The kinetic disposition and dosage regimen for carbenicillin in buffalo calves

The distribution half-life, elimination half-life, apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance of carbenicillin in healthy buffalo calves following a single intravenous administration (50 mg/kg) were 0.057±0.005 h, 1.688±0.11 h, 0.185±0.021 L kg^-1 and 75.97±6.519 ml kg^-1 h^-1 respectively. A satisfactory dosage regimen for carbenicillin in buffalo calves was calculated to be 56 mg/kg followed by 52 mg/kg body weight repeated at 6 h intervals.     

Pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of cefotaxime in cross-bred calves following single intramuscular administration

The pharmacokinetics, penetration into erythrocytes and plasma protein binding of cefotaxime were investigated in cross-bred calves. Following a single intramuscular dose of cefotaxime (10 mg/kg), the absorption half-life and elimination half-life were 0.13±0.03 h and 2.97±0.72 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were 3.28±0.72 L/kg and 0.78±0.08 L/kg per h, respectively. The extent of penetration into erythrocytes was 24–40% of the total blood concentration. Cefotaxime was bound to plasma proteins of calves to the extent of 25.5–33.6%. A satisfactory intramuscular dosage regimen for cefotaxime in calves would be 11 mg/kg followed by 10 mg/kg at 7 h intervals.Abbreviations ATCC American type cell culture - MIC minimum inhibitory concentration - PCV packed cell volume     

Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of gentamicin in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis)

The disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of gentamicin sulphate were studied in young buffalo bulls following a single intramuscular administration of the drug at 5 mg kg^-1 body weight. The time course of the serum gentamicin concentration was adequately described by the one-compartment open model. The values of the absorption and elimination halflives were 12.2±2.2 and 167.0±29.7 min respectively. The apparent volume of distribution was 0.29±0.01 L kg^-1. During the first 12 h, 63% of the total administered dose was excreted in urine. On the basis of the kinetic data, a satisfactory intramuscular dosage regimen for gentamicin sulphate would be at least 6 mg kg^-1 body weight repeated at 8 h intervals.     

Prenatal development of retina in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The development of retina in Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has not been reported previously. The aim of the present study was therefore to report the major landmarks and the time course in the development of retina. Serial histological sections of Indian buffalo embryos and foetuses were used as group1 (<20.0 cm CVRL), group2 (>20.0 but <40.0 cm CVRL) and group3 (>40.0 cm CVRL). Age estimation was made on the basis of crown vertebral‐rump length (CVRL), which ranged between 36 and 286 days (1.6–94.0 cm). The retina in Indian buffalo was developed in a similar manner to that of the other mammals with the principal differences in the time of occurrence of various layers of this nervous tunic. In 36 days (1.6 cm stage), the foetal retina was composed of pigmented layer and the layer of neuroblasts. Differentiation of layers was first observed in 47 days (4.0 cm CVRL) which became prominent in 52 days (5.1 cm stage). At 120 days (20.5 cm stage), the differentiation of inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer was evident. At 143 days (31.0 cm) foetal age, the faint line in neuroblastic layer was the first evidence of the future outer plexiform layer. In foetuses of group III, the retina was comprised of all 10 layers (eight cell layers and two membranes) viz. pigmented epithelium, layer of rods and cones, outer limiting membrane, outer nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, ganglion cell layer, layer of nerve fibres and the inner limiting membrane.     

Intramuscular Kinetics and Dosage Regimens for Pralidoxime in Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

The plasma levels, disposition kinetics and a dosage regimen for pralidoxime (2-PAM) were investigated in male buffalo calves following single intramuscular administration (15 or 30 mg/kg). The effects of 2-PAM on various blood enzymes were also determined. The absorption half-life, elimination half-life, apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance of 2-PAM were 1.08±0.19 h, 3.14–3.19 h, 0.83–1.01 L/kg and 184.9–252.1 ml/(kg h), respectively. At doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight, a plasma concentration 4 g/ml was maintained for up to 4 and 6 h, respectively. Pralidoxime significantly lowered the serum level of transferases, phosphatases and lactate dehydrogenase but did not influence the acetylcholinesterase and carboxylesterase enzymes. The most appropriate dosage regimen for 2-PAM in the treatment of organophosphate toxicity in buffaloes would be 25 mg/kg followed by 22 mg/kg at 8 h intervals.     

