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.

The study reports the physicochemical content of raw and pasteurization milk from Bhadawari, Mehsana and Nagpuri Indian buffalo breeds. The study demonstrated the protein, fat, lactose, total solid content, and percentage of casein of the raw milk for Nagpuri, Mehsana and Bhadawari as 4.5+-0.51, 5.4+-0.62, 4.8+-0.41, 7.2+-0.32, 6.1+-0.66, 7.0+-0.84, 5.4+-0.65, 6.2+-0.65, 5.1+-0.54, 17.2+-1.21, 18.8+-1.54, 18.1+-1.22, 10.8+-1.20, 11.4+-1.02 and 11.5+-0.98 respectively. The study further extended to determine the growth profile of Lactobacillus plantarum (LAB) isolated from sheep milk, in the milk of different buffalo Indian breeds. The isolate was identified as a LAB by 16S rRNA sequencing technique. These LAB thrived in the different milk were characterized by colony forming unit (CFU). The study finally revealed that CFU count was found significantly higher (P LT 0.05) in Mehsana milk as comparative to other milk treated samples of Nagpuri and Bhadawari buffalos.

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.

The present study was conducted to investigate the normal somatic cell count (SCC), associated factors in hygienic management and to define subclinical mastitis in buffaloes in Puducherry. Samples were collected from 50 clinically normal buffaloes stationed at different farms of Puducherry region. Somatic cell count was measured for all the milk samples using Newman-Lampert staining technique. The upper limit of SCC was determined as GT= 2, 00,000/ml of milk based on the mean +- 2SD of a total SCC. California mastitis test (CMT) was conducted for all the animals. In the present study subclinical mastitis was diagnosed on the basis of samples with SCCs GT= 2, 00,000/ml. In the present study 96 percent of the milk samples were negative for California mastitis test (CMT). The SCC of CMT positive quarter was significantly higher (P LT 0.01) than CMT negative quarters. Subclinical mastitis was found only in three buffaloes in the present study. Somatic cell counts were significantly higher in the buffaloes with subclinical mastitis. Regarding the hygiene, all the farms had poor management and improper housing. Proper education on hygienic management is need of the hour for buffalo owners of Puducherry region.

Mannose Binding Lectins (MBL) gene possibly contributes to bacterial infection resistance and was proposed as a molecular marker for milk production traits to control mastitis A total of 60 Murrah buffaloes were selected to characterize exon 2 of MBL1 gene to identify polymorphism and its association with mastitis. A 401 bp PCR fragment of MBL1 gene targeting g.2686T GT C was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Genotype analysis using PCR-RFLP revealed a monomorphic CC banding pattern. Sequencing was also carried out to explore other SNPs. The result indicates highly conserved DNA sequence in Murrah buffalo. This study provides preliminary information that the targeted region of MBL1 gene in water buffalo has no significant association with mastitis resistance which maybe a breed specific characteristic. Since present study has formulated the results based on a relatively small sample, further studies are required to validate these results in large samples.

The present study was designed to investigate histopathological changes of endometritis in 110 slaughtered buffaloes from local abattoir in Junagadh (Gujarat). Grossly, 44 genitalia exhibited thickening of uterine wall and presence of varying degree of mucopurulent/purulent exudate noted in 18 uterine samples. Histopathologically, the lesions observed were acute, subacute and chronic changes in 25.45 percent, 20.90 percent and 34.55 percent respectively. Acute endometritis was characterized by severe congestion along with marked stromal edema, degenerative changes and focal denudation of luminal epithelium, focal hemorrhage in sub epithelial zone, infiltration of inflammatory cells predominantly polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells in lamina propria, infiltration of mononuclear cells in glandular lumina and peri-endometrial glands. Subacute endometritis consisted of denudation of luminal epithelium, congestion, stromal edema and Focal haemorrhagic spot, infiltration of mononuclear cells in lamina propria, glandular lumina and around atrophied endometrial gland, glandular dilation, hyperplasiaof mucosal epithelium, atrophy of endometrial glands and thickening of blood vessels. The main features of chronic endometritis were desquamation of mucosal epithelium, infiltration of mononuclear cells and plasma cells in sub epithelial zone, dilatation of endometrial glands with degenerative changes, infiltration of mononuclear cells in glandular lumina and periglandular region with narrowing of glandular lumina, perivascular and periglandular fibrosis leading to severe thickening of blood vessels resulting in narrowing of their lumina and transformation of endometrial epithelial cells into low cuboidal against the normal columnar epithelium. Beside the above histopathological lesions three uterine samples revealed adenomyosis and twenty two genitalia showed metritis.

To investigate the prevalence of amphistome parasites in buffaloes slaughtered at different abattoirs of Rawalpindi and Peshawar district, Pakistan. The gastro-intestinal tracts and bile ducts were examined during the period of May to December, 2017. Out of 198 buffaloes, 39 (12.8 percent) were infected with multiple species of amphistomes. In present investigation, three species of amphistomes viz Paramphistomum epiclitum, Gastrothylax crumenifer and Gigantocotyle explanatum were identified. The higher infection rate was found in Kundhi breed 13.6 percent than Azi Khali and Nili Ravi. The males buffaloes (15.1 percent) and age group of 2 to 4 years (21.4 percent) had higher infection rate as compared to females and old animals The mixed infection of amphistomes did not show significant (P GT 0.05) association among breed, sex, age, contact with water bodies and grazing management of animals. The present results will contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of amphistomiasis in Pakistan for control and prevention studies.

Buffaloes presented to the Veterinary College and Research Institute Hospital with achezia were subjected to detailed anamnesis, clinical, haemato-biochemical examinations and ultrasonography. Ten buffaloes with functional ileus were selected by excluding the mechanical obstruction and peritonitis. These animals were administered with neostigmine, azithromycin along with intravenous fluids, streptopenicillin and flunixin meglumine for three days. Improvement in the clinical condition in terms of voiding of dung, resumption of rumination, feed and water intakes were noticed.

Habitat analysis, include biophysics environmental conditions of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has been conducted in June until December 2017 in Rambutan (Banyuasin) and Ogan Ilir (Indralaya) district, South Sumatra and the laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Sriwijaya, Indralaya. The purpose of research is to know swamp buffalo habitat characteristics at the district of Rambutan (Banyuasin) and Indralaya (Ogan Ilir) by physical, chemical, soil and vegetation conditions in the habitat of buffalo. The sampling method of buffalo was used purposive sampling method wheareas vegetation sampling using the quadrant method or plot. Data analysis techniques used are in qualitative and quantitative. The data is then presented in the form of tables and diagrams and narratives to interpret the data. Based on identification and field observations of vegetation conditions, Rambutan vegetation was consist of 15 species and Indralaya vegetation was consist of 9 species for swamp buffalo food. Temperature inside and outside of cage in Indralaya is 22.3 to 31.3 deg C while temperature in Rambutan is 23.2 to 32.8 deg C. Potential of hydrogen soil is 5.10 to 5.60 and always inundated by water. It can be concluded that the form of lowland biophysics environmental. Conditions of swamp buffalo dominated by grasses belonging to the family of Cyperaceae, Graminae, Fabaceae and Poaceae as the main source of food, while the state of the temperature is very supportive for buffalo habitat.

Congenital apocrine gland adenoma of tail on ventral aspect in between 2nd and 6th coccygeal vertebrae is reported in an infant buffalo calf. The histological findings are also discussed.