The body condition score (BCS) system is a subjective scoring method of evaluating the energy reserves of dairy animals to provide better understanding of biological relationships between body fat, milk production and reproduction. This method helps in adopting the optimum management practices to derive maximum production and maintain optimum health of the livestock. In this study, a new BCS system was developed for Murrah buffaloes. The skeletal check points were identified by studying the anatomical features and amount of fat reserves in slaughtered animals. The scores were assigned from 1 to 5 based on the amount of fat reserves in slaughtered animals. A score of 1 represents least and 5 represents most amount of fat. The skeletal check points identified were ordered based on the amount of carcass fat reserves and scores assigned to prepare a preliminary BCS chart on a 1 to 5 scale at 0.25 increments. The BCS chart was further modified by eliminating the skeletal check points at which the fat reserves were less evident on palpation in most of the buffaloes and a new BCS chart on a 1 to 5 scale at 0.5 increments examining eight skeletal check points was developed. The new BCS system developed was tested for precision in 10 buffaloes for each point of the 1-5 scale by ultrasonographic measurements of body fat reserves. Ultrasonographic measurements showed that as the BCS increased, the amount of fat reserves also increased (p < 0.01), indicating that the BCS adequately reflected the amount of actual fat reserves. BCS was significantly correlated (r = 0.860) with the carcass fat reserves as well as the ultrasonographic fat reserves (r = 0.854).
Adipose Tissue/*physiology/ultrasonography ; Animals ; Body Composition/*physiology ; Buffaloes/*physiology ; Dairying ; Female

This study evaluated the meiotic competence of buffalo oocytes with different layers of cumulus cells. A total of 588 oocytes were collected from 775 ovaries averaging 0.78 oocytes per ovary. Oocytes with homogenous cytoplasm (n = 441) were selected for in vitro maturation (IVM) and divided into four groups based on their cumulus morphology: a) oocytes with > or == 3 layers of cumulus cells, b) 1-2 layers of cumulus cells and oocytes with partial remnants or no cumulus cells to be cocultured c) with or d) without cumulus cells. Oocytes in all four groups were matured in 100 microL drop of TCM-199 supplemented with 10microgram/mL follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), 10microgram/mL luteinizing hormone (LH), 1.5microgram/mL estradiol, 75microgram/mL streptomycin, 100 IU/mL penicillin, 10 mM Hepes and 10% FBS at 39degrees C and 5% CO2 for 24 hours. After IVM, cumulus cells were removed from oocytes using 3 mg/mL hyaluronidase, fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde, stained with DAPI and evaluated for meiotic competence. The oocytes with > or ==3 layers of cumulus cells showed higher maturation rates (p <0.05: 64.5%) than oocytes with partial or no cumulus cells (8.6%) and oocytes co-cultured with cumulus cells (34.5%) but did not differ from oocytes having 1-2 layers of cumulus cells (51.4%). The degeneration rates were higher (p < 0.05) for oocytes with partial or no cumulus cells (51%) than rest of the groups (range: 13.8% to 17.4%). These results suggest that buffalo oocytes with intact layers of cumulus cells show better IVM rates than oocytes without cumulus cells and the co-culture of poor quality oocytes with cumulus cells improves their meiotic competence.
Animals ; Buffaloes/*physiology ; Female ; Fluorescent Dyes/chemistry ; Indoles/chemistry ; Meiosis/*physiology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence/veterinary ; Oocytes/cytology/growth&development/*physiology

AIMTo test the hypothesis that season affects the semen quality of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls used for artificial insemination (AI) under tropical conditions in Thailand, as it does in Bos taurus and Bos indicus.

METHODSClinical and andrological examinations, and monitoring of semen production and quality were carried out on five mature, healthy swamp buffalo AI bulls in Thailand from July 2004 to the end of June 2005. Sperm output, motility, morphology and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were compared between three seasons of the year (rainy, i.e. July-October; winter, i.e. November-February; and summer, i.e. March-June) with distinct ambient temperature and humidity.

RESULTSAll bulls were diagnosed as clinically healthy and with good libido throughout the study. Ejaculate volume, pH, sperm concentration, total sperm number and initial sperm motility did not differ between seasons, whereas PMI and the relative proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa were highest in summer and lowest in winter (P<0.05). Buffalo age, week of collection and season influenced sperm morphology (P < 0.05-0.001). Among morphological abnormalities, only proportions of tail defects were affected by season, being highest in the rainy season and lowest in summer (P<0.001). In conclusion, climatic changes did not seem to largely affect semen sperm output or viability. Although the proportions of PMI and tail abnormalities were affected by season, they were always below what is considered unacceptable for AI bull sires.

CONCLUSIONSeasonal changes did not appear to cause deleterious changes in sperm quality in swamp buffalo AI-sires in tropical Thailand.

