Anatolian Water Buffaloes Research Articles

Development, Quality, and Production Parameters of In Vitro Embryo in Anatolian Water Buffaloes

Development, Quality, and Production Parameters of In Vitro Embryo in Anatolian Water Buffaloes

Milk Production and Evaluation in Farms Raised Anatolian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis); A Case Study of Igdir Province

This study was conducted by carrying out a questionnaire with 98 enterprise owners rearing Anatolian water buffalo in 2015 in Igdir city of Turkey. The average daily milk yield, annual milk yield, and sales price buffalos milk of the enterprises were determined as 5.48±0.07 (kg), 1228.56±15.60 (kg/lactation), and USD1.06 (price/per kg), respectively. 3% of the produced raw milk was put on the market as raw milk, 20.9% as product, and 76.1% as raw milk + product. 81.54% of the processed milk was marketed as butter+cream+curd cheese, 7.69% as butter + cheese + curd cheese, and 10.77% is marketed as butter + cheese + yoghurt + curd cheese. It was determined that out of the companies selling raw milk, 88.7% sold to street milk + grocery stores and 11.3% sold to daily farms. As a result, in order to ensure sustainable buffalo breeding in Igdır province, buffalo milk collection centers, processing facilities, buffalo breeders' union should be established. Anatolian water buffaloes reared in Igdir city should be protected in order to protect the gene resources. Non-native buffalo insemination should not be allowed. Otherwise, it should be remembered that the heads rearing in each region are adapted into the region they inhabit in. Matings made to increase the amount of milk can affect negatively the properties like butter and cream yield. However, kinship degeneration should not be allowed in animals raised in the province. Mating of cows should be done with a system.

Possibilities of Using “BUGA” Named Software for Breeding Value Estimation of Anatolian Water Buffalo Population of Istanbul

In this study, variance components and breeding value estimations of Anatolian water buffaloes were estimated from the data obtained within the scope of community based water buffalo improvement program of Anatolian water buffalo population of İstanbul. The "BUGA" named software, which was started to be developed with the support of Harran University Scientific Research Project Unit (HUBAP) for use in the estimation of (co)variance components and breeding value were used in this study. The BUGA software used in the research can predict genetic and environmental effects together with variance components as Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) with the Restricted Maximum Log likelihood (REML) method. Unlike its counterparts of another software of foreign origin, it has a visual interface. The language of use is Turkish. The dataset includes records such as city, district, village, genealogy information, date of birth, gender, calving date, lactation parity, number of test day milk yield, lactation milk yield and previous calving date of 442 Anatolian buffaloes raised in this population. The records were analysed using the repeatability model with BUGA software and the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects of all animals in the dataset were estimated. Random environment variance, genotypic variance and permanent environment variance values were estimated as 107112.60 kg2, 20045.22 kg2 and 1259.50 kg2, respectively, while heritability (h2) and degree of repeatability (r) were determined as 0.1561 and 0.1659, respectively. The results obtained as an example of case study applied for the possibility of usage the BUGA software in the estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values showed that BUGA software can be easily used in farm recording conditions with the advantage of friendly user features.

The milk IGF-2 level is positively correlated with milk yield in Anatolian water buffaloes

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between milk insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) concentration and milk yield in Anatolian water buffaloes. This study was conducted on milk samples from 80 Anatolian water buffaloes. Milk samples collected from buffaloes were evaluated for subclinical mastitis. For this purpose, the California mastitis test and somatic cell count were performed in milk samples taken from four different mammary lobes of buffaloes. The milk IGF-2 level was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Milk IGF-2 concentration ranged from 21.6 ng/ml - 63.2 ng/ml in Anatolian water buffaloes. The IGF-2 concentration in Anatolian water buffaloes milk was 40.1±8.5 ng/ml. Milk IGF-2 was positively correlated with milk yield (r2=0.941, P<0.01). Our results showed that milk IGF-2 concentration was associated with milk yield in Anatolian buffaloes. These findings show that locally synthesized IGF-2 can affect milk yield. This study contributes to the understanding of the composition of buffalo milk, which has an important value in human nutrition. It is recommended to confirm the results of similar measurements in milk from other animal species used for human consumption.

