The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of glutathione supplementation on liquid storage of Surti buffalo bull semen. This study was performed on adult Surti buffalo bull (n = 6), and seminal ejaculates (24) were collected and evaluated for various microscopic seminal quality parameters for further processing. After preliminary evaluation, ejaculates of each collection session were mixed and divided into four equal aliquots. All the aliquots were diluted (1:10) with Tris fructose egg yolk citrate extender contained glutathione served as control (T0), whereas the other three aliquots were supplemented with 0.5, 2.0 and 5.0 mM glutathione which were grouped as Treatment-1 (T1), Treatment-2 (T2) and Treatment-3 (T3), respectively. Thereafter, the samples were stored at 4 ºC for 4 h, and various seminal parameters (individual sperm progressive motility, viability, abnormalities, plasma membrane functionality) were evaluated at equilibration. The results indicated that the mean percent values for pre-freeze sperm progressive motility, live sperm percentage and HOS responsive spermatozoa were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) (except individual progressive motility which was non-significantly higher in Treatment-3); whereas sperm abnormalities were significantly lower (P<0.05) in semen samples treated with glutathione (Treatment-1, Treatment-2 and Treatment-3) in comparison to control. The Treatment-2 (2.0 mM glutathione), had the highest pre-freeze sperm progressive motility percentage, live sperm percentage, HOS response sperm percentage and reduced sperm abnormalities percentage compared to other three groups.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of add supplement (FCS andE2) on culture media (Ham’s F-10 and DMEM) on in vitro maturation , in vitrofertilization(IVF) and embryo development. This study was conducted at thelaboratories of Theriogenology, Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, College ofVeterinary Medicine, Basrah University, during the period extended from January2017 to the end of April 2018. The samples of study were female reproductive systemand male testis (150 Ovaries and 30 testes) collected from (Al-Basrah abattoir house)after slaughter at fifteen minutes. All samples were transported in sterilize and cleancool boxes at (4-8ºC) within 1-2hrs to the center research unit. Oocytes were collectedby aspiration method. Only grad A and B quality oocytes were selected and incubatedin an appropriate maturation medium (Ham’s F-10 and DMEM) at (38.5 C), 5% CO2and 95% relative humidity for 24-28 hrs. Spermatozoa were obtained by slicing ofcaudal epididymal of buffalo's bull. Sperms with matured oocytes were incubated inan appropriate maturation medium at (38.5 C), 5% CO2 and 95% relative humidityfor 16 -20 hrs. then the fertilized ova were re-incubated in fresh media with changes50% of media every day and examined every 24hrs for( 4) days to follow embryonicdevelopment The results showed:There was high significant (P<0.01) difference in the percentage of Oocytesmaturation in Ham’s F-10 and DMEM with supplement (FCS and E2) media groupscompared with control media groups. The results also showed highsignificant(P<0.01) difference in the percentage of Oocytes fertilized in Ham’s F-10 and DMEM supplement (FCS and E2) media groups compared with control mediagroups.

The current study was conducted on a total of 204 Egyptian, lactating buffalo cows. These animals were in the second or third parity, of good body condition scores and apparently healthy. The animals were raised in intensive production system on a private farm. The buffalo cows were allotted into three groups, two of these groups were experimental and the third was a control group. The first experimental group included 30 buffalo cows were undergo ovulation control by Crestar® a subcutaneous ear implant ( 3mg norgestamet ) plus Crestar® injection i.m. ( 3mg norgestamet + 5mg estradiol valerate ) at zero day. At the 7th day of implantation, PGF2α was injected i.m., then Crestar® implant was removed at the 9th day with injection of PMSG 400 iu. Timed insemination was conducted 56 hrs later. The second experimental group (24 buffalo cows) was treated by the same program, moreover they injected with GnRH at the time of insemination .The third group (150) buffalo cows was bred naturally and used as a control group. For serum progesterone assay blood samples were collected from the animals of the two experimental groups at day 0, 7 and 9 of the Crestar program. The buffalo cows of the experimental groups were closely observed for estrus signs and were rectally palpated at the time of insemination for detection of the internal estrus changes. At day 50 post insemination all animals were rectally palpated for pregnancy diagnosis. The result of the current study revealed that the visibility of estrus signs were 20 %, 16.7% and 22 % for the first, second and third group respectively. Pregnancy rate was much higher in the second group associated with the injection of GnRH at the time of insemination. Two animals of the second group were carrying twins (11 %). Serum level of progesterone was significantly higher in the 7thday in comparison with those recorded for 0 and 9th day.