Disposition kinetics and dosage regimen of sulfapyridine in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The disposition kinetics and dosage regimen of sulfapyridine were studied in buffalo calves following a single intravenous dose of 100 mg/kg. Distribution half-life (t1/2 alpha) elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) and Vd (area) was 0.181 +/- 0.008 h, 13.4 +/- 0.52 h and 0.59 +/- 0.03 L kg-1, respectively. Total body clearance, which represents the sum of all clearance processes, and tissue/plasma (T/P) ratio were calculated to be 31.1 +/- 2.28 ml kg-1 h-1 and 2.25 +/- 0.09, respectively. A satisfactory intravenous dosage regimen of sulfapyridine in buffalo would be 104 mg/kg followed by 75 mg/kg at 24 h intervals.     

Detomidine-diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves

Eight buffalo calves (8-12 months, 70-100 kg) were randomly assigned to two groups of four animals each. Animals of group I were given detomidine (100 micrograms/kg), whereas animals of group II received a mixture of detomidine (100 micrograms/kg), diazepam (100 micrograms/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) (DDK) intravenously. Various clinical parameters, such as weak time, down time, pedal and pinprick reflexes, muscle relaxation and extent of sedation, as well as heart and respiratory rates and electrocardiograms were measured before (time 0) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min after treatment. In all the animals of group II (DDK), the pedal reflex was completely abolished (score: 3.00 +/- 0.00) within 5 min, the pinprick response was either very weak or it was completely abolished at this interval. Muscle relaxation and sedation were excellent within 5 min of DDK administration. The depth of sedation and analgesia was maximum from 5 to 15 min postinjection. Detomidine alone, however, failed to produce appropriate depression of the pedal and pinprick reflexes, sedation was mild and muscle relaxation was inadequate. Heart rate showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in group I, but the decrease was non-significant in group II. A more pronounced increase in respiratory rate was observed in group I as compared to group II. Animals of both groups recovered within 90 min without any complication. Minimal changes in the cardiovascular system in the group given the DDK combination were an advantage over the group given detomidine. The results indicated that DDK combination is safe and suitable for 15 min of anaesthesia with excellent muscle relaxation and has only limited cardiorespiratory effects in buffaloes.     

Disposition kinetics,urinary excretion and dosage regimen of kanamycin in buffalo calves following single intravenous administration

The disposition kinetics and appropriate dosage regimen for kanamycin were investigated in buffalo calves following a single intravenous dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. The distribution and elimination half-lives were 0.12±0.01 h and 1.94±0.11 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were 0.2±0.01 L/kg and 92.9±3.69 ml/kg/h, respectively. About 74% of the administered dose was excreted in urine in 24 h. A suitable dosage regimen for the intravenous administration of kanamycin was also calculated.Abbreviation SEM standard error of the mean     

Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of cefpirome after intravenous injection in buffalo calves

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 µg/ml, which declined to 0.22 ± 0.01 µg/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 (Cl_B) 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.     

Pharmacokinetics and Dosage Regimen of Ceftriaxone in Buffalo Calves

The pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of ceftriaxone were investigated in buffalo calves (n = 6) following a single intravenous administration of ceftriaxone (10 mg/kg). The elimination rate constant was 0.18 +/- 0.01 h(-1) and the elimination half-life was 3.79 +/- 0.09 h. The apparent volume of distribution (Vd(area)) was 1.40 +/- 0.01 L/kg and the total plasma clearance was 0.26 +/- 0.01 L/(kg h). Approximately 43% of total administered dose of ceftriaxone was excreted in urine within 8 h. To maintain a minimum therapeutic concentration of 1 microg/ml, a satisfactory intravenous dosage regimen of ceftriaxone in buffalo calves is 13 mg/kg repeated at 12 h intervals.     

Effects of plane of nutrition on slaughtering traits and meat characteristics in Murrah graded male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves in Nepal

An experiment was conducted using 17 male buffalo calves to assess the effects of plane of nutrition on slaughtering traits and meat characteristics. To attain 250 kg body weight (BW), the calves were allocated into three groups: high (H), low‐high (L‐H) and low (L) corresponding to concentrate levels receiving the concentrate at 1.50% of BW, 0.75% of BW until 190 kg BW and 1.50% thereafter, and 0.75% of BW, respectively. The animals had ad libitum access to urea‐treated rice straw. No significant differences of hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and lean fat–bone yields were observed among the treatment groups. The L group had heavier brisket weight and lower percentage of round weight in the hot carcass than the H and L‐H groups (P < 0.05). The H group had heavier hearts than the L group, and the H and L‐H groups had heavier livers and kidneys than the L group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference of rib eye area, pH and the contents of moisture, crude protein and fat in loin meat among the groups. The findings indicated that the effects of plane of nutrition affected the weight or percentages of some cut yields in the hot carcasses and internal organs.     