Three Previously Unseen Genotypes Detected in IGFBP - 3 Gene in Buffalo Breed

Anatolian water buffalo breed is Turkey’s sole water buffalo breed, and their numbers steadily increased with the national “Water Buffalo Breeding by Breeders Project”. This study aimed to investigate of the gene region polymorphisms (Intron-2, Exon-2/Intron-3, Exon-3) of the meat-yield-related Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene in Anatolian water buffaloes by TaqI, HaeIII, and MspI restriction endonucleases. The phenol/chloroform method was used for DNA isolation from 151 blood samples, and extracted DNAs were amplified by touchdown PCR using specific primers. Amplified PCR products were digested with restriction endonucleases (REs) and separated in 3% agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE), then genotypes were determined. Results revealed two genotypes [AA (98.68%) and AC (1.32%)] and two alleles [A (0.99) and C (0.01)] for the Exon-2 to Intron-3 region from HaeIII digestion. TaqI digestion of the Intron-2 region revealed three genotypes [AA (7.94%), AB (3.97%), and BB (88.10%)] and two alleles [A (0.10) and B (0.90)]. MspI digestion of the Exon-3 region revealed only the AA genotype and A allele, thus revealing monomorphism. Overall, HaeIII digestion revealed insignificant polymorphism (P>0.05), and TaqI digestion revealed significant polymorphism (P<0.001) for their respective regions. Gene polymorphisms of these regions were investigated for the first time in Anatolian water buffaloes. Additionally, three novel genotypes for the IGFBP-3 gene (one from HaeIII and two from TaqI) were determined for the first time. The novel B allele from TaqI digestion was observed to have a substantial frequency.

Some Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Compositions of Different Originated Anatolian Water Buffaloes Milk Samples

This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical properties and the fatty acid composition of milk samples collected from different originated Anatolian water buffaloes living in the same farm. The fat amounts in samples were ranged between 5.24 and 8.67%. The fatty acids with the highest ratios in buffalo milk fat belonged to C16:0 (palmitic acid), C18:1 (oleic acid), C18:0 (stearic acid) and C14:0 (myristic acid). Saturated fatty acids (SFA) (62.6 to 67.3 %) were found to be more dominant in buffalo milk fat than monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (28.1 to 32.99 %) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (3.22 to 9.57%). Conjugated linoleic acid contents of the samples were determined between 1.46 % and 2.11 %. The conjugated linoleic acid ratios of the samples were similar. It was concluded that origin difference was effective on the physicochemical properties and the fatty acid composition of buffalo milk. It is thought that the results obtained from this study will contribute to obtaining information about the nutritional properties of Anatolian buffalo milk and to improve the nutritional and technological properties of products.

The comparison of two different protein-containing rations (CP;17.82% vs CP;19.18%) for Anatolian water buffaloes

Effects of feeding with diets (D1 and D2), Crude protein (CP) 17.82% and CP;19.18% contents on dry matter intake, milk yield, and composition were compared for 20 Anatolian Water buffaloes, distributed in two groups (T, E). Diets did not affect DM intake of concentrate and silage among buffaloes. Milk yield got improved (4.93 to 5.63 kg d-1) (P<0.05) in buffaloes fed by a diet D2 (CP;19.18%) as compared to diet D1 (CP; 17.82%). In general, D1 and D2 diets did not cause any difference in the milk compositions examined of buffaloes on the other hand, using of sunflower cake should be encouraged on the buffalo’s farm.

The effect of different milking techniques on the performance of the Anatolian water buffaloes

This study was carried out to determine the effects of hand and machine milking on milk performance in buffaloes. Twenty-four adult Anatolian water buffaloes (AWB), the age of about (5 and 6 years) old at stage 35 to 37 days of lactation were randomly divided into two similar groups, 12 AWB in each group. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the machine milking group (2) significantly improved silage dry matter (DM), alfalfa DM and the total DM consumption of the buffalo compared to the handle milking group (1) (P<0.05), (P<0.05) and (P<0.01) While, a significant increase (P<0.01) was observed in the values of milk yield in the buffalo group (2) conducted machine milking compared to that Control group (1) (7.12 to 8.23 kg day-1). Another finding of the study was that the application of a pressure of 45 kPa increased the SCC compared to the handle milking group (1) (45.2-68.8x10 log mL-134.30%) (P<0.05). It was determined that regression equation between total DM and milk yield in machine milking was Y = -21.89+4.29 T**, regression coefficient was R2 = 0.868 and correlation coefficient was r = 0.932 (P<0.001). As a result of the research, the use of machine milking in buffalo enterprises can be recommended both in terms of increasing milk yield and facilitating work.

