Mehsana Buffalo Research Articles

Estimation of the threshold for heat stress and genetic features for milk yield in Mehsana buffaloes in India

Heat stress is one of the primary environmental factors that harm both the productivity and health of buffaloes. The current study was conducted to estimate the threshold of temperature humidity index (THI)1 and genetic features for milk yield of first-lactation Mehsana buffaloes using an univariate repeatability test-day model. The data included 130,475 first lactation test-day milk yield (FLTDMY) records of 13,887 Mehsana buffaloes and the daily temperature and humidity. The statistical model included herd test day as fixed effects, days-in-milk (DIM) classes, age of the animal, as well as random factors such as the additive genetic effect (AGE) of animal in general conditions (intercept), AGE of the buffaloes subjected to heat stress (slope), permanent environmental effect of animal in general conditions (intercept), permanent environmental effect of animal under heat stress conditions (slope) and random residual effect. It was expected that the general effects and the heat-tolerance effects would be correlated, represented by the present investigation's repeatability models. The variance components of FLTDMY in the present study were computed using the REML method. The threshold for THI was 78. At the THI below the threshold, the heritability estimated for the FLTDMY trait was 0.29, and the additive genetic variance (AGV) for heat stress conditions was 0. At THI of 83, AGV for heat stress conditions was highest for FLTDMY. The genetic correlation of general AGE to heat-tolerant AGE was −0.40. The results indicated that a consistent selection for milk production, avoiding the thermal tolerance, may diminish the thermal tolerance capacity of Mehsana buffaloes.

Unravelling the impact of heat stress on daughter pregnancy rate in Mehsana buffalo through innovative breeding interventions

Heat stress profoundly affects the reproductive success of buffaloes, which are vital for the dairy industry due to their unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, necessitating careful evaluation under such conditions. Hence, this guided our search for quantifying heat stress' impact on Mehsana buffaloes using the best THI model and evaluating sires’ performance. Fertility records (days open converted to daughter pregnancy rate) were collected in the span of over 24 years, w.e.f. 1989 to 2012. Finally, 3070 records of first lactation cows, daughters of 117 sires from DURDA, Gujarat, India, were used in the analysis. Meteorological data were retrieved from IMD, Pune, to understand the relationship between daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) and heat stress indicators. Several heat stress models were compared based on R2, adjusted R2, AIC, and BIC values, and the impact of heat stress was quantified. The year was classified into different heat stress zones, viz., Non heat stress zone (NHSZ), Heat stress zone (HSZ), and critical heat stress zone (CHSZ), drawing from the findings of DPR and THI. The THI 4th model based on dry and wet bulb temperature was identified as the best-fit model, and DPR significantly changed (P < 0.01) by 1.14% per unit change in THI value based on the month of calving. The average EBVs of the sires for DPR were found to be 20.78% (NHSZ), 38.09% (HSZ), and 39.08% (CHSZ) using BLUP-SM and 20.78% (NHSZ), 37.30% (HSZ), and 38.87% (HSZ) using BLUP-AM. Subsequently, the optimum sire for each of the zones was prioritized. It is noteworthy that bulls that performed better in NHSZ did not perform as well in HSZ and CHSZ, and vice versa. This supports the possibility of evaluating bulls independently in each heat stress zone.

Effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive efficiency of Mehsana buffaloes maintained at organized farm

