Journal of Buffalo Science

Differences in Physiological Characteristics and Heat Shock Protein Expression in Taiwan Swamp Buffaloes During Winter and Summer Seasons

Pei Chung Chen — 2025-01-24

Background: This study examined the respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), as revealed by ELISA, in Taiwan swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis, swamp-type) during the winter (February) and summer (August) seasons of 2022 in Taiwan.

Methods: Data were collected from Taiwan swamp buffaloes during the winter and summer seasons. Respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and protein expression levels were measured and analyzed.

Results: The results revealed age-related differences in response to changes in environmental temperature. In winter, buffaloes aged <1 year exhibited significantly higher respiratory rates, rectal temperatures, and heat tolerance coefficients than female buffaloes aged 14 to 20 years (P < 0.05). In the summer season, buffaloes aged <1 year had significantly higher rectal temperatures (P < 0.05) and higher expression levels of HSP70 (from ELISA) than female buffaloes aged 6 to 9 years and 14 to 20 years (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the age of Taiwan swamp buffaloes affects their physiological responses to heat stress, with younger buffaloes exhibiting greater physiological reactions to heat stress than older buffaloes.

Pregnancy and Embryonic Loss Among Timed Artificial Insemination Protocols in Post-partum Dairy Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Eufrocina P. Atabay — 2025-01-29

The aims of the study were to determine the pregnancies and embryonic losses following Timed Artificial Insemination (TAI) protocols and to generate strategic breeding management for buffaloes. In Study 1, buffaloes in natural estrus were inseminated, serving as Control (T1). In T2, buffaloes were subjected to the Controlled Internal Drug Release-Synch-human Chorionic Gonadotropin (CIDR-Synch-hCG) protocol. In T3, animals were subjected to Prostaglandin protocol, and T4 is similar to T3 except that hCG was supplemented on the Day of AI. In Study 2, buffaloes were subjected to the CIDR-Synch-hCG protocol, and the sizes of pre-ovulatory follicles were measured as the basis for the conduct of TAI. In Study 3, animals were similarly subjected to the CIDR-Synch-hCG protocol at different seasons. Results in Study 1 indicate that the CIDR-Synch-hCG protocol achieved pregnancy rates on Days 30 and 60 post-AI and embryonic loss, which are not significantly different (P<0.05) from those of natural estrus (T1), and that the Prostaglandin protocol supplemented with hCG (T4) resulted in significantly higher pregnancies and lower embryonic loss compared with Prostaglandin alone (T3) group. In Study 2, inseminating buffaloes with ≥12.0 mm pre-ovulatory follicle size (T3) yielded the highest pregnancies (P<0.05) at Days 30 and 60 with the lowest (P<0.05) embryonic loss among follicle size groups. In Study 3, TAI performed during January-March and October-December indicated significantly higher pregnancies (P<0.05) with lower embryonic loss (P<0.05) compared with the April-June and July-September seasons. In sum, the present study demonstrated the efficiencies of Timed AI protocols, which provided opportunities for their strategic use in breeding programs to achieve greater productivity and profitability from buffalo farming.

In Vitro Production and Transfer of Buffalo Embryos (Bubalus bubalis) in Argentina

A. Bandeo — 2025-03-30

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate different hormonal stimulation protocols over follicular development, oocyte quality, embryo production, and embryo transfer outcome.

Methods and Materials: This study was performed in Argentina. Fifty-three non-pregnant females with proven fertility and good body condition were selected to produce embryos in vitro. Three ovarian stimulation protocols were tested: On Day 0, animals received a progesterone intravaginal device plus Estradiol Benzoate. On Day 4: TRT1 did not receive any treatment, TRT2 FSH (Folltropin-V®), TRT3 recombinant eCG (FoliRec®) TRT 4 serum eCG (Ecegon®), on day 7 oocyte retrieval was performed using ultrasonography. Embryos were produced, vitrified, and transferred to synchronized recipients using standard protocols. The number and quality of oocytes, number and size of follicles, embryo production, pregnancy rates, and Antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels were determined. Quantitative variables were compared, and an α level of 5% was considered significant.

Results: The total number of oocytes, follicles, and zygotes did not differ across the treatments. Better oocytes were obtained in TRT2 and TRT4 (p<0.05). Embryo production was highest in TRT2 (1.5 embryos/buffalo/OPU), and cleavage was higher in TRT3 (p<0.05). Forty-two embryos were transferred, and 12 live births were obtained. All were males.

Conclusions: The stimulation protocols used before OPU don’t improve the number of ovarian follicles; some treatments produce higher-quality oocytes and embryo production. AMH dosage can help in selecting animals to increase the efficiency of IVEP. Reasonable results were obtained from the transfer of vitrified embryos, and the subsequent birth of live animals demonstrates the viability of this technique.

