During the last years buffalo reproductive researchers have been tried to develop and apply fixed timed artificial insemination protocols to increase pregnancy rates to maximize improvement. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the pregnancy rates of different protocols of synchronization (Ovsynch and progesterone implants) and resynchronization of ovulation in a meat water buffalo herd during reproductive season of 2016. 194 mature Mediterranean females, were randomly assigned to four different protocols, ultrasound evaluation were used to determine cyclicity (presence of corpus luteum or follicles GT= 7 mm de diameter). 18 days after insemination all females were resynchronized and at day 25 ultrasound were performed, those nonpregnant females were inseminated 28 days after first insemination. All inseminations were performed by the same technician and only one bull was used. InfoStat software was used, statistical significance was considered when p value was lower than α of the 5 percent. No statistical significance were found within the protocols. Early embryonic dead 50 days after IA was 3.4 percent. Pregnancy rate was 47.9 percent and 53.5 percent for insemination and reinsemination respectively and the final pregnancy rate after the adjust for early pregnancy loss 73.2 percent, during the 28 days of the breeding period. The results obtained allow breeders to choose the best pharmacological option to use FTAI in their herds based on their own needs to improve production without affecting pregnancy rates.

The aim of present study was to evaluate efficacy of Modified Co-Synch Plus Protocol with or without progesterone device for estrus induction, progesterone concentration and conception rate in Murrah buffaloes under field conditions during summer season. The study was conducted using 30 postpartum anestrus Murrah buffaloes divided in two groups. In Group 1 (n=15), the buffaloes were administered with PMSG 400 IU on -3 day, Buserelin acetate 10 micro g, on day 0, cloprostenol 500 micro g, on day 7, and on day 9 h CG 2000 IU. Thereafter, timed artificial insemination (TAI) was done at the time of h CG injection and 24 h later once again. In Group 2 (n=15), the buffaloes were treated with same protocol as Group 1, in addition to progesterone device, which was placed in vagina on day 0 and was removed on day 7 of the protocol. Thereafter, TAI was done as in Group 1. Plasma Progesterone concentration was estimated during the different days (-3, 0, 7, 9 and 10 day) of protocol. The estrus induction rate was 86.6 percent and 100 percent in Group 1 and Group 2 respectively showing very good estrus (46 percent), good estrus (30.7 percent) and poor estrus (23.07 percent) in Group 1 while very good estrus (46.6 percent), good estrus (40 percent) and poor estrus (13.4 percent) in Group 2. The conception rates in Group 1 and 2, at FTAI and overall including subsequent estrus were 46.2 percent and 61.53 percent and 53.33 percent and 73.33 percent respectively. The plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (P LT 0.05) on day 7 in Group 2 than Group 1 (4.16+-0.32 vs 2.30+-0.24 ng/ml). Both two protocol treatment during non breeding season resulted in very good estrus induction and acceptable conception rate in anestrous buffaloes.