Molecular Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in Anatolian Water Buffaloes in Diyarbakır, Turkey

The water buffaloes raised in Turkey originate from the Mediterranean water buffalo, a subgroup of the river buffalo, and are called the Anatolian buffalo. Blastocystis spp. is an anaerobic enteric protozoan parasite that lives in the gastrointestinal tract of a wide variety of hosts, including humans. This study aims to determine the molecular prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in Anatolian buffaloes in Diyarbakır province. Fresh fecal samples from animals were placed in individual fecal sample containers. The sex and age of the animal were recorded for each sample collected. As a result of PCR analysis, specific bands of 500 bp were obtained in 34 (17%) of 200 samples. Prevalence by age groups was found 27.69% in the 0-1 age group and 11.85% in those older than one year (P<0.05). The prevalence by sex was 17.46% in females and 16.22% in males (P>0.05). As a result of this study, the presence of Blastocystis spp. was revealed in Anatolian Water Buffaloes in Diyarbakır. It is thought that further studies are needed to determine the zoonotic subtype potential of the agent in the region.

The Effects of Order of Lactation on Milk Components in Water Buffalo Raised in Sheep Breeding Research Institute

This study was make in order to determine according to the order of lactation, the composition of milk, Murrah x Anatolian Water Buffaloes (M x A) crossbreds raised in Institute conditions. The animal material consisted of total of 47 heads M x A crossbreeds cows. The data of the study included between February 2016 - January 2018. Actual milk yield was used to determine average lactation length and lactation milk yield. Milk samples were taken to specify the milk components. The fat, nonfat dry matter, protein, and lactose contents of water buffalo milk samples were determined by using a Funke Gerber® milk analyzer. Lactation length and lactation milk yield were found to be 259 days and 1343.14 liters respectively. The least square means were found fat, nonfat dry matter, protein, and lactose, 7.20%, 10.66%, 4.00%, and 5.88% respectively. The milk yield in the first and second lactations of G2 (M x A) crossbreeds and Murah genotype were higher than others in the present study. A negative correlation between milk yield and milk fat is expected. Although not statistically significant, a negative correlation was determined as expected.

Heat Stress Mitigation with Fogging System of Anatolian Water Buffaloes

This research was carried out to investigate the possibilities of removing the heat stress that may occur in Anatolian water buffaloes with a fogging system and to determine the cooling efficiency of the system. In this context, two 24-headed groups were formed among the water buffaloes that were considered to have the same genetic similarities, were born in the same period and have the same lactation number. One group was housed under controlled shelter conditions (Shelter-I), where the ambient temperature can be controlled, and the other group was housed in existing farmer-raising conditions (Shelter-II). The same feed rations were applied to both buffalo groups. The cooling efficiency of the fogging system established in Shelter-I was between 45.6% and 85.7% positive. Temperature-Humidity Index values changed between 19.9 and 23.1 in Shelter-I and 19.5 and 26.4 in Shelter-II according to the maximum average data. According to these values, the level of stress in Shelter-II has reached very serious levels and affected the milk yield of buffaloes negatively. The corrected 305-day lactation milk yields were calculated as 1965.4 kg in Shelter-I and 1757.1 kg in Shelter-II. The differences between all data obtained for Shelter-I and Shelter-II were found statistically significant.

Effects of gender and slaughter age on meat quality of Anatolian water buffaloes.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of slaughter age and gender on specific carcass and technological meat quality characteristics in Anatolian water buffaloes. The study was conducted on 55 water buffaloes using a 2 × 2 factorial design with two independent variables at two levels. Gender subgroups of male (n = 29) and female (n = 26) and slaughter age subgroups of younger than 2years of age (n = 29) and older than 2years of age (n = 26) were evaluated. Hot carcass and cold carcass weights were higher in old water buffaloes than young ones (P < 0.001). The skin weight of old buffaloes was also higher than young buffaloes (P < 0.01). Drip loss, expressed juice, and Warner Bratzler (WB) shear force values of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were not influenced by age group and gender of buffaloes. The lightness (L*) and hue (H*) values were higher in young buffaloes than old animals (P < 0.001). The meat of male buffaloes had lower redness (a*) and chroma (C*) values than that of female buffaloes. The current results indicated that female water buffalo could also be used for meat production away from negative impressions on the meat quality of female water buffalo.