Theca cell-conditioned medium enhances steroidogenesis competence of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) granulosa cells

Theca cells (TCs) play a crucial role in follicular development and atresia. TCs synthesize androgens that act as substrate for granulosa cells (GCs) aromatization to oestrogens needed for follicular growth. However, the effects of TCs in the form of conditioned medium on steroidogenesis in buffalo GCs remain unclear. In the present study, the impacts of TC-conditioned medium (TCCM) on oestrogen synthesis in buffalo GCs were examined. The results showed that TCs secreted principally testosterone, but almost no androstenedione or oestradiol into TCCM. TCs at passage 3 had a stronger secretion capacity of testosterone in TCCM. Furthermore, TCCM collected at 72 hr improved both the expression levels of oestrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in GCs. The treatment of 72 hr in TCCM promoted both the expression levels of oestrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1 and 3β-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in GCs. Besides, TCCM that was collected at 72 hr and applied to GCs for 72 hr (72 & 72 hr) improved the sensitivity of buffalo GCs to FSH. This study indicates that TCCM (72 & 72 hr) enhances the steroidogenesis competence of GCs mainly through facilitating the responsiveness of GCs to FSH in buffalo.     

Detection of prion gene promoter and intron1 indel polymorphisms in Anatolian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal disease caused by miss folded prion protein. Studies in the cattle, comparing genetic data from BSE diseased and healthy animals have shown that indel polymorphisms in the promoter and intron 1 of PRNP gene were associated with disease susceptibility. Several studies were conducted to find out allele and genotypic frequencies of indel polymorphisms in promoter and intron 1 of the cattle PRNP gene. Unlike domestic cattle and bison, no indel polymorphisms of the PRNP promoter and intron 1 were examined in any population of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Aim of this study was to analyse frequencies of allele, genotype, and haplotype of the indel polymorphisms (23 bp indel in promoter and 12 bp indel in intron 1) in prion protein coding gene (PRNP) of water buffalo. Therefore a PCR based procedure, previously used in cattle to detect indel polymorphisms of PRNP promoter and intron 1 locus, was applied to 106 Anatolian water buffalo DNAs. Our results have revealed high frequency of in variants and in23/in12 haplotype for PRNP promoter and intron 1 indel polymorphisms in water buffalo. The results of the study have demonstrated that frequencies of allele, genotype, and haplotype of the indel polymorphisms in PRNP gene of the Anatolian water buffalo are significantly different those from cattle and bison PRNP indel polymorphisms.     

Histology,histochemistry and ultrastructure of the nasopharyngeal tonsil of the buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The light microscopic appearance and ultrastructure of the nasopharyngeal tonsil (tonsilla pharyngea), collected from 12 adult buffaloes of local mixed breed, were explored for the distribution of different types of epithelia, lymphoid tissue and high endothelial venules. The tonsillar mucosa was lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium having goblet cells. The respiratory epithelium associated with the underlying lymphoid tissue formed the lymphoepithelium. The epithelium was further modified into follicle‐associated epithelium (FAE) characterized by reduced epithelial height, presence of a few dome‐shaped cuboidal cells equivalent of the M‐cells and absence of goblet and ciliated cells. The lymphoid tissue was distributed in the form of isolated lymphoid cells, diffuse lymphoid tissue and lymphoid follicles, mainly distributed within the propria‐submucosa along with the sero‐mucous glandular tissue. The goblet cells of the respiratory epithelium and the acinar cells contained different mucopolysaccharides. Scanning electron microscopy of the surface mucosa demonstrated a dense mat of cilia, island‐like arrangement of microvillus cells, M‐cells and a few brush‐like cells. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the different cell organelles of the respiratory epithelium and the FAE. Lymphocyte migration via the high endothelial venules in the propria‐submucosa was also observed.