniquet was placed circumferentially at the middle of the metacarpus in Group I (standard IVRA) and just below dewclaw in Group II (modified IVRA) animals. In Group I animals, lignocaine hydrochloride and dexmedetomidine mixture was injected 4 mg/kg and 5 micro g/kg b.wt in the radial vein. However, in Group II above drugs were injected in half doses in the axial digital vein. Heart rate and respiration rate decreased significantly in both group of animals. In Group I pulse rate decreased significantly (P LT 0.05). After removal of tourniquet no significant changes in HR, PR and RR was observed in both groups of animals. Peripheral oxygen saturation (percent) decreased significantly in both groups of animals even after removal of tourniquet. Systolic and diastolic pressure significantly (P LT 0.05) decreased in both group of animals. Mean arterial pressure decreased significantly (P LT 0.05) in both groups at 5 and 10 minutes interval. In Group II animals, the value increased significantly at 20 and 40 minutes interval. Sensory and motor block onset time was lower in Group II as compared to Group I animals. SBRT was more in Group II animals and MBRT was more or less similar in both groups. None of the animal of both group showed sign of toxicity except stumbling in 4 animals of Group I just after release of tourniquet.

Rumen microorganism community population and diversity in the swamp buffloes (Bubalus bulalis) were assessed by 4 types of treated rice straw. Four, yearling swamp buffalo were randomly assigned to a 4*4 Latin square design. The animals were fed with concentrate at 0.5 percent BW and were offered ad libitum with roughages, rice straw (RS), urea treated rice straw (UTS), yeast treated rice straw (YTS) and urea-lime treated rice straw (ULTS). It was found that intake and ruminal NH3-N were significantly different among dietary treatments and were found higher in swamp buffalo fed with YTS (P LT 0.05). Total VFAs were significantly different with roughage in swamp buffalo. Molar proportions of individual VFA in swamp buffalo were not affected by roughage sources. Feeding with YTS or ULTS increased cellulolytic bacteria population, particularly, the distribution of predominant bacteria, F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, and R. albus, respectively. The results from this study suggest that swamp buffaloes fed on yeast treated rice straw could improve rumen fermentation efficiency, rumen fibrolytic microbes' quantity and rumen ecology for the host buffaloes.

In present investigation therapeutic efficacy of three most commonly used anti-trypanosomal drugs (isometamidium chloride hydrochloride, diminazine aceturate, and quinapyramine sulphate) were studied. Evaluations of therapeutic efficacy were assessed done on the basis of percent recovery assessment, hematological and biochemical alteration on day 0, day 7th and day 14th post treatment. All three drugs were found effective against the trypanosomosis in buffalo but the extent of improvement in terms of hematological values, biochemical values and percent recovery was observed maximum in the treatment with isometamidium chloride hydrochloride followed by diminazene aceturate and least with the quinapyramine sulphate.

The objectives of this study was to compare morphological characteristics and to establish evolutionary relationship of 14 Thai dwarf buffaloes and 21 swamp buffaloes based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop variations. Morphological characteristics could be constructed phylomorphologic tree and showed clearly classified between dwarf and swamp buffaloes. Most of morphologic traits were highly significant difference adult contest swamp buffaloes (P LT 0.01) from 9 contest swamp buffaloes. Only morphological traits of length between eye, length between base of horn, horn length and horn width were not significant difference (P GT 0.05). Average shoulder height of Thai dwarf buffaloes were 108.33+-2.08 cm, whereas average shoulder height of contest swamp buffaloes were 156.78+-4.21 cm. Thai dwarf buffaloes would be defined as disproportional dwarfism. Sequences of mtDNA D-loop (374 bp) of dwarf and normal swamp buffaloes with reference sequences showed 84 polymorphic sites and defined as 12 and 11 haplotypes, respectively. It was noticed that transversion in Thai dwarf buffaloes occurred twice time of normal swamp buffaloes. Phylogenetic tree showed 2 clades of water buffaloes. Swamp buffaloes were classified into lineage A and lineage B, in which lineage A was more predominant than lineage B. Median joining network showed 2 clades of river and swamp buffaloes. Swamp buffalo (SaenCP) in lineage A1 seem to be ancestral node of some Thai swamp buffaloes, Chinese swamp buffaloes and Philippines carabao. Most of dwarf swamp buffaloes were in lineage A2 and dwarf swamp buffalo with no horn, black color- coat was latter evolution.

Data on Egyptian buffalo were analyzed to estimate the effect of age at first calving (AFC, mo) classes on some productive traits [milk yield (MY, kg), milk yield per day, (MY/D, kg), and lactation period (LP, d) and reproductive traits [calving interval (CI, d) and number of services per conception (NSPC, count). Means for AFC were 916+-41, 1143+-72 and 1414+-119 days for early, average and late respectively. Additionally, means of milk yield (MY) for mentioned three levels of AFC were 1780+-774, 1920+-607 and 2040+-812 kg, respectively. Economic evaluations indicated that the profit per buffalo cow during the lifetime production were L.E 62960 (us dollars 3778), L.E 38538 (us dollars 2312) and L.E 3695 (us dollars 222) of early, average and late AFC, respectively. Reducing AFC was a positive influence on lifetime profit per buffalo cow. Lifetime profit rises to about L.E 24400, L.E 59200, and L.E 34800 when AFC decreased to 30 months from (38 months), to 30 months from (55 months) and to 38 months from (55 months), respectively. Heritability estimates for MY, MY/D, LP, CI, NSPC and AFC were 0.39+-0.09, 0.31+-0.07, 0.21+-0.08, 0.15+-0.06, 0.11+-0.07 and 0.57+-0.18, respectively. Genetic correlations between AFC and MY, MY/D, LP, CI, NSPC were -0.146+-0.33, -0.382+-0.30, +0.038+-0.47, +0.530+-0.49 and +0.311+-0.63, successively. The present results revealed that the buffaloes having late AFC were unprofitable during her productive life in the farm, but still needs further investigation of large data with different geographical area and management conditions.