Embryo Transfer In Water Buffalo
Until the early 1980s there was no scientific body of knowledge
to turn to for descriptions of embryo transfer in water buffalo.
the reason is that it hadn't been done before, not until
University of Florida researchers successfully accomplished the
feat in 1982, proven through the birth of a normal, healthy water
buffalo bull calf 300 days later, in March of 1983. (U of F
researchers working with water buffalo include Drs. Maarten
Drost, Wyland S. Cripe and A.R. Richter, all of the College of
Veterinary Medicine)
Although embryo transfer techniques with domestic cattle had been
fairly well refined, with water buffaloes the process had to
begin as an experimental one. There are some similarities between
cattle Bos taurus European breeds and Bos indicus,
the Zebu or Brahman breeds, and water buffalo Bubalus
bubalis, in the general anatomy of their reproductive organs
and their reproductive physiology, but thee are also differences.
For example, the gestation period of the water buffalo is 4-5
weeks longer than that of cattle.
U of F researchers initially devised a series of experiments to
study the reproductive performance of water buffalo. Differences
between water buffalo and cattle had to be considered before
attempting an embryo transfer based on the methods and techniques
successfully established for cattle.
Early studies determined that the estrous cycle of the water
buffalo could be manipulated with prostaglandin hormone
injections and that their cycles could be synchronized. This was
an important step, since embryo transfer requires a synchronous
estrus cycle for potential embryo donors and recipients. Estrus
detection itself proved to be more difficult in water buffalo
than in cattle, but ovulation could be monitored by frequent
examination of the ovaries.
Studies also determined that water buffalo would respond to the
superovulatory treatment regime used in cattle. This meant that
it was possible to stimulate several ovulations at one time. As
with cattle, water buffalo ovarian response to superovulatory
treatment varied widely (with cattle, studies have shown response
variations with age, parity, nutritional status, lactation
status, season of the year and stage of the estrous cycle at
treatment).
A successful embryo recovery procedure was established in
preparation for the attempted embryo transplant between water
buffalo. Embryo collection attempts were made on day 7 of the
superovulatory cycle (estrus=day 0) by flushing the ovaries with
a buffered saline solution.
After several unsuccessful transfer attempts the team was able
.... with the help of Dr. Joseph M. Wright, Jr., a private
veterinary practitioner in Castroville, Texas .... to
successfully transfer a 7 day embryo from one water buffalo to
another. A collected blastocyst (embryo) from a donor animal was
prepared for transfer to a second synchronized water buffalo
recipient. This embryo was transferred nonsurgically through the
cervix, using an artificial insemination syringe fitted with a
sterilized sheath. the recipient cow had an uneventful gestation
and an unassisted delivery of an ordinary calf ....ordinary in
all respects except the way in which it came about.
Although water buffalo have been domesticated for some 5000 years
and their current numbers worldwide are estimated at around 180
million, they have appeared on the American scene only in the
last 3 decades. Prior to the mid-1970s water buffalo Bubalus
bubalis were only observed in a few select zoological gardens
in the US. There were probably no more than 1200 in 1987. But
where some of them are, how they got there and what's been
happening with them is an interesting chain of events.
Sometime during 1971 the idea of importing water buffalo into
this country surfaced between Dr. William Payne, a visiting
animal scientist at the University of Florida and Dr Hugh
Popenoe, Director of the Center for tropical Agriculture at the
University of Florida. Their interest was primarily in initiating
research to investigate the potential of water buffalo as aquatic
weed biocontrol agents. (Perhaps more than a million acres of
water in the state of Florida is infested with water hyacinth and
other aquatic weeds, and the cost of cleaning canals, ponds and
other water bodies is enormous)
After 4 years of search and considerable red tape, five water
buffalo ere imported to Gainesville Florida in May, 1975. The
shipment, from a Toronto, Canada zoological facility, included
two cows, two heifers and a bull.
