Bubalus Bubalis Research Articles

BuffExDb: web-based tissue-specific gene expression resource for breeding and conservation programmes in Bubalus bubalis.

Amidst the global challenge of extreme poverty, the livestock sector can significantly contribute to global sustainable development goals by enhancing resilience, smallholder productivity, and market participation. The Indian livestock sector is one of the largest in the world with a total livestock population of 535.82 million, ∼10.7% of the world's livestock population. Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) holds significant importance in India and other Asian countries, notably contributing to their economies by surpassing cattle in milk production and providing various valuable products. The limited availability of genomic and transcriptomic resources for buffaloes hinders the efforts to enhance their traits for increased milk and meat production. To address this gap, this study adopted the state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools to analyse 2429 transcriptomes representing 438 BioSamples from 23 BioProjects obtained from a public domain database, representing 76 different types of tissues and cell types from all major organ systems in buffalo species (river and swamp). The outcome of this exhaustive genomic data led to the development of a relational buffalo expression database based on a three-tier architecture named as BuffExDb (http://46.202.167.198/buffex/). The user-friendliness and flexibilities in retrieval of tissue-specific genes (TSGs) and their functional annotation are the major characteristics of BuffExDb. This is the first of its kind that offers an effortlessly navigable and filterable database, enabling users to examine and visualize the expression levels of each tissue across multiple samples, simultaneously. It also provides the Tau score parameter for the identification of TSGs along with their essential roles in tissue development, maintenance, and function as observed through the enrichment test for gene ontologies. The exhaustive outcome of this work would pave the way for the biological, functional, and evolutionary studies for easy access. This prior information based on tissue-specific mechanisms can be used for future genomic research, especially in association studies in endeavour of enhanced buffalo breeding and conservation programmes. Database URL: http://46.202.167.198/buffex/.

Genetic diversity and phylogeography of the global Theileria orientalis isolates inferred from MPSP gene sequences.

Theileria orientalis is a non-transforming Theileria species infecting cattle and water buffaloes. Several outbreaks of oriental theileriosis accompanied by considerable economic loss were documented in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene has frequently been used to molecularly characterize T. orientalis isolates worldwide. Various MPSP genotypes were detected with significant virulence variations. The present study provides the first in silico analysis for all globally published T. orientalis MPSP isolates to evaluate their phylogeny, diversity, and population structure. All studies that tested T. orientalis isolates using PCR-MPSP protocols were systematically collected from various databases. Theileria orientalis MPSP-sequenced isolates on the GenBank were collected and the sequences were tested for their phylogenetic relatedness, genetic diversity, recombination, natural selection, and population structure using various software. The collected T. orientalis-MPSP isolates (n = 795) were clustered into 12 genotypes, including types 1 (Chitose), 2 (Ikeda), 3 (Buffeli), 4, 5, 7, 8, and N1-N5. The previously identified type 6 belonged to a separate species (Theileria sinensis). The previously identified type 9 was transferred to type 4. Two unidentified isolates from water buffaloes in India were clustered into a new suggested genotype "type N5". Of the 12 genotypes, Ikeda (type 2) is the most virulent in cattle. However, a few clinical cases have also been linked to types 1 (Chitose) and 7. In water buffaloes, T. orientalis outbreaks have been linked to genotypes N2 and N5. Geographic mapping of various genotypes revealed the dispersal of types 1 and 3 worldwide. Overall, the 795 isolates comprised 532 haplotypes and displayed very high nucleotide (π = 0.14) and haplotype (Hd = 0.995) diversities. As a result, a very low sequence conservation value (C = 0.207) was determined. The twelve genotypes displayed comparable haplotype diversities accompanied by statistically significant negative Tajima's D and Fu's Fs values suggesting population expansion. A high value for the minimum number of recombination events (Rm = 65) was estimated for the 795 isolates, and this value varied from 0 to 23 at the genotype level. Most types also displayed significant positive selection (dn/ds ratio > 1). This suggests that both recombination and positive selection occur in T. orientalis MPSP gene, which could explain the very high genetic diversity among various T. orientalis types. Different patterns were detected for the gene flow among T. orientalis populations from various hosts and geographies; however, there is evidence for the genetic relatedness between populations from neighbouring countries. The high genetic polymorphism and different associated pathogenicity in T. orientalis-MPSP genotypes highlight the need for further investigations employing whole genome sequencing technology to provide accurate comparative gene-level analyses and help further understand their pathogenicity.

