The ability to utilize low-quality roughage of swamp buffalo has been reported, thus, rumen of swamp buffalo might be a suitable source for isolation of potent fibrolytic bacteria. A total of 165 gram-negative cocci fibrolytic bacteria were screened from rumen contents of 4 swamp buffalo. Six isolates were identified as Ruminococcus flavefaciens and phylogenetically grouped with type strain. Strain OS14 showed the highest fiber digestion alone or combination with non-fibrolytic bacteria and higher than type strain. DM digestibility of cellulose powder in co-culture of OS14 with all strains non-fibrolytic was increased. Moreover, co-culture of OS14 with S137 showed the highest fiber digestion and notably increased of acetate and propionate. These results indicated that possible cross-feeding between R. flavefaciens with non-fibrolytic bacteria could improve fiber digestion but the amount of improvement might be based on the combination of bacteria strains. The in vitro fermentation products and abundance in co-culture need to be quantified in further study.

Buffalo milk is the most preferred commodity in Pakistan due to high fat contents. Hydrolysis of circulating triglycerides and uptake of fatty acids in the mammary gland is regulated by lipoprotein lipase (LPL). This study is designed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LPL gene among high and low milk producing buffalo breeds of Pakistan. We selected samples (n=50) of each Nili-Ravi a high milk producing and Azakheli a low milk producing buffalo breeds. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction. LPL region of exon 2 region along with exon/intron boundaries were sequenced and data was analyzed for variation detection. Allele frequency was calculated using Hardy-Weinberg equation and in-silico analysis was performed for functional prediction and genetic diversity assessment. We found one single nucleotide polymorphism c.258+43C GT T in the intronic region of LPL gene. This polymorphism followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both Nili-Ravi (P-value = 0.538) and Azakheli (P-value = 0.077). Association of T-allele analysis predicted it significantly higher (P-value = 0.009) in Nili-Ravi. We found one novel SNP (c.258+43C GT T) in the LPL gene in both high and low milk producing buffalo breeds of Pakistan but high in Nili-Ravi. Lower splice site effect suggests its less strength of association with milk producing trait.

This article details about successful management of prolong gestation associated with partial mummification in buffalo.

Nine buffaloes non-descript aged between 4 to 9 years affected by onion toxicosis were presented to Veterinary College, Hospital, Bidar, with the signs of anorexia, dullness, depression, staggering gait and passing dark brown coloured urine. On clinical examination affected buffaloes revealed tachycardia, polypnoea, pale mucous membrane, and coffee decoction color urine. Hematological examination revealed decreased values of total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume with leukocytosis. Erythrocyte indices revealed tendency towards macrocytic hypochromic anemia. Serum biochemistry revealed normal serum urea nitrogen and total serum bilirubin. Affected buffaloes were treated with vitamin E and Selenium along with supportive therapy of 5 percent dextrose and 8 buffaloes were recovered within 5 days of treatment. Necropsy findings of dead buffalo revealed pallor of tissue, jaundice, dark brown kidneys and urine and fragments of onion in rumen.

Vaginal cytology is a simple technique that can be used to determine the stages of the estrus cycle, if there are pathological conditions of the reproductive tract, and the optimal time of mating. There have been many vaginal cytology studies and it's clinical applications have been reported in many species. There have been few reports, however, about its use in buffalo. Buffalo are considered poor breeders as their reproductive efficiency is adversely affected by certain limitations such as: late maturity, seasonality of breeding, silent heat coupled with poor expression of estrus, low conception rates and long intercalving period. Accurate heat detection is one of the key factors to increase the conception rate. Vaginal cytology in combination with other heat detection methods can help in this process. The objective of this review article is to focus on the use of the vaginal cytology technique for estrus detection and other applications in buffalo.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the ultrasonographic morphometry of the reticulum in healthy non-gravid cattle and buffaloes from right and left parasternal and lateral windows and to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the prediction of penetrating metallic foreign bodies in the reticular wall in cattle and buffaloes. The study included 22 clinically healthy (11 cross-bred Indian cattle (Bos tarus and Bos indicus) and 11 Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)) and 26 traumatic reticulitis affected bovines (21 cattle and 15 buffaloes). Various parameters like, reticular wall thickness, depth of reticulum, pattern of reticular motility and wall, and presence of effusions were recorded to assess the penetrability of metallic sharp foreign body using ultrasonography.The reticular wall thickness varied from 0.34 to 0.82 cm and 0.37 to 0.68 cm in healthy cattle and buffaloes, respectively. In both the species, the mean highest reticular wall thickness was recorded on the left lateral side. Instead of typical biphasic motility, folding type motility was recorded in 72.73 percent healthy buffaloes and 27.27 percent healthy cattle from the left lateral side. The reticular wall pattern was recorded to be smoother in healthy buffaloes from all the windows compared to healthy cattle. The peri-reticular reaction in diseased bovine was least observed on the left lateral aspect of the reticulum and was maximum evident on the left ventral aspect of reticulum in cattle and the right ventral aspect in buffaloes. The reticular motility was present in maximum number of bovine despite adhesions present on rumenotomy. The cattle showed more adhesions for partially penetrating foreign bodies, compared to buffaloes. Despite non-penetrating foreign bodies, the peri-reticular effusions were seen on the ventral aspect of reticulum from both sides, though in less quantity. In conclusion, the peri-reticular effusions are maximum seen on the left ventral aspect in cattle and right ventral in buffalo in completely and partially penetrating foreign bodies; however, effusions may also be present in non-penetrating foreign body in cattle.