These new animal immigrants quickly proved that they were capable
of at least partial control of noxious aquatic weeds. Water
hyacinth was a regular part of the free choice diet, along with a
number of other weeds for which they also showed a preference.
Nevertheless, at the University of Florida Drs. Wyland Cripe,
College of veterinary medicine, and Jim Hentges, Department of
Animal Science, were most impressed with the herd's adaptability,
thriftiness and reproductive performance under Florida's
subtropical environment. Scientific investigations were proposed
and initiated, gathering information on water buffalo physiology,
blood chemistry, nutrition and reproduction.
In December, 1976, Noel D. Vietmeyer, National Academy of
science, with assistance from Drs. Cripe and Popenoe, published a
feature article about water buffalo in the National Smithsonian
magazine. That feature, "Why not a Tractor That Provides Meat,
Cheese and Love?" launched a wave of interest in water buffalo in
this country.
Mr.A.P. (Tony) Leonards, a Lake Charles, Louisiana businessman,
read the Smithsonian article with a great deal of interest. after
researching and gathering background information in the US, Mr.
Leonards set out in January, 1977 on a worldwide quest to locate
available water buffalo that might meet US importation
regulations. His search ended on the Island of Guam in the
Pacific Ocean. after 4 return trips to the island and by year's
end, Mr. Leonards had a herd of 53 water buffalo (Swamp type) in
quarantine, awaiting clearance for shipment.
Finally, in February 1978, history was in the making as Mr.
Leonards flew his herd out of Guam. it was the first commercial
herd ever imported into the US. University of Florida
veterinarian, Dr. Ernest Bliss, was the flight chaperon on the
jet transport cargo flight from Guam to Gainesville. On arrival,
the herd was taken to the university of Florida where it was
involved in a series of research activities, including blood
chemistry profiles, reproductive hormonal drug responses,
reaction to cattle immunization procedures, parasite control
measures, nutritional bases and conversion values and general
adaptability of the herd to their new environment. three months
later the herd was moved to it's owner's property in
Louisiana.
In July, 1979 an Ad Hoc Panel of international water buffalo
experts was called together by the National Academy of Sciences,
National research Council, Washington D.C. The panel chaired by
Hugh Popenoe met at the University of Florida to consider the
strengths, weaknesses and potential for water buffalo as an
important agricultural resource, and to identify priorities for
buffalo research and testing. The panel produced a report The
Water Buffalo: New Prospects for an Underutilized Animal
which was subsequently published by the National Academy Press in
1981.
The same year Mr. Leonards imported a herd of 103 riverine type
water buffalo from the island of Trinidad. These animals (known
as "Buffalypso" in Trinidad) were to become a critical part of
the research at Mr. Leonards' ranch, at the University of Florida
and , later at Berry College. A select group of 14 breeding cows
and two bulls were sent to the University of Florida's College of
Veterinary medicine for reproductive research.
Two years later the first recorded successful embryo transplant
between water buffaloes was performed by the U of F research team
of Maarten Drost and Wyland Cripe, along with Texas veterinarian
Jim Wright. Proven success came with the birth of water buffalo
calf #2072 (nicknamed Herman) in March, 1983 weighing in at 78
pounds. At one year of age Herman weighed 700 pounds.
Following this success the research team attempted intergeneric
embryo transfers between buffalo and cattle. Drs Drost and
Australian Peter Elsden, working at Colorado State university,
superovulated eight water buffalo cows and collected 17 embryos
via a surgical technique. These embryos were transferred into
synchronized Holstein heifers. Unfortunately, no pregnancies
resulted.
1984 also marked the arrival of a herd of water buffalo at Berry
College, Rome, Georgia. At the College's Rollins Research Center
feeding trials went into full swing. By the following year, 1985,
research results from a number of feed trials were particularly
encouraging. Berry college also received a lot of publicity as
part of it's herd participated in both the North American
Livestock Expo and the Sunbelt Expo. The College's herd achieved
something of celebrity status, too, through six television
appearances.
water buffalo were in the news worldwide as the first
International Water Buffalo Congress was held in Cairo, Egypt in
December 1985. US representation included Drs. Maarten Drost,
Wyland Cripe, Paul Nicoletti, and Mike Fields, from the U of F
and A.P. Leonards of Carabeef Ranch, Arkansas.
