Nutritional evaluation of organically grown fodders in lactating Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

A study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritional response of organically grown diets in buffaloes on nutrients utilization and nutrient efficiency for milk production. For this, ten milch Murrah buffaloes of average body weight (490.72?±?6.65 kg), milk yield (8.13?±?0.33 kg), and lactation stage (85?±?5.28 days) were distributed in inorganic (InDg₎ and organic dietary groups (OrDg) with five animals in each. Buffaloes of InDg and OgDg were fed sorghum hay–berseem fodder-concentrate mixture-based diets grown inorganically and organically, respectively. After 60 days of feeding, a digestion cum metabolism trial was conducted to assess feed intake, nutrient utilization, and N balance, while milk yield and composition were recorded fortnightly. DM, CP, digestible crude protein (DCP), and metabolizable energy (ME) intake (g/Kg w^0.75) were similar in animals of InDg and OrDg. NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility were (P?<?0.05) higher in animals on OrDg (59.20, 51.55, and 62.67) than InDg diet (54.57, 43.72, and 56.61 %), respectively. Urinary n loss (g/day) was (P?<?0.05) lower in OrDg (67.23) than in InDg (83.55); however, milk N was comparable in animals of both dietary groups (47.36 vs 45.82 g/day). Nitrogen balance was higher in animals of OrDg (39.72) than in InDg (28.08). DCP, TDN, and ME values of both diets were similar. No effect of diet was observed on milk yield and its composition; however, increased lactation length decreased milk yield. Buffaloes on both diets had similar efficiency and conversion ratio of nutrients for milk production. Results revealed that diets (organically vs. inorganically grown) have no effect on milk yield and its composition; however, buffaloes on organic diet have higher fiber digestibility and low urinary N loss which did not affect the dietary nutrients efficiency and conversion ratio for milk production.     

Impact of norgestomet supplementation during early luteal phase on subsequent luteal profiles and conception rate in buffalo: a preliminary study

The current study was aimed to establish the impact of progesterone supplementation (norgestomet progestagen) between days 4 to 10 post-ovulation on subsequent luteal profile and conception rate in buffaloes. The 28 Murrah buffaloes of second to fourth parity, having normal reproductive organs, were estrus synchronized by double PGF_2α protocol at 11 days apart. The buffaloes were inseminated during mid- to late estrus and thereafter repeated at 24 h interval. The buffaloes were randomly assigned into two groups: (1) control (no treatment, n?=?14) and (2) treatment group (CRESTAR ear implant, n?=?14). The CRESTAR ear implant (3 mg, norgestomet progestagen) was inserted subcutaneous between days 4 to 10 post-ovulation. The ovaries were scanned at estrus and thereafter on days 4, 10, 16, 21, and 40 post-ovulation to examine the preovulatory follicle (POF) and corpus luteum (CL) diameter. Each ultasonography was followed by blood sample collection for analysis of plasma progesterone concentrations following ovulation. The conception rate was similar (p?>?0.05) between treated and control buffaloes. The pregnant buffalo of the control group had larger (p?<?0.05) POF diameter than nonpregnant counterparts. The CL diameter was similar (p?>?0.05) in both treated and untreated control as well as in their pregnant and nonpregnant buffaloes of the respective groups. The plasma progesterone concentrations were higher (p?<?0.05) in the treatment group on the day 10 post-ovulation as compared to the control buffaloes. It is concluded that norgestomet supplementation had no impact on conception rate and CL diameter but enhances the plasma progesterone concentrations following treatment in buffaloes.     

Plasma hormones, metabolites, milk production, and cholesterol levels in Murrah buffaloes fed with Asparagus racemosus in transition and postpartum period

Ten dry and pregnant Murrah buffaloes were selected to investigate the effect of Asparagus racemosus feeding on hormones, metabolites, milk yield, and plasma cholesterol levels. The treatment groups of buffaloes were fed with A. racemosus (shatavari) @?150?g/day/animal during prepartum and @?300?g/day/animal during the postpartum period. Blood samples collected on ?6, ?4, ?2-week, day of parturition (0), and +2, +4, and +6-week postpartum were analyzed for plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), prolactin, cortisol, and blood metabolites. Milk samples collected at weekly intervals (+1, +3, +5, and 7?weeks) were analyzed for total milk fat cholesterol. Prepartum plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in treatment group over the control (P?<?0.05). Mean plasma triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels varied nonsignificantly between groups. Plasma prolactin and cortisol concentrations were significantly (P?<?0.01) more in treatment group than in control group. On day of parturition, plasma prolactin, cortisol, LDL, and plasma total cholesterol were higher (P?<?0.01) in treatment group buffaloes in comparison to control group. A. racemosus feeding significantly (P?<?0.01) increased plasma prolactin, cortisol (P?<?0.01), and milk fat cholesterol (P?<?0.05) without affecting total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, glucose, and NEFA concentrations. The buffaloes of treatment group produced more milk (?@?0.526?kg/animal/day) suggesting thereby that A. racemosus is galactopoietic. It was concluded that feeding of A. racemosus increases plasma prolactin and cortisol and decreased plasma total cholesterol and LDL concentration.     

