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.

The study was carried out to understand the effect of various concentrations of cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on cryosurvivability of buffalo spermatozoa. Twenty four ejaculates with mass motility GT= 3+ from 4 bulls (6 from each bull) were collected as per standard procedure. Each ejaculate was split into four groups viz., Group I (control: extended with Tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender upto 80*106 sperm/ml), Group II (treated with CLC 1 mg/ml), Group III (treated with CLC 2 mg/ml) and Group IV (treated with CLC 3 mg/ml). Semen samples of Group II, III or IV were incubated with CLC at 37 deg C for 15 minutes for the entry of cholesterol into sperms and finally diluted upto 80*106 sperm/ml. The results revealed that post-dilution and after freezing at 0.7 and 30 days of cryopreservation motility, live and dead, acrosomal integrity and hypo-osmotic swelling test were significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in Group III as compared to all other groups. However, significantly (P LT 0.05) higher percentage of abnormal sperm was observed in control group as compared to other groups. Therefore, addition of CLC 2 mg/ml in extender during buffalo semen cryopreservation has beneficial role in improvement of semen quality.

To evaluate the role of dietary supplementation of astaxanthin, prill fat and their combination on antioxidants and immune status of lactating buffaloes during heat stress. Twenty four lactating buffaloes (first to fourth parity) were selected and divided equally into four groups i.e. Group I (control), Group II (astaxanthin 0.25 mg/kg body wt/day), Group III (prill fat 100 g/animal/day) and Group IV (astaxanthin + prill fat). Plasma was separated from the blood collected at fortnightly interval for the analysis of antioxidant enzymes and interleukins levels. The levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly lower in astaxanthin supplemented groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to Group I and Group III. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine (Interleukin-2) was significantly (P LT 0.05) lower in astaxanthin supplemented groups (Group II and Group IV) compared to Group I whereas levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-10) was significantly (P LT 0.05) higher in all supplemented groups (Group II, Group III and Group IV) than Group I. Results showed that, dietary supplementation of astaxanthin (potent antioxidant) was able to alleviate the heat stress induced changes by lowering the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-2) and improving the levels of anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in lactating buffaloes during summer season.

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of inclusion of palm kernel meal (PKM) in the diet on intake, mineral balances and nutrient utilization in buffalo bulls. In 4*4 LSD, four graded Murrah buffalo bulls were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (T1 to T4) comprising of green fodder viz. Super Napier, paddy straw and concentrate mixture. In the concentrate mixture, palm kernel meal is incorporated at 0 (T1, Control), 10 (T2), 15 (T3) and 20 (T4) percent levels. All the concentrate mixtures were made iso-nitrogenous. Buffalo bulls in both the groups were fed to meet the nutrient requirements as per ICAR (2013) standards. Inclusion of PKM up to 20 percent level in the concentrate mixture had no effect (P GT 0.05) on the digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemi-cellulose and cellulose as compared to the control. All the buffalo bulls were in positive N, Ca and P balance. The average DMI of buffalo bulls expressed as g/kg W0.75 or as percent BW was comparable among the treatments. Inclusion of PKM at varying levels in the concentrate mixture had no significant effect (P GT 0.05) on DCP contents expressed as percent in the diet consumed or as g/kg W0.75. However, the TDN contents expressed as percent in the diet consumed decreased (P LT 0.05) with increased levels of inclusion of PKM from 0 to 20 percent level in the concentrate mixtures. Inclusion of palm kernel meal at 10, 15 and 20 percent level in the concentrate mixtures resulted in decreased feed cost by rupee 0.73, 1.09 and 1.46 as compared to the control. It is concluded that PKM can be included up to 20 percent level in the concentrate mixture of buffalo bulls without any adverse effects.

A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the effect of season and climatic factors on age at puberty, service period and successful mating of Nili-Ravi buffalo maintained at a Public Sector Dairy Farm in Okara, Pakistan. Records, spread over a period of 13 years (2000 to 2012), for 583 buffaloes were analyzed for this purpose. Age at puberty was calculated by subtracting date of birth from date of first fruitful service. Average age at puberty and service period were 1056.87+-83.11 and 193.81+-47.32 days respectively. Season of birth had a significant effect (P LT 0.05) on age at puberty. Calves born in winter had a shorter age at puberty (962.09+-9.81) compared with those born in other three seasons (spring, summer and autumn). Effect of calving season on service period was significant (P LT 0.05). Autumn calvers had the shortest service period (193.81+-47.32). Service period did not differ with calving year (P GT 0.05). Month of the year and successful mating (r = 0.67) were positively correlated with each other (P LT 0.05). Maximum and minimum number of successful mating were recorded in October (21.75 percent) and June (3.88 percent). The correlation between individual climatic factors (i.e. daily temperature, rain fall, sunshine hours, relative humidity) and successful mating was non-significant (P GT 0.05). It was concluded that climatic factors did affect the reproductive activities but their individual effect was non- significant in buffalo. However, season, a combination of climatic factors, had significant effect on reproductive activities.