Before the year ended, Mr. Leonards was promoting the idea of
establishing an association to help channel the interests and
activities underway with the water buffalo. He visited the Center
for Tropical Agriculture at the U of F and it's director, Hugh
Popenoe, was receptive to the idea. For the next several months
information was gathered on requirements for starting an
association, on how various cattle breed associations were set
up, and on some of the technical and legal requirements involving
forming an association.
Meanwhile, scientific investigations continued through 1986 as
researchers at the U of F completed comparative feed trials and
carcass evaluations between top quality crossbred beef cattle
bulls and random selected water buffalo bulls. These
investigations showed the ability of water buffalo to preform
favorably in the production of quality meat.
Cholesterol content of water buffalo lean tissue was documented
by U of F researchers at 565 that if lean beef. Fat content of
water buffalo meat was documented at 3-5 % lower than that of
cattle of the same carcass grade.
At Berry College, carcass data on total performance water buffalo
bulls showed superb color, a trace of marbling and a very thin
layer of backfat. Taste panels gave the meat a high rating for
taste and acceptance. The college marketed several thousand
pounds to a gourmet house which serviced over 80 hotels and 5-
star restaurants in the Southeast.
By this time there was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of
formalizing a water buffalo association. a meeting was organized
to do just that, and the American Water Buffalo Association was
formed at Berry College on December 05, 1986.
Prof. Dr. Raul Franzolin
FZEA/USP - Departamento de Zootecnia
Campus da USP
13630-000 - Pirassununga - SP
BRASIL
Tel: (019) 561-2406; 561-2385 - FAX: (019) 561-1689
e.mail: rfranzol@usp.br ; rfranzol@abelha.zoot.usp.br
[PT]= Portuguese language ; [EN] = English language
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FRANZOLIN NETO, R.; DELL' PORTO, A.; LACAZ RUIZ. R. Anaplasmosis and babesiosis: a clinical case in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calf in Brazil. Buffalo Bulletin, v.8, n.3, p.54/68, 1989. (Abstract) [EN]
ABSTRACT: At the Centro Intraunidade de Zootecnia e Industrias Pecuarias "Fernando Costa" (CIZIP). belong to the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, situated in Pirassununga SP, Brazil, out of 24 buffaloes grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, one 34-day-old calf weighing 45 kg, exhibited clinical symptoms of weakness, dullness, depression, dehydration, light, rough body coat and skin loss of appetite and anemic conjunctiva mucous. The animal showed infestation by ticks (Boophilus microplus) on different parts of body. The clinical case developed quickly. Thin blood films were prepared for parasite estimation and revealed many intraerythrocytic parasites, Anaplasma spp. and fewer Babesia spp. Treatment was made immediately after detection of the disease with oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg) and Ganazeg( (4 ml) by muscle injection and supportive therapy. The supportive therapy was repeated and the animal was cured three days later. This calf probably received inadequate amounts of colostrum due to other calves being suckled by its dam. Since newborn calves have low innate resistance to disease, transfer of immunoglobulins via colostrum is of particular importance. This is the first notification on the occurrence of a clinical case of anaplasmosis and babesiosis in buffalo in Brazil. There is a great need for studies on anaplasmosis and babesiosis infection in buffalo in all parts of the world.
