National Dairy Research Institute Research Articles

Optimization of Economic Traits of Sahiwal Cattle

A study was conducted for estimation of optimum range of age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP) and preceding dry period (DP) on Sahiwal cattle (n=462) data, spread over a period of 15 years (1997–2011), maintained at Livestock Research Center, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. In order to determine the optimum range of these economic traits class interval method was used. A class was considered as optimum, if it accommodated maximum number of observations along with better productive performance on the basis of four production parameters i.e., 305 days or less days milk yield (305DMY), total milk yield (TMY), milk yield per day of lactation length (MY/LL) and milk yield per day of calving interval (MY/CI). In this study, optimum level of AFC, SP and preceding DP were found to be 32–37 months, 55–88 days and 49–88 days, respectively. Because of high rearing costs of heifers, managing heifers to first calving at 32 to 37 months of age could be very advantageous. The present obtained ranges of optimum SP and preceding DP can help in obtaining one calf per year in indigenous cattle that, in turn, will help in improving overall productivity of indigenous cattle.

Influence of Season on Semen Quality in Karan Fries (Tharparkar × Holstein Friesian) Bulls

Availability of good quality semen is essential throughout the year to achieve the sustainable productive growth of dairy cattle. Therefore, the present study was designed from five (n=5) adult healthy Karan Fries bulls from Animal Breeding Research Centre (ABRC) of National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (India) with emphasis to observe the semen quality during different seasons (winter, spring, hot-dry and hot-humid). Weekly ejaculates were collected using artificial vagina (42–45°C). Immediately after collection, the ejaculates were placed in a water bath (37°C) for assessing semen evaluation parameters. Ejaculate volume (3.53 ± 0.08 VS 3.96 ± 0.12 mL), individual motility (48.00 ± 1.12 VS 55.16 ± 1.32%), concentration (1487.10 ± 26.55 VS 1590.77 ± 25.90 in 106/mL), non-eosinophilic sperm count (62.42 ± 0.75 VS 68.05 ± 0.77%), Hypo-osmotic swelling test (59.75 ± 0.57 VS 64.97 ± 0.84%) and acrosomal integrity (74.22 ± 0.62 VS 83.40 ± 0.48%) decreased (p<0.05) during hot-humid season as compared to spring season. The major abnormalities (10.74 ± 0.18%) increased (p<0.01) in hot-humid as compared to spring season. It can be concluded that the semen quality of Karan Fries bulls deteriorate during hot humid season as compared to other seasons of the year under tropical climatic conditions.

Pregnancy diagnosis-positive rate and conception rate as indicator of farm reproductive performance

The present study was designed to evaluate the Pregnancy Diagnosis-Positive Rate (PD-PR) along with conception rate (CR) in an organised farm (Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal) to take effective management decision. One year record of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) and PD of dairy animals (N=1327; comprised 1003 cows and 324 buffaloes) was analysed. On an average, cows and buffaloes were presented for per rectal pregnancy diagnosis after 75.63 (38-119) and 76.3 (46-128) days, respectively of A.I. Overall PD-PR value of cattle was observed to be significantly higher compared to buffaloes (70.77 and 59.45%, respectively, prus symptoms as well as on CR.

Effect of non-genetic factors on age at first freezing and age at first use in Murrah bulls

In present investigation, the effect of non-genetic factors on age at first freezing and age at first use in Murrah breeding bulls has been studied. The data on reproduction traits of 57 Murrah bulls under NDRI (National Dairy Research Institute) centre belonging to 14 sets of Network Project on Buffalo Improvement at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal (Haryana), India during 20 years (1993-2013) were analysed using fixed linear model. The data were classified into various sub-classes for season of freezing and use, period of freezing and use, parity, stages of lactation and age groups of buffalo for age at first freezing and age at first use of Murrah breeding bulls. The average age at first freezing and use of Murrah bulls was estimated as 3.46 ± 0.08 years and 4.05 ± 0.13 years with the coefficient of variation of 14.43 % and 12.27%. The overall least-squares means for age at first freezing of Murrah bulls was estimated as 3.38 ± 0.01 years. Period and season of freezing had significant effect (P

Effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on milk yield and milk constituents on Sahiwal cattle

The present study pertained to records on milk production and milk constituents of 259 Sahiwal cattle with 600 lactations spread over a period of 10 years from 2001 to 2010, collected from Dairy Cattle Breeding division of National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. To study the effect of various genetic and non-genetic factors on milk yield and milk constituents traits, mixed model least square analysis was used for analysis of data. Overall least square mean for all lactation traits of total milk yield (TMY), milk yield in 305 days or less (305MY), lactational average fat % (LFA) and lactational average solid not fat % (LSA) were 1880.39 ± 73.82 Kg, 1782.97 ± 68.37 Kg, 4.71 ± 0.01 % and 8.81 ± 0.01 % respectively. Analysis of variance showed that the differences were statistically significant for the effect of sire on TMY and 305MY; period on all the traits except TMY; parity on 305MY. However the effect of season of calving was not found significant on all the traits.

Conventional and fluorescent based semen quality assessment in Karan Fries bulls.

Aim:The present study was carried out on semen ejaculates of 15 Karan Fries (KF) bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India with an objective to evaluate the relationship between the conventional and fluorescent based semen quality analysis of the bulls.Materials and Methods:A total of 96 ejaculates were collected from 15 KF (Holstein Friesian [HF] crossbred) bulls. Semen were evaluated for color, volume, mass activity (MA) and percentage of individual motility (IM), sperm concentration, percent live spermatozoa, hypo-osmotic swelling test and acrosome integrity, chromatin integrity, sperm viability, and membrane integrity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software package for descriptive analysis. The correlation between rankings of sires based on conventional and fluorescent semen parameters were calculated by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.Results:The average ejaculates volume (ml), sperm concentration (106/ml), MA, IM (%), live (%), morphological abnormalities (%), host (%), acrosome integrity (%), chromomycin A3 (CMA3) (%), SYBR-PI (%), and fluorescent isothiocyanate-peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) (%) were 4.57±0.36, 1162.98±97.93, 2.95±0.09, 60.8±1.22, 71.41±2.10, 9.31±1.15, 65.5±1.81, 86.6±1.59, 3.53±0.43, 65.39±2.23 and 74.47±2.53, respectively. Rank correlations were found to be significant for SYBR-PI and FITC-PNA with most of the parameters evaluated by conventional methods. Overall, among conventional criteria, IM revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria.Conclusion:Overview of our results indicated that, among conventional criteria, MA and IM revealed ranking of bulls almost similar to that of fluorescent criteria.

Genetic analysis of Lactation traits of Jersey Crossbred Cattle

Data on 305 days milk yield, total lactation milk yield, lactation length and peak yield of Jersey crossbred animals available from organized herd of Eastern Regional Station of ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal over 29 years (1986-2014) were analyzed to determine the effects of important environmental factors on lactation traits and their genetic control. The least-squares means of 305-days milk yield, total milk yield and peak yield were 2141.26±79.32, 2496.14±82.57 and 11.89±0.28Kg, respectively with an average lactation length of 337.73±6.9 days. The data were grouped into different classes according to season of calving, period of calving, parity and genetic group of animals. The random effect of sire had significant (P<0.01) influence on all lactation traits considered in the present study. The season of calving significantly (P<0.01) affected all traits except lactation length. Period of calving and genetic group of animal also significantly influenced all the considered traits. The heritability estimates of all lactation traits under study were high in magnitude, ranging from 0.39 to 0.58 except lactation length (0.15), which indicates genetic progress is possible through selection for these traits.

Lactoferrin gene promoter variants and their association with clinical and subclinical mastitis in indigenous and crossbred cattle.

