Buffalo Bulls Research Articles

Testosterone levels and the genetic variation of sex hormone-binding globulin gene of Bubalus bubalis, bulls in Egypt

Testosterone is themain plasma androgen produced and secreted by male testis. To be bioactive, it binds to sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG), i.e. the major transporter protein of sex steroids in the blood of mammals and other vertebrate species.Firstly, this study aimed to determine the levels of testosterone in different-age groups of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) in Egypt, and secondly to screen the genetic polymorphisms in their SHBG gene and to investigatewhether these polymorphisms are associated with the level of the circulating serum testosterone. Blood samples were collected from 67 Egyptian buffalo bulls representing four different age-groups and testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Selected DNA samples from different age-groups were sequenced for the full length of theirSHBGgene.Asignificant increase in the concentration of serum testosterone in buffalo bulls was recorded with the advancement of age from 12/18 to 24/36 months. Based on the number of polymorphisms in SHBG gene, the current study reveals the presence of three bull genotypes, of which one is likely to be associated with low testosterone concentration, while other is likely to be associated with an increased testosterone concentration. Such genetic associations can provide a good tool for the selection of bull genotypes with higher testosterone concentrations, which are indispensible for breeding purposes.

Study on correlation of sperm quality parameters with antioxidant and oxidant status of buffalo bull semen during various stages of cryopreservation.

This investigation was carried out to study the correlation of sperm quality parameters with antioxidant and oxidant status of buffalo bull semen during various stages of cryopreservation. Semen samples were evaluated for sperm parameters (mass motility [MM], concentration [CON], progressive motility [PM], viability [VIB], acrosomal integrity [AI] and hypo-osmotic swelling [HOS] response), antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) and oxidants (Lipid peroxidation [LPO] and reactive oxygen species [ROS]) at fresh, pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Sperm parameters (PM, VIB, AI and HOS response) and antioxidants (SOD, CAT and TAC) were significantly (p<.05) reduced at fresh stage, and oxidants (LPO and ROS) were significantly (p<.05) increased at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. At fresh stage, MM was negatively correlated with LPO (p<.05), and CON was positively correlated with SOD, TAC and CAT, negatively correlated with LPO and CAT was positively (p<.01) correlated with VIB and HOS response. At pre-freeze stage, CAT was positively correlated with PM and AI (p<.05), and AI was negatively (p<.05) correlated with ROS. At post-thaw stage, CAT was positively correlated with PM, VIB, HOS response and AI,, and LPO was negatively correlated with HOS, AI and VIB. The study of correlations of these parameters at different preservation stages with bull fertility may play an important role in developing models for predicting future fertility of bulls in the absence of conception rate data.

Effect of age on lipid peroxidation of fresh and frozen-thawed semen of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls

Buffalo bull spermatozoa are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and are prone to lipid peroxidation. We hypothesised that lipid peroxidation in buffalo bull semen will increase with age and will affect the semen quality. The objective was to compare malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the quality of fresh and frozen-thawed semen between aged (13.6 ± 1.0 years; n = 3) and young (3.4 ± 0.3 years; n = 3) Nili-Ravi bulls. The concentration of MDA did not differ (p >.05) between aged vs. young bulls in fresh (2.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.9 ± 0.7 nmol mL−1), frozen-thawed (53.1 ± 2.8 vs. 48.4 ± 2.6 nmol mL−1) semen and seminal plasma (5.71 ± 0.97 vs. 5.19 ± 1.36 nmol mL−1), respectively. In fresh semen, sperm motility and total concentration did not differ (p > .05) between aged and young bulls. The volume of fresh semen increased (p > .05) while sperm viability and DNA integrity decreased (p < .05) in aged vs. young bulls. In frozen-thawed semen, sperm motility, viability and DNA integrity decreased (p < .05) in aged vs. young bulls. In frozen-thawed vs. fresh semen, MDA level increased within young (48.4 ± 2.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.2 nmol mL−1) and aged bulls (53.1 ± 2.8 vs. 2.9 ± 0.7 nmol mL−1). Conversely, sperm motility and viability decreased (p < .05) within the age groups between fresh and frozen-thawed semen. In conclusion, (1) lipid peroxidation (MDA) does not increase due to age; however, it is negatively associated with semen quality and (2) cryopreservation steps up lipid peroxidation irrespective of age and deteriorates semen quality of Nili-Ravi bulls.