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FRANZOLIN NETO, R.; ANDRADE, P. Effect of ration with different level of rumen degradable nitrogen on in situ disappearance of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber in buffaloes. Proceedings of XVI World Buiatric Congress, Salvador, Brazil, 1990. p.343-348.[PT]
ABSTRACT: Four rations were formulated with different levels of rumen degradable nitrogen RDN 60%, 80%, 100% and 120%) using Panicum grass (Panicum maximum Jacq var. gongyloides), corn grain and toasted soybeans in a 70:30 roughage: concentrate ratio. The four rations had increased levels of crude protein (8.7, 10.5, 12.3 and 14.3%) and were fed to rumen cannulated buffalo in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The grass was dried and each dietary component was placed individually in nylon bags and suspended in the rumen of each buffalo for disappearance determination of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and additionally, for the grass, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and removed at intervals of 3, 6, 12 , 24 and 48 h. The buffaloes were fed twice daily , and each period was of 3 weeks duration. Samples were taken from the rumen for pH and ammonia concentration at 0, 1, 4 and 8 h after the morning feeding on day 21 of each period. The mean dry matter intake was 76.92 g/kg0.75 and no significant difference in DM, OM, CP or NDF degradation occurred with grass, toasted soybeans, and CP in corn, by dietary treatment; however significantly (P< 0.05) higher DM and OM degradation of corn occurred at the higher RDN levels. Increasing RDN in the ration resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) increased ruminal ammonia concentration (7.20, 12.14 and 18.59 mg NH3/100 ml rumen liquid) but not for RDN 120%(19.42), and did not influence pH (average 6.65). Assuming a turnover rate of 0.02/h, the in situ nylon bag technique yielded protein degradability on individual feedstuffs of 0.41 for Panicum grass, 0.59 for corn grain and 0.86 for toasted soybeans.
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FRANZOLIN NETO; R.; NOGUEIRA FILHO, J.C.M.; ZANETTI, M. A. Evaluation of rumen ciliate protozoa in buffalo and cattle. Proceedings of XVI World Buiatric Congress, Salvador, Brazil, 1990, p. 258-262.(Buffalo Bulletin, v.9, n.3, p.69/64, 1990 -Abstract).[PT]
ABSTRACT: An adult fistulated male Mediterramean buffalo and a male crossbred (Flamengo x zebu cattle) bull weighing 504 and 443 kg, respectively, were fed with coast cross grass hay (Cynodon dactylon), corn grain and soybean meal for 35 days. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 70:30 with 12% crude protein in dry matter. During the last two days, were collected 22 rumen liquid (RL) samples from each animal (from 6:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.). The ciliate protozoa were identified under microscope. Total protozoa counts were significantly (P<0.05) lower in buffalo (12.6 x 104 /ml RL) than cattle (19.4 x 104 /ml RL); also with Entodinium spp., Epidinium spp. and Isotricha spp. The genus Dasytricha spp. was higher (P<0.05) in buffalo. There were no significant differences in Diploidinium spp., Ostracodinium spp. and Eudiplodinium spp. counts in RL of buffalo and cattle. The species Elytroplastron bubali was not found in cattle. The pH was significantly (P<0.01) higher in buffalo (6.28) than cattle (5.98). The results suggest that there is a diurnal concentration of ciliate protozoa in the rumen of water buffalo in Brazil, and that observations are required over the whole of the 24 h period.
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FRANZOLIN NETO, R.; NOGUEIRA FILHO, J.C.M.; HERLING, V.R.H.; OLIVEIRA, M.E.M. Rumen ciliate protozoa in buffaloes grazing native pasture in Brazil. Proceedings of III World Buffalo Congress, Varna, Bulgaria, 1991, p.914-918.[EN]
ABSTRACT: Four adult fistulated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with average 520 kg body weight were kept on Batatais grass (Paspalum notatum) pasture from December, 1989 to January, 1990. Rumen fluid were collected on three consecutive days at 6:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 24:00 hours each day. Rumen volume and fluid turnover rate were estimated using PEG. Total average protozoa concentration was 9.22 x 104 /ml. The dominating group was the Entodinium (64.74%) following Diplodinium (13.5%) and Dasytricha (8.28%). The concentration of Entodinium and total ciliate reached minimum and maximum values at 12:00 and 24:00 hours, respectively. The mean liquid turnover rate was 0.13/h and rumen volume 89.0 liters. Average pH value was 6.06. It was observed variation among the days of sampling (P<0.05).
