• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1991

Responsiveness of the testis to pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) was studied in immature Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls. Four month old bull calves weighing between 66 to 100 kg raised under uniform condition, were treated with 1000 IU PMSG or vehicle, daily, for six days. PMSG induced an increase in the size of the testis, enlargement of the seminiferous tubules and activation of the spermatogonia. The number of differentiated Leydig cells in the testis of gonadotropin treated animals increased considerably over that of the control testes. A significant increase in plasma testosterone concentrations was observed 24 h following the first injection of PMSG and the levels continued to increase until day 6. In vehicle treated animals plasma testosterone levels remained more or less at pretreatment values. The data suggest that buffalo bull testis is functionally responsive to gonadotropin at an early stage of prepubertal development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1092-1099
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• 2011

To evaluate the effects of replacing concentrate with urea molasses treated fermented wheat straw (FWS) ensiled with cattle manure (CM) on ruminal characteristics, in situ digestion kinetics and nitrogen (N) metabolism was studied in Nili Ravi cannulated buffalo bulls in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design. Wheat straw treated with urea (4%) and molasses (6%) was ensiled with cattle manure (CM) (70:30) and fermented for 40 days. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated. In the FWS0, FWS10, FWS20 and FWS30 diets 0, 10, 20 and 30% of the concentrate was replaced with FWS, respectively. Daily intake by bulls was restricted to 1.5% dry matter (DM) of body weight. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration was greater (p<0.05) in bulls fed FWS diet than for those fed FWS0 diet at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h post-parandial. Bulls fed FWS 20 and FWS 30 diets had higher ruminal pH at 3 and 6 h post-parandial than bulls fed FWS10 and FWS0. Ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations 3 h post-parandial were greater (p<0.05) in bulls fed FWS0 than those fed FWS diets. However ruminal VFA tended to increase at 6, 9 and 12 h post-parandial as the level of FWS increased. In situ ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradation, rates of disappearance and extent of digestion were higher (p<0.05) for bulls fed FWS30 diet than those fed FWS0. Ruminal DM and NDF lag time tended to decrease (p<0.05) as FWS concentration in the diet increased. Feed intake, nitrogen intake, N-balance and blood urea-N did not differ (p>0.05) in buffalo bulls fed different diets. Wheat straw treated with urea and molasses and ensiled with CM enhanced the nutritive value of wheat straw and improved nutrient utilization in buffalo bulls when up to 30% of the concentrate was replaced with FWS; no adverse effects on ruminal characteristics and nutrients digestibilities were detected.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1387-1397
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of the current study was to find out the independent and interactive effects of prilled fat supplementation with protein on the production performance of early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes. Methods: Sixteen early lactating buffaloes (36.75±5.79 d in milk; mean±standard error) received 4 treatments in 4×4 Latin-square design according to 2×2 factorial arrangements. The dietary treatments were: i) low protein low fat, ii) low protein high fat, iii) high protein low fat, and iv) high protein high fat. The dietary treatments contained 2 protein (8.7% and 11.7% crude protein) and fat levels (2.6% and 4.6% ether extract) on a dry matter basis. Results: The yields of milk and fat increased with increasing protein and fat independently (p≤0.05). Energy-, protein-, and fat-corrected milk yields also increased with increasing protein and fat independently (p≤0.05). Increasing dietary protein increased the protein yield by 3.75% and lactose yield by 3.15% and increasing dietary fat supplies increased the fat contents by 3.93% (p≤0.05). Milk yield and fat-corrected milk to dry matter intake ratios were increased at high protein and high fat levels (p≤0.05). Milk nitrogen efficiency was unaffected by dietary fat (p>0.10), whereas it decreased with increasing protein supplies (p≤0.05). Plasma urea nitrogen and cholesterol were increased by increasing protein and fat levels, respectively (p≤0.05). The values of predicted methane production reduced with increasing dietary protein and fat. Conclusion: It is concluded that prilled fat and protein supplies increased milk and fat yield along with increased ratios of milk yield and fat-corrected milk yields to dry matter intake. However, no interaction was observed between prilled fat and protein supplementation for production parameters, body weight, body condition score and blood metabolites. Predicted methane production decreased with increasing protein and fat levels.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.491-497
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• 1998