Annotation and characterization of immunoglobulin loci and CDR3 polymorphism in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Annotation and characterization of immunoglobulin loci and CDR3 polymorphism in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Enhancing lumpy skin disease control: Effective competitive and indirect ELISAs for serological surveillance.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by the LSD virus (LSDV) from the Capripoxvirus genus, affects cattle, water buffalo, and wild bovines, leading to significant economic losses. Characterised by fever, skin nodules, and mucosal lesions, LSD raises global concerns due to vector-borne transmission. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) classifies LSD as a notifiable disease, emphasising the need for rapid diagnostic methods for timely disease confirmation and control. This study evaluates the performance of two previously developed ELISA tests - competitive and indirect. The validation involved 450 field sera from infected and vaccinated herds in Albania (collected in 2016, during the LSD outbreak), 332 sera from vaccinated cattle in Serbia (collected in 2017 from farms with no prior history of LSD detection), 90 sera from experimental infections at Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, and 412 field negative sera from a Capripox-free country. The comparison with the virus neutralisation test - the gold standard - demonstrated high specificity (≥0.95) and significant sensitivity (0.87-0.94), with 8-9 % of sera showing discordant results. The results diverged more in sera from animals with a single vaccination or sampled five months post-vaccination, indicating reduced antibody detectability over time. The study confirms the ELISAs' efficacy for large-scale LSDV serological surveillance, highlighting their potential to provide a cost-effective and rapid solution for monitoring and controlling LSD in endemic regions.

Serological Diagnosis of Brucella Infection in Cetaceans by Rapid Serum Agglutination Test and Competitive ELISA with Brucella abortus and Brucella ceti as Antigens.

Rose Bengal antigen and smooth lipopolysaccharide (s-LPS) were produced from a field strain of Brucella ceti ("homologous" antigens) and from the reference strain B. abortus S99 ("heterologous" antigens); they are currently used for the diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle, water buffaloes, sheep, goats, and pigs, as recommended in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). "Homologous" and "heterologous" antigens were used in a rapid serum agglutination test (Rose Bengal test, RBT) and a competitive ELISA assay (c-ELISA) to test a panel of sera, blood, and other body fluids (cerebrospinal fluid, pericardial fluid, tracheal fluid, and aqueous humor) collected from 71 individuals belonging to five cetacean species (Stenella coeruleoalba; Tursiops truncatus; Grampus griseus; Globicephala melas; and Ziphius cavirostris), which were found stranded on the Italian coastline. Six animals were positive for Brucella spp. for bacterial isolation and/or PCR, and 55 animals were negative; for the remaining 10 animals, no PCR/isolation data were available. A total of 90 samples were tested. Results obtained from the two tests were compared in order to identify the most suitable antigen for the serological diagnosis of Brucella infection in cetaceans. The RBT performed with the "homologous" antigen showed the best results in comparison with the "heterologous" antigen: diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 80.0%, 44.1%, and 46.9% for the "homologous" antigen and 80.0%, 17.0%, and 21.9% for the "heterologous" antigen. For the c-ELISA, "homologous" and "heterologous" s-LPS showed similar results (diagnostic sensitivity 66.7%, diagnostic specificity 97.3%, and diagnostic accuracy 95.0%). Therefore, the RBT using the "homologous" antigen and c-ELISA with "homologous" or "heterologous" s-LPS could be used in parallel for the detection of antibodies against Brucella spp. in cetaceans.

Relationship between body weight and dorsal area in female buffaloes

Background: Body weight (BW) has been reported as important information in the decision-making process; therefore, it is necessary to determine if body measurements obtained from the dorsal view of the animal are related to BW, considering that we are currently living in the era of the so-called "livestock 4.0". Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between BW and dorsal area (DA) in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) reared in southeastern Mexico. Methods: The BW (340 ± 161.68 kg), hip width (BW), thorax width (TW) and body length (BL) were measured in 215 female Murrah buffaloes aged between 3 months and 5 years. The DA (m2) was calculated using the mathematical formulae for calculating the area of a trapezoid, considering the HW, TW, and BL in the calculation. The relationship between BW and DA was assessed using correlation and regression models. Results: The correlation coefficient between BW and AD was 0.96 (P<0.001). The linear equation demonstrates the highest determination coefficient value (R2 = 0.94) along with the lowest mean square error (MSE = 1716.86), root MSE (RMSE = 41.43), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC = 1603.36), and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC = 1610.10). Conversely, the allometric equation exhibits the highest values of MSE, RMSE, AIC, and BIC. The quality of fit using the k-folds technique allowed us to identify that the three proposed equations showed consistent adjustments, with an accuracy above 90% (R2 = 0.92). Among them, the quadratic equation exhibited lower values of mean squared prediction error and mean absolute error. Conclusions: The DA can be a good predictor of BW in buffaloes, especially when incorporated into first and second-degree linear equations.

