Murrah is a predominant milch breed of buffalo in India with superior genetic potential for milk production. Estimation of genetic parameters for production and reproduction traits is prerequisite for making breeding plan and efficient management decisions. This work was undertaken to understand the influence on performance traits by various factors (genetic and non-genetic) along with assessment of genetic parameters in Murrah buffaloes. The genetic parameters were figured using mixed model least-squares analysis. The results revealed that season and period in which animals calved, affects the performance of Murrah breed and may be considered during its evaluation. The heritability estimates for first lactation 305 days/less milk yield (305FLMY), first lactation total milk yield (FLTMY), first Lactation Length (FLL1), Wet average (WA), Herd average (HA), Age at first calving (AFC1) and Age at first service (AFS1) were 0.39+-0.10, 0.29+-0.09, 0.14+-0.09, 0.29+-0.09, 0.3+-0.11, 0.27+-0.09 and 0.22+-0.09, respectively. The phenotypic and genetic correlation amid 305FLMY and majority of another production trait were positive and significant. Thus, it may be concluded that appropriate estimation of genetic parameters leads to robust selection for performance traits for genetic improvement in Murrah buffalo.

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.

Out of the 290 uterine torsion affected buffaloes presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex Hospital, GADVASU, Ludhiana, gestation period was complete in 88.6 percent buffaloes and its most (66.2 percent) frequent occurrence was observed second to fourth parity. Most of the uterine torsion were post cervical (95.1 percent), on right side (93.4 percent), of GT 180 deg (82 percent) and presented within 36 h from the occurrence of uterine torsion. Sharma's modified Schaffer's method was attempted to detort 87.9 percent uterine torsion affected buffaloes. There were no significant (P GT 0.05) association of successful detorsion with gestation period, parity, side of torsion, position of torsion and degree of torsion. However, the duration of torsion were significantly (P LT 0.05) associated with successful detorsions. The overall survival rate of uterine torsion affected buffaloes presented at TVCC hospital was 63.4 percent, whereas the survival rate among the successfully detorted buffaloes was about 91 percent. The survival rate of the calves delivered was 18.96 percent and most (59.9 percent) of calves delivered were male. Calf survival and dam survival rate decreased with increase in duration of occurrence. The future fertility decreased with increase in duration of torsion. It is concluded that the increased duration from the occurrence of uterine torsion to its treatment decreases the chances of successful detorsion, dam survival and calf survival.