Assessing Minerals Status of Dairy Animals in South-West Zone of Punjab
Pages 33-39
B. M. Bhanderi, M.R. Garg and P.L. Sherasia

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-520X.2015.04.02.1

Published: 07 August 2015

Abstract: A study was carried out to assess dietary macro and micro-minerals status of milch buffaloes in Firozpur, Mansa and Muktsar districts, under South-West Zone of Punjab. Feeds and fodder samples were collected at random from various locations, following standard sampling procedure. The average calcium (Ca) content in straws was low (0.28%). Green fodders such as berseem (1.88%), chikori (1.26%), oat (0.45%), rye grass (0.56%) and mustard (1.34%) were found to be rich source of Ca. Concentrate feed ingredients such as mustard cake (0.68%), cottonseed cake (0.23%), rice polish (0.11%) and wheat flour (0.053%) were high to low in Ca. The phosphorus (P) content in crop residues and green fodders was 0.08 and 0.47 per cent, respectively. Concentrate feed ingredients were high (0.78%) in P. The magnesium content in roughages and concentrate feed ingredients was 0.31 and 0.41 per cent, respectively. The sodium content was low in concentrate ingredients (0.043%) and dry fodder (0.065%), but high in green fodder (0.63%). The sulphur content was adequate in green fodder (0.32%), whereas, crop residues (0.16%) and concentrate ingredients (0.18%), except mustard cake (0.33%) were deficient in sulphur; hence, its supplementation was necessary in the ration of milch animals. The cobalt was deficient in the diet of animals to the extent of 45 per cent; however, iron (average level > 500 ppm) and manganese (average level > 60 ppm) in most of the feed ingredients were adequate, with traditional feeding system. The average copper content was very low in straws (2.94 ppm) and moderate in green fodders (11.93 ppm). Concentrate ingredients were again low in copper (9.19 ppm). Zinc was deficient in most of the feedstuffs (average level<38 ppm) and needed to be supplemented for proper productive and reproductive functions. From the present study, it was apparent that the levels of certain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, zinc, copper and cobalt were inadequate, as per the prevailing feeding practices and requirement of buffalo yielding 10 kg milk (6% fat) per day. However, the levels of some other mineral elements such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese and selenium were found to be adequate in the South-West Zone of Punjab.

Monitoring Vaginal Electrical Impedance in Bangladeshi Water Buffaloes During Postpartum Period
Pages 46-51
Nasrin Sultana Juyena, Mahmudul Hassan, Habibur Rahman Mollah and Shushanto Kumar Rabidas

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-520X.2015.04.02.3

Published: 07 August 2015 

Abstract: The achievement of early cyclicity and pregnancy after calving are of vital importance for sustainable buffalo farms, for which proper detection of oestrus and correct time of AI are necessary. Vaginal electrical impedance (VEI) observation using heat detector was used to identify estrus in buffalo cows during post-partum period. In the first group, 12 buffalo cows with post-partum>300 days were synchronized with OVSYNCH protocol and VEI was recorded at different stages of synchronization protocol. VEI values decreased significantly (P < 0.01) during second administration of GnRH in both pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo cows and it was indicative for the presence of oestrus. Higher VEI values were obvserved at second administration of GnRH and AI in non-pregnant group than the pregnant group. In second group, 8 buffalo cows with a post-partum period 40 to 96 days were used to record VEI daily. Lower VEI values (260-350Ω) were observed during oestrus and then started to increase at higher level after oestrus. The day difference between two successive lower/higher values of “VEI waves” ranged from 17-25 days, which might indicate the oestrous cycle in buffalo cows. Moreover, physical signs such as colour of vulva, mucus were less intensive in buffalo cows of second experiment. The study suggests that the measurement of vaginal impedance could serve as an indicator of the oestrus in buffalo cows and daily impedance measurements are necessary to confirm the stages of the estrous cycle.