In the context of health monitoring of a group of cattle and buffalo farms in marsh and swamp areas, these animals displayed evident clinical signs of nutritional deficiency in addition to symptoms that included high temperature (41 °C or higher), swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, anemia, weakness, and decreased appetite. And, in some cases, cough. The presence of ticks in various areas of the body, especially the edges of the ear, the neck area and the area beneath the tail, indicated the possible presence of Theileriosis, a parasitic infection. Random blood samples were collected from sixteen individuals. Subsequently, DNA was extracted from these samples and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was utilized to amplify the small subunit of the 18S rRNA gene, which is highly specific for the detection of Babesia/Theileria species. The PCR procedure employed the GF (5'-G(C/T) (C/T) TTGT AAT TGG AAT GAT GG-3') and GR (5'-CCA AAG ACT TTG ATT TCT CTC-3') primers. The results were then compared to international isolates via an analysis of genetic nucleotide sequences using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLASTn) algorithm, available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This analysis unveiled a significant genetic resemblance between the 18S rRNA gene sequences and T. annulata species, suggesting the presence of this parasite. As a consequential outcome of this study, it has been established that Bos taurus and Bubalus bubalis, can be a new host for T. annulata, particularly in the southern regions of Iraq. 

The performance of a commercial ELISA (Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus antibody test Kit, Herdcheck®, IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA) designed to detect the presence of antibody to the Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) in bovine serum, was evaluated in samples of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) serum. Sera of 133 buffaloes without IBR vaccination were performed both by ELISA and standard serum neutralization technique. Sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 97.14% and 46.03%, respectively. The estimated concordance between two serologic diagnostic methods by kappa index was 0.44 IC (0.29-0.59) using 95% confidence level. | O desempenho de um ELISA comercial (Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus antibody test Kit, Herdcheck®, IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA) para a identificação de anticorpos anti-herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BHV-1), em soro bovino, foi avaliado em 133 amostras de soro de búfalos (Bubalus bubalis), sem histórico de vacinação para IBR, da Região do Vale do Ribeira, Estado de São Paulo. Tomando-se a técnica de soroneutralização como referência, o ELISA indireto apresentou sensibilidade e especificidade relativa de 97,14 e 46,03%, respectivamente. A concordância estimada pelo índice kappa, entre os dois métodos, foi de 0,44 IC (0,29-0,59), utilizando um intervalo de confiança de 95%.