The present investigation included the data pertaining to lactation records of 301 Mehsana buffaloes, spread over a period of 30 years (1991 to 2020), collected from the records maintained at Livestock Research Station, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar, District Banaskantha, Gujarat; to evaluate the reproduction performance of Mehsana buffaloes. The data pertaining to different performance traits was collected from the records of the farm and analysed to know the effects of non-genetic factors like- period of calving, season of calving, parity and age at first calving group on these performance traits. The LSM of AFC have been observed 1295.54±11.80 days (N=301), but it was significantly (P≤0.01) affected by the period of birth. Similarly, LSM for SP was calculated 145.72±4.98 days (N=1038) and it was significantly (P≤0.01) affected by period of calving, season of calving and parity, but AFC group did not have any effect on this trait. The LSM of DP was estimated as 213.69±9.17 days (N=869), while it was significantly (P≤0.05) affected by period of calving, but effect of season of calving and parity on this trait was highly significant (P≤0.01). Similarly, LSM of CI was observed 451.97±4.97 days (N=1054), which was significantly (P≤0.01) affected by the period of calving, season of calving and parity. Therefore, based on these observations it was concluded that significant effect of non-genetic factors play an important role to improve the reproduction performance of the Mehsana buffalo herd, therefore emphasis must be given on nutrition, management and health cover practices to improve the performance of the indigenous breed on the farm.

Cesarean Sectional as a Treatment of Dystocia Caused by Uterine Torsion in Mehsana Buffalo

A case of dystocia due to post-cervical right side uterine torsion with the history of colic and straining since (days) in a pluriparous Mehsana buffalo was presented at the clinics of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Veterinary College, Sardarkrushinagar, Dantiwada, Gujarat, India. Maternal dystocia due to of uterine torsion was diagnosed by history, a clinical sign, per rectal and per vaginal examinations. At first we used modified Schaffer’s method for management of uterine torsion in buffalo. After the three rolls torsion was detorted successfully, but due to insufficient dilated cervix the fetus could not be delivered. Further, the buffalo was treated therapeutically using intravenous administration of 10ml-Dexamethasone®, 75IU-Oxytocin®, 1litre-Normal saline, 1litre-Ringer lactate, 100ml-Calcium borogluconate and 10ml-Valethamate bromide (Epidosin®) was given intramuscularly for treating incomplete cervical dilation(ICD). However, the buffalo could not responded to treatment, therefore finally the caesarean section was performed and a dead male fetus was delivered. Buffalo was post-medicated with various fluids, analgesic, antibiotic and antihistamine parentally apart from intra-uterine pessaries which resulted to recovery of affected Mehsana buffalo within some days.

Assessing Postpartum Reproductive Health via Endometrial Cytology and Body Temperature in Mehsana Buffaloes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of body temperature and endometrial cytology on postpartum reproductive health in Mehsana buffaloes. A total of twenty-six Mehsana buffaloes were used in this study. Per-rectal and ultrasonography examinations were used to observe the postpartum reproductive function of these buffaloes and on day 60 post natural service, the pregnancy was confirmed. Based on fertile estrus, buffaloes were retrospectively divided into two groups: Group I (buffaloes conceiving before 90 days) and Group II (buffaloes conceiving after 90 days). One week before parturition and four weeks after it, the rectal temperature was taken. The cytobrush technique was used to obtain endometrial samples for cytological tests on the 21st and 30th day postpartum. During the final week of pregnancy and the first, second, third, and fourth weeks’ post-partum, the mean rectal temperature (⁰F) varied from 101.7 ± 0.07 to 102.0 ± 0.06 in Group-I and 101.6 ± 0.07 to 102.1 ± 0.05 in Group-II. During the final week pre-partum and the first week post-partum, the mean rectal temperature (⁰F) was shown to be significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than it was during the second, third, and fourth weeks post-partum among the groups. On the 21st and 30th day postpartum during endometrial cytology, the percentage of neutrophils was 14.31 ± 1.56 and 12.23 ± 0.93 in Group I and 17.92 ± 1.51 and 15.08 ± 0.73 in Group II, respectively. On the 30th day, there was a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) between the groups in Group II that had a greater mean percentage of neutrophils. When endometrial cytology was performed on buffaloes at various postpartum days, the mean percentage of lymphocytes, endometrial epithelial cells and large vacuolated epithelial cells revealed non-significant changes. On the 30th day, it was discovered that the prevalence of subclinical endometritis in Group I and Group II buffaloes was 7.69 and 23.07 percent, respectively. The postpartum first behavioural estrus and first fertile estrus occurred at 62.00 ± 4.34 and 65.31±4.45 days in Group I and 77.46±11.12 and 130.08±9.26 days in Group II buffaloes, respectively. Although, the average days for first behavioural estrus did not differ significantly between the groups the fertile estrus occurred significantly (P&lt;0.05) delayed in Group II buffaloes.

