Heat stress is major concern for maintaining optimum production in livestock. The improvement of productivity in dairy animals, exposed to adverse environmental conditions, is primarily focused on improving the microclimate and nutritional management of the animals. The experiment was conducted on three groups of animals comprising six adult buffaloes in each group. Two groups were exposed to heat stress in the psychrometric chamber (40oC), the third group was kept under ambient conditions as control. One of the exposed groups was offered ascorbic acid (20g/day/animal). The blood samples were taken at every 4th day up to 16th day. Samples were analyzed for the total plasma protein and plasma albumin. Results showed that as the days of exposure progressed, the level of stress increased which is evident from the elevated level of total proteins. When compared with the ascorbic acid supplemented group (7.28±0.09 gm/dl), the non-supplemented group had higher protein content (7.93±0.13 gm/dl). There was significant difference (P 0.05) in protein levels among the groups. The level of albumin also followed the same pattern as that of total protein but in heat stressed (2.42±0.17gm/ dl) and ascorbic acid supplemented animals (2.41±0.19 gm/dl), the globulin levels declined as compared to group kept at ambient conditions (2.79±0.33 gm/dl). Further, the Albumin:Globulin ratio was significantly (P 0.05) higher in heat stressed animals (2.78±0.43) and ascorbic acid supplemented animals (2.19±0.30) as compared to control group (1.61±0.37). It can be concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation would be beneficial to buffalo producers of the arid/ semi-arid regions in amelioration of stress challenge imposed by the harsh weather.

The buffalo calves became ataxic at 6.16±1.07 minute of acepromazine administration. There was good sedation. The animals stood up with ataxia at 131.5±17.80 minute and complete recovery took 211.83±6.94 minutes. Significant hypotension and tachycardia were observed after acepromazine administration. Midazolam caused ataxia at 3.33±0.76 minute and animals went into sternal recumbency at 34.0±15.85 minute. There was good muscle relaxation. Complete recovery took 183.5±10.92 minutes. Significant increase in respiratory rate was observed at the its peak effect. A significant reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was also seen at 30 minute of midazolam administration. Diazepam produced ataxia within one minute and animals went into sternal recumbency. It produced quick onset of action and delayed recovery. A significant hypotension was observed at 5 minute of diazepam with decreased pulse pressure. No change was observed in electrocardiograph on administration of acepromazine and diazepam but slight increase in the amplitude of primary T-wave was observed after midazolam administration.

In this study twenty four isolates of Pasteurella multocida were collected from field out breaks of Haemorrhagic septicaemia (H.S) in cattle and buffalo from various regions of the country from 1991-2001. The isolates were subjected to detailed cultural, biochemical and pathogenicity test in albino mice. The stereotyping was done by indirect haemagglutination test for determination of their capsular antigen. Serologically all the isolates were classified on the basis of their capsular antigen as Carter Type B. All the twenty four isolates produced oxidase, catalase and indole and reduced nitrate. They did not produce urease. All the isolates fermented fructose, glucose, sucrose and sorbitol and mannitol with the production of acid whereas dulcitol, lactose, silicon were found negative. Variable results were found among isolates on the fermentation of arabinose and maltose. It was concluded that all the isolates were serologically and immunologically homologous to H.S. vaccine strain produced in the institute.

One of the first potential biotechnology products for animals production is BST. Effect of BST on lactating buffaloes was studied 8 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were injected with sustained release formation Boosting-250, after 60 plus minus 5 days of calving. The overall increase in milk production was observed 18 percent and in milk fat 6.1 percent. BST is a protein hormone. Quality of management is the major factor affecting the magnitude of milk response to BST.

The ameliorative effect of salts, ascorbic acid olyphosphate and zinc oxide supplementation on heat stress was studied in adult buffaloes of either sex which were randomly divided into two groups of four animals each. Group I served as control and Group II was supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, ascorbic acid polyphosphate and zinc oxide. All the animals were exposed to two conditions of temperature and humidity: hot-dry and hot-humid in psychrometric chamber for 4 hours daily for 10 days. Blood was collected on days 1, 5 and 10 of treatment. The activities of enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH), hormone cortisol and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) binding substances (lipid peroxidation) were estimated in serum. Significant decreasewas observed in activities of serum catalase and SOD. Serum GSH concentration decreased while serum concentrations of TBA binding substances and cortisol significantly increased in both groups which were subjected to heat stress. Dietary supplementation of ascorbate, zinc and electrolytes resulted in further decrease in the enzymes' activities where as the serum GSH increased at par to normal values. Serum concentrations ofTBA binding substances and cortisol were comparatively lower in supplemented group in both types of stress. Thus, supplementation of ascorbate and zinc in addition to electrolytes relieved the animals of oxidative stress.