The present study was conducted on 10 buffalo foetii ranging from 13.5 cm CVRL to 98 cm CVRL (89 to 295 days). After collection the tissue samples were processed for transmission electron microscopy. The efferent ductules of buffalo foetii were lined with simple columnar epithelium with ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The ciliated cells were few in number in comparison to the non-ciliated cells. The ciliated cells were characterized by presence of cilia on apical surface with typical 9+2 arrangement and their basal bodies just beneath the apical plasma lemma. Whereas the non-ciliated cells were devoid of cilia. The supra-nuclear cytoplasm of non-ciliated cells contained many coated vesicles. In the later stage of development some migratory intraepithelial and peritubular leukocytes were also observed. The tight junctions found to be poorly developed in the epithelial lining of efferent ductules at 13.5 cm CVRL (89 days) and were well developed at 19.5 cm CVRL (116 days) onwards. In early stage of development efferent ductules were surrounded with the mesenchymal tissue which after condensation differentiated into smooth muscle cells in later stage of development.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the ultrasonographic morphometry of the reticulum in healthy non-gravid cattle and buffaloes from right and left parasternal and lateral windows and to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the prediction of penetrating metallic foreign bodies in the reticular wall in cattle and buffaloes. The study included 22 clinically healthy (11 cross-bred Indian cattle (Bos tarus and Bos indicus) and 11 Indian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)) and 26 traumatic reticulitis affected bovines (21 cattle and 15 buffaloes). Various parameters like, reticular wall thickness, depth of reticulum, pattern of reticular motility and wall, and presence of effusions were recorded to assess the penetrability of metallic sharp foreign body using ultrasonography.The reticular wall thickness varied from 0.34 to 0.82 cm and 0.37 to 0.68 cm in healthy cattle and buffaloes, respectively. In both the species, the mean highest reticular wall thickness was recorded on the left lateral side. Instead of typical biphasic motility, folding type motility was recorded in 72.73 percent healthy buffaloes and 27.27 percent healthy cattle from the left lateral side. The reticular wall pattern was recorded to be smoother in healthy buffaloes from all the windows compared to healthy cattle. The peri-reticular reaction in diseased bovine was least observed on the left lateral aspect of the reticulum and was maximum evident on the left ventral aspect of reticulum in cattle and the right ventral aspect in buffaloes. The reticular motility was present in maximum number of bovine despite adhesions present on rumenotomy. The cattle showed more adhesions for partially penetrating foreign bodies, compared to buffaloes. Despite non-penetrating foreign bodies, the peri-reticular effusions were seen on the ventral aspect of reticulum from both sides, though in less quantity. In conclusion, the peri-reticular effusions are maximum seen on the left ventral aspect in cattle and right ventral in buffalo in completely and partially penetrating foreign bodies; however, effusions may also be present in non-penetrating foreign body in cattle.

The study evaluated the antibody response and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels in naive bovine calves from a Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus (FMDV) potency test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from blood samples and total RNA was extracted. Two step quantitative (Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used for measurement of IFN-gamma specific mRNA. Plasma samples were screened to detect anti-non structural proteins (NSP) antibodies for FMDV in 3AB NSP antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma samples were found free for anti- NSP antibodies for FMDV in vaccinated bovine calves as evaluated in 3AB NSP antibody ELISA test. Increase in mRNA expression level of IFN-gamma after 15 days post vaccination (DPV) was found unequivocally in all five vaccinated calves (more than two-fold increase in 4 out of 5 calves). Liquid phase blocking ELISA (LPBE) test results also revealed highest humoral antibody response on 15 DPV. Monovalent FMDV vaccination elicited highest antibody titre on 15 DPV in correlation with elevated IFN-gamma mRNA level. Humoral and cellular immunity both play important role in protection against FMDV. The study will help in further understanding the role played by both the humoral and cellular immune response against FMDV.

A total of 200 cattle of all age groups and sex were examined from various villages of Taunsa Sharif District Dera Ghazi Khan. The prevalence of babesiosis in cattle was investigated. The association between age, gender, season and prevalence rate are investigated by regression analysis. Blood samples were collected from tail vein of cattle in a tube containing EDTA. The collected samples were dispatched to Civil Veterinary Hospital, Taunsa Sharif for microscopic examination. Thin and thick blood smears were prepared and smears were stained by using Giemsa's staning technique. The smears were examined under microscope for the identification of Babesia. Out of these 200 samples, 70 samples were identified as positive for Babesiosis. Overall prevalence of babesiosis in these areas was recorded as 35 percent. The study was conducted during summer months (May 01, 2014 to August 29, 2014).