Assessment of Haematological, Biochemical and Hormonal Changes in Mehsana buffaloes with Postpartum True Anestrus following Herbal Heat Inducer Treatment

The present study was designed to explore the effects of a new Herbal heat inducer in Mehsana buffaloes with postpartum true anestrus and consecutive changes in Blood haematological, Biochemical and Hormonal profile. All the buffaloes were orally supplemented with Herbal heat inducer mixture on (Jantana powder-10gm) 1st, (Metrali powder-20gm) 2nd and (Hitali-powder-500mg) 5th day for augmentation of oestrus. Out of total treated animals 10 animals expressed the signs of estrus within 30 days. Post-treatment analysis of the overall blood packed cell volume percent in conceiving buffaloes had a significant (p≤0.05) elevate. Overall blood plasma total cholesterol concentration (mg/dl) was found to be significantly (p≤0.001) elevated in all treated and both conceiving and non-conceiving buffaloes, respectively. Overall blood plasma progesterone concentration (ng/ml) was found to be significantly (p≤0.0001) and (p≤0.001) elevated in all treated and both conceived and non-conceived buffaloes, which indicate the positive favourable effect of all the drugs on postpartum true anestrus condition. However, Overall blood plasma tri-iodothyronine concentration (ng/ml) was found to be significantly (p≤0.001) and (p≤0.01) elevated in all treated and all conceived buffaloes. Findings of the present study revealed that strategic use of Indigenous herbal heat inducer in feed mixture may resolve the postpartum true anestrus problems in buffaloes.

Investigating non-genetic factors impacting calving interval of Mehsana buffaloes

Investigating non-genetic factors impacting calving interval of Mehsana buffaloes

Postpartum reproductive health monitoring via hormonal and uterine involution investigations in Mehsana buffalo

Postpartum reproductive health monitoring via hormonal and uterine involution investigations in Mehsana buffalo

Seminal characteristics and oxidative stress in high-fertility versus low-fertility Mehsana buffalo bulls

Seminal characteristics and oxidative stress in high-fertility versus low-fertility Mehsana buffalo bulls

Effect of some non-genetic factors on productive and reproductive traits of Mehsana buffaloes

The records of 7782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 sires maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana, Gujarat born during 1989 to 2012 were collected and analysed to examine the effect of non-genetic factors viz. period and season of calving and age at first calving. The least squares analysis was used for estimation of various non-genetic factors on First Lactation Milk Yield (FLMY), First Lactation Fat Yield (FLFY), Average Fat Percentage (AFP) and Age at First Calving (AFC). The least squares mean with standard error of FLMY, FLMY, AFP and AFC were estimated to be 1900.68±7.65 lit., 135.04±0.57 kg, 7.11±0.11 percentage and 1407.18±4.36 days, respectively. Highly significant (P≤0.01) effect of all the non-genetic factors (period and season of calving and age at first alving group) under study was observed on FLMY, FLMY and AFP in Mehsana buffaloes. Further, highly significant (P≤0.01) effect of season and period of birth was recorded on AFC. It is worthy to note that in Mehsana breed evaluation programme these factors should be considered as they have great influence of them.

Effect of Sunflower Oil Supplementation on Milk Production, Composition, Fatty Acid Profile and Blood Metabolites of Mehsana Buffaloes