The present report was based on analysis of 410 cases (300 buffaloes and 110cattle) of reproductive disorders. Buffaloes (300 cases) constituted the major number of the total cases followed by cows (110 cases). Dystocia cases were the major obstetrical problem in buffaloes and cattle constituted 77 and 40 per cent, respectively.

Different segments of oviduct (infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and utero tubaljunction)of six buffaloes each during follicular and luteal phases of estrous cycle were studied. The samples were collected in 10% NBF processed for paraffin sectioning were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, PetiodicAcid Schiff, alcian blue and PASalcian blue. The mucosa was found thrown into longitudinal folds having primary, secondary and tertiary branches. Branching was more pronounced in infundibulum and ampulla as well as during the follicular phase as compared to luteal phase. The different segments were lined with columnarto pseudostratifiedcolumnarepithelium.The cellswere ciliatedand non ciliated type. In follicular phase, the epithelium showed strong PASreaction which was con~entrated in the supranuclear zone while during the luteal phase the reaction was moderate. The reaction was granular in nature. The epithelium was also strongly positive for alcian blue and PASalcian blue during follicularphase. Thepropria submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa showed weak to mild reaction for PASand alcian blue.

The effect of two thawing temperatures (37°Cfor30 sec. and 60°Cfor 7 sec.)on sperm survivability and conception rate in buffaloes with frozen semen of Murrah bulls was compared. Thawing at 60°C resulted in statistically significant increase (P0.05) in sperm survivability (motility,live spermatozoa and intact acrosomes) compared with thawing at 37°c. In all, 161 buffaloes were inseminated with frozen semen thawed at 37°Cand 159buffaloeswith semen thawed at 60°Cbetween 2006-07 and 2009-10. Conception rate of 64.15% and 50.31% was obtained with semen thawed at 60°C and 37°C, respectively, and the difference was significant (P0.05). Artificial insemination of buffaloes with frozen semen thawed at 60°C for 7 sec. could be safely used to improve both sperm survivability and conception rate in buffaloes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate cost-effective intervention for enhanced fertility in buffaloes, which could otherwise remain un-bred for variable long time. A total of 165 postpartum anestrus buffaloes were examined gynaeco-clinically at farmer's door. The animals identified with corpus luteum in either of the ovary, were treated with 500 £gg of Cloprostenol, single injection or double injection at 11 days interval (Gr. I). The remaining animals with smooth and inactive ovaries were randomly divided in three different groups. The group II animals were injected 100-150 mg progesterone for successive 5 days and single injection of 500 I.U. of PMSG on seventh day. The animals of group III were administered with 20 £gg of GnRH analogue and 7 days later, with 500 _Ýg of Cloprostenol. A second injection of 10 £gg GnRH analogue was given after 48 hrs of Cloprostenol injection. Group IV animals received 50 gm mineral mixture daily for 30 days along with 30 Nutrisacc boli (1 bolus b.i.d. for 15 days). The proportion of animals that exhibited estrus were 89.13, 86.84, 82.35 and 59.57% and the mean treatment-estrus intervals were 3.97¡Ó0.46, 4.38¡Ó0.49, 3.08¡Ó0.23 and 21.78¡Ó2.56 days in group I, II, III and IV, respectively. The animals detected in estrus were bred by natural service using fertile bulls and diagnosed for pregnancy per rectum 50 days post service. The first service conception rate was 46.34, 33.33, 53.57 and 28.57 % in-group I, II, III and IV, respectively, while the overall conception rate was significantly higher (78.57%) in GnRH-treated animals. The cost of treatment in different groups was Rs. 160 or 320, 220, 525 and 150, respectively. The results indicate that better fertility in postpartum anestrus buffaloes can be obtained by GnRH therapy though; the cost of intervention seems to be higher than other treatments.