Differences in Blood and Milk Fatty Acid Profile of Primiparous and Multiparous Mediterranean Buffaloes Cows During Transition Period and Early Lactation
Pages 40-45
Lenita Camargo Verdurico, Jefferson Rodrigues Gandra, Caio Seiti Takiya, Jose Esler de Freitas Junior, Rafael Villela Barletta, Rodrigo Gardinal, Gustavo Delfino Calomeni, Pablo Gomes de Paiva and Francisco Palma Rennó

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-520X.2015.04.02.2

Published: 07 August 2015 

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the differences in blood and fatty acid (FA) profile between primiparous and multiparous Mediterranean buffaloes cows from 28 days of expected calving date until 56 days in milk. Nine multiparous (MUL) and 7 primiparous (PRI) cows were used in the present study, animals grazed in Brachiaria decumbens and supplemented with 2.0 kg of concentrate/day. Blood and milk samples were collected once a week and data were submitted to repeated measures analysis using PROC MIXED of SAS. Multiparous cows presented higher concentrations of glucose and non-esterified FA during pre- and post-partum period, higher cholesterol during post-partum when compared to PRI. Milk yield and fat content were higher for MUL (6.44 kg/d and 7.89%) when compared to PRI (5.66 kg/d and 6.75%). Palmitic and palmitoleic FA were lower and C18:0, C18:1 trans-11 and C18:1 cis-9 FAwere higher in MUL cows. Multiparous buffalo cows demonstrated higher milk yield and fat content than PRI, and milk FA profile of MUL had higher amounts of C18:0 FA. Multiparous buffalos presented higher non-esterified fatty acid, which altered milk fat content, and higher milk yield than primiparous cows. Furthermore, multiparous cows presented a higher content of FA from incomplete biohydrogenation process.

Ultrasonographic Biometrical Studies on Reproductive Organs of rbST Treated Pregnant Kundhi Buffaloes
Pages 52-58
A.B. Kachiwal, B.A. Sheikh, S.A. Sheikh, K.H. Memon, S. Memon and T.A. Qureshi

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-520X.2015.04.02.4

Published: 07 August 2015

Abstract: Biometrical studies were conducted on sixty four gravid uteri with estimated gestation period of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th month of pregnancy in Kundhi buffaloes. Sixteen specimens for each month of gestation were collected from Hyderabad slaughterhouse to evaluate techniques for measurement of reproductive organs. The measurements for fetometry and morphometry of reproductive organs by ultrasound machine and manually (by measuring tape and vernier caliper) were performed and compared. The Ultrasound examinations were performed through diagnostic ultrasound machine equipped with multi-frequency 5-10MHz transrectal linear array transducer. Analysis revealed that the ovary, foetus, foetal fluid and uterus progressively increased significantly (P<0.01) in weight during 4th month of the gestation than 1st, 2nd and 3rd month of gestation period in rbST treated Kundhi buffaloes. Ovaries with CL were significantly (P<0.01) heavier than the ovary in which CL was absent. Corpus leutum was significantly lighter (P<0.01) during 1st month of pregnancy than 2nd, 3rd and 4th month of pregnancy in rbST treated Kundhi buffaloes. Gravid uterus was significantly heavier (P<0.01) during 4th month of pregnancy than 1st, 2nd and 3rd month of pregnancy in rbST treated Kundhi buffaloes. There was no significant difference between the measurements of oviduct, cervix and vagina during 1st to 4th month of pregnancy. The placenta, foetal fluid and foetus progressively increased significantly in size as gestation period progressed. The ultrasonographic fetometric and morphometric threshold of CRL, TD and UD and foetal weight was steadily increased in rbST treated Kundhi buffaloes. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in the CRL, TD, UD and foetus weight/volume at 4^th month of pregnancy than 1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd month of pregnancy in rbST treated Kundhi buffaloes. In conclusion, the overall data indicated that the examination for ultrasonographic fetometry and morphometry of reproductive organs of kundhi buffaloes for evaluation of fetal development, estimation of gestational age and formulation of fetal chart through reproductive organs were more suitable as compare to manual biometrical evaluation.