This trial was conducted to check the effect of commercially available hydrolysable tannin (Silvafeed Bypro) on feed intake, protein digestibility, rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen in Nili Ravi buffalo bulls. Four cannulated buffalo bulls were alloted in 4*4 Latin Square Design. The diet consisted of 50% seasonal fodder and 50 percent concentrate. Four iso-caloric (ME: 2800 kcal/kg) and iso-nitrogenous (CP: 18 percent) concentrate rations T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated and supplemented with 0, 10, 20 and 30 g hydrolysable tannin respectively per animal on daily basis. Diets as a total mixed ration were given to the bulls ad libitum twice a day. The results showed that adding tannin in diet had unaltered effect (P GT 0.05) on feed intake, digestibility of crude protein, ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen. However, slightly increased numerical values were found for feed intake, crude protein digestibility and ruminal pH while slightly decreased numerical values were found for ruminal ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen at different inclusion levels of hydrolysable tannin in diet. It is concluded that numerical values for feed intake, crude protein digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen are slightly better but non-significant than control when buffalo bull were fed diets supplemented with hydrolysable tannin.

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.

The objective of present study was to assess the effect of Modified Co-synch protocol with or without progesterone device on estrus induction and conception rate in Murrah buffaloes under field conditions during summer season. The study was conducted on 30 postpartum anestrous Murrah buffaloes, divided into two groups containing 15 animals in each group. All animals were of parity between 2nd to 5th and body condition score of more than 3. Group 1 animals were treated with Modified Co-synch protocol. In Group 2 animals, in addition to Modified Co-synch protocol progesterone device was supplemented exogenously and kept in situ for 7 days. Another objective of study was to estimate plasma progesterone concentration on different days of protocols in both the groups. In Group 1, out of 15 animals that received Modified Co-synch protocol treatment, 12 (80 percent) animal responded and exhibited signs of heat after the prostaglandin administration and out of which four animal (33.33 percent) exhibited excellent symptoms, five animals (41.7 percent) showed medium category estrus and only three animal (25 percent) responded with poor estrus symptoms. Similarly in Group 2, all 15 animals that received Modified Co-synch protocol along with progesterone device for 7 days responded to treatment and expressed sign of heat and out of which seven buffaloes (46.7 percent) responded with excellent symptoms, five animals (33.3 percent) showed medium estrus symptoms and only three animals (20 percent) expressed poor estrus signs. In Group 1, out of 12 animals which were inseminated, five animals (33.3 percent) were found to be pregnant after FTAI at induced estrus and three animals (30 percent) got pregnant following AI during second estrus. Thus, an overall conception rate (53.53 percent) with pregnancy of eight buffaloes following induced and subsequent estrous was achieved in this Group. Similarly in Group 2, out of 15 animals, seven buffaloes (46.6 percent) were found to be pregnant following induced estrous and three animals (37.5 percent) got pregnant following AI at subsequent estrous. Thus, an overall conception rate (66.67 percent) with pregnancy of ten buffaloes following induced and subsequent estrous was recorded in this group. Concentration of progesterone in Group 1 was 0.24+-0.04, 1.38+-0.11, 0.31+-0.05, 0.25+-0.04 ng/ml (on Day 0, 7, 9, 10) and in Group 2 was 0.26+-0.04, 3.75+-0.40, 0.24+-0.05, 0.25+-0.05 ng/ml (on Day 0, 7, 9, 10). Therefore, it was concluded that progesterone supplementation in Modified Co-synch protocol treatment during non-breeding season results in very good induction and acceptable conception rate in anestrous buffaloes under field conditions.

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.

In this study, the status of water buffalo breeding in each geographical region in Turkey was examined, and the activities of enterprises were analysed from technical and economic perspectives. Four regions and the cities in these regions where buffalo breeding was concentrated in Turkey were chosen by Purposive Sampling Method, considering the number of water buffaloes, milk production and their share in the buffalo population and buffalo milk production in Turkey. A total of 462 sample enterprises were chosen from these cities by Stratified Random Sampling Method. The research data were collected through the questionnaires administered in face-to-face interviews with the producers. The data collected reflect the buffalo production in Turkey in 2014. The study examined socio-economic structures of the enterprises, revealing their capital structures and annual economic activities. The Marmara region ranked first in the time spent in buffalo breeding (26.62 years). Gross profit income was positive in four regions. Absolute profit and relative profit indicators were negative for farms in the Black Sea region and favourable for farms in other regions. For the development and promotion of buffalo breeding, the breeders should be further educated about better breeding practices, small enterprises should be modernized and expand their operations, efforts for the betterment of breeding practices should be intensified, existing wetlands should be protected and enhanced, the production costs (feed cost etc.) should be reduced, state subsidies should be granted to real producers, the public should be educated about the high nutritional value of water buffalo meat and milk through promotional campaigns, and buffalo producers should be better organized in producer unions.