Cytokines as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in Mediterranean buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) is the primary agent of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Mediterranean buffalo, which has a negative economic impact on buffalo herds. Improving TB diagnostic performance in this species represents a key step to eradicate efficiently this disease. We have recently shown the utility of the IFN-γ assay in the diagnosis of M. bovis infection in Mediterranean buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), but other cytokines might be useful immunological biomarkers of this infection. We therefore investigated the utility of key immune cytokines as diagnostic biomarkers of M. bovis infection in this species. Thirty-six Italian Mediterranean buffaloes were used in this study: healthy animals (N = 11), infected (IFN-γ test positive, no post-mortem lesions, no M. bovis detection; N = 14), and affected (IFN-γ test positive, visible post-mortem lesions; N = 11). Heparin blood samples were stimulated with bovine purified protein derivative (PPD-B), alongside controls, and 18-24 h later plasma were collected. Levels of 14 key cytokines were measured: IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-4, IL-10, TNF, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IP-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, IL-36Ra, and VEGF-A. We observed that both infected and affected animals released higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-10, TNF, IL-1α, IL-6, MIP-1β, in response to PPD-B compared to healthy subjects. Mycobacterium bovis infected animals released also higher levels of IL-1β and IP-10 in response to PPD-B compared to healthy subjects, whereas only tendencies were detected in affected animals. Affected animals only released MIP-1α in response to PPD-B compared to healthy subjects and in this group higher values of PPD-B specific TNF was also observed. Finally, canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was used to generate predictive cytokine profiles by groups. Our data suggest that IL-10, TNF, IL-1α, IL-6, MIP-1β could be useful biomarkers of TB in Mediterranean Buffalo and can improve the TB diagnostic performance in this specie.

Infection survey, molecular, pathogenicity, and morphological characteristics of Sarcocystis species naturally infected water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Egypt

Abstract Background Sarcocystosis is a parasitic disease found worldwide, resulting from various Sarcocystis species. The current research was carried out in three significant economic areas in Egypt: Greater Cairo, the Nile Delta, and Upper Egypt. It aimed to investigate the occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. in locally bred water buffaloes Bubalus bubalis. Methods To achieve this objective, 317 buffalos were slaughtered in different slaughterhouses in various regions of Egypt. Samples of heart, skeletal muscle, esophagus, and tongue were assessed using macroscopic and microscopic tests. Examination methods included direct optical observation of tissues as well as digestion and examination of the sediment obtained from the tissues. Additionally, ultrastructural features were analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Molecular characterization was conducted through PCR, followed by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 317 slaughtered buffaloes were examined for Sarcocystis during the period from September 2021 to October 2023. The prevalence of infection was recorded with 229 out of 317 (72.2%) infected with Sarcocystis spp. The results also showed that the prevalence of Sarcocystis species in females was higher than males. Based on the age of carcasses, adults (> 2 years) had a higher infection rate compared to young ones (< 2 years). Regarding seasonal variation, the highest prevalence of infection was recorded during the summer followed by spring, and then autumn, while winter had the lowest prevalence of infection. Additionally, the skeletal muscle was the most susceptible organ to sarcocystosis (87.3%) followed by the esophageal muscle (8.3%), the tongue (4.4%), and no infection in the heart muscle. The use of scanning and transmission electron microscopy allowed the identification of S. fusiformis and S. cruzi in buffaloes in Egypt. Furthermore, the Sarcocystis 18 S rRNA genes from skeletal tissue samples were cloned and sequenced under accession numbers OQ507387, OQ507388, and OQ507389 for S. fusiforms, and one OQ507391 for S. cruzi. Conclusion The findings revealed a notably high prevalence of Sarcocystis infection (72.2%) in buffaloes from Egypt, with skeletal muscle identified as the organ most susceptible to the parasite. Two Sarcocystis species were detected: S. fusiformis and S. cruzi.