The histomorphological studies on ontogeny of Peyer's patches in jejunum of 20 buffalo fetuses ranging from 11.5 cm CVRL (80 days) to 100 cm CVRL (299 days) were conducted. The fetuses were categorized into three groups based on their curved crown rump length (CVRL). The fetuses of gestational age from 11.5 cm CVRL (80 days) to 28 cm CVRL (136 days) were devoid of typical jejunal lymphoid patches. However, at 32 cm CVRL (145 days) aggregates of 2 to 3 lymphocytes were observed arranged linearly in submucosa of jejunum Elongated to oval lymphocytic aggregations were observed in submucosa at 54 cm CVRL (195 days) that formed primordia of lymphoid follicle. The presence of darkly stained lymphocytes was also observed in the intestinal villi above the aggregates at this stage. At 70 cm CVRL (231 days), a number of round, pear shaped developing lymphoid follicles were encountered. At 100 cm CVRL (full term), completely developed lymphoid follicles of different shapes i.e., oval, pear shaped and square shaped follicles were present that were arranged in a single row on the anti-mesenteric part of jejunum. The dome of lymphoid follicle was completely formed at this age by invading the jejunal villi that formed arcs over it. Therefore, the present study suggests that the jejunal Peyer's patches started its development at mid-gestational age and become completely developed in the fetuses that reached upto full term just before birth. Thus these jejunal Peyer's patches generates immune response by sampling foreign antigens entering the lumen and play a crucial role in terms of generating mucosal immunity.

A total of 200 cattle of all age groups and sex were examined from various villages of Taunsa Sharif District Dera Ghazi Khan. The prevalence of babesiosis in cattle was investigated. The association between age, gender, season and prevalence rate are investigated by regression analysis. Blood samples were collected from tail vein of cattle in a tube containing EDTA. The collected samples were dispatched to Civil Veterinary Hospital, Taunsa Sharif for microscopic examination. Thin and thick blood smears were prepared and smears were stained by using Giemsa's staning technique. The smears were examined under microscope for the identification of Babesia. Out of these 200 samples, 70 samples were identified as positive for Babesiosis. Overall prevalence of babesiosis in these areas was recorded as 35 percent. The study was conducted during summer months (May 01, 2014 to August 29, 2014).

The objective of the present study was to identify the physico-chemical differences between experimentally fraudulent cheeses and those produced exclusively with cow and buffalo milk and to sensorially assess the consumer's perception of these products. Three types of cheese were produced using buffalo milk and cow milk as raw materials at different proportions, and total lipids were analysed; protein ash, moisture and carbohydrate contents were measured; energy values were determined; and affective sensory and purchase intent analyses were performed. The results indicated that 57 percent and 59 percent of the judges, respectively, reported liking the colour and texture of the mixed cheese very much and that they would certainly buy it. Regarding the composition, the fraudulent cheese had a lower energy value compared to the cow and buffalo cheeses and that the protein content of the fraudulent cheese was lower than that of the buffalo cheese. There were no significant differences in the carbohydrate or fat contents among the analysed products. Compared with the cow cheese, the mixed cheese and buffalo cheese had higher moisture contents. It was concluded that although the mixed cheese presented significant physico-chemical differences, it was considered acceptable product because consumers showed intent to purchase the mixed cheese.

A Nili Ravi buffalo distress with dystocia due to simultaneous engagement of twins (two male) cause impaction of maternal pelvis. Both foetuses delivered live through obstetrical manoeuvres per-vaginal.