Four types of serum supplements viz. estrus cow serum (ECS), estrus buffalo serum (EBS), pro-estrus buffalo serum (PrBS) and post-estrus buffalo serum (PtBS), added to TCM-199, were evaluated for in vitro maturation and fertilization of buffalo follicular oocytes. The oocytes were recovered from buffalo ovaries after slaughter, using either aspiration or scoring (multiple incisions) method. The recovered oocytes were categorized as A, B and C based on their cumulus investment and ooplasm homogeneity and cultured in four media. The in vitro matured oocytes were inseminated with $1{\times}10^6$ spermatozoa washed in 2.9% sodium citrate solution. The scoring method yielded greater number of morphologically good oocytes than the aspiration method (3.85 vs 1.76 per ovary, p < 0.01). The maturation rates of three categories of oocytes did not differ from one another. The maturation rates of 80.00, 82.08, 78.77 and 66.23%, while the fertilization rates of 54.54, 55.38, 52.80 and 36.76% were recorded for media containing ECS, EBS, PrBS, and PtBS, respectively. The medium containing PtBS gave lower maturation, as well as fertilization, rates than the other three media (p < 0.05). Thus, the scoring method was better than the aspiration method for the recovery of follicular oocytes. The oocytes categorized A, B and C had similar maturation capabilities. The TCM-199 containing buffalo/cow serum collected at pro-estrus or estrus appeared better for in vitro maturation and fertilization of buffalo follicular oocytes than that containing serum collected at post estrus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.645-650
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• 2006

Thirty early lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes, six animals in each group, were used in a completely randomized design to examine the feeding value of 4% urea treated wheat straw (UTWS) ensiled with 6% or without acidified molasses. Five experimental diets were formulated. The control ration was balanced to contain 30% DM from UTWS ensiled without acidified molasses. The other four diets were formulated to have 30, 40, 50 and 60% DM from UTWS ensiled with 6% acidified molasses, respectively. Dry matter and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intakes were higher in buffaloes fed diets containing UTWS ensiled with acidified molasses compared with those fed a diet containing UTWS ensiled without acidified molasses. Intake of DM was not significantly different in buffaloes fed diets containing varying levels of UTWS ensiled with acidified molasses. A similar trend was observed for crude protein (CP) intake. Apparent DM and NDF digestibilities were significantly higher in buffaloes fed diets containing UTWS ensiled with acidified molasses compared with those fed UTWS ensiled without acidified molasses. However, differences in DM and NDF digestibilities were non-significant across buffaloes fed diets containing varying levels of UTWS ensiled with acidified molasses. Milk yield (4% fat corrected) was significantly higher in buffaloes fed diets containing UTWS ensiled with acidified molasses than those fed a diet containing UTWS ensiled without acidified molasses. Milk yield was similar in buffaloes fed varying level of UTWS ensiled with acidified molasses. Milk CP, true protein, solid-not-fat and total solids were similar in buffaloes fed UTWS ensiled with or without acidified molasses. The UTWS ensiled with 6% acidified molasses can be included at up to 60% DM of lactating buffalo rations without any ill effect on productivity.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1013-1023
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• 2022

Body condition score (BCS) at calving is a vital indicator of the effectiveness of the beginning of lactation in dairy animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of BCS at calving on milk production and transition success in dairy buffaloes. Thirty-six (36) Nili Ravi buffaloes were enrolled at 40 days of expected calving and followed through 90 days of lactation. The buffaloes were categorized into three groups according to their BCS (on a scale of 1-5 with 0.25 increments) as follows: 1) low, buffaloes with BCS ≤ 3.0; 2) medium, buffaloes with BCS 3.25-3.5; and 3) high, buffaloes with BCS ≥ 3.75. All buffaloes were fed a similar diet ad libitum. The lactation diet had increased concentrate allowance according to milk yield. The results revealed that the BCS at calving did not affect milk yield; however, fat percentage (fat%) was lower in the low-BCS group. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the treatment groups, although post-calving BCS loss was greater in the high-BCS group compared to the medium- and the low-BCS groups. Similarly, the buffaloes in the high-BCS group had higher non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration compared to the low- and medium-BCS groups. No cases of metabolic disorders were observed during the study. The present results suggest that the buffaloes in the medium-BCS group appeared to perform better compared to the low- and the high-BCS groups with respect to milk fat% and blood NEFA concentration.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1025-1030
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• 1999

Fifth one Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes in their last two months of gestation, were selected in NWFP Pakistan. Rectal palpation was carried out fortnightly, until the occurrence of first estrus. Ovulation was confirmed per rectum and milk progesterone levels (MPL). Body condition score (BCS)was recorded weekly. Milk samples were collected weekly for MPL and blood samples fortnightly for metabolites analysis. Milk yield was recorded and samples were collected for milk fat. The buffaloes calving during the normal breeding season (NBS, August to January)had short (p<0.01) postpartum estrus interval of $55.95{\pm}4.90$ days versus $91.15{\pm}11.61 $ days in the buffaloes calving during the low breeding season (LBS, February to July). MPL in the LBS calvers remained lower than NBS calves (p<0.01). The incidence of silent ovulation was higher during LBS as compared to NBS (70.6% versus 29.4%). MPL showed a pattern opposite to atmospheric temperature. In NBS calvers serum glucose levels were higher (p<0.01) and magnesium levels were lower (p<0.01) than LBS calvers. Higher serum urea was found in summer and spring than that autumn and winter (p<0.05). The reproductive performance in buffaloes calving in the LBS coincided with a low BCS (p<0.01). Fat corrected milk production (FCM) was higher in NBS than LBS (p<0.01) calvers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1019-1024
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• 1999

