Comparison of fertility,regular returns-to-estrus,and calving interval between Ovsynch and CO-synch + CIDR protocols in dairy cows

The main aims of the present study were to compare the pregnancy rate (PR), regular returns-to-estrus, and calving interval of a CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device, commonly used to synchronize ovulations in beef cows, with the classical Ovsynch protocol in high-producing dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 128) from six commercial dairy herds, ≥40 days postpartum and not previously inseminated, were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Cows submitted to Ovsynch protocol (group OS as control group; n = 66) received 10 μg of a GnRH analogue 7 days before and 48 hours after 25 mg PGF_2α, followed by artificial insemination (AI) 16 hours after the second GnRH administration. Cows submitted to CO-Synch + CIDR (1.38 g of progesterone) inserted for 7 days beginning at the first GnRH administration (group CoS + CD; n = 62) had the second administration of GnRH concurrent with AI, 64 hours after CIDR removal/PGF_2α administration. Nonpregnant cows with return-to-estrus between 18 and 24 days after first AI were reinseminated (second AI). Logistic regressions were used to analyze PR and returns-to-estrus. No effect of group or herd was observed in PR at first timed AI. However, the sum of cows pregnant at first AI and nonpregnant cows with regular returns-to-estrus and the total PR (first + second AI) were influenced by group treatment. Overall, cows of group CoS + CD (total PR = 56.5%) were 2.1 times more likely to became pregnant after AI and until first regular returns-to-estrus than cows of group OS. The calving interval was lower in group CoS + CD (425.9 ± 78.8 days; ±SD) than in group OS (475.3 ± 83.7 days). The CO-Synch + CIDR protocol was reliable to use in dairy herds and provided reproductive advantages when compared with Ovsynch protocol.     

An insight into the ribonucleolytic and antiangiogenic activity of buffalo lactoferrin

Lactoferrin (LF) has several biological effects ranging from ribonuclease activity to antiangiogenic activity. It thus serves as a potential target protein for studies related to ribonucleolytic activity in association with its antiangiogenic activity. We have isolated buffalo LF and checked the ribonucleolytic activity via an agarose gel-based assay and precipitation assay. The ribonucleolytic activity of LF is lower compared to RNase A and the pH profile is a bell-shaped curve, with a pK₁ value of 5.43 and pK₂ of 7.65. The ribonuclease inhibitor that inhibits many ribonuclease-type proteins by forming a tight complex is unable to inhibit the ribonucleolytic property of LF. Fe(III) behaves as a noncompetitive inhibitor for the ribonucleolytic activity of protein. The superoxide-scavenging activity of the protein has also been measured. Histidine modification by diethylpyrocarbonate was monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy at pH 7 and pH 8 and the effect towards the ribonucleolytic activity was determined. The antiangiogenic property of LF was investigated by the chorioallantoic membrane assay. Finally, the possible active site was analyzed via docking studies and correlated with the experimental study.     

Demographics and parasites of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) in Ruaha National Park,Tanzania

The number of African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) inhabiting Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, is thought to be declining, but little data exist to determine whether the population is actually in decline. As an initial phase of collecting population data, we conducted demographic surveys, faecal egg counts and gastrointestinal parasite identification in Ruaha's buffalo herds in September 2011 and 2013. Most herds encountered in the two surveys appeared to be in good health, but with fewer calves in 2013 compared with 2011. The herd‐level body condition score was positively associated with the number of calves per 100 cows after adjusting for year, and the lower number of offspring in 2013 could possibly be associated with a below average rainfall in the 2012–2013 rainy season. Mean herd‐level egg counts ranged from 83 to 140 and from 28 to 113 eggs per g faeces in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum spp., as well as coccidian oocysts, were detected in the population. Monitoring herd demographics and baseline health parameters over time will provide insight into population performance, increase the understanding of population stressors and contribute to buffalo conservation within Ruaha National Park and other protected areas of Africa.     

Effects of dietary forage particle size and concentrate level on fermentation profile, in vitro degradation characteristics and concentration of liquid- or solid-associated bacterial mass in the rumen of dairy cows

This study investigated effects of dietary forage particle size (PS) and concentrate level (CL) on fermentation profiles of particle-associated rumen liquid (PARL) and free rumen liquid (FRL), in vitro degradation characteristics and concentration of bacterial mass attached to the solid or fluid rumen digesta phase in dairy cows. The experiment was a 4 × 4 Latin square design with four late-lactation dairy cows in four 23 day periods. Cows were restrictively fed (17 kg dry matter (DM)/d) one of four diets varying in the theoretical PS (6 and 30 mm) of grass hay and in the levels (approximately 200 and 550 g/kg, DM basis) of a cereal-based concentrate. Proportion of large particles (>6 mm) and the content of structural fibre in the diet increased by reducing dietary CL and, particularly, by increasing hay PS. This effect was not reflected by changes in mean total volatile fatty acid concentration or pH in the rumen. However, cows fed high concentrate diets had pH of 5.28 and 5.37 in PARL at 3 h after the last meal, when fine or long chopped hay was offered. The low pH may indicate a depression of the capacity of PARL to degrade fibre in vitro. Gas production in vitro of concentrate increased with the high concentrate diet at 12 h, suggesting that amylolytic capacity was affected only in early phases of fermentation. In addition, elevating dietary CL appeared to shift ruminal fermentation outputs from propionate to butyrate and valerate. Inclusion of coarsely chopped hay to a high concentrate diet does not appear to bring advantages due to increased structure in restrictively fed dairy cows. In addition, results suggest that the response of pH in PARL is more sensitive to dietary changes (i.e., forage PS and CL) than the response in FRL, and so PARL might be better to evaluate the risk of ruminal disfunction in dairy cows.     