Effects of flubendiamide and lead exposure on circulating thyroid hormone levels in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves

The current investigation aimed to find how exposure to lead and flubendiamide affected the amounts of thyroid hormone levels in buffalo calves’ blood. For ninety days, male buffalo calves were given lead acetate orally at a rate of 9.2 mg/kg bw/day and flubendiamide orally at a rate of 0.024 mg/kg bw/day, either in combination or separately. T3 and T4 levels in blood decreased in response to both flubendiamide and lead exposure alone. When lead and flubendiamide were administered together, the animals’ T3 and T4 levels declined less than when lead and flubendiamide were administered separately. TSH activity increased markedly in rats exposed to both lead and flubendiamide, but not consistently in animals treated with flubendiamide alone. Results of the present study indicated thyrotoxic potential of flubendiamide and lead in buffalo calves. However, further study is required to elucidate the mechanism of thyrotoxic potential of flubendiamide and to understand the interactive effects of these two toxicants on thyroid function in mammals.

Analysis of <i>post-mortem</i> inspection outcomes in water buffalo (<i>Bubalus bubalis</i>) slaughtered in the province of Caserta (Campania region, southern Italy)

To date, data on post-mortem inspection outcomes in water buffaloes are absent. The present study aimed to analyze the prevalence of lesions recorded in buffaloes slaughtered from 2018 to 2022 in the province of Caserta by analyzing the data extracted from the Management Information System for Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health (GISA Campania). Between 2018 and 2022, 185,583 buffaloes were slaughtered, with a growing trend from 2018 (n=29,705) to 2022 (n=47,366). A total of 3985 lesions were recorded. At least one lesion was found in 2846 animals (1.53%). The area most frequently affected by lesions was the reproductive system (n=1046/3985; 26.24%) followed by the udder (n=929/3985; 23.31%), liver (n=511/3985; 12.82%), lungs (n=386/3985; 9.69%) and musculoskeletal system (n=192/3985; 4.82%). Degeneration was the most commonly observed condition in the liver (n=387/511; 75.73%), while pneumonia and pleuritis were frequently reported in the lungs (n=197/386; 51.04%). Additionally, traumatic injuries to the musculoskeletal system were also prevalent (n=152/192; 79.17%), while pericarditis and myocarditis were commonly found in the heart (n=64/102; 62.74%). During the period analyzed, a tuberculous-related lesion was found in 186 animals (15.41%), with a decreasing trend observed over the years. The number of lesions observed in this study is relatively low and has been decreasing over the years. This decline may be related to the adoption of stricter biosecurity measures for controlling infectious diseases and the modernization of livestock practices toward precision farming. This study demonstrates how the slaughterhouse can be an important epidemiological tool. Incorporating increasingly specific data at the slaughterhouse provides epidemiological information that can be used to understand disease trends and causes.

A multi-omics database of buffaloes from Yangtze valley reveals diversity of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is the fundamental livestock resource for local rural populations and holds a promising prospect of their milk and meat. Xuyi mountain (XYM) and Haizi (HZ) buffaloes from Yangtze valley comprises of species diversity of Asian water buffaloes. Current multi-omics enables identification of causal genes and elucidation of genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying complex traits in buffaloes. Here, we conducted the integrated analysis of metabolome and metagenome of rumen fluid, transcriptome and metabolome of blood, and whole genome sequence data from XYM (n = 7) and HZ (n = 10) male buffaloes. Our results revealed the apparent diversity of multi-layer omics profiles between two buffalo species. The built-up multi-omics database supports the discoveries of diversity in Asian water buffalo and potentially serves valuable resources for studying causal regulatory variants and their mechanisms.

Nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial nitrogen synthesis of swamp buffaloes fed urea-lime treated rice straw

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of urea-lime treatment on rice straw regarding its influence on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation efficiency in swamp buffaloes. Eight rumen-fistulated swamp buffaloes (353 ± 11 kg) were used in a completely randomised design experiment. They received one of the two diets (untreated rice straw (RS) and 2% urea + 2% lime treated rice straw (ULTRS)) during the feeding trial. Offered and residual feed were weight and collected during the 21–day experimental period while faeces and urine were sampled on the final 7 days when the animals were housed in metabolism crates. Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected on the last day for chemical analyses. The results showed a significant improvement in dry matter intake and digestibility with the use of ULTRS. Feeding ULTRS improved rumen NH3-N concentration, whereas blood and urine nitrogen contents were similar. The acetic acid concentration and methane production decreased while propionic acid content increased. Consequently, the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid was significantly reduced in buffaloes that were fed ULTRS. Total viable bacteria, amylolytic, and cellulolytic bacteria enhanced in the ULTRS treatment. The efficiency microbial nitrogen synthesis and the microbial protein synthesis were both elevated in the ULTRS group. The findings suggest that ULTRS can be used as a source of roughage to enhance nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency, microbial nitrogen and protein synthesis efficiency and methane reduction in swamp buffaloes.