Lactoferrin (Lf) gene promoter was screened for the presence of single nucleotide polymphism in indigenous and crossbred cattle from North India and to evaluate its association with Mastitis. Study revealed the presence of genetic variation in regulatory region of bovine Lactoferrin gene using PCR-RFLP technique. Three genotypes namely GG, GH and HH were identified. A single nucleotide change, from guanine to adenine at 25th position was found to be significantly associated (p<0.05) with clinical mastitis in indigenous Sahiwal and crossbred Karan Fries cattle maintained at organised herd of National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. A non-significant association was observed between subclinical mastitis, somatic cell score (SCS), and GG genotype in Karan Fries cattle, however, a lower SCS was observed in animals having GG genotype. Overall a lower incidence of clinical mastitis was recorded in those animals having GG genotype of Lf in Sahiwal and Karan Fries (KF) cattle. The SNP identified in the promoter region may effect expression lactoferrin protein, which may lead to different levels of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of Lf gene. Results from this study indicated the probable role played by Lactoferrin promoter to serve as candidate gene for mastitis susceptibility among indigenous and crossbred milch cattle.

English

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2011-2012 at Forage Management and Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal to study the &ldquo;Effect of date of sowing and crop geometry on seed yield and quality of forage mustard (var. Chinese cabbage)&rdquo;. The soil texture of the experimental site was clay loam with available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium were 212, 20 and 256 kg/ha, respectively. There were 24 treatment combinations consisting of four dates of sowing (1st October, 16th October, 31st October and 15th November) and six crop geometry (60&times;15, 45&times;15, 45&times;20, 45&times;25, 30&times;20 and 30&times;25 cm) and the experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. From the result, sowing during 1st October recorded significantly higher crop yield attributing characters viz. no. of primary, secondary and tertiary branches, number and weight of siliquae /plant and ultimately seed yield (2013 kg/ha) with better growth and higher dry matter accumulation in yield components compared to 31st October and 15th November. Crop geometry of 30&times;20 cm recorded significantly higher seed yield (1829 kg/ha) with better utilization of space, nutrients, water and sunshine resulting in higher dry matter translocation to yield components as compared to 60&times;15, 45&times;15, 45&times;20, 45&times;25 and 30&times;25 cm crop geometry. &nbsp; Key word: Crop geometry, date of sowing, forage mustard, seed yield.

Studies on age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use of Sahiwal bulls

The objective of this study was to investigate the studies on the reproduction traits i.e. Age at first semen freezing and Age at first semen use in Sahiwal bulls. Informations on Sahiwal bulls during last 27 years (1987-2013) were collected from reproductive records, bull AI register maintained at different sections of institute viz. record room of DCB Division, Cattle Yard, Artificial Breeding Research Centre (ABRC), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal. The present study revealed that the average Age at first freezing and Age at first use in Sahiwal breeding bulls were estimated as (3.17 ± 0.01) years and (5.35 ± 0.01) years, respectively and the coefficient of variation were 18.93% and 20%, respectively. It was found that highest rank was in Set VIII th and lowest rank was in Set IV th for early Age at first semen freezing of Sahiwal bull. For early Age at first semen use of bull, highest rank was in Set IX th and lowest rank was in Set III th . Since, temporary environmental factors are major role in inheritance of traits so better breeding management should be implemented. Multi-trait evaluation with reproductive traits may be carried out for simultaneous improvement of reproductive performances of Sahiwal bulls in the herd.

Analysis of lactation specific demographic parameters of Tharparkar cattle

The most important factor in milking herd is to maintain lactating cows in subsequent lactations, which depends upon stayability of lactating animals. Therefore a study on records of 168 Tharparkar females maintained during 1980-2010 at Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana) were conducted to estimate the lactation specific demographic parameters.The results depicted that the survival and loss rates in first lactation were 70% and 30%, respectively. In fifth lactation survival rate was highest (76%) and disposal rates were the lowest (24%). There was no definite trend of survival and disposal rate across different lactations. Stayability results showed that the probability of an animal to survive in the herd decreased with the increasing number of lactations. The stayability for the first lactation was one whereas, the values revealed a consistent decline in subsequent lactations. Age distribution of cows present in the herd (px) for first lactation was 0.314 and 0.217, 0.154, 0.107, 0.069, 0.053, 0.034, 0.025, 0.015, 0.009, 0.003, 0.001 in subsequent lactations. Around one third of the total herd comprised of the first calvers (31%) and one fifth belongs to the females of second lactations (21.7%). Overall the herd of lactating cows comprised of 79.2% of animals in lactations up to fourth parity. Age distribution of cows left the herd (qx) in first and subsequent lactations was 0.300 and 0.201, 0.167, 0.099, 0.053, 0.054, 0.029, 0.029, 0.016, 0.019, 0.005 and 0.005, respectively. From the results it could be concluded that the cows in first lactation was expected to remain in the herd for 2.24 lactations more. Expected herd life decreased with the increase in lactation order.