Systematic analyses for candidate genes of milk production traits in water buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis)

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is of great economic importance as a provider of milk and meat in many countries. However, the milk yield of buffalo is much lower than that of Holstein cows. Selection of candidate genes related to milk production traits can be applied to improve buffalo milk performance. A systematic review of studies of these candidate genes will be greatly beneficial for researchers to timely and efficiently understand the research development of molecular markers for buffalo milk production traits. Here, we identified and classified the candidate genes associated with buffalo milk production traits. A total of 517 candidate genes have been identified as being associated with milk performance in different buffalo breeds. Nineteen candidate genes containing 47 mutation sites have been identified using the candidate gene approach. In addition, 499 candidate genes have been identified in six genome‐wide association studies (GWASes) including two studies performed with the bovine SNP chip and four studies with the buffalo SNP chip. Genes CTNND2 (catenin delta 2), APOB (apolipoprotein B), FHIT (fragile histidine triad) and ESRRG (estrogen related receptor gamma) were identified in at least two GWASes. These four genes, especially APOB, deserve further study to explore regulatory roles in buffalo milk production. With growth in the number of buffalo genomic studies, more candidate genes associated with buffalo milk production traits will be identified. Therefore, future studies, such as those investigating gene location and functional analyses, are necessary to facilitate the exploitation of genetic potential and the improvement of buffalo milk performance.     

Necropsy and parasitic findings from an adult forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) found dead in the Republic of Congo

A field necropsy was performed on a recently dead adult forest buffalo, Syncerus caffer nanus, found in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Republic of Congo. Based on the gross and histological lesions, the cause of death was determined to be conspecific fighting. Ectoparasites collected from this forest buffalo were Amblyomma sp. (larvae) and Rhipicephalus ziemanni Neumann. Endoparasites collected included a paramphistomid trematode, Carmyerius gregarius, and oocysts of Eimeria spp., paramphistomid eggs (presumably from C. gregarius), metastrongylid lungworm larvae, and strongylid eggs. Parasitic findings from this forest buffalo were compared to previous reports from savanna and forest buffalo.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within Bov-A2 SINE in the second intron of bovine and buffalo k-casein (CSN3) gene

The genetic polymorphism of an entire Bov-A2 element located in the second intron of the buffalo and bovine k-casein (CSN3) gene was investigated by amplification and sequencing of PCR products. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. A PCR-RFLP method was developed to detect an A or G mutation at position 605 of bovine Bov-A2 element which creates a BfaI polymorphic site. The frequencies of the B allele, with the BfaI site, were for 0.275, 0.775, 0.750, 0.975, respectively, for Italian Holstein Friesian, Grey Alpine, Friuli Red Pied and Reggio bovine breeds. The mutation rate (substitutions and deletions/insertions per nucleotide site per year) was 2.5 x 10(-9) for Bov-A2 sequences in the second intron of CSN3. The comparison with other Bov-A2 elements suggests that this retroelement might be an important source of single nucleotide polymorphism for analysis of Bovidae genomes.     

PCR-DGGE fingerprints of microbial succession during a manufacture of traditional water buffalo mozzarella cheese

AIMS: To monitor the process and the starter effectiveness recording a series of fingerprints of the microbial diversity occurring at different steps of mozzarella cheese manufacture and to investigate the involvement of the natural starter to the achievement of the final product. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples of raw milk, natural whey culture (NWC) used as starter, curd after ripening and final product were collected during a mozzarella cheese manufacture. Total microbial DNA was directly extracted from the dairy samples as well as bulk colonies collected from the plates of appropriate culture media generally used for viable counts of mesophilic and thermophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and used in polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) experiments. The analysis of the DGGE profiles showed a strong influence of the microflora of the NWC on the whole process because after the starter addition, the profile of all the dairy samples was identical to the one shown by the NWC. Simple indexes were calculated for the DGGE profiles to have an objective estimation of biodiversity and of technological importance of specific groups of organisms. LAB grown on Man Rogosa Sharp (MRS) and Rogosa agar at 30 degrees C showed high viable counts and the highest diversity in species indicating their importance in the cheese making, which had not been considered so far. Moreover, the NWC profiles were shown to be the most similar to the curd profile suggesting to be effective in manufacture. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR-DGGE analysis showed that in premium quality manufacture the NWC used as starter had a strong influence on the microflora responsible for process development. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The molecular approach appeared to be valid as a tool to control process development, starter effectiveness and product identity as well as to rank cheese quality.     

Detection of dairy fouling: Combining ultrasonic measurements and classification methods

Fouling and cleaning in heat exchangers are severe and costly (up to 0.3% of gross national product) issues in dairy and food processing. Therefore, reducing cleaning time and cost is urgently needed. In this study, two classification methods [artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM)] for detecting protein and mineral fouling presence and absence based on ultrasonic measurements were presented and compared. ANN is based on a multilayer perceptron feed forward neural network, whereas SVM is based on clustering between fouling and no fouling using a hyperplane. When both fouling types (1239 datasets) were combined, ANN showed an accuracy of 71.9% while SVM displayed an accuracy of 97.6%. Separate fouling detection of mineral/protein fouling by ANN/SVM was comparable: dependent on fouling type detection accuracies of 100% (protein fouling, ANN and SVM), and 98.2% (SVM), and 93.5% (ANN) for mineral fouling was reached. It was shown that it was possible to detect fouling presence and absence offline in a static setup using ultrasonic measurements in combination with a classification method. This study proved the applicability of combining classification methods and fouling measurements to take a step toward reducing cleaning costs and time.