Improvement in cryosurvival of buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) sperm by altering freezing rate within critical temperature range

Objective: To optimize the cryopreservation of buffalo bull semen by altering freezing rates within critical temperature range (4 °C to -60 °C). Methods: A total of 20 ejaculates each from 5 Murrah buffalo bulls were cryopreserved using programmable biofreezer in 2 phases. In the 1st phase, 9 freezing rates were applied at -2, -5, -10, -20, -30, -40, -50, -60 or -4 °C/min (control) from 4 °C to -15 °C ; at -40 °C/min from -15 °C to -60 °C. In the 2nd phase, a fixed freezing rate was applied at -30 °C /min from 4 °C to -15 °C. Six freezing rates were applied at -10, -20, -30, -40 (control), -50 or -60 °C/min from -15 °C to -60 °C. The freezing from -60 °C to -140 °C were fixed at -50 °C/min in both the phases. Post thaw semen quality was assessed in terms of motility, viability, membrane integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test), sperm abnormalities, and active mitochondria. Data were arc sine transformed and analyzed through one-way analysis of variance using SPSS software. Results: In the 1st phase, percent individual motility, progressive motility and viability were similar among various protocols. Percent hypo-osmotic swelling reactive sperm was higher with freezing at -30 °C/min. In the 2nd phase, percent individual motility, viability and hypo-osmotic swelling reactive sperm was higher with freezing at -50 °C /min. Sperm head abnormalities were lower at -30 °C /min in the 1st phase, but were similar among the protocols of the 2nd phase. Percent active mitochondria were higher at -30 °C /min in the 1st phase and at -50 °C/min in the 2nd phase. Conclusions: The optimum post thaw semen quality of buffalo bull could be obtained by applying freezing rate at -30 °C/min (4 °C to -15 °C) and at -50 °C/min (-15 °C to -140 °C ), followed by plunging of straws in into liquid nitrogen for storage.

Effect of different concentration of fish oil in skim milk-egg yolk extenders on post- thawed semen qualities of Kalang swamp buffalo bull

Objective: To explore the effect of fish oil at different concentrations on post-thawed semen of Kalang swamp buffalo. Methods: A total of 4 Kalang swamp buffalo bulls with 3-5 years of age and weighed about 340-360 kg were slected. Semen was regularly collected from these buffalo bulls once a week by an artificial vagina. Fish oil was supplementary at the dosages of 0 mg (control), 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg to the extender (skim milk-egg yolk). Fresh, pre-freezing and frozen semen were thawed at 37 °C and evaluated for motility, viability, morphology, and plasma integrity of membrane. Results: The study results indicated that before freezing, supplementation of fish oil at the dose of 150 mg in the extender had significantly motility. And a significant (P<0.05) increase was observed in viability and motility of post-thawed semen at the dose of 150 mg fish oil, which was in difference with other treatment groups. Conclusions: Addition of 150 mg fish oil in the extender could be positive for the enhancement of the quality of post-thawed semen of Kalang swamp buffaloes.