Fifth one Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes were studied in North-west Frontier Province of Pakistan. Rectal examination of reproductive organs was carried out on days 14 and 21 and then fortnightly. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for progesterone levels (MPL). Feed samples were collected fortnightly and analyzed. The buffaloes calving during the normal breeding season (NBS, August to January) (p<0.01) postpartum estrus interval of 55.95 days versus 91.15 days in those calving during the low breeding season (LBS, February to July). MPL in the LBS remained lower than the NBS (p<0.01). Shortest postpartum ovulation interval was noted during autumn(August to October), followed by winter (November to January), summer (May to July) and spring (February to April). The incidence of silent ovulations was during LBS than NBS (70.6% versus 29.4%). In autumn there was minimum intake of crude protein (CPI) and maximum intake of metabolizable energy (MEI, p<0.01). Calcium intake was higher in NBS than LBS calving buffaloes (p<0.01). Phosphorus, copper and magnesium intake was lower (p<0.05) and zinc intake was higher (p<0.01) in autumn, It was (p<0.05) and zinc intake was higher (p<0.01) in autumn, It was concluded that onset of breeding season was associated with increasing MEI and decreasing CPI and minerals intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 1996

The rate and extent of digestion of dietary carbohydrates has a tremendous impact on ruminal fermentation and the productivity of the animals. The objective of the study was to determine the dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradabilities and rate and extent of feed byproducts (cotton seed cake, wheat bran), legumes [berseem (Egyptian clover), lucern (Medicago sativa), cowpeas (Vigna sinensis)], grasses [maize (Zea mays), millet (Panicum miliaceum), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)] and wheat straw in ruminally fistulated male buffalo calves. By using nylon bags, 10 grams sample was exposed to the ruminal fermentation for 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 16, 24, 36, 48 and 96 hours. Dry matter and NDF degradability was measured at 48 hours. Extent of DM and NDF disappearance was determined at each time point. Rates of disappearance of DM and NDF were determined by regressing the natural logarithm of the percentage of original DM and NDF remaining in the bags between 1 and 96 hours. The dry matter digestibility (DMD) of the feed byproducts (FBP) and legume forages when incubated in the rumen of male buffalo calves were greater (p < 0.05) than grasses. Extent of digestion followed similar pattern as DMD. Rate of DMD was higher in FBP than in legumes and was the lowest in the wheat straw. The NDF degradability (NDFD) of FBP, legumes and grasses did not differ, however, wheat straw had the lowest NDFD from all the feeds tested. The lowest NDFD of wheat straw may have been due to the depressing effect of lignin on fiber digestion. The FBP and legumes had higher (p < 0.05) rates and lower extents of NDF digestion than grasses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2004

Eighteen water buffalo calves of Nili-Ravi breed (about 15 months age and of $147{\pm}12$ kg average body weight and mixed sex) were used with six animals on each treatment. All the animals were fed long wheat straw for ad libitum intake as the basal ration. Animals in group-I were supplemented with ad libitum amount of urea molasses block having cotton seed meal (CSMB) while the animals in group-II were supplemented with ad libitum urea molasses block containing sunflower seed meal (SFMB) and group III animals were supplemented with a fixed amount of commercial concentrate feed (CCF). The experiment lasted for a period of 80 days (April to June). Results revealed a significantly decreased total feed intake (wheat straw+supplements) in group-III ($1,666{\pm}52$ g/h/d) as compared to group I ($2,299{\pm}194$ g/h/d) and group-II ($2,193{\pm}230$ g/h/d). Average daily supplement intakes were $891{\pm}87$; $666{\pm}104$ and $593{\pm}0$ grams per head in group I, II and III, respectively. Supplement intakes among groups were different (p<0.05). Average daily body weight gains (g/h) were $214{\pm}25$, $174{\pm}23 $and $183{\pm}24$ for group I, II and III, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found to be $10.74{\pm}1.12$, $12.60{\pm}0.88$ and $9.90{\pm}1.33$ grams for group No. I, II and III, respectively. The economic net benefit of live weight gain of calves were 7.63, 6.11 and 7.33 rupees/h/d for group No. I, II and III, respectively. Thus SFM can replace CSM and urea molasses blocks can replace commercial concentrates as supplement to basal ration of wheat straw.