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FRANZOLIN NETO, R.; NOGUEIRA FILHO, J.C.M.; OLIVEIRA, M.E.M. Effects of diets with varying protein levels on rumen ciliate protozoa in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, v.26, n.4,p.487-493, 1991.[PT]
ABSTRACT - Four rumen cannulated buffaloes in a Latin square design were used to investigate the effect of protein levels upon the concentration of ciliate protozoa in the rumen. The buffaloes were fed twice daily with four rations of increasing crude protein levels: 8.7%, 10.5%, 12.3% and 14.3% CP. The rations were composed of 70% roughage (Panicum max Jcq. var. gongyloides grass) and 30% concentrate (corn grain and toasted soybean grain). Eight genus of ciliate protozoa were identified and counted. A significant increase in the total protozoal numbers, Entodinium spp., Diplodinium spp. and Elytroplastron bubali was observed in the 12.3% CP ration. The mean of total protozoal concentration was 8.48 x 104 /ml of rumen liquid and the percentage of Entodinium spp. was 67.2% following by Diplodinium spp. at 16.0%.
key words: rumen protozoa, ruminal fauna, buffaloes
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NOGUEIRA FILHO, J.C.M.; OLIVEIRA, M.E.M.; FPANZOLIN NETO, R.; SCHALCH, E.; VELLOSO, L. Rumen ciliate protozoa in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) and zebu cattle (Bos indicus L.) kept in a feedlot. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, v.28, n.2, p.243-247,1991.[PT]
ABSTRACT: Nine castrated male buffaloes and nine zebu steers aging 18 and 24 months and weighing 330 and 350 kg in average, respectively, were individually fed: 2 kg unheated ground soybean; 2 kg crushed corn ears (grains, hulls and cobs) plus sorghum silage ad libitum with daily control of intake, during 112 days in a feedlot experiment. All animals were killed at the end of the experiment and the content of each rumen was homogenized and sampled 30 to 40 ml of ruminal fluid, from which a 10 ml aliquot was collected in a test tube containing 20 ml of a solution (formaldehyde 1:2 in distilled water) being immediately shaken for the fixation of the ciliate protozoa. After identification and counting of the protozoa the following conclusions were achieved: 1) There was a higher concentration of ciliate protozoa in zebu cattle than buffalo despite the fact that more genera of protozoa were present in buffalo; 2) ciliate protozoa, digesters of fibre, were detected in higher number in zebu cattle; 3) Entodinium spp represented more than 80% of total ciliate protozoa in both zebu cattle and buffalo.
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FRANZOLIN NETO, R.; ANDRADE, P.; OCAMPOS, D. Protein degradability and transformation of mimosine from Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit in the rumen of buffaloes under diets with different protein levels. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Sciences, v.29, supplement, p.375-377, 1992. [PT]
ABSTRACT: The ruminal suspended nylon bags technique was used to study the degradability of crude protein and disintegration of minosine from Leucaena leucocephala in water buffaloes. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 Latin square, with variable levels of crude protein (8.8; 10,5; 12,5 and 14.9% on dry matter). The diets did not cause significant differences on the ruminal degradation of crude protein of Leucaena (P>0.01), that ranged from 30.92 to 71.70% in 3 and 48 hours of ruminal incubation, respectively. It was observed a slow ruminal protein degradation and a strong disintegration of mimosine on the Leucaena samples exposed from nylon bags suspended in rumen of water buffaloes.
Key words: Leucaena, protein, mimosine, digestibility, buffaloes
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VELLOSO, L.; SCHALCH, E.; FRANZOLIN NETO, R.; ZANETTI, M. A. Comparative performance of zebu cattle (Bos indicus ) and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) steers in a feedlot trial. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia, v.23, n.2, p.236-241, 1994. [PT]
ABSTRACT: During 112 days, nine zebu cattle (Nelore) and nine buffalo (Mediterraneo) steers, averaging 24 and 18 months of age and weighing 359