Distribution pattern of phosphatases, oxidoreductases and non-specific esterases were studied in ovary of prepubertal, follicular phase, luteal phase and in pregnant animals. In the ovary of prepubertal buffaloes, distribution of phosphatases (AKPase and G-6-Pase) was negligible in the surface epithelium, tunica albuginea and stroma in the cortex region while it was weak during the follicular, luteal and pregnant animals. Its activity was strong in the primordial and primary follicles in all the phases of the reproduction. Strong to intense reaction was observed in the theca cells and granulosa cells. The luteal cells and blood vessels in corpus luteum of luteal phase showed moderate reactions while strong reaction was observed in the pregnant buffaloes. The enzyme reaction of dehydrogenases revealed that the steroidogenic cells were more active during follicular phase, luteal phase and pregnancy while weak activity was observed in the surface epithelium and tunica albuginea. Reactivity of diaphorases were weak to moderate in surface epithelium and tunica albuginea, moderate activity in theca cells and oocyte and intense reaction in granulosa cells of tertiary follicles and weak activity in connective tissue septa and intense in luteal cells in parenchyma of corpus luteum of buffalo. Activity of NSE was strong in the granulosa cells and corona radiate cells of secondary and tertiary follicles while it was moderate in the theca cells. Most of the enzymes were more active in pubertal and pregnant buffaloes compared with prepubertal buffaloes and could be correlated with the steroid synthesis. The difference in the intensity of enzyme in different compartments of ovary also correlated with the cells participating in the hormone synthesis.

Data on 4971 test-day milk yield traits [milk (TDMY), fat (TDFY) and protein (TDPY)] for 691 Egyptian buffalo cows, daughters of 120 sires and 532 dams were used for fitting the lactation curve parameters of milk, fat and protein yields using multiple-trait animal model. The random effects included in the model were direct additive genetic, permanent environment and error, while the fixed effects were herd test-day, year and season of calving and parity as well as days in milk as a covariable. The means for TDMY, TDFY, TDPY and lactation curve parameters [initial (a), ascending slope (b), descending slope (c), persistency (P), and maximum milk production during lactation (Ymax) and the peak test-day (PY)] were estimated. Heritabilities of TDMY, a, b, c, P, PY and Ymax were 0.22, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.37, 0.37 and 0.38, respectively. The corresponding heritabilities for TDFY and fat curve parameters were 0.21, 0.41, 0.40, 0.39, 0.38, 0.36 and 0.42, while the estimates for TDPY and protein curve parameters were 0.22, 0.38, 0.40, 0.40, 0.38, 0.40 and 0.43, respectively. Genetic correlations among TDMY and curve parameters of a, b, c, P, PY and Ymax were 0.31, -0.23, -0.34, 0.52, 0.48 and 0.87, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk yield traits were high (mostly of 0.83 and 0.99), like the correlations between curve parameter in milk, fat and protein (from 0.71 to 0.96). In practice, genetic selection for lactation curve parameters (a, P and Ymax) in the Egyptian buffalo would improve total milk yield traits.

An attempt was made to know the management system of intensive buffalo farming and buffalo derived -problems under semi-arid area of Bangladesh. Direct interview with farmers, farm observation, community discussion and key informant interview (KII) had been followed over six months in Dinajpur district. It was observed that buffaloes were reared under two types of management system namely household yard intensive (HYI) and completely intensive (CI). In HYI system, farmers purchased heifer or pregnant buffalo from local market and sold mother with calf after one year. Buffaloes were kept shed at night and maintained feeding, showering and other activities in the household yard at day. Those were showered by once-two times/week in cool day, but most of them were showered in a day. On the other hand, in CI system, buffaloes were reared inside the shed all time and maintain feeding, showering and other activities in the shed. Buffaloes were showered twice in a day in winter period while three times in summer period. Average milk production for each buffalo was 5 to 8 liter/day. Major productive and reproductive traits e.g. lactation Length (day), average milk yield (L/day), dry period (day), age at first pregnancy (month) and age at first calving (month) were found better in CI system than that of HYI system and those were found highly significant (P LT 0.001). Significant difference were found on total solids, fat and protein content but no significance difference were observed on SNF, lactose and ash of buffalo milk between two farms. Insignificant difference (P GT 0.05) was found for the value of electric conductivity (ECms/cm) that showed both farms produced healthy milk (3.25+-0.49 vs 3.09+-0.89). Both systems showed as a profitable venture (BCR 1.33 vs 1.25). Problem matrix revealed that the top ranked order of problem were "inadequate knowledge on buffalo rearing", "high price of feed" and "low milk price" mentioned as 1, 2 and 3. Shortage of feeds and fodder, high temperature and lack of cow boy were ranked as 4, 5 and 6. Limited breeder bull, lake of AI workers and inadequate quality semen and credit facilities mentioned as 7 ranked problem. It was concluded that ensuring training and marketing could help to improve intensive system of dairy buffalo that meet up the growing demand of milk in urban people. Simultaneously AI facilities with quality semen, HYV fodder cultivation and credit facilities should be promoted for sustainable dairy buffalo farming.