Background: In early post-partum buffaloes, feed intake is generally insufficient to meet the energy demand for milk production; as a consequence, body reserves are mobilized which can result in metabolic disorders and poor production performance. In order to enhance energy intake and reduce the detrimental effects of a negative energy balance, buffalo diets may be supplemented with lipids/vegetable oil. Some reported benefits of vegetable oil supplementation include increased energy concentration in the diet, reduced supply of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates, and better productive performance. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop in India. Sunflower seed contains about 48-53 percent of edible oil. Recent studies demonstrated that sunflower oil supplementation improved the milk production and nutritional quality of milk fat which is beneficial to human health. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) oil supplementation on production performance of lactating Mehsana buffalo. Methods: Three experimental groups were as, CON: fed on basal diet (Control), SO125: fed basal diet supplemented with 125 ml of sunflower oil/animal/day and SO250: fed basal diet supplemented with 250 ml of sunflower oil/animal/day for a period of 90 days. Result: There was no difference (P greater than 0.05) in DM intake of lactating buffaloes among the dietary treatments. Dietary inclusion of sunflower oils improved milk yield by 17.9 to 20.7%, 6% FCM yield by 16.4 to 22.9% and ECM yield by 16.0 to 23.0% in SO125 and SO250 groups, respectively as compared to the CON. There were no differences (P greater than 0.05) in milk composition and yields of milk components. The milk fatty acid percentages of C20:0 and C24:0 were significantly decreased due feeding of sunflower oil as compared to the CON. Feeding of sunflower oil did not influence milk fat short chain, medium chain, saturated, unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in lactating Mehsana buffaloes. The serum concentrations of glucose, total proteins, albumin, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, ALT and AST were not affected (P greater than 0.05) by supplementation of sunflower oil, however, serum cholesterol concentration was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in SO125 and SO250 groups as compared to the CON group.

Fetal dystocia due to muscular steatosis coupled with ascites and arthrogryposis in Mehsana buffalo

A four-year-old primiparous Mehsana buffalo at full term of gestation suffering from dystocia was presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Deesa. Per-vaginal examination of the dam identified the presence of both forelimbs and fetal head at the dilated birth passage. The excessive bulging of the neck regions occupied the pelvic inlet of the dam, causing severe feto-maternal disproportion. The large male fetus was delivered dead via caesarean operation. Examination of the fetus identified bilateral enlargement of the cervical and shoulder region along with ascites and arthrogryposis. Microscopically, the musculature of cervical and shoulder regions was replaced by massive adipose and fibrous connective tissue. The fetus was diagnosed with muscular steatosis with ascites based on gross and microscopic features. The buffalo recovered uneventfully after five days of post-operative treatment.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of adhesions, quantification of uterine wall and managerial perspectives of uterine torsion in buffaloes.

The present study aimed to diagnose uterine adhesion using ultrasonography to decide the treatment approach for better survival of buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion. The peculiar visceral slide against the other abdominal organs induced by breathing was considered an absence of uterine adhesion, while the total absence of visceral slide was considered the presence of uterine adhesions on ultrasonographic examination. The 59 Mehsana buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion were divided into two groups based on the presence (Group I; n=27) or absence (group II; n=32) of adhesions. The mean pixel values (MPV) and thickness of uterine wall were also quantified in both the groups. In group I, severe type adhesions (n=16/27) were directly subjected to caesarean section (CS), while fibrinous adhesions (n=11/27) were subject to rolling by Sharma's modified Schaffer's method, and if rolling failed were further, subjected to CS and adhesions were confirm during CS. In Group II, 28 buffaloes were subjected to rolling by Sharma's modified Schaffer's method and 4 buffaloes were directly subjected to CS because of longer duration of illness (≥3 days), higher degree (≥180°) and previous field handling. The incidence of adhesions was 45.76 per cent (27/59) in buffaloes with uterine torsion. The degenerative changes such as oedematous (hyperoedema-hypoechoic with anechoic trabeculae) or thin (homogenous hypoechoic), sloughing of serosa and wall separation were observed in the uterine wall. The significantly thinner uterine wall (p=.017) and higher MPV (p=.001) were evident in group I than in group II. The weak negative non-significant correlation between uterine wall thickness and MPV was observed in group I (r=-.250, p=.147) and group II (r=-.235, p=.089). The dam survival rate was 48.15 per cent (13/27) in group I and 81.25% (26/32) in group II. There was a significant (p=.04) association between the treatment approach and dam survival. Ultrasonography has synergistic diagnostic value for uterine adhesions by evaluating uterine surfaces beyond the reach of obstetricians during a manual clinical examination. Thereby, avoiding futile efforts to relieve uterine torsion by rolling might help to improve dam survival by planning a better obstetrical manoeuvre to salvage buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion.