Bovine SMO gene polymorphism in Anatolian Black Cattle and Anatolian Water Buffaloes

The purpose of this study was to determine the G&gt;C mutation on exon 9 (G21234C) of Bovine Smoothened (SMO) gene polymorphism by using Cfr13I restriction enzyme with PCR-RFLP method in both Anatolian Black cattle and Anatolian Water Buffaloes. According to the G&gt;C mutation on exon 9 (G21234C) of SMO gene, the results showed that there were three genotypes such as GG, GC and CC in Anatolian Black cattle, but there was only one genotype GG in Anatolian Water Buffaloes. Allele and genotype frequencies in Anatolian Black cattle were estimated as 0.35 and 0.65 for G and C alleles and 0.22, 026 and 0.52 for GG, GC and CC genotypes, respectively. The Chi-square test showed that the Anatolian Black cattle population was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with respect to G21234C substitution (PC mutation on exon 9 (G21234C) of SMO gene is polymorphic in cattle, it can be concluded that SMO gene is a potential candidate gene. However, such a statement cannot be expressed for buffaloes since it is monomorphic in Anatolian buffaloes.

Postpartum uterine involution and ovarian follicular dynamics in crossbreed Anatolian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) during summer season

It was aimed to monitor postpartum (pp) uterine involution and follicular wave pattern by transrectal ultrasonography and detection of concentrations of milk progesterone (P4) in eleven water buffaloes during the summer season in Turkey. The data obtained from the first day of calving to positive pregnancy diagnosis were evaluated on a daily basis. Uterine position scores and nonechogenic material showed a decreasing grade pattern related to the time (P < 0.0001). A time effect was evident with uterine horn thickness (P < 0.05) or intercaruncular zone thickness (P < 0.01) and uterine horn lumen (P < 0.01). Uterine horn thickness showed a gravidity x time interaction (P < 0.05). Gravidity x time interaction was not evident in total uterine horn thickness but time effect was seen (P < 0.0001). Time effect was also evident for the thickness of uterine body (P < 0.0001) and cervix uteri (P < 0.01). The uterine body and horns were returned to previously nongravid state on day 26.00 ± 2.38 and the interval from calving to complete disappearance of uterine fluid was accomplished on day 31.44 ± 3.23 pp. The previously gravid and nongravid uterine horns, uterine body and cervix uteri involuted on day 31.42 ± 1.39, 28.37 ± 0.65, 29.37 ± 0.73 and 27.87 ± 0.47 pp, respectively. The interval from calving to first observation of dominant follicle of nonovulatory wave was 18.54 ± 6.91 days and on average 3.45 ± 1.91 nonovulatory waves were observed. Postpartum first ovulation occurred on day 64.45 ± 18.49. One and two wave models or combination of both waves were observed. The interval from calving to pregnancy was 72.36 ± 21.33 days. The maximum concentrations of milk P$_{4}$ during short or normal cycles and pregnancy were 0.62 ng/mL, 2.2 ng/mL, and 4.04 ng/mL, respectively. In conclusion, the presence of one or two waves should be considered when estrous synchronization programmes are planned in Anatolian water buffaloes during summer season.

Comparison of reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid test for the detection of bovine rotavirus and bovine coronavirus in anatolian water buffaloes

Aim: Coronaviruses and Rotaviruses are important virologic factors for both animal and human health in Turkey and the world Bovine Rotavirus (BRV) and Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) in cattle cause significant economic losses The aim of this study was to determine the presence of BRV and BCoV in Anatolian buffaloes which were on the same farms with cattle For this purpose, presence of these two viruses were investigated by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and BRV-BCoV Rapid tests and sensitivity and specificity ratios of these two tests were compared Materials and Methods: In this study, 230 Anatolian buffaloes were clinically evaluated in cattle farms in Afyonkarahisar region Fecal samples were collected from 27 buffaloes which had clinical signs (weakness, dehydration, vomiting, watery consistency and yellow stool) The fecal samples were evaluated by Rapid Test and RT-PCR for Bovine Rotavirus and Bovine Coronavirus The analyzes were performed according to the procedure of the commercial RT-PCR and rapid kits

Research on the determination of heat and water vapor emissions of Anatolian water buffaloes under indoor environmental conditions

This study was carried out to determine the amount of total heat, sensible heat, latent heat, and water vapor emitted by Anatolian water buffaloes in a closed barn located in the Thrace region of Turkey. At the research farm, a group was formed by randomly selecting water buffaloes based on their genetic similarities and lactation numbers. The buffalo group formed was housed in a closedtype barn. The inside and outside air temperatures, relative humidity, and milk yield values of the buffaloes were recorded for 1 year. According to the results of this research, the Anatolian water buffaloes emitted 653 kcal/h AU sensible heat, 351 kcal/h AU latent heat, and 518 g/h AU water vapor during the winter, while they emitted 421 kcal/h AU sensible heat, 536 kcal/h AU latent heat, and 916 g/h AU water vapor during the summer in the barn environment under optimum design conditions. These values can be used to control indoor climatic environmental conditions, design ventilation systems, select structural properties, and determine insulation requirement in terms of animal welfare.