Animal Feed ; Animals ; Animals, Wild ; Buffaloes ; physiology ; Climate ; Humidity ; Male ; Poaceae ; Seasons ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; Thailand

The prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxocara vitulorum infection in buffalo and cattle calves was studied in 3 provinces in central Cambodia. Fecal samples were collected from 517 calves between the age of 1-15 weeks and processed for nematode egg counts by a modified McMaster method. A total of 64 calves were found to excrete T. vitulorum eggs in their feces (12.4%; 95% exact CI: 9.7-15.5). The mean fecal egg count was 2,798 EPG (SD=16,351; range=0-224,400). A multivariable generalized linear mixed model showed higher odds of T. vitulorum infection for buffalo versus cattle, for animals aged 4-8 weeks versus younger and older ones, and for animals with strongyle infection. There was no association with fecal consistency. Farmers should be aware of the potential impact of T. vitulorum, and treat their calves at the age of 2-3 weeks with anthelmintics such as benzimidazoles or pyrantel.
Animals ; Buffaloes ; Cambodia/epidemiology ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology/physiopathology ; Prevalence ; Toxocara/isolation & purification/physiology ; Toxocariasis/epidemiology/*parasitology/physiopathology

We investigated the disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of cefpirome in buffalo calves after a single intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg. Also, an appropriate dosage regimen was calculated. At 1 min after injection, the concentration of cefpirome in the plasma was 57.4 +/- 0.72 microgram/ml, which declined to 0.22 +/- 0.01 microgram/ml at 24 h. The cefpirome was rapidly distributed from the blood to the tissue compartment as shown by the high distribution coefficient values (8.67 +/- 0.46/h), and by the drug's rate of transfer constant from the central to the peripheral compartment, K12 (4.94 +/- 0.31/h). The elimination halflife and the volume of distribution were 2.14 +/- 0.02 h and 0.42 +/- 0.005 l/kg, respectively. Once the distribution equilibrium was reached between the tissues and plasma, the total body clearance (ClB) and the ratio of the drug present in the peripheral to the central compartment (T/P ratio) were 0.14 +/- 0.002 l/kg/h and 1.73 +/- 0.06, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic parameters we obtained, an appropriate intravenous cefpirome dosage regimen for treating cefpiromesensitive bacteria in buffalo calves would be 8.0 mg/kg repeated at 12 h intervals for 5 days, or until persistence of the bacterial infection occurred.
Animals ; Buffaloes/*metabolism/urine ; Cephalosporins/administration & dosage/*pharmacokinetics/*urine ; Injections, Intravenous/veterinary ; Kinetics ; Metabolic Clearance Rate/physiology

This study was conducted to investigate the life history, morphology, and maturation of larval stages and adult worms of Fasciola gigantica in experimental mice. Lymnaea auricularia rubiginosa was used as the intermediate host, and Oryza sativa was used for encystment of the metacercariae, while Mus musculus was used as the definitive host for maturation study. Fresh eggs from the gall bladder of water buffaloes fully developed into embryonated ones and hatched out at days 11-12 after incubation at about 29masculineC. Free-swimming miracidia rapidly penetrated into the snail host, and gradually developed into the next larval stages; sporocyst, redia, and daughter redia with cercariae. Fully-developed cercariae were separated from the redia and shed from the snails on day 39 post-infection (PI). Free-swimming cercariae were immediately allowed to adhere to rice plants, and capsules were constructed to protect metacercariae on rice plants. Juvenile worms were detected in intestines of mice at days 3 and 6 PI, but they were found in the bile duct from day 9 PI. Juvenile and adult flukes were recovered from 16 mice experimentally infected with metacercariae, with the average recovery rate of 35.8%. Sexually mature adult flukes were recovered from day 42 PI. It could be confirmed that experimentally encysted metacercariae could infect and develop to maturity in the experimental host. The present study reports for the first time the complete life history of F. gigantica by an experimental study in Thailand. The obtained information can be used as a guide for prevention, elimination, and treatment of F. gigantica at environment and in other hosts.
Acanthaceae/parasitology ; Animals ; Buffaloes/parasitology ; Fasciola/*anatomy & histology/*physiology ; Gallbladder/parasitology ; Larva/anatomy & histology/physiology ; *Life Cycle Stages ; Mice ; Microscopy ; Oryza sativa/parasitology ; Time Factors