74 Impact of tetraploid complementation on trophectoderm and inner cell mass in hybrid (Bubalus bubalis × Bos taurus) and bovine embryos

74 Impact of tetraploid complementation on trophectoderm and inner cell mass in hybrid (Bubalus bubalis × Bos taurus) and bovine embryos

140 Evaluation of the use of injectable progesterone for presynchronization of ovulation in fixed-time artificial insemination programs in water buffaloes

140 Evaluation of the use of injectable progesterone for presynchronization of ovulation in fixed-time artificial insemination programs in water buffaloes

Evidence of natural lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection and genetic characterization of LSDV strains from water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in India.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) has emerged as a threat to cattle production in Asia, and India has been facing LSD epidemics since 2019. Although water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is susceptible to natural LSDV infection, there have been no confirmed reports of LSDV infection in water buffalo in India. In this study, we investigated suspected cases of LSD in water buffaloes from 12 Indian states and one union territory during 2020-2023. Buffaloes showed mild to moderate clinical disease with fever and nodular skin lesions, but most remained asymptomatic. Eighteen of 177 (10.18%) buffaloes in 12 districts in three states tested positive for LSDV by real-time PCR, while 22 of 57 (38.59%) from nine districts in six states tested positive for LSDV-neutralizing antibodies, demonstrating the prevalence of LSDV infection in buffaloes over a wider geographic area. Successful virus isolation and nucleotide sequencing confirmed natural LSDV infection in buffaloes. Phylogenetic analysis of complete GPCR, RPO30, and EEV gene sequences revealed the presence of wild-type strains of two divergent LSDV lineages (1.2.1 and 1.2.2) in buffaloes. The 1.2.2 strains were closely related to the dominant LSDV strain (subcluster 1.2.2, KSGP-like) circulating in India, while the 1.2.1 strains clustered with strains from the Middle East, Europe, and the Balkans, confirming that there have been multiple introductions of LSDV into India. The detection of viruses with identical sequences in buffaloes and local cattle implied that the LSDV strain found in buffaloes is probably of cattle origin. We also found evidence of cocirculation of LSDV 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 wild-type strains in the same area, highlighting the importance of LSDV surveillance and genetic analysis. This is the first confirmed report of natural LSDV infection in water buffaloes in India. Further investigations are needed to assess the impact of LSDV infection in buffalo production and the role of buffalo in LSD epidemiology.

Establishing Water Buffaloes as a Promising Source of Red Meat in Pursuit of Sustainable Animal Proteins for a Better World

Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are distributed in 46 countries across 5 continents and hold significant importance within the livestock production system in various South Asian countries. Water buffaloes are native to Asia and Mediterranean regions and have a significant impact on the economic profitability of producers due to their valuable contributions through milk, meat, leather, and draught power. The production of buffalo meat plays a significant role in safeguarding global food security by meeting the growing demand for high-quality proteins. Buffaloes provide consumers with an unmatched blend of low-fat, low-cholesterol, conjugated linoleic acid and other bioactive peptide-rich meat with a lower atherogenic index and health advantages. Multiple utility, climate-smart nature, reduced food miles, suitability under a small-holder production system, and contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals promise water buffaloes as a sustainable source of red meat. This comprehensive depiction emphasizes the pivotal position that buffaloes are expected to assume in the future of meat technology. The current review serves as an essential reference for stakeholders engaged in the dynamic domain of buffalo meat production, processing, import and export agencies, standard-setting bodies, and policymakers.

The Street Dogs of Kurtuluş and Paths to Animal History of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa

What might an animal history of the modern Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa look like? This essay begins to answer this question by considering the influences of more recent attention to the environment generally and animals specifically in regional historiography and its relationship to animal history more broadly. The essay explores the dimensions of these histories by synthesizing some of the research on a number of non-human animals, among them camels, mosquitoes, locusts, sheep (and a few goats), water buffalo (and a few cattle), and dogs amid capitalist and colonial transformations of the world. In different ways and in different places, these creatures helped shape the nature of Orientalism, racialization, and colonial hierarchies; they helped determine urban design, transport infrastructure, and commodity flows; and they helped influence the fate of the Zionist project, the nature of the Armenian genocide, and the reality of Ottoman legal reforms. In sum, the essay presents animals as both material forces acting beyond human control and as cultural objects onto and through whom humans articulated visions of order and difference.

