The study was conducted to maintain the leanness of meat while processing by substituting added fat with skim milk powder (SMP) without breaching quality attributes. Four treatments viz. control: 20 percent fat, T-1: sausages with 3 percent SMP, T-2: sausages with 6 percent SMP, T-3: sausages with 9 percent SMP, were tried to develop low-fat sausages. Water holding capacity and emulsion stability of T-3 were higher (P LT 0.05) amongst all, but could not pass sensory acceptability, however all attributes of T-1 and T-2 were higher than control, but comparable to each other. Thus T-1 was selected for further quality evaluation and compared with high fat products. The cooking yield, pH, protein content, oxidative stability along with sensory attributes of selected products (low-fat) were significantly (P LT 0.05) higher, however, vice-versa was true for shear press value and fat and did not affect textural properties. The results concluded that SMP (3 percent) incorporation could be a way to substitute fat while processing of meat giving 42 percent lower calorie content.

A field survey was undertaken to collect the health care and milking management practices opted by randomly selected 50 buffaloes farm owners in peri urban areas of Surat city and data were collected by using personal interview schedule. The present study indicated that regular vaccination and deworming practice adopted by 96 percent and 38 percent of the respondents, respectively. Only 20 percent of respondents did not adopted control of ecto-parasites practices. Only 38 percent of respondents treated their sick buffalo by veterinary officer. Majority (58 percent) of respondents did not followed grooming practice to their buffaloes. Sick buffalo isolated from healthy one was adopted by only 12 percent of respondents. All the respondents' clean udder and teats, wash their hands before milking and milked their animals at same place twice a day. Dry hand and full hand methods of milking was adopted by 24 percent and 18 percent of respondents, respectively. The use of oxytocin injection for letdown of milk after death of buffalo calf was adopted by 44 percent of respondents. Wipe the udder and teats after milking, teat dipping, testing for mastitis and teat canal sealing at the end of lactation was not practiced by any of the respondents.

The conventional drugs used for the treatment of buffalo mastitis are losing their efficacy day by day due to increasing resistance in microbial organisms. It is therefore people nowadays are going back to use old but still quite potential remedy methods by using different herbs and shrubs for the treatment of different animal diseases including mastitis. In current investigation, three botanical extracts viz., garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and red chilies (Capsicum annuum L.) were evaluated individually and concomitantly (with ratio of 1:1) against the multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from buffalo mastitis. Agar well diffusion assay exhibited that red chili shown significantly (P LT 0.05) higher effects than garlic followed by ginger. All concentrations of red chili and 100 percent concentration of garlic exhibited a significantly (P LT 0.05) higher inhibitory effect against Strep. pyogenes comparing with other extracts and reference antibiotic oxacillin and streptomycin. Red chili as well as garlic in 75 and 100 percent concentrations also significantly (P LT 0.05) inhibited the Staph. aureus isolates comparing with ginger and reference drug. Red chili exhibited the highest inhibitory effects when combined with garlic than ginger. Garlic + red chilies showed a significantly (P LT 0.05) higher inhibitory effect against Staph. aureus and Strep. pyogenes as compared to other combined treatments and reference drug. Red chili as well as garlic also showed significantly (P LT 0.05) lower MIC (0.394 and 0.399 mg/ml respectively) against multidrug resistant Strep. pyogenes as compared to the ginger (0.564 mg/ml) and reference antibiotic oxacillin (0.460 mg/ml). Red chilies also showed significantly (P LT 0.05) lower (0.211 mg/ml) MIC against multidrug resistant Staph. aureus as compared to the garlic (0.391 mg/ml), ginger (0.394 mg/ml) and reference antibiotic tetracycline (0.370 mg/ml). Treatment combination based on red chili, garlic and ginger also exhibited significantly (P LT 0.05) lower MIC value against Staph. aureus and Strep. pyogenes as compared to ginger + garlic and reference antibiotic. This study concludes that red chili ranked 1st, garlic ranked 2nd and ginger ranked 3rd for antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant Staph. aureus and Strep. pyogenes. Treatment combination based on garlic + red chili ranked 1st, ginger + red chilies ranked 2nd and ginger + garlic ranked 3rd for antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant bacteria isolates.

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.

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.

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.

The study was carried out to understand the effect of various concentrations of cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on cryosurvivability of buffalo spermatozoa. Twenty four ejaculates with mass motility GT= 3+ from 4 bulls (6 from each bull) were collected as per standard procedure. Each ejaculate was split into four groups viz., Group I (control: extended with Tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender upto 80*106 sperm/ml), Group II (treated with CLC 1 mg/ml), Group III (treated with CLC 2 mg/ml) and Group IV (treated with CLC 3 mg/ml). Semen samples of Group II, III or IV were incubated with CLC at 37 deg C for 15 minutes for the entry of cholesterol into sperms and finally diluted upto 80*106 sperm/ml. The results revealed that post-dilution and after freezing at 0.7 and 30 days of cryopreservation motility, live and dead, acrosomal integrity and hypo-osmotic swelling test were significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in Group III as compared to all other groups. However, significantly (P LT 0.05) higher percentage of abnormal sperm was observed in control group as compared to other groups. Therefore, addition of CLC 2 mg/ml in extender during buffalo semen cryopreservation has beneficial role in improvement of semen quality.

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.

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of inclusion of palm kernel meal (PKM) in the diet on intake, mineral balances and nutrient utilization in buffalo bulls. In 4*4 LSD, four graded Murrah buffalo bulls were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (T1 to T4) comprising of green fodder viz. Super Napier, paddy straw and concentrate mixture. In the concentrate mixture, palm kernel meal is incorporated at 0 (T1, Control), 10 (T2), 15 (T3) and 20 (T4) percent levels. All the concentrate mixtures were made iso-nitrogenous. Buffalo bulls in both the groups were fed to meet the nutrient requirements as per ICAR (2013) standards. Inclusion of PKM up to 20 percent level in the concentrate mixture had no effect (P GT 0.05) on the digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemi-cellulose and cellulose as compared to the control. All the buffalo bulls were in positive N, Ca and P balance. The average DMI of buffalo bulls expressed as g/kg W0.75 or as percent BW was comparable among the treatments. Inclusion of PKM at varying levels in the concentrate mixture had no significant effect (P GT 0.05) on DCP contents expressed as percent in the diet consumed or as g/kg W0.75. However, the TDN contents expressed as percent in the diet consumed decreased (P LT 0.05) with increased levels of inclusion of PKM from 0 to 20 percent level in the concentrate mixtures. Inclusion of palm kernel meal at 10, 15 and 20 percent level in the concentrate mixtures resulted in decreased feed cost by rupee 0.73, 1.09 and 1.46 as compared to the control. It is concluded that PKM can be included up to 20 percent level in the concentrate mixture of buffalo bulls without any adverse effects.

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.