Different stimulating effects of caseins and whey proteins of processed cow and buffalo milk on lymphocyte proliferation in vitro

Different stimulating effects of caseins and whey proteins of processed cow and buffalo milk on lymphocyte proliferation in vitro Umesh Kumar Shandilya, Rajeev Kapila, Suman Kapila, Vinod K Kansal Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India Abstract: In this study, caseins and whey proteins after thermal processing of cow and buffalo milk (pasteurized, boiled, and sterilized) were evaluated for their effects on proliferation of mouse splenic lymphocytes with concanavalin A (ConA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and milk proteins. Swiss albino mice (3 weeks old) were sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of caseins or whey proteins (20 &micro;g/200 &micro;L of phosphate-buffered saline) with aluminum hydroxide (alum) as adjuvant, while the positive and negative control groups were sensitized with ovalbumin and normal saline, respectively. The in vitro experiments showed that boiling and sterilization of milk decreases proliferation of cultured lymphocyte with mitogens and milk proteins as well. On the contrary, an increase of proliferation index was observed after pasteurization. These results highlight the impact of thermal processing of caseins and whey proteins on the host&#39;s specific and nonspecific immune responses. Keywords: processing, milk proteins, allergenicity, splenocytes

Effect of thermal stress on expression profile of apoptosis related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of transition Sahiwal cow.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of thermal stress on expression profile of genes related to apoptosis in peripartum Sahiwal cows. For this, twelve pregnant dry Sahiwal cows were selected from Livestock Research Centre at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. The cows were divided into two groups consisting of six Sahiwal cows each. Cows of group I calved during thermoneutral temperature conditions (THI=67.3) and cows of group II calved in summer season (THI=79.9). Blood samples were collected on -15, 0 and +15 days with respect to calving where day '0' represents the day of calving. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated and total RNA was isolated for the BCL-2 (B-Cell Lymphoma-2), BAX (BCL-2 antagonist killer-1), BAK (Bcl-2-associated X protein), CASP-3 (cysteine-aspartic proteases-3) and P53 (tumour protien-53) mRNAs expression. It was found that there was up regulation of CASP-3 on the day of calving during both temperature conditions. Comparison between the two temperature conditions showed that expression of CASP-3, BCL-2, BAK, P53 and ratio of BAX/BCL-2 in PBMC increased during summer as compared to thermoneutral condition suggesting the susceptibility of these cells to apoptosis. Based on the above findings it can be concluded that during calving PBMC are more susceptible to apoptosis, and summer being more stressful potentiates the apoptosis of PBMC in Sahiwal cows.

Effect of genetic and non-genetic factors on milk yield and milk constituents of Sahiwal cattle

The present study pertained to records on milk production and milk constituents of 259 Sahiwal cattle with 600 lactations spread over a period of 10 years from 2001 to 2010, collected from Dairy Cattle Breeding division of National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. To study the effect of various genetic and non-genetic factors on milk yield and milk constituents traits, mixed model least square analysis was used for analysis of data. Overall least square mean for all lactation traits of total milk yield (TMY), milk yield in 305 days or less (305MY), lactational average fat per cent (LFA) and lactational average solid not fat per cent (LSA) were 1880.39 ± 73.82 kg, 1782.97 ± 68.37 kg, 4.71 ± 0.01 per cent and 8.81 ± 0.01 per cent, respectively. Analysis of variance showed that the differences were statistically significant for the effect of sire on TMY and 305MY; period on all the traits except TMY; parity on 305MY. However, the effect of season of calving was not found significant on all the traits.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE ECONOMIC TRAITS IN SAHIWAL CATTLE AT ORGANIZED FARM