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.

This study was conducted to analyze the consequence of prill fat and rumen protected choline (RPC) supplementation on performance of lactating Murrah buffaloes. Murrah buffaloes (n=18) were distributed into three groups (Control, T1 and T2) having six buffaloes in each, based on milk yield, fat per cent and stage of lactation. During the experimental period of 90 days, buffaloes in all the three groups were fed same basal diet, containing green fodder (Berseem), wheat straw and concentrate mixture to meet their requirements for maintenance and milk production. Buffaloes in Group T1 were daily supplemented with prill fat 2.5 percent of total DMI whereas; buffaloes in Group T2 were daily supplemented with 54 g rumen protected choline along with same quantity of prill fat fed as in Group T1. In contrast to the control group, overall milk yield (kg) of lactating Murrah buffaloes was significantly (P LT 0.01) increased by 0.99 and 1.78 kg in Group T1 and T2. The average 4 percent FCM (kg/d), ECM (kg/d) and fat yield (kg/d) was significantly (P LT 0.01) higher in Group T2 followed by Group T1 and Group control. There was no significant difference in milk composition of buffaloes except milk fat (percent) and total solids (percent) which were improved significantly (P LT 0.01) in supplemented groups. It was observed that prill fat supplementation in the ration helped to make better performance of early lactating Murrah buffaloes by enhanced milk yield and fat percent which can be further increased by supplementing the ration with rumen protected choline. Overall milk yield (kg) of lactating Murrah buffaloes was significantly (p LT 0.01) increased by 0.99 and 1.78 kg in T1 and T2 groups, as compared to the control group. The average 4 percent FCM (kg/d), ECM (kg/d) and fat yield (kg/d) was significantly (p LT 0.01) higher in T2 group followed by T1 and control group. There was no significant difference in milk composition of buffaloes except milk fat (percent) and total solids (percent) which were improved significantly (p LT 0.01) in supplemented groups. It was concluded that prill fat supplementation in the ration helped in improving performance of early lactating Murrah buffaloes by increasing milk yield and fat percent which can be further enhanced by supplementing the ration with rumen protected choline.

A case-control study was conducted to identify the factors associated with the success or failure of artificial insemination (AI) of buffaloes in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines. The cow-calf pair was used as the unit of interest in this study regardless of breed and number of buffalo cows the farmers own. Of the 24 selected barangays, an equal number of cases (38 failed AI) and control (38 successful AI) were selected from 78 farmercooperators of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) AI program and data were collected using a questionnaire. On the one hand, our study found that every year increment beyond the age at first breeding of the cow could predispose the animals to fail by as much as 2.5 times when compared to younger cows. On the other hand, a monthly increment in the calf weaning age may increase the likelihood of AI success by as much as 50 percent. These results imply that the age at first breeding must be conscientiously considered to allow optimal sexual and physical maturity of the breeding cows while ensuring that first breeding does not occur with too much delay. Moreover, while more mature calves have higher chances of success at weaning, provision of wallow during pregnancy also appears to support AI success as an effective method of cooling.

This study compared the effect of Kisspeptin-10 or GnRH administration on LH release in swamp buffalo during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Six animals were treated with a single intravenous injection of 1,000 pmol/kg b.w. of kisspeptin-10 or a single intramuscular injection of 10 µg/cow of GnRH agonist buserelin. For plasma LH analysis blood samples were collected every 15 minutes, 1 h before and 6 h after Kisspeptin-10 and GnRH administration. An increase in LH plasma concentrations was observed after GnRH administration but not after Kisspeptin-10 administration. The results of this study indicate that during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle, administration of GnRH, but not Kisspeptin-10, stimulate LH secretion.

Tropical theileriosis poses major threat for buffaloes causing significant economical loss to livestock farmers. Early detection and prompt treatment helps to minimise mortality and economical loss. This study was conducted on 79 female buffaloes presented with the signs suggestive of theileriosis. Evaluation of PCR for detection and buparvaquone for efficacy was undertaken. Overall prevalence of T. annulata infection recorded was 22.78 percent by PCR. Adult buffaloes showed higher prevalence (13.92 percent) compared to young buffaloes (8.86 percent). Blood smear examination revealed 38.89 percent sensitivity in detection of Theileria piroplasms. Haematological observations showed significant decreased values of Hb, TEC, PCV and TLC. Neutropenia, monocytopenia, eosinopenia and lymphocytosis were recorded. Buparvaquone was 100 percent effective in complete elimination of T.annulata in infected buffaloes.