Impact of replacing egg yolk with lecithin on quality of pre-freeze and post-thaw buffalo spermatozoa

Objective: To estimate the result of egg yolk replacement with alternative cryopreservatives such as plant-derived lecithin from soybean on sperm quality parameters pre and post freezing in buffalo bulls. Methods: The control cryopreservation extender was tris-citric acid-fructose-egg yolk-glycerol (TCFYG) diluent. Semen samples were extended gradually 1:10 with TCFYG control extender and tris-citric acid-fructose-glycerol (TCFG) extender plus variable concentrations of soybean lecithin (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0%) to ensure 60 million active spermatozoa/mL of the extended semen. The diluted semen samples were refrigerated slowly (roughly for 2 h) up to 5 °C and equilibrated for 2 h. Semen was filled into 0.25 mL polyvinyl French straws (IMV, France). After equilibration period, the straws were placed horizontally on a rack and frozen in a vapor 4 cm above liquid nitrogen for 10 min and were then dipped stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 °C. Results: The respective overall percentages of forward motile spermatozoa, live spermatozoa, morphologically normal spermatozoa, acrosome integrity and hypo-osmotic swelling reactivity observed primarily in fresh semen, after equilibration (pre-freeze stage) and post freezing (post-thaw stage) in TCFYG (control) extended semen declined progressively and statically (P

Influence of multiple showering on quality of buffalo semen during hot-humid season

Objectives: This experiment was conducted on buffaloes to see effect of showering on maintaining good quality of buffalo semen in hot season. Materials and methods : This study was conducted on 6(six) indigenous buffalo bulls in hot summer of March and April 2017. The effect of multiple showering vs single shower alone on fresh and equilibrated semen quality was observed. The buffalos were divided into similar two groups (according to age and weight) and housed in half-walled openshed with adequate spacing and the feeding management being identical. The bulls in the control group were allowed to a single shower at 10.00 am and experimental bulls were allowed to four showers at 07.00, 10.00, 13.00 and 16.00. Temperature and humidity were recorded during this time. The average temperature was around 35°C along with 72% relative humidity. The quality of experimental bull’s semen was evaluated in terms of volume, live sperm, sperm concentration, sperm motility, motion parameters and morphology for normal and abnormal sperm. For this analysis Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA) system was used. Results: Between experimental group and control group semen quality differs significantly for volume (2.04±0.13 mL; 2.53±0.27 mL) ( P <0.01); live sperm (81.38±1.22%; 90.28±1.53%) ( P <0.01), normal fraction (36.87±6.38%; 47.87±12.01%) ( P <0.05); DMR (6.89±5.86%, 5.86±1.45%) ( P <0.05) and for proximal droplet (57.86±4.30, 45.26±10.96) ( P <0.05). Motility and motion parameters for fresh semen were not significantly different. Conclusion: In short, showering showed significant effect on different parameters of fresh semen quality of buffalo but not in case of further processing. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2018.e239

Effect of buffalo bull breeds on developmental competence and vitrification of in-vitro produced embryos

Objective: To assess effect of buffalo bull breed on the development and cryotolerence of the in vitro produced embryos. Methods: Three types of frozen semen were adopted; Egyptian, Italian and cross-bred (Egyptian-Italian) breeds were used for in-vitro fertilization and vitrification of their embryos. Oocytes were collected from buffalo ovaries and matured in vitro for 24 h, then they were fertilized using the three semen breeds. The produced embryos of morula and blastocysts were vitrified using ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide then evaluated for their viability after warming. Results: The cleavage and blastocysts rates significantly declined in oocytes fertilized by Egyptian (P<0.01) than in Italian (P<0.05) and crossbred (P<0.05) frozen semen. After embryo vitrification, there were no significant differences among the three breeds in the percentages of morphologically viable embryos evaluated directly after warming and at 24 h post-culture. Conclusions: The in vitro fertilization response to frozen-thawed semen varies between breeds; however, the resistance of produced embryos to the damage effect of vitrification does not vary.