A study was conducted on performance records of 1352 lactations from 462 Sahiwal cows, spread over a period of 15 years (1997-2011), maintained at Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Data were analyzed by least squares technique to examine the effect of non-genetic factors on various economic traits in zebu cattle. Overall least squares means of Age at first calving (AFC), Service period (SP), 305 days or less milk yield (305DMY), Lactation length (LL), Dry period (DP) and Calving interval (CI) were 1136.14±10.48 days, 150.79±4.59 days, 1677.31±28.54 kg, 260.12±3.08 days, 165.80±4.35 days and 434.13±4.26 days respectively. Effect of season of birth was significant (P<0.05) on AFC; while effect of season of calving was significant (P<0.05) on SP, 305DMY, DP and CI. Period of birth had significant (P<0.05) influence on AFC; while period of calving had significant (P<0.05) effect on 305DMY, LL and DP. Significant (P<0.05) effect of parity was observed on SP, 305DMY, DP and CI. The findings of this study had shown that hot and humid season adversely affected the economic traits of Sahiwal cattle as compared to other seasons. Animals of first period (1997-1999) excelled in performance than those of other periods. Both productive and reproductive performances of pluriparous animals were found better than primiparous cows. The results of this study revealed that most of economic traits in zebu cattle significantly affected by environmental factors. Therefore management is an important criterion to improve both productive and reproductive performances in Sahiwal cows during adverse climatic conditions.

Multiple linear correlation and prediction of lifetime performance on the basis of first lactation fertility and production traits in Karan Fries (Holstein Friesian crossbred) cattle

Higher productions along with superior fertility are the functions of greater stayability of dairy cattle in the herd. Present investigation was undertaken to evaluate lifetime traits and their prediction on the basis of first lactation traits in Karan Fries cows maintained at National Dairy Research Institute. Data of 5878 lactation records of 1988 adult cows pertaining to the period between 1978 to 2012, were collected for analysis. The phenotypic and genetic correlations of first lactation with lifetime traits were estimated and lifetime performance was predicted using backward elimination multiple linear regression models. Cumulative milk yield (CMY) analysis indicated that the Karan Fries cows achieved around 85% of their lifetime production by 4 th lactation. Phenotypic and genetic correlations of lifetime production traits were positive with first lactation production traits, whereas the association was negative with first lactation fertility traits. The coefficient of variation and mallows Cp criterion estimates of better fit models were lower and ranged between 12 to 18% and 2.51 to 6.00, respectively. Results indicated that the first lactation traits used for the prediction, best explained the variation in traits such as Lifetime yield upto two lactations (51.00%) and breeding efficiency (51.43%), on the basis of coefficient of determination (R 2 )estimates. Regression models for predicting lifetime yield upto three lactations, milk yield per day of productive life and lifetime daughter pregnancy rate had moderate coefficient of determination estimates.

Disposal pattern of young Sahiwal cattle under organized farm

Data of 830 female Sahiwal calves, born between 1986 and 2009 at National Dairy Research Institute's Farm, were analysed to study the influence of different non-genetic factors on disposal pattern (mortality and culling) of young Sahiwal cattle up to age at first calving (AFC) under organized herd. Different non-genetic factors like season of birth, period of birth and birth weight of calves were considered to assess their influence on mortality and culling. Overall disposal up to AFC was 33.78%, comprising 24.67% due to mortality and 9.11% due to culling. Maximum mortality was observed during first month of age, which was attributed to higher incidence of pneumonia and enteritis encountered in this age group. Mortality rate revealed a decreasing trend along with the age. Maximum culling rate was found during 12 month to AFC age group. Season of birth had highly significant influence on incidence of mortality during first month of age, whereas period of birth had significant influence on incidence of culling during 12 month to AFC age group. Birth weight of calves had no significant influence on either culling or mortality. The likelihood of mortality was higher in rainy and winter season born calves. The overall results showed that the major reason of female calves' disposal was mortality, especially during first month of age. Therefore, intensive care of calves of this age group against inclement weather conditions by providing better feeding and management would result in reducing mortality rate in calves.