Reticular Outflow, Rumen Dynamics, and Ingestive Behavior in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Fed Diets with Different Sources of Energy

Franklin Delano dos Santos Soares — 2025-03-30

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two energy sources, associated or not (crude glycerin and castor oil) in buffaloes' diets on intake, digestibility, rumen kinetics, feeding behavior, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites. Four ruminally-cannulated Murrah buffaloes [526 ± 29 kg of initial BW] were randomly assigned according to a 4 x 4 Latin square design in which the animals were randomly allocated to each treatment: CONT = control with soybean meal associated with ground corn; GLY = crude glycerin, dietary inclusion of 90 g/kg; CAO = castor oil, dietary inclusion of 50 g/kg; GLYCAO = crude glycerin associated with castor oil, dietary inclusions of 50 g/kg GLY and 50 g/kg CAO. A higher ruminal renewal rate of DM and NDF and DM passage rate was observed for animals fed CON and GLY than the other diets (P < 0.05), the same fact was observed for rumination efficiency grams DM/hour (P < 0.001). Among the feed sources, crude glycerin can partially replace ground corn in the buffalo’s diet without compromising intake, nutrient metabolism, and rumen dynamics.

Sensory Acceptability of Buffalo Meat and Beef in Young Consumers

René Rodríguez-Florentino — 2025-03-30

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory acceptability of buffalo meat compared to beef, as well as to evaluate the perception of buffalo meat.

Methods: The study was conducted with young meat consumers, who responded to a questionnaire with four sections: 1) sociodemographic aspects, 2) consumer preferences, 3) hedonic acceptability, and 4) perception of buffalo meat consumption. Three 2.5 cm thick steaks (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum) were compared: 1) select beef (slight marbling); 2) select buffalo meat (slight marbling); 3) prime beef (abundant marbling). The samples were evaluated by 76 young meat consumers (non-trained panelists). A seven-point hedonic scale was used to assess appearance, odor, flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptability.

Results: The results indicated that prime beef presented a better appearance (P=0.0042) and tenderness (P<0.0001) compared to select buffalo and select beef, respectively. Similarly, a higher score was observed in juiciness for prime beef (5.52±0.19 points), but a better score for buffalo meat compared to beef select was identified (4.52±0.18 points vs. 3.86±0.19 points, respectively; P<0.001). Most of the panelists indicated that prior to the study, they had not consumed buffalo meat (89.00%/n=68). However, they noted that buffalo meat was like select beef (71.00%/n=54). The panelist highlighted various reasons why buffalo meat is not commonly consumed, such as there is no information on the buffalo meat (93.42%/n=71), limited availability of buffalo meat products (60.52%/n =46), and unavailability at supermarkets (73.69%/n=56).

Conclusions: Buffalo meat can be a good option for young consumers. However, more information about buffalo meat characteristics (chemical, nutritional, sensory properties, and technological quality) and improved marketing channels that ensure the availability of buffalo products are important.

Novel Insights into Lectin Binding Patterns in the Nasopharyngeal Tonsil of Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Pawan Kumar — 2025-03-30

Background: The present study investigates the specificity of lectin binding in the nasopharyngeal tonsil of six healthy adult buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), a species not extensively studied regarding its immune system. Lectins, proteins that bind specifically to carbohydrates, are used to identify and characterize different cell types that may have roles in immune responses. This study explores how lectins bind to various cells within the nasopharyngeal tonsil, shedding light on cellular differentiation, interactions, and the potential functional roles of these cells in mucosal immunity.

Methods: A total of 21 biotinylated lectins, grouped into five categories based on their carbohydrate specificity (N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, glucose/ mannose, and fucose), were used to probe the nasopharyngeal tonsil tissue. Lectin histochemistry was applied to identify the binding patterns of these lectins to different cell types within the tissue, including epithelial cells, lymphoid cells, and specialized structures such as M-cells and P-cells. The study also involved the detection of vimentin filaments to explore potential immune responses within the tissue.

Results: Lectin histochemistry revealed a dynamic epithelial composition of the nasopharyngeal tonsil, consisting of pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium and lymphoepithelium, with distinct adaptations in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE). The FAE exhibited M-cells, which are believed to play a role in antigen processing. Additionally, a new class of cells, termed P-cells, was identified based on their lectin-binding patterns, which share similarities with M-cells but are distinct in their function. Lectins targeting N-acetylglucosamine exhibited varying affinities for M- and P-cells, while lectins recognizing N-acetylgalactosamine selectively bound to cilia and goblet cells. Lectins targeting galactose produced complex staining patterns in mucous glands and lymphoid tissues. Specific binding was also observed in lymphoid cells with lectins recognizing glucose/mannose and fucose groups. Vimentin filaments in lymphocytes and specialized epithelial cells suggest an involvement in immune response mechanisms.

Conclusion: This study provides new insights into structural organisation landscape of the buffalo nasopharyngeal tonsil, highlighting the role of lectin-binding patterns in identifying specialized cells and tissues. The M-cells and discovery of P-cells and the detailed lectin-binding profiles may contribute to understanding the cellular dynamics of mucosal immunity. Additionally, the structural details uncovered in this study may serve as a valuable reference for comparative research on mucosal immunity across different species, advancing our understanding of antigen recognition and immune responses at mucosal surfaces.