Buffaloes were screened for theileriosis by routine microscopic examination and also subjected for characterisation by PCR technique. Blood samples were collected from lactating buffaloes in post partum period from endemic areas of Athagarh block of Cuttack district, Odisha, India. Genomic DNA of Theileria piroplasm was isolated and genus specific primers were used for amplification of small subunit ribosomal RNA sequences. The amplified PCR products of Theileria spp. were sequenced. Out of 86 cases examined, 21 and 31 samples were found positive by Giemsa stained blood smear method and PCR technique respectively. The PCR product was sequenced and analysed for homology. The identified nucleotide sequence had close sequence homology with Theileria orientalis and Theileria buffeli. These findings also support the fact that 18S small subunit rRNA gene is hyper variable among the species. The nucleotide sequence was submitted to NCBI and a new accession number (MN262069) was assigned.

This study focused on finding the critical controlling points in the swamp buffalo milking and storage processes in an intensive farm setting over a 12 months period (between June 2018 and July 2019). The raw milk and pasteurized milk samples were randomly collected once a month for laboratory testing by standard plate count (SPC) and total coliform count (TCC). The model for the investigation and implementation of this study was taken from the dairy cattle industry-which involves similar, though not identical, problems and issues. The first phase of this study was the problem finding phase. The collected raw milk samples showed that both the SPC and the TCC were higher than standard values and both contained environmental bacterial contamination. Escherichia coli contamination was found to be caused by improper hygienic conditions i.e. poor personal hygiene, inadequate techniques and procedures to clean and disinfect the milking equipment and milking area or from after milking issues such as high temperatures during milk storage and transportation. In the problem solving phase, protocols of good hygiene throughout the milking process were suggested and implemented. The collected raw milk and pasteurized milk samples for SPC and TCC decreased to the standard values after hygienic improvements were implemented. The hygiene of the milk workers (such as the hand washing), the lack of staff duty separation and the failure to properly regulate the temperature during, and duration of, the raw milk storage were found to be the critical controlling points of this study. In the follow up phase, the SPC and TCC of the raw and pasteurized milk tested in the standard value range throughout the monitoring period. Our finding suggested that client education and monitoring at least once a month might be necessary in swamp buffalo dairy farms in order to ensure good practices in the milking process. This study could provide guidelines for the development of a hygienic swamp buffalo milk production protocols for private and government farms and as a prototype for future developments in this industry.

The aim of experiment was to evaluate whether biostimulation by mature intact bull to anoestrus buffalo alters breeding performance associated with CIDR based oestrus synchronization protocol during low breeding season. Anoestrus buffalo that had calved 170.0+-10.6 (132 to 208) days before the start of the trial, were either exposed to bull (n=30, BE) or not exposed to bull (n=10, BN) for 12 days after CIDR placement (day 0). Animals received PGF 2 alpha on day 9, CIDR was removed on day 10 and Timed AI (TAI) was performed with frozen thawed semen at 48 and 60 h after CIDR removal. Buffalo were observed for oestrus detection twice daily for three days after CIDR removal. Blood sampling was done on day 9, 12 and 20 of the experiment to monitor the progesterone and cortisol levels (5 per group). Pregnancy test was done 60 days after insemination. Oestrus expression was noted in 68.97 percent (BE) and 60 percent (BN) animals (P GT 0.05). Progesterone rise above 1 ng/ml on day 20 was recorded in 4/5 (80 percent) in BE group and 2/5 (40 percent) in BN group (P GT 0.05). Conception rate was 37.9 percent (11/29) and 30 percent, (3/10) in BE and BN groups respectively (P GT 0.05). It is concluded that CIDR and fixed time artificial insemination can be used to overcome partially the problem of anoestrus and seasonality in buffalo. However, biostimulation in CIDR treated anoestrus buffalo did not increase the number of ovulating/oestrus buffalo during low breeding season probably due to a shorter exposure period (only 12 days) to bull.

Mehsana buffalo is one of the best dairy breed of buffalo in Gujarat state. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of non-genetic factors on Age at first calving (AFC) and Wet average (WA). The data set comprised 12560 records up to three lactations of 7870 Mehsana buffaloes, sired by 200 bulls from 1989 to 2013 under field progeny testing programme of Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana. The least squares maximum likelihood (LSML) program was used for estimation of various non-genetic factors on AFC and WA. The least squares mean with standard error of AFC and WA were 1383.30+-3.50 days and 7.00+-0.22 lit. Highly significant (P LT 0.01) effect of season and period of birth was recorded on AFC however, effect of clusters on AFC was observed to be non-significant (P LT 0.05). Further, highly significant (P LT= 0.01) effect of all the non-genetic factors (parities, season of calving, clusters, period of calving and age at first calving group) under study was observed on wet average in Mehsana buffaloes. The heritability of AFC and WA were estimated as0.11+-0.02 and 0.34+-0.03 respectively. Heritability of traits are useful for prediction of genetic response to selection and measure for accuracy in selection. Very high and significant estimate of heritability of WA. It was concluded that selection of Mehsana buffaloes may be based on this production trait in the herd.