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is a causative agent of Johne's disease, a disease with considerable economic impact on dairy buffalo herds. The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of MAP infection in buffaloes and its excretory pattern through buffalo milk. A total of 74 milk samples were collected from apparently healthy buffaloes of organized and unorganized sectors located in Tamil Nadu and subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining and Polymerase chain reaction (IS900 and F57 genes). Out of 74 samples, 3 (4.1 percent), 21 (28.4 percent) and 14 (18.9 percent) samples shed MAP organism by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, IS900 PCR and F57 PCR respectively. Besides age of the animal, stage of lactation and herd management were associated with excretion of MAP in milk. These results showed the high prevalence of MAP infection in buffaloes and warrants further studies and necessary actions to delineate the MAP infection in buffalo population.

Animal husbandry is the mainstay of economy of resource poor farmers' in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP). Average milk yield of indigenous cattle was recorded only 2.75+-0.66 kg/day compared to 7.55+-1.20 kg/day in improved cattle. Accordingly, milk yield was recorded to be 3.06+-0.86 and 5.12+-1.71 kg/day in indigenous and improved buffalo. Rearing of improved livestock resulted into 2-fold higher energy inputs compared to indigenous ones. However, energy output was highest through milk in case of indigenous as well as improved breeds of cattle and buffalo. Economic analysis revealed that cost of human labour was highest (GT 40 percent) for rearing of indigenous livestock, followed by dry fodder (GT 25 percent). In case of improved livestock, cost of concentrate feed had maximum input (GT 30 percent). On average, 2000 to 2100 square m of fodder area is required to feed one unit of improved livestock in EIGP. Net monetary benefit was highest for improved cattle (US Dollar 523.10), followed by improved buffalo (US Dollar 135.68). The data indicated that animal husbandry is an important food production system in EIGP besides food crops and both the systems have been found complimentary to one another through emphasis on resource recycling.

Udder length, width and height are very important parameters to identify good dairy animals. Udder measurements including length, width and height on 437 Nili Ravi buffaloes were recorded before and after miking with 1180 records at 6 Experimental Stations in Punjab, Pakistan. Heritabilities were estimated using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction techniques. Environmental factors viz age of the buffalo at scoring, stage of lactation, parity, herd and season were included in the model. Least square means for udder length, width and height before milking were found as 52.65+-6.87, 53.52+-6.19 and 54.34+-4.99 cm and after milking as 47.08+-6.57, 48.15+-5.79 and 55.39+-5.15 cm, respectively. Heritability estimates for udder length, width and height before milking were found as 0.08+-0.07, 0.22+-0.08 and 0.22+-0.09, while after milking as 0.14+-0.07, 0.20+-0.08 and 0.09+-0.08, respectively. All the factors significantly affected before milking udder length. A significant effect of herd, parity, season of scoring and age on udder width before milking was observed. Herd, stage of lactation, parity and age of the buffalo at scoring significantly affected udder height before milking. Significant effect of herd, parity, stage of lactation and age of the buffaloes at classification on most of the traits suggest that managemental factors are important. Moderate heritability estimates for these udder traits provide a fair scope for improvement through selection and breeding which will help to increase milk yield in Nili Ravi buffaloes.

Meat exports is an important product in the Indian livestock export basket, the predominant form being buffalo meat. An attempt has been done in this paper to analyse performance of buffalo meat export from India for the period 1996 to 2014. The compound growth rates, market concentration and instability indices of the Indian buffalo meat export were analyzed. The quantity and value of buffalo meat export from India increased by 13.61 and 22.48 percent respectively over the period, largely aided by the rapid growth of meat sector. The study concentrates on major markets viz., Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Philippines, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China, Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran), Jordan since more than 75 percent of the buffalo meat exports from India were to these markets. Results showed high and positive growth of Indian buffalo meat export in terms of quantity, value and unit value for the period of study. Slight degree of instability in Indian buffalo meat export was revealed using Coppock's instability index (CII). The study revealed that India's buffalo meat export was concentrated mainly to those countries, which is either less desirable (low growth and high risk) or least desirable (low growth and low risk) which is undesirable from point of economic growth of the country. There was evidence of market diversification of Indian buffalo meat export from traditional importing countries to other countries.