The Water buffalo [Malaysia].
1983
Jainudeen M.R.
Research conducted in production, cytogenetics, physiology, nutrition and diseases of the swamp type of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia during the period 1973-1983 is reviewd. Studies in reproduction focussed on the regulation of the oestrous cycle and semen preservation culminating in artificial insemination and cross-breeding of the swamp and river buffalo. The long calving internal in the suckled water buffalo is due to a failure in the resumption of ovarian cyclicity following parturation resulting from an inhibitory effect of suckling. The chrmosomes polymorphism in the river (2n=50) and swamp (2n=48) buffaloes is due to a tandem fusion of two pairs of chromosomes in the latter. Both male and female crossbreds (2n=49) are fertile. Biochemical polymorphismexists for hemoglobin and serum proteins. Fallowing is a thermo-regulatory mechanism. Hematological parameters differ from those of cattle. There are no differences between buffaloes and cattle in the dressing percentage and the percent of muscle and bones in the carcas. Current studies suggest that the buffalo is capable of optimizing the utilization of low quality feeds such as palm pressed fibre. There is serological evidence for the existence of several infectious diseases but their role is obscure. Emmerging trends and some future development needs in water buffalo research are discussed.
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