Prediction of FL 305 DMY from monthly part lactation milk yield records using artificial intelligence in Sahiwal cattle

The present investigation was carried out on 4,760 first lactation monthly part lactations milk yield records of 476 Sahiwal cows sired by 34 bulls maintained at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal over a period of 51 years (1961-2011) to predict first lactation 305-day milk yield (FL305DMY). The comparison was made between multiple linear regression analysis and artificial neural network method for prediction of first lactation 305-day milk yield in Sahiwal cows. In multiple regression method, an optimum equation having 3 variables namely PL2, PL5 and PL8 gave an accuracy of prediction of 88.80%, whereas under artificial neural network, this equation gave an accuracy of prediction of 89.29%. It was concluded that artificial neural network could be used as an alternative to multiple regression method for prediction of FL305DMY in Sahiwal cows.

Study of short lactation in Sahiwal cattle at organized farm.

Aim:The aim was to study the associated factors and extent of short lactations in Sahiwal cattle maintained under organized herd.Materials and Methods:The present study was conducted on Sahiwal cattle (n=530), utilizing 1724 lactation records with respect to lactation length (LL), spread over a period of 15 years (1997-2011), maintained at Livestock Research Center, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Observations of LL were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis in order to know the extent of short lactation of animals in the herd. Paternal Half sib method was used to estimate the genetic parameters, i.e., heritability, genetic, and phenotypic correlation. The influence of various non-genetic factors (season of calving, the period of calving, parity, type of calving, and season of drying) on LL was studied by least squares analysis of variance technique.Results:The least squares means for LL was found to be 215.83±3.08 days. Only 32.48% of total lactation records were fell in the range of 251-350 days of LL, while more than three-fourth (76%) of total observations were failed to reach the standard level of 305 milking days. LL class ranges from 251 to 300 days accommodated maximum number of observations (19.2%). The heritability estimate of LL was 0.22±0.07. Positive correlations were found between LL and service period, LL and 305 or less days milk yield, LL and calving interval; whereas dry period was negatively correlated with the LL. The least squares analysis had shown that LL was significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the period of calving, type of calving, and season of drying. Significantly higher LL (276.50±7.21 days) was found in animals calved in the first period than those calved in other periods. The cows dried during summer season had the shortest LL (188.48±7.68 days) as compared to other seasons.Conclusion:Present findings regarding short lactations occurrence may be alarming for the indigenous herd, demanding comprehensive study with the larger data set. Since LL was influenced by various environmental factors suggesting better managerial tools, besides special attention on the milch animals going to dry during the summer season.

Holstein Friesian genetic introgression and its association with estimated breeding values and expected producing ability in Karan Fries cattle

Introgression levels inform us about the admixture of genes within the genome of 2 populations due to crossing among them. The present investigation was carried out to determine the introgression levels of Holstein Friesian (HF) into crossbred Karan Fries (KF) cattle, developed under controlled breeding programme at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, India. The association of HF introgression levels with estimated breeding values (EBVs) and expected producing ability (EPA) of KF cattle were also estimated. Eighteen reported microsatellitemarkers were used in the study and the HF introgression levels were assessed through STRUCTURE 2.3.4 program. Inheritance percentages of HF in the studied KF cattle showed varying degree of levels ranged between 50 and 75%. The results showed that the average HF introgression per cent in KF cattle was 52.30% ranging from 15.96 to 87.21%. The EBV and EPA showed significant association with increasing HF introgression levels. However, HF inheritance levels had nonsignificant effect on those traits. Introgression levels may be the future tool for explaining the productive performances of crossbreds than inheritance levels.