Assessment of Blood Metabolites during Early Postpartum Period as an Indicator of Reproductive Performance in Mehsana Buffaloes

Background: The postpartum period being a crucial on future performance and fertility, it should be monitored critically and evaluated. Therefore, the study was designed to investigate associations between the metabolic indicators during early postpartum period with uterine diseases and the subsequent effect on reproductive performance. Methods: The blood metabolites including non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta hydroxy butyrate (BHBA), cholesterol, total protein, blood glucose and calcium are studied at 1st and 2nd week postpartum (PP) in 50 Mehsana buffaloes. The difference and their association were seen in relation to postpartum diseases and reproductive performance. Result: The glucose concentration significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased in 2nd week compared to 1st week postpartum in Mehsana buffaloes with anoestrous ( greater than 75 days PP), longer service period ( greater than 125 days) and postpartum disorders (Within 125 days). The BHBA and NEFA did not differ significantly between the time points or between the buffaloes suffering from postpartum disorders or not. The early postpartum glucose level can be used as a predictive indicator for buffaloes suffering from anoestrus, longer service period and postpartum disorders.

Influence of number of daughters per sire on genetic evaluation of Mehsana Buffalo bulls under field progeny testing

First lactation production records of 7,825 Mehsana buffaloes, sired by 200 sires maintained at DudhsagarResearch and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana over a period of 25 years (1989-2013), wereutilised for estimation of breeding value of the first lactation milk yield using BLUP - Univariate sire model andanimal model using WOMBAT software. The study aimed to find out the optimum number of daughters that maybe sufficient for more accurate and unbiased estimate of breeding value of Mehsana buffalo bulls. The effectivenessof different models run with different daughters per sire for sire evaluation was judged on the basis of within-sirevariance. The maximum and minimum estimated breeding values were 1924.04 l (BLUP-AM, 5 daughters/sire)and 1855.61 l (BLUP-SM, 30 daughters/sire), respectively. However, error variance estimated was highest whenfive daughters/sire were evaluated and lowest, when 30 daughters/sire were evaluated. The present study revealedthat the sire evaluation with sires having minimum 5, 10 and 15 daughters are equally efficient. However, if we doevaluation with sires having daughters more than 20, 25 or 30, additional accuracy of approximately 2.5%, 3% and5%, respectively may be obtained.

Effect of bypass fat supplementation on production performance of lactating Mehsana buffaloes

An on-farm trial was conducted to study the effect of bypass fat supplementation in lactating Mehsana buffaloes for the period of 90 days post-calving in Banaskantha district, Gujarat. Fourteen Mehsana buffaloes were selected and randomly divided into two groups having 7 animalseach. The animals in the control (CON) group were fed on basal diet (concentrate mixture, green and dry fodder) and the treatment (BPF) group was fed basal diet supplemented with bypass fat @ 100 g/day/animal. Supplementation of bypass fat did not influence the DM intake and body weights. Higher milk yield (9.02%) and 6% fat corrected milk yield (14.23%) were observed in the BPF than the CON group. The percentages of milk fat (6.43 vs. 6.01%) and SNF (9.51 vs. 9.31%) were significantly higher in the BPF than the CON group. The feed conversion efficiency was significantly lower (0.99 vs. 1.07) in bypass fat fed group. Based on the findings, it was concluded that supplementation of bypass fat at the rate of 100 g/d in early lactating Mehsana buffaloes improved the milk yield, FCM yield, milk fat content, SNF and feed conversion efficiency.