Toxocara vitulorum is a nematode parasite of the small intestine of cattle and water buffaloes, particularly buffalo calves between one and three months old, causing high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this research was the characterization of soluble larval extract (Ex) antigen of T. vitulorum by Sds-page and Western blotting (WB) using immune sera and colostrum of buffaloes naturally infected by T. vitulorum. The parasitological status of the buffalo calves was also evaluated using sequential fecal examinations. The results showed that this antigen revealed eleven (11, 13, 16, 22, 25, 32, 43, 53, 68, 82 and 96 kDa) polypeptide bands by SDS-PAGE. Five polypeptide bands of higher molecular weight (43, 53, 68, 82 and 96 kDa) were recognized by sera and colostrum of all groups of infected animals when analyzed by WB. But only the fractions of 53, 68, 82, and 96 kDa that were more prominent persisted in the groups of buffalo calves during the beginning of the infection, at the peak of egg output, as well as during the period of rejection and post-rejection of T. vitulorum by the feces of the calves. On the other hand, sera of buffalo calves at one day old, after suckling the colostrum and at the beginning of infection, reacted with the same bands detected by serum and by colostrum of the buffalo cows. | Toxacara vitulorum é um nematódeo que acomete principalmente bezerros búfalos na faixa etária de um a três meses de vida, causando grande morbidade ou mortalidade quando não tratados. A pesquisa objetivou a obtenção do antígeno extrato larval solúvel bruto (Ex) de larvas infectantes de T. vitulorum, bem como a separação das frações antigênicas pelo SDS-PAGE e pelo "Western blotting" (WB), utilizando-se soros imunes e colostros de búfalos naturalmente infectados com T. vitulorum. O acompanhamento do quadro parasitário dos bezerros búfalos também foi realizado. Pôde-se verificar que o antígeno revelou 11 (11, 13, 16, 22, 25, 32, 43, 53, 68, 82 e 96 kDa) bandas protéicas. Quando analisadas pelo WB, cinco dessas bandas (43, 53, 68, 82 e 96 kDa) foram reconhecidas pelos anticorpos presentes nas amostras de soros e de colostros das búfalas e de soros dos bezerros búfalos com um de vida após mamarem o colostro. No entanto, somente as bandas de 53 a 96 kDa que foram as mais evidentes persistiram nos grupos de bezerros búfalos que se encontravam tanto no pico da infecção como no período de expulsão ou pós-expulsão dos helmintos adultos do intestino. As bandas antigênicas de 68 e de 92 kDa, por serem as mais proeminentes podem ser consideradas componentes para futuras vacinas contra T. vitulorum em búfalos.

Toxacara vitulorum é um nematódeo que acomete principalmente bezerros búfalos na faixa etária de um a três meses de vida, causando grande morbidade ou mortalidade quando não tratados. A pesquisa objetivou a obtenção do antígeno extrato larval solúvel bruto (Ex) de larvas infectantes de T. vitulorum, bem como a separação das frações antigênicas pelo SDS-PAGE e pelo "Western blotting" (WB), utilizando-se soros imunes e colostros de búfalos naturalmente infectados com T. vitulorum. O acompanhamento do quadro parasitário dos bezerros búfalos também foi realizado. Pôde-se verificar que o antígeno revelou 11 (11, 13, 16, 22, 25, 32, 43, 53, 68, 82 e 96 kDa) bandas protéicas. Quando analisadas pelo WB, cinco dessas bandas (43, 53, 68, 82 e 96 kDa) foram reconhecidas pelos anticorpos presentes nas amostras de soros e de colostros das búfalas e de soros dos bezerros búfalos com um de vida após mamarem o colostro. No entanto, somente as bandas de 53 a 96 kDa que foram as mais evidentes persistiram nos grupos de bezerros búfalos que se encontravam tanto no pico da infecção como no período de expulsão ou pós-expulsão dos helmintos adultos do intestino. As bandas antigênicas de 68 e de 92 kDa, por serem as mais proeminentes podem ser consideradas componentes para futuras vacinas contra T. vitulorum em búfalos.

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Iran represent an important source of meat and milk products with high biological value. Given the importance of water buffalo in Iran and the prevalence of brucellosis as one of the most important zoonotic diseases in this ruminant species, this study summarized available data on history, epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of brucellosis in water buffalo from previous studies that have been carried out in Iran. According to the documented data, there are three main groups of Iranian buffalo, including the Khuzestan ecotype (Khuzestan province); the Azary ecotype (Western/ Eastern Azarbaijan and Ardabil provinces); and the North ecotype (Gylan and Mazandaran provinces). Preliminary studies conducted on Iranian buffaloes either by serological or molecular tools reported that buffaloes' infection occurred due to natural exposure to a wild strain of Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis. Previous studies dealing with brucellosis in Iranian buffalo are next to none. This review notifies the importance of reliable and detailed epidemiological investigations of Iranian buffaloes through continuous monitoring systems of the health status of buffalo populations. Continuous test and slaughter strategy, vaccination, and re-planning of veterinary activities are required to mitigate buffalo's role in disseminating and maintaining brucellosis in Iran.