Impact of Seasons and Extenders on Quality and Freezability of Surti Buffalo Bull Semen under Middle Gujarat Climate

A study was conducted to evaluate the seasonal influence (peak winter and summer) and the efficacy of three extenders (egg yolk based TFYG extender and egg yolk free soya bean based commercial extenders Optixcell and Andromed) on quality and freezability of Surti buffalo bull semen in middle Gujarat. Semen ejaculates (6/bull/season, total 36) revealed mean ejaculate volume 3.23±0.18 ml, sperm concentration 963.06±64.74 million/ml, progressive motility 79.94±0.83 %, live sperm 83.67±0.62 %, abnormal sperm 7.69±0.41 %, and sperm with intact plasma membrane 83.19±0.75 % and intact acrosome 94.92±0.24 %. Only the progressive sperm motility (80.56±0.98 vs. 73.33±0.57 %) and HOST (85.33±0.81 vs 81.06±1.07 %) were significantly (p

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Herbs on Semen Quality and Oxidative Stress in Subfertile Buffalo Bulls

The study was conducted to assess the combined effects of herbs on semen quality and oxidative stress in subfertile buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis). A total of 144 semen ejaculates (16 ejaculates/bull) were collected from 3 subfertile buffalo bulls following oral supplementation of Panax ginseng roots, Shilajit, Withania somnifera roots, Tribulus terrestris fruits, Turnera diffusa leaves, Ptychopetalum olacoides bark each @ 400 mg/100 kg body weight and Pausinystalia yohimbe bark @ 300 mg/100 kg body weight of bulls for 60 days. Semen was evaluated for quality and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) during pre-supplementation, supplementation and post-supplementation phases (each phase of 60 days). Herbal supplementation significantly (P

Australia's Northern Safari

[Extract] Filmed during a 1955 family trip from Perth to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Keith Adams’s Northern Safari showed to packed houses across Australia, and in some overseas locations, across three decades. Essentially a home movie, initially accompanied by live commentary and subsequently by a homemade sound track, it tapped into audiences’ sense of Australia’s north as a place of adventure. In the film Adams interacts with the animals of northern Australia (often by killing them), and while by 1971 the violence apparent in the film was attracting criticism in letters to newspapers, the film remained popular through to the mid-1980s, and was later shown on television in Australia and the United States (Cowan 2; Adams, Crocodile Safari Man 261). A DVD is at present available for purchase from the website of the same name (Northern Safari). Adams and his supporters credited the film’s success to the rugged and adventurous landscape of northern Australia (Northeast vii), characterised by dangerous animals, including venomous spiders, sharks and crocodiles (see Adams, “Aussie”; “Crocodile”). The notion of Australia’s north as a place of rugged adventure was not born with Adams’s film, and that film was certainly not the last production to exploit the region and its wildlife as a source of excitement. Rather, Northern Safari belongs to a long list of adventure narratives whose hunting exploits have helped define the north of Australian as a distinct region and contrast it with the temperate south where most Australians make their lives. This article explores the connection between adventure in Australia’s north and the large animals of the region. Adams’s film capitalised on popular interest in natural history, but his film is only one link in a chain of representations of the Australian north as a place of dangerous and charismatic megafauna. While over time interest shifted from being largely concentrated on the presence of buffalo in the Northern Territory to a fascination with the saltwater crocodiles found more widely in northern Australia that interest in dangerous prey animals is significant to Australia’s northern imaginary.

Evaluation of Buffalo Bull Semen for Some Venereal Diseases Using PCR

Artificial insemination by frozen semen is a major approach for diseases transmission. This work intended to scan the buffalo bull semen for brucellosis caused by Br. melitensis, toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and Neosporosis caused by Neospora caninum using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Fifty bulls were used in this study. Semen was assessed for volume, motility, viability, and chromatin damage. Total genomic DNA was extracted from buffalo semen and amplified by PCR. The results showed that, semen samples were positive to toxoplasmosis in 6% of the semen samples, while all the semen samples were totally negative to brucellosis and neosporosis. No significant differences were found in the semen characteristics between bulls positive and that were negative to toxoplasmosis. In conclusion, the present trial suggests the opportunity of venereal transmission of T. gondii among buffaloes .However, further investigations are required using high number of semen samples from different localities of Egypt.