Mehsana buffaloes

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Comparison of heritability estimates of first lactation fertility traits in Mehsana buffaloes

First lactation records of 3068 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 118 sires, under field progeny testing programme distributed in different 149 villages of 14 talukas maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana over a period of 24 years (1989-2012) were used to estimate least squares means and heritability of fertility traits like, first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI) and daughter pregnancy rate (DPR). The least squares means of these traits were found to be 189.05±3.34 days, 472.97±2.87 days and 31.08±0.59%, respectively. Non genetic factors such as age at first calving and period of calving were found to have highly significant effect on all the traits, whereas, cluster found to be non-significant for FSP and significant for FCI and DPR. Heritability were estimated for FSP, FCI and DPR as 0.02±0.02, 0.004±0.015 and 0.095±0.031; 0.04±0.03, 0.026±0.024 and 0.089±0.032; and 0.01±0.02, 0.032±0.026 and 0.095±0.034 by LSML, BLUP-SM and BLUP-AM, respectively. BLUP-AM was found to be the best model for heritability estimation based on error variance and BLUP-AM gave highly significant and more accurate results than BLUP-SM and LSML in Mehsana buffaloes.

Effect of heat stress on age at first calving in Mehsana buffaloes under field progeny testing programme

he records of 7791 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 182 sires on age at first calving (AFC) spread over a period of 24 years (1989 to 2012), collected from Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana. Meteorological data of the region (where field progeny testing was undergoing), were collected from the center of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune to know the association of AFC with heat stress indicators. The least squares mean and heritability of AFC were estimated. Various heat stress models were screened for optimization (Based on value of R2, adjusted R2, AIC and BIC) and effect of heat stress was quantified. Depending on the estimate of AFC and THI, months of the year were classified in to various heat stress zones. Sires were evaluated (both by BLUP-SM and BLUP-AM) for AFC in different HSZ, in order to identify optimum sire for each of the zone. The least squares mean estimate for AFC was 1419.61±2.18 days. The heritability estimates were obtained as 0.14±0.02 (LSML), 0.775±0.003 (BLUP-SM) and 0.13±0.023 (BLUP-AM). THI 6 model (Yousef, 1985) was found to be the best suited model and it was observed that AFC was declined by 1.26 day with per unit rise in THI. Year was classified in to NHSZ (non heat stress zone – November to March), HSZ (heat stress zone- April to October) and CHSZ (critical heat stress zone- June to August). The average breeding values of Mehsana buffalo bulls evaluated for AFC by BLUP-SM and BLUP-AM in NHSZ, HSZ and in CHSZ were estimated to be 1389.36, 1380.37 and 1375.04 days and 1389.33, 1382.85 and 1375.53 days, respectively. It was indicated that the bulls having superior performance in NHSZ were not as better performer in HSZ and CHSZ. This warrants that evaluation of bulls may be done separately in each heat stress zone and suitable bull for breeding under each HSZ may be identified.

Analysis of association between various fertility indicators and production traits in Mehsana buffaloes.

Female fertility in domestic animals in India has exhaustively suffered owing to indiscriminate breeding with single objective of increasing milk production. First lactation data on 7782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 bulls maintained under field progeny testing programme at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana, over a period of 24years were used for study of fertility traits viz. days open, first to successful service period (FTSS) and daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) and production traits viz. first lactation milk yield (FLMY), first lactation fat yield (FLFY) and average fat percentage (AFP). The voluntary waiting period (VWP) was standardised based on the higher estimates for FLMY and FLMY per unit first calving interval. VWP for Mehsana buffaloes was standardised as 63days after first calving and consequently DPR of Mehsana buffalo was also estimated as 31%. Fertility traits were further evaluated in terms of production traits. Regression analysis revealed that the increase in 1kg FLFY and 100kg FLMY led to the increase of First Service Period by 0.013days and decrease in the DPR by 1.89%, respectively. Increase in milk yield led to increase in FTSS. However, for each 100kg increase in fat yield and 1% increase in AFP, there is increase in DPR by 0.08% and 0.051%, respectively. Based on the present findings, it may be recommended to have a breeding programme which give due weightage to both production and fertility traits.