Comparison of the Prevalence of Liver Fluke Infection in Native Cattle and Native Swamp Buffaloes in Luang Prabang Province, Laos

This study aimed to survey the prevalence of Fasciola spp. infection in cattle and buffaloes in Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR (Laos). To determine the prevalence of Fasciola spp. a total of 100 individual fecal samples (50 from buffaloes and 50 from cattle) were collected from smallholder farms in seven locations within Luang Prabang province. The samples were examined in the lab using the Benedek Sedimentation method and Mc Master egg counting techniques. The results showed an apparent prevalence of Fasciola spp. infection of 12% across all herds, with 5 native swamp buffaloes (5%) and 7 native cattle (7%) infected. When comparing three age groups, it was discovered that 25% (5/20) of all buffaloes infected with Fasciola spp. were 1-3 years old, accounting for 10% of all buffaloes. Among the cattle, 7 infected individuals were 1-3 years old, representing 14% of the 50 cattle sampled. Specifically, 20% (3/15) of cattle aged 1-3 years were infected, 14.29% (2/14) of less than a year old were infected, and 9.52% of cattle older than three years were infected. The results indicate that the highest mean infection rate occurred in animals aged 1 to 3 years (P < 0.05). A comparison between species revealed no significant effect of species on the prevalence of Fasciola spp. (P > 0.05). Farmers in the seven villages raised large ruminants on a free-range basis in paddy rice fields post-harvest and on natural fodder and pasture grass. Therefore, further research on the comparative prevalence of Fasciola spp. infection in cattle and buffaloes across different seasons and farm systems is recommended.

Expression of Chitinase-like 3 Protein 1 (CHI3L1) in Buffalo Cumulus-oocyte Complexes during in vitro Maturation

Background: Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are a vital livestock species in South Asia, significantly contributing to milk production and agricultural sustainability. However, reproductive inefficiency remains a significant challenge, adversely impacting productivity. In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is a critical technique for improving reproductive efficiency in buffaloes. Chitinase-3-like Protein 1 (CHI3L1), known for its roles in tissue remodelling and inflammation, has emerged as a potential regulator in reproductive processes. This study investigates the expression of CHI3L1 in buffalo cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during IVM to explore its role in oocyte maturation. Methods: Buffalo ovaries were collected post-slaughter and COCs were retrieved and cultured in TCM 199 medium supplemented with FSH, LH and estradiol. The COCs were classified into immature and mature groups based on morphological criteria after 24 hours of culture. Total RNA was extracted from both groups and CHI3L1 expression was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blot analysis was performed to assess CHI3L1 protein levels in both immature and mature oocytes. Result: The study found a significant upregulation of CHI3L1 expression in mature COCs, with a 3-fold increase compared to immature COCs (p less than 0.05). Western blot analysis confirmed the higher intensity of CHI3L1 protein in mature oocytes, correlating with the qRT-PCR results. These findings suggest that CHI3L1 plays a crucial role in the maturation of buffalo oocytes, potentially through its involvement in tissue remodelling and inflammatory responses within the COCs.

Complete Genomic Landscape Reveals Hidden Evolutionary History and Selection Signature in Asian Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

To identify the genetic determinants of domestication and productivity of Asian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), 470 genomes of domesticated river and swamp buffaloes along with their putative ancestors, the wild water buffaloes (Bubalus arnee) are sequenced and integrated. The swamp buffaloes inherit the morphology of the wild buffaloes. In contrast, most river buffaloes are unique in their morphology, but their genomes cluster with the wild buffaloes. The levels of genomic diversity in Italian river and Indonesian swamp buffaloes decrease at opposite extremes of their distribution range. Purifying selection prevented the accumulation of harmful loss-of-function variants in the Indonesian buffaloes. Genes that evolved rapidly (e.g., GKAP1) following differential selections in the river and swamp buffaloes are involved in their reproduction. Genes related to milk production (e.g., CSN2) and coat color (e.g., MC1R) underwent strong selections in the dairy river buffaloes via soft and hard selective sweeps, respectively. The selective sweeps and single-cell RNA-seq data revealed the luminal cells as the key cell type in response to artificial selection for milk production of the dairy buffaloes. These findings show how artificial selection has been driving the evolutionary divergence and genetic differentiation in morphology and productivity of Asian water buffaloes.