This study compared the effect of Kisspeptin-10 or GnRH administration on LH release in swamp buffalo during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Six animals were treated with a single intravenous injection of 1,000 pmol/kg b.w. of kisspeptin-10 or a single intramuscular injection of 10 µg/cow of GnRH agonist buserelin. For plasma LH analysis blood samples were collected every 15 minutes, 1 h before and 6 h after Kisspeptin-10 and GnRH administration. An increase in LH plasma concentrations was observed after GnRH administration but not after Kisspeptin-10 administration. The results of this study indicate that during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle, administration of GnRH, but not Kisspeptin-10, stimulate LH secretion.

Outcome of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is influenced by host genetic background. For this reason, polymorphism discovery association studies are a powerful tool for selective breeding helping disease control. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a regulatory cytokine produced by different cells and fine-tune immune response to bTB. Thus, in this research, we evaluated the role of the single nucleotide polymorphism g.4002C GT T in IL-10 gene for susceptibility to bTB in Mediterranean water buffalo. We characterized 184 animals grouped in cases and controls and demonstrated that homozygous subjects TT are about 3 times more susceptible to bTB compared to CC homozygous. Indeed this polymorphism is responsible of amino acid substitution p. (Thr 152 Met) in the primary protein sequence which affects protein secondary structure. This polymorphism might represent a valid tool for marker assisted selection against bovine tuberculosis in water buffalo.

Tropical theileriosis poses major threat for buffaloes causing significant economical loss to livestock farmers. Early detection and prompt treatment helps to minimise mortality and economical loss. This study was conducted on 79 female buffaloes presented with the signs suggestive of theileriosis. Evaluation of PCR for detection and buparvaquone for efficacy was undertaken. Overall prevalence of T. annulata infection recorded was 22.78 percent by PCR. Adult buffaloes showed higher prevalence (13.92 percent) compared to young buffaloes (8.86 percent). Blood smear examination revealed 38.89 percent sensitivity in detection of Theileria piroplasms. Haematological observations showed significant decreased values of Hb, TEC, PCV and TLC. Neutropenia, monocytopenia, eosinopenia and lymphocytosis were recorded. Buparvaquone was 100 percent effective in complete elimination of T.annulata in infected buffaloes.

A case of dystocia associated with malpresentation of atypical cyclopic monster with arhinic condition was delivered per-vaginally through fetotomy in a buffalo.

A 2 years old male buffalo calf was presented with a history of prolapsed mass hanging from of anal region from last 2 weeks with signs of straining and difficulty to defecate. Another signs included inflammatory signs on rectal wall, soiling with dirt and congested mucous membrane. The animal was treated under posterior epidural anesthesia using lignocaine hydrochloride 2 percent. The prolapsed mass was manually replaced and purse string suture was applied. Broad spectrum antibiotics and analgesics were administered postoperatively. Animal recovered uneventfully 8 post treatment days.

A postpartum swamp buffalo with a high body condition score (4.5/5) that did not show any signs of heat after calving (days open = 122 days) was submitted for reproductive examination. The buffalo was milked every morning and suckled after that the whole day. On examination, an ovarian cyst of about 3 cm diameter was palpated rectally in the left ovary, which was confirmed by transrectal ultrasonography and by measuring the plasma progesterone level 7 days later. The case was treated with a common treatment regimen of gonadotropin releasing hormone followed by prostaglandin F2 alpha 7 days later. The buffalo returned to estrus and was mated with a bull 16 days after the onset of treatment. This case study suggests that a regular postpartum reproductive examination should be performed for a timely diagnosis of problems, and that treatment with a standard hormonal protocol can resolve cases of ovarian cyst in swamp buffaloes.

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.