This study was conducted to investigate the life history, morphology, and maturation of larval stages and adult worms of Fasciola gigantica in experimental mice. Lymnaea auricularia rubiginosa was used as the intermediate host, and Oryza sativa was used for encystment of the metacercariae, while Mus musculus was used as the definitive host for maturation study. Fresh eggs from the gall bladder of water buffaloes fully developed into embryonated ones and hatched out at days 11-12 after incubation at about 29masculineC. Free-swimming miracidia rapidly penetrated into the snail host, and gradually developed into the next larval stages; sporocyst, redia, and daughter redia with cercariae. Fully-developed cercariae were separated from the redia and shed from the snails on day 39 post-infection (PI). Free-swimming cercariae were immediately allowed to adhere to rice plants, and capsules were constructed to protect metacercariae on rice plants. Juvenile worms were detected in intestines of mice at days 3 and 6 PI, but they were found in the bile duct from day 9 PI. Juvenile and adult flukes were recovered from 16 mice experimentally infected with metacercariae, with the average recovery rate of 35.8%. Sexually mature adult flukes were recovered from day 42 PI. It could be confirmed that experimentally encysted metacercariae could infect and develop to maturity in the experimental host. The present study reports for the first time the complete life history of F. gigantica by an experimental study in Thailand. The obtained information can be used as a guide for prevention, elimination, and treatment of F. gigantica at environment and in other hosts.
Acanthaceae/parasitology ; Animals ; Buffaloes/parasitology ; Fasciola/*anatomy & histology/*physiology ; Gallbladder/parasitology ; Larva/anatomy & histology/physiology ; *Life Cycle Stages ; Mice ; Microscopy ; Oryza sativa/parasitology ; Time Factors

We report 2 cases of Thelazia rhodesii infection in the African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, in Zambia. African buffalo calves were captured from the livestock and wildlife interface area of the Kafue basin in the dry season of August 2005 for the purpose to translocate to game ranches. At capture, calves (n=48) were examined for the presence of eye infections by gently manipulating the orbital membranes to check for eye-worms in the conjunctival sacs and corneal surfaces. Two (4.3%) were infected and the mean infection burden per infected eye was 5.3 worms (n=3). The mean length of the worms was 16.4 mm (95% CI; 14.7-18.2 mm) and the diameter 0.41 mm (95% CI; 0.38-0.45 mm). The surface cuticle was made of transverse striations which gave the worms a characteristic serrated appearance. Although the calves showed signs of kerato-conjunctivitis, the major pathological change observed was corneal opacity. The calves were kept in quarantine and were examined thrice at 30 days interval. At each interval, they were treated with 200 microg/kg ivermectin, and then translocated to game ranches. Given that the disease has been reported in cattle and Kafue lechwe (Kobus lechwe kafuensis) in the area, there is a need for a comprehensive study which aims at determining the disease dynamics and transmission patterns of thelaziasis between wildlife and livestock in the Kafue basin.
Animals ; Anthelmintics/therapeutic use ; Buffaloes/*parasitology ; Eye Diseases/drug therapy/parasitology/*veterinary ; Spirurida Infections/drug therapy/parasitology/*veterinary ; Thelazioidea/*isolation & purification/physiology ; Zambia

Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite of animals. It is a major pathogen for cattle and dogs and it occasionally causes clinical infections in horses, goats, sheep, and deer. Domestic dogs are the only known definitive hosts for N. caninum. It is one of the most efficiently transmitted parasite of cattle and up to 90% of cattle in some herds are infected. Transplacental transmission is considered the major route of transmission of N. caninum in cattle. Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle in many countries. To elicit protective immunity against abortion in cows that already harbor a latent infection is a major problem. This paper reviews information on biology, diagnosis, epidemiology and control of neosporosis in animals.
Animals ; Buffaloes/parasitology ; Coccidiosis/diagnosis/epidemiology/transmission/*veterinary ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Female ; Goats/parasitology ; Horses/parasitology ; Humans ; Neospora/*physiology ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Sheep/parasitology

Effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on in vitro survival, growth, steroidogenesis, and apoptosis of buffalo preantral follicles (PFs) was investigated. PFs (200~250 microm) were isolated by micro-dissection and cultured in 0 (control), 10(-3), 10(-5), 10(-7), and 10(-9) M SNP. To examine the reversible effect of SNP, PFs were cultured with 10(-5) M SNP + 1 mM Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1.0 microg hemoglobin (Hb). The results showed that greater concentrations of SNP (10(-3), 10(-5), 10(-7) M) inhibited (p < 0.05) FSH-induced survival, growth, antrum formation, estradiol production, and oocyte apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. However, a lower dose of SNP (10(-9) M) significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) the survival, growth, antrum formation, follicular oocyte maturation, and stimulated progesterone secretion compared to the control. A combination of SNP + L-NAME promoted the inhibitor effect of SNP while a SNP + Hb combination reversed this effect. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the culture medium increased (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner according to SNP concentration in the culture medium. At higher concentrations, SNP had a cytotoxic effect leading to follicular oocyte apoptosis whereas lower concentrations have stimulatory effects. In conclusion, NO exerts a dual effect on its development of buffalo PFs depending on the concentration in the culture medium.
Animals ; *Apoptosis ; Buffaloes/*physiology ; Estradiol/biosynthesis ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology ; Nitrates/pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide/*metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Donors/pharmacology ; Nitrites/pharmacology ; Nitroprusside/pharmacology ; Oocytes/cytology/drug effects/growth & development/metabolism ; Ovarian Follicle/*cytology/drug effects/growth & development/*metabolism ; Progesterone/biosynthesis