Effect of Cumin Seeds (Cuminum cyminum) in Feed Diets of Anatolian Water Buffaloes on Shelter into Gass Concentration, Milk Yield and Composition

The research was carried out to determine the effects of cumin seeds in food diets of Anatolian water buffaloes (AWB) in shelter about gas concentration, milk yield and composition. The animal material of the experiment was conducted with 27 buffaloes at Karaoglan Village located in Mustafakemalpasa, Bursa. Three different buffalo shelters (E1, E2 and E3) and three different diets (S1; S2; and S3) (0, 10 and 30 g grounding cumin seeds (GCS) kg-1) in 3x3 a replicated Latin square design was used with nine replicates of one buffalo each. Periods lasted 21 days, in which the first two weeks were preliminary for adaptation and data for statistical analysis collected in week 3. In conclusion, It has been determined that 30 g cumin supplementation to AWB diets (S3; one kg of diet) significantly increased total dry matter intake and milk yield of AWB (P&lt;0:01). Meanwhile; there were no significant effects of diets containing cuminun seeds in milk composition, somatic cell count (SCC) and shelter about gas concentrations (CH4, NH3 and CO2).

Investigating proximate composition and fatty acid profile of Longissimus dorsi from Anatolian Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised in similar conditions

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare the proximate analysis and fatty acid profile of water buffalo meats. Samples were taken from three different local meat suppliers in Baklali, Orcunlu, and Nakkas villages, Istanbul Province, Turkey. Animals were males 24 months old reaching final live weights of 420-440 kg. Significant differences were observed in pH, moisture, fat, color and fatty acid profile of water buffalo meats (p<0.05 and p<0.01). The results of proximate analysis demonstrated that the pH (5.03-5.46), moisture (48.60-59.73%), fat (18.90-30.02%), ash (2.48-3.56%), protein (15.12-17.65%), ‘L’ lightness (24.38-33.50), ‘a’ redness (9.88-13.81), and ‘b’ yellowness (5.66-8.53) were found in the samples. C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C16:1, C18:1 and C18:2 content of the water buffalo meats were found to be 1.53-4.15%, 19.99-26.85%, 19.48-34.50%, 2.95-5.33%, 35.37-50.62%, and 1.02-3.56%, respectively. The total SFAs, total MUFAs, total PUFAs, and total UFAs contents of the samples ranged between 40.73 and 60.28%, 38.32 and 55.15%, 1.34 and 4.46%, and 39.72 and 59.27%, respectively.

Investigation of GH and GHRAlu I gene polymorphisms on meat yields in Anatolian water buffalo breed using PCR-RFLP method

The Anatolian water buffalo is a native water buffalo breed only being reared in Turkey. The objective of this study was to investigate gene polymorphisms on exons 4 and 5 of the growth hormone (GH) and on exon 10 of the growth hormone receptor (GHR), which are thought to be related to meat yields of Anatolian water buffalo. Blood samples of 192 water buffaloes from Sivas Province were used in DNA extractions by phenol-chloroform method. DNA samples were amplified by using specific primers in PCR. PCR products were digested by Alu I (GH, n: 167) and Alu I (GHR, n: 192) restriction enzymes in order to determine polymorphisms. Digested PCR products were separated in 2.5%-3% agarose gel electrophoresis to determine allelic polymorphisms. As a result, the LL (78.44%) and LV (21.56%) genotypes and L (0.89) and V (0.11) alleles for the GH gene and the AA (7.81%) and AG (92.19%) genotypes and A (0.54) and G (0.46) alleles for the GHR gene were obtained. Gene polymorphisms were not detected (P > 0.05) on the GH gene, but a significant difference was found for the GHR gene (P < 0.001). Therefore, it can be said that Anatolian water buffaloes have increased meat yield due to the presence of genotypes in gene regions. This was the first investigation of enzyme polymorphisms of the GHR gene in Anatolian water buffaloes.

Nucleotide Polymorphism of Leptin Gene in Anatolian Water Buffaloes

Nucleotide Polymorphism of Leptin Gene in Anatolian Water Buffaloes