Correlations among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaplasma marginale</Emphasis> parasitemia and markers of oxidative stress in crossbred calves

The present study was designed to determine the correlations among Anaplasma marginale parasitemia and markers of oxidative stress in crossbred calves. Blood was collected from 11 crossbred calves infected with A. marginale along with 11 healthy crossbred calves as controls for determination of hematology and oxidative stress indicators. Percentage of parasitemia in infected calves varied from 0.8% to 6.0%. The values of hematological indicators and antioxidant enzymes were decreased, whereas erythrocytic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and plasma nitrate (NO) level were significantly (p < 0.05) augmented in A. marginale-infected animals over healthy group. Parasitemia was positively correlated (p < 0.01) with erythrocytic LPO and plasma NO and negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with hematological indicators and antioxidant enzymes. In addition, erythrocytic LPO was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with the hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, and packed cell volume. From the present study, it can be concluded that anaplasmosis in crossbred calves is associated with a parasitic load-dependent oxidative damage as indicated by poor antioxidant status and enhanced oxidative stress, which are contributed to severe anemia.     

Feeding of oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) leaves and evaluation for its potential inclusion in the feeding of native heifers of Kumaon Himalaya

After an initial survey on feeds and feeding practices at Kumaon Himalaya, the potential of oak leaves feeding was evaluated in six native heifers (Bos indicus; 101.5?kg BW, 18?C24?months) in a partial switch-over design involving two animals each on each treatment at a time. The feeding treatments involved high and low levels of oak leaves (Quercus leucotrichophora, oak leaves (OL)) supplemented to local mixed grass hay (GH) which were GH (G1), GH + low level (42.5?%) of OL (G2) and GH + high level (63.6?%) of OL (G3). The feeding trial for each treatment was conducted for 40?days that ended with a digestibility trial of 6-day duration. The dry matter (DM) intake (kg/day) was non-significantly higher in G3 (3.52) than G2 (3.11) and G1 (2.96). Intake of crude protein (CP) (g/day) was significantly (P?<?0.001) higher in both G2 and G3 than G1. The digestibility of DM, CP, organic matter, ether extract and total carbohydrates increased (P?<?0.001) linearly in OL-fed groups as compared to control. The total digestible nutrients (TDN) (kg/day) intake was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) in G3 compared to G1, but it was comparable between G1 and G2. Intake of DM, CP, digestible CP (DCP) and TDN/metabolizable energy (ME) per kilogram metabolic body weight was significantly higher (P?<?0.01) in G3 than G2 which in turn was also higher (P?<?0.01) than G1. The animals under G1 had negative gain (?50?g/day) compared to 146 and 306?g/day in G2 and G3, respectively. Feeding of OL reduced serum urea and creatinine level and supported serum protein concentration better in G3 compared to G2. The feeding of cattle on GH alone was lacking in both energy and protein for sustaining minimum levels of production, whereas in combination with OL at 36.4:63.6 ratios supported minimum level of production (ADG 300?g) with near nutritional adequacy for major nutrients (CP, DCP, TDN, ME) but with a caution for the minor nutrients like calcium and phosphorus that need to be supplemented.     

林分间隙形成后季节性干旱的娑罗双树原始林物种多样性及苗木再生(英文)

本文调查了尼泊尔季节性干旱的娑罗双树原始林两种生态位(间隙和全郁闭)下树种多样性及苗木再生情况,并对物种多样性指标和苗木再生属性与林分间隙特征进行了相关性分析。结果表明,间隙生态位下乔木和灌木立木度高于全郁闭。间隙生态位下娑罗双树和榄仁树的幼苗密度也高于全郁闭,但是油榄仁和海南蒲桃的比较结果恰好相反。在幼苗层物种多样性指标(complement of Simpson index,Evenness index,and species-individual ratio)在间隙生态位要低于全郁闭条件。间隙大小能够解释物种丰富度和物种建立速率。多年多样伐木形成的林分间隙下娑罗双树幼苗密度要高于同一年内单一或多样伐木。结论:林分间隙的物种多样性通过增加幼苗密度来维持,并且适于娑罗双树再生。此外,林分间隙的其它属性也会影响物种多样性和苗木再生。     

Species diversity and regeneration of old-growth seasonally dry Shorea robusta forests following gap formation

Diversity and regeneration of woody species were investigated in two ecological niches viz. gap and intact vegetation in old-growth seasonally dry Shorea robusta (Gaertn. f.) forests in Nepal. We also related varieties of diversity measures and regeneration attributes to gap characteristics. Stem density of tree and shrub components is higher in the gap than in the intact vegetation. Seedling densities of S. robusta and Terminalia alata (B. Heyne ex Roth.) are higher in the gap than in the intact vegetation, while contrary result is observed for T. bellirica (Gaertn. ex Roxb.) and Syzigium cumini (L. Skeels) in term of seedling density. The complement of Simpson index, Evenness index, and species-individual ratio in the seedling layer are lower in the gap than the intact vegetation. Gap size can explain species richness and species establishment rate. Gaps created by multiple tree falls in different years have higher seedling density of S. robusta than gaps created by single and/or multiple tree falls in the same year. In conclusion, gaps maintain species diversity by increasing seedling density, and favor regeneration of Sal forests. In addition to gap size, other gap attributes also affect species diversity and regeneration. Foundation Project: The study was supported by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).