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Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the parity on productive performance (lactation length, total milk yield and milk yield by day of calving interval) and calving interval in water buffaloes. For this purpose, records of 663 lactations from 248 buffaloes were evaluated. Total milk yield was 1344.91 liters, lactation length was 291.20 days, calving interval was 453.55 days and milk by day of calving was 2.77 liters. Parity did not significantly affect total milk yield, but had a significant effect on lactation length, calving interval and milk by day of calving interval. First calving buffaloes had a longer lactation, a longer calving interval and in consequence lower productivity than buffaloes with two and three or more calving. Second calving buffaloes had intermediate and significantly different values than buffaloes with three or more calving. Calving interval was positively correlated with total milk yield (r = 0.34983, p <0.0001) and length of lactation (r = 0.67408, p = <0.0001); and negatively with milk by day of calving (r = -0.41263, p<0.0001). In conclusion, parity affected the productive performance and calving interval, with buffaloes of one and two calving being less productive due to a longer calving interval. An increase of milk yield is related with a longer calving interval, therefore, buffaloes of one and two calving, must be provided with optimal management conditions, which allow them to support milk yield and not to compromise the reproductive performance. Keywords: Buffalo, milk yield, calving interval, lactation length. |
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Abstract: Vitrification, a method of rapid cooling, is an alternate cryopreservation method of oocytes and embryos. The present study was aimed to examine the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on vitrification of buffalo oocytes. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) with fully grown oocytes (120-130 µm in diameter) were aspirated from slaughtered buffalo ovaries for vitrification. COCs were treated with equilibration solution at room temperature for 5 min and then transferred to a vitrification solution for 1 min. Then the COCs were submerged into liquid nitrogen (-196̊C) for a while using cryotops. The COCs were thawed, diluted, and washed in a washing solution for 5 min, respectively. Vitrified oocytes were incubated for in vitro maturation (IVM) at 38.5̊C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in the air for 24 hrs. Cumulus cells surrounding the oocytes were removed mechanically, oocytes were fixed in acetic acid and ethanol, and stained with aceto-orcein to examine the meiotic stages of oocytes. The numbers of morphologically normal oocytes after vitrification were higher in 5% PVP than 0 and 10% PVP groups. A proportion of oocytes treated with 5% PVP reached the metaphase II (MII) stage while none of the oocytes from 0% and 10% PVP groupsdeveloped beyond anaphase I and metaphase I (MI) stages, respectively. These results show that PVP can be used as a cryoprotectant for the vitrification of buffalo oocytes. Keywords: Buffalo, cryopreservation, in vitro maturation, oocytes, PVP. |
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Abstract: The effects of dietary inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultureon intake, in vivo digestibility, and fecal nitrogen excretion were examined in dairy buffalo. Forty lactating buffalo cows were equally divided into Control and Saccharomycesgroups, balanced for milk production, parity, and days in milk. Two subsequent 16-d experimental phases were carried out. For both groups during the first experimental period a TMR based on maize silage (maize-TMR) was used, whereas in the second period an alfalfa haylage (alfalfa-TMR) was administered to the animals. In each experimental period, Saccharomyces group was supplemented with 50 g/head/day of yeast (Biocell®, Limena, Padova, Italy), corresponding to 20×109 CFU/head/day Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC Sc47 strain. The yeast supplement was top-dressed onto the morning feed. Dry matter intake (DMI) was assessed for 6 consecutive d on group basis, by the difference between feed offered and refused. In the last 3 days of experimental period in vivo digestibility was determined by using acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as an intrinsic digestibility marker. Saccharomyces supplemented buffalo cows presented greater DMI of maize-TMR, whereas no statistical differences between the groups were observed for alfalfa-TMR. Saccharomyces supplementation significantly improved in vivo digestibility of both TMR. Fecal nitrogen excretion was significantly reduced by the use of yeast supplementation. Results suggest that the inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture in the diet for lactating buffaloes can be recommended for its effects on cow’s digestive efficiency and fecal nitrogen excretion. Keywords: Buffalo cows, Yeast, Dry matter intake, Digestibility, Fecal nitrogen excretion.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: This study was performed to investigate the effect of rbST treatment on some biochemical parameters in addition to values of thyroid hormones in Kundhi buffaloes. Sixteen Kundhi buffaloes were divided into two groups. Group-A (N=8) served as control and Group-B (N=8) was treated with 250 mg of rbST fortnightly for 1st lactation. Blood samples were collected weekly during lactation period from day one to 60 as pre-treatment values and then from day 61 to completion of 1st lactation in Kundhi buffaloes as post-treatment values. The findings revealed overall non significant variation in the serum biochemical and thyroid hormone values between control and rbST treated buffaloes, whereas, significant differences were observed during various physiological and weather conditions in both groups. Glucose and uric acid values were observed higher during parturition and winter season in Kundhi buffaloes. Protein level was higher in rbST treated buffaloes during open days. Keywords: Serum Biochemical values, Kundhi buffaloes, rbST, growth hormone.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: The objectives of this study were to investigate determining environmental factors on composition, renneting time, urea concentration, acidity, density and pH of Anatolian Buffaloes milk. As a total of 115 milk samples from 53 cows that were calved in the period of 2004 and 2005 years in 8 units of Ilıkpınar Village were collected in morning milkings in June, September, December and March. The cows were at their lactation days 30±15, 60±15, 90±15, 120±15, 150±15, 180±15, 210±15, 240±15 and 270±15. The milk samples were analysed for total dry matter, fat, protein, ash, density, pH, acidity, renneting time and urea content. Rennet coagulation time, urea, protein and fat contents were determined using Berridge, photometric, formal titration and Gerber methods, respectively. Data were classified as follows; lactation stages: 1 (30±15, 60±15, 90±15 days): 2 (120±15, 150±15, 180±15): 3 (210±15, 240±15, 270±15); calving year: 1 (2004), 2 (2005); calving season: 1 (January-May), 2 (September and October); month of samples collection: 1 (June), 2 (September), 3 (December), 4 (March); lactation order: 1 and 2 : 1, 3 and 4: 2, 5 and 6: 3. The effects of environmental factors of each variable were investigated separately and analysed using analysis of variance. Production mount in all the characteristics; calving year and lactation stage in most of the characteristics; lactation order on fat and protein contents; unit and calving season in some of the characteristics were found to be effective significantly. SPSS program was used in the statistical procedures. Keywords: Buffalo, milk properties, variation sources.Download Full Article |