Incubation of spermatozoa with Anandamide prior to cryopreservation reduces cryocapacitation and improves post-thaw sperm quality in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid, has been shown to reduce capacitation and acrosomal exocytosis in human spermatozoa. Because buffalo spermatozoa are highly susceptible to cryopreservation induced damage, AEA was assessed as to whether it could protect spermatozoa from cryo-damage. Six ejaculates from six Murrah buffalo bulls (total 36 ejaculates) were utilized for the study. Each ejaculate was divided into four aliquots; spermatozoa in Aliquot 1 were extended in Tris-Citrate-Egg Yolk and frozen as per the standard protocol. Spermatozoa in Aliquots 2, 3 and 4 were incubated with AEA at 1 nM, 1 μM and 10 μM, respectively in Tris-Citrate extender for 15 min at 37 °C before cryopreservation. Cryopreserved spermatozoa were thawed at 37 °C for 30 s before assessment of sperm motility, membrane integrity, capacitation, acrosome reaction, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and lipid peroxidation status. The proportion of motile and membrane intact spermatozoa were greater (P < 0.05) with use of 1 μM AEA incorporated group compared with other groups. The proportion of un-capacitated and acrosome intact spermatozoa was greater (P < 0.05) with use of 1 or 10 μM of AEA compared with the other groups. When compared to the control group, use of 1 μM AEA resulted in a greater proportion of spermatozoa with high MMP (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the lipid peroxidation status of spermatozoa among any of the four groups. It was inferred that the protective role of AEA during cryopreservation of buffalo spermatozoa was dose dependent and incubation of spermatozoa with AEA at 1 μM concentration prior to cryopreservation reduced cryo-capacitation and improved post-thaw sperm quality in buffalo.

Luteinizing hormone beta gene polymorphism and its effect on semen quality traits and luteinizing hormone concentrations in Murrah buffalo bulls.

ObjectivePresent investigation was aimed to study the Single Nucleotide Variants of the luteinizing hormone beta (LHβ) gene and to analyze their association with the semen quality (fresh and post-thawed frozen semen) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in Murrah buffalo bulls.MethodsPolymerase chain reaction–single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR–SSCP) and Sanger sequencing method is used to study genetic variability in LHβ gene. LH assay was carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. A fixed general linear model was used to analyze association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of LHβ gene with semen quality in 109 and LH concentrations in 80 Murrah bulls.ResultsLHβ gene was found to be polymorphic. Total six SNPs were identified in LHβ gene g C356090A, g C356113T, g A356701G, g G355869A, g G356330C, and g G356606T. Single Stranded Conformational Polymorphism variants of pattern 2 of exon 1+pattern 2 of exon 2+pattern 1 of exon 3 had highly significant (p<0.01) effect on sperm concentration (million/mL), percent mass motility, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity in fresh and frozen semen whereas significant (p<0.05) effect was observed on percent live spermatozoa. SSCP variants of pattern 2 of exon 1+pattern 2 of exon 2+pattern 1 of exon 3 had highly significant (p<0.01) effect on luteinizing hormone concentrations too.ConclusionThe observed association between SSCP variants of LHβ gene with semen quality parameters and LH concentrations indicated the possibilities of using LHβ as a candidate gene for identification of markers for semen quality traits and LH concentrations in Murrah buffaloes.

Partial deoxygenation of extender improves sperm quality, reduces lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species during cryopreservation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of partial deoxygenation of extender on sperm quality, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) during cryopreservation of semen. Semen extender was prepared freshly and split into three sub-extenders [Extender I: control (non-deoxygenated), Extender II (partially deoxygenated by using LN2 flushing) and Extender III (partially deoxygenated mechanically by vacuum pump)]. Amounts of dissolved oxygen (DO) were determined in all the three extenders and also in post-thaw semen. Ejaculates with mass motility of ≥3+ and individual progressive motility of 70% or greater were collected from Murrah buffalo bulls and utilized in the study. Each semen sample was divided into Groups I (diluted with Extender I), II (diluted with Extender II) and III (diluted Extender III) with a maximum of 60 × 106 sperm/mL. French mini straws (0.25 mL) were filled with the extended semen samples, sealed with polyvinyl alcohol powder, kept for 3 h at 5 °C for equilibration and then stored in an automatic programmable freezer until the temperature of straws reached −145 °C followed by plunging the straws into liquid nitrogen (–196 °C). Semen samples were evaluated at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages for various variables [sperm motility, live sperm count, acrosomal integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) response, LPO and ROS concentrations]. The mean DO was less (P < 0.05) in Extender II as compared to I and III. The DO was less (P < 0.05) in Group II (semen extended with Extender II) as compared with III (semen extended with Extender III) and I (semen extended with Extender I). The percentages for sperm motility, viability and intact acrosomes (PIA) were greater (P < 0.05) in Groups II and III as compared to the control group at the pre-freeze stage, while at the post-thaw stage, percentages of sperm motility, viability, PIA and HOS response were greater (P < 0.05) in Group II as compared with the control group and Group III. Pre-freeze HOS response (%) was greater (P < 0.05) in Group II as compared with the control and Group III. At the pre-freeze stage, sperm LPO and ROS were less (P < 0.05) in Groups II and III as compared with the control and at post-thaw stage, spermatic LPO and ROS concentrations were less (P < 0.05) in Group II than in the control group and Group III. In conclusion, partial deoxygenation of extender improves sperm quality, reduces sperm LPO and ROS concentrations in buffalo during cryopreservation. Partial deoxygenation of the extender with LN2 flushing may be one of the ways for improving quality and fertility of frozen-thawed buffalo sperm.

EFFECTS OF BLINDFOLD AND TAIL BEND OF EGYPTIAN WATER BUFFALO ON BEHAVIOURAL REACTIVITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO PAIN INDUCTION

Buffaloes are an important economic source for milk and meat production and for work and draught power in Egypt. Improving management practices applied to water buffalo may not only improve their welfare but has also an economic benefit. This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of blindfold and tail bending during restraint for veterinary treatment of Egyptian buffaloes on their behavioural reactivity and physiological responses to stress. Forty-eight Egyptian water buffalo bulls, naïve to the testing situation, were arbitrarily assigned to either blindfold (visual restriction) (BF), tail bending (physical control) (TT) or control (CT) (no visual restriction or physical control) treatment during restraint. Animals were entered the squeeze chute and the sides of the chute were adjusted to make contact with the animal body so that preventing unsteady movements, and were subjected to a 3day (day 1, 2 and 3) testing trials (injection stress) of three minutes each (1 m pre injection induction phase, 1 m injection induction phase and 1 m post injection induction phase). Heart rate (HR) was recorded using a stethoscope as soon as the animal was positioned in the squeeze chute and the respiratory rate (RR) was determined through counting the movement of flank region, and various reactivity-indicating behaviours were collected onto check sheet. Average HR decreased in both TT and BF bulls during and after stress (P= 0.001) but the reduction in HR was greater in BF bulls (67.25±3.41 and 55.00±1.08, respectively) in day 3 after stress (P= 0.001). Similarly, average RR decreased in both TT and BF bulls (P= 0.001) during and after stress but the reduction was greater in BF bulls during stress (25.38±0.53 and 19.92±0.33, respectively). Blindfolding and tail bending buffalo bulls decreased average frequency of their behavioural indicators of reactivity including: chest chute forcing prestress (P=0.01), during and post stress (P=0.001); head move (P=0.001); kicking prestress (P=0.05) during stress (P=0.001) and post stress (P=0.05); struggling move prestress, during stress (P=0.001) and post stress (P=0.05). The reduction was greater in BF bulls in case of chest chute prestress (0.08±0.05 and 0.50±0.16, respectively), struggling move during (0.33±0.02 and 0.75±0.04, respectively) and post stress (0.13±0.06 and 0.29±0.08, respectively). Taken together, both tail bend and blindfold water buffaloes decreased behavioural and physiological indicators of stress but BF appeared more beneficial and may therefore be recommended to reduce stress accompanying routine veterinary examination of buffaloes

Comparative Meat Production Performance Evaluation of Buffalo with Cattle at Different Ages

An inquisitive on-station feeding trial was carried out to identify the dexterous species and age for beef production with same plane of nutrition. A 2×3 (2 species × 3 ages) factorial experiment was settled for a period of 105 days with eighteen native buffalo and 18 BCB-1 (BLRI Cattle Breed-1) bulls of three age groups (18 months, 24 months and 30 months) and distributed them randomly in six treatment groups having an equal number (6) of animals in each. Intake of nutrients i.e.: DM, CP of buffalo bulls was significantly (p&lt;0.001) higher than BCB-1 bulls in all the cases. The buffalo bulls had significantly higher digestibility of DM (68.0%, p&lt;0.001), OM (67.9%, p&lt;0.001), CP (66.3%, p&lt;0.05), ADF (59.8%, p&lt;0.001) or NDF (59.6%, p&lt;0.001) than cattle (63.0%, 62.7%, 63.6%, 52.4% &amp; 49.6%, respectively). But, the digestibility of DM, OM, CP, ADF or NDF was not affected significantly (p&gt;0.05) by the age of the bulls with any cases. Buffalo bulls gained body weight more rapidly (p&lt;0.001); 1.11 &amp; 0.88 kg/day, respectively and showed a better FCR (p&gt;0.05; 6.72 &amp; 6.86, respectively) than cattle with low feed cost of per kg gain (US$ 1.62 &amp; US$ 1.69, respectively). ADG (p&lt;0.01), FCR (p&lt;0.05) and estimated feed cost (p&lt;0.05) affected significantly and increased linearly by the age of bulls, where 18 months bulls of buffalo and BCB-1 performed best. In an aggregation, it revealed that, buffalo performed better than BCB-1 cattle and 18 months age of both species was more responsive for profitable meat production.

Comparative evaluation between the extenders TES-TRIS and ACP-112® and the association of Sálva Marajó oil (Lippia origanoides) in the quality of cryopreserved buffalo sperm

For artificial insemination, it is essential to use frozen semen, however the freezing process causes deleterious changes to the structure and integrity of sperm membranes that compromise the function of sperm. To avoid this cellular damage, extenders and suitable substrates must be used to recover the highest possible number of viable cells post-thaw. To this end, in the first experiment, we evaluated three different extenders: TES-TRIS, which is widely used for buffaloes; and an extender composed of powdered coconut water-based (ACP-112®) with or without milk (ACP-112®-milk) for buffalo semen freezing. In the second experiment, we evaluated the effect of Lippia origanoides oil extract on protecting buffalo sperm against cryoinjury arising from freezing semen. Semen was collected from ten buffalo bulls (10 ejaculates/bull) and diluted in TES-TRIS (control), ACP-112® or ACP-112®-Milk in the first experiment. In the second experiment, the samples were diluted in the diluent with the best results for sperm quality obtained in experiment I, and 2.5 ?g mL-1, 5 ?g mL-1 or 10 ?g mL-1 of the plant extract was added to treatments; and a control group containing only the diluent was also included. The fresh semen was analyzed for conventional features such as motility, concentration, morphology and viability. After thawing, the samples were evaluated again for motility, vigor and supra-vital staining, and then, were performed the of thermal-resistance test, hypoosmotic test and evaluated sperm membrane integrity with the fluorescent probes PI, FITC-PSA and JC-1 using flow cytometry. The data were submitted to ANOVA, and the results were compared by Tukey’s test at a significance of 5%. In the first experiment, the extender TES-TRIS showed better results for the various characteristics evaluated compared to ACP-112® and ACP-112®-Milk (P &lt; 0.05), demonstrating greater protection of the buffalo sperm structures during cryopreservation. In the second experiment, the treatments with different concentrations of Lippia origanoides essential oil extract showed no differences among the assessed variables regarding the protection of sperm structures during cryopreservation (P &gt; 0.05). Based on these data, we demonstrated the beneficial effects of TES-TRIS for post-thaw buffalo sperm quality; however, no protective effect was observed for buffalo sperm cryopreserved with the different tested concentrations of Lippia origanoides extract oil.

Effect of breeding method and season on pregnancy rate and embryonic and fetal losses in lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of breeding method and season on pregnancy rate and cumulative embryonic and fetal losses in Nili-Ravi buffalo. Estrus detection was performed twice a day by teaser buffalo bull for 1hour each. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to address the breeding method and season. Buffaloes (n = 130) exhibiting estrus were randomly assigned to be bred either in peak breeding season (PBS; n = 80) or low breeding season (LBS; n = 50). Within each season, buffaloes were divided to receive either natural service (NS; n = 65) or artificial insemination (AI; n = 65). NS buffaloes, in estrus, were allowed to remain with the bull until mating. AI was achieved, using frozen thawed semen of bull of known fertility. PBS comprised of September to December and LBS were from May to July. Serial ultrasonography was performed on days 30, 45, 60, and 90 after breeding (day 0) to monitor pregnancy rate and embryonic and fetal losses. The pregnancy rate on day 30 after breeding was higher in NS as compared to AI group (63 vs. 43%; P < 0.05) during PBS while it did not differ (48 vs. 32%; P > 0.05) in LBS. The cumulative embryonic and fetal losses between days 31 and 90 were significantly lower in PBS than LBS (33 vs. 60%; P < 0.05), ignoring breeding method. Pregnancy rates were better with NS in PBS, and cumulative embryonic fetal losses were higher in LBS in Nili-Ravi buffalo.

EFFECT OF TONOPHOSPHANE AS A PHOSPHORUS COMPOUND PREPARATION ON SEXUAL DESIRE AND SEMEN QUALITY OF EGYPTIAN BUFFALO BULLS

Aim of this study was to evaluate sexual desire, physical semen characteristics, and some blood biochemical parameters of buffalo bulls injected with tonophosphane during summer season. Total of 20 sexually mature Egyptian buffalo bulls with average of 4 years of age and 600 kg live body weight were divided into 4 experimental groups (5 bulls in each). Bulls in the 1st group (G1) were served as a control and did not receive any treatment. However, each bull of those in the 2nd (G2), 3rd (G3) and 4th (G4) groups was once weekly administrated by intramuscular injection with 5, 7 and 10 ml of tonophosphane for 8 weeks (treatment period). Reaction time (RT) and scrotal circumference (SC) were recorded, semen was collected by artificial vagina and evaluated, and blood samples were taken for 12 weeks. Results showed that RT decreased (P<0.05), SC increased (P<0.05) by increasing treatment level, being the lowest in G2 and the highest in G4. All physical semen characteristic (ejaculate volume, mass and progressive motility, sperm livability, sperm cell concentration and sperm abnormality) were the best (P<0.05) in G4. Sperm outputs per ejaculate as total motile, live and normal sperm output per ejaculate increased (P<0.05) in G4. Plasma total proteins and albumin concentration increased (P<0.05) in treatment groups, while globulin concentration increased only in G3. By advancing collection week, RT, SC, ejaculate volume, abnormal sperm, sperm cell concentration, all sperm outputs (P<0.05), and mass and progressive motility (P≤0.05) improved, while live sperm decreased (P≤0.05). In conclusion, intramuscular injection with tonophosphane as a phosphorus source once weekly pre-collection of semen showed pronouncedly positive effects on sexual desire, semen quality and health status of Egyptian buffalo bulls. Tonophosphane injection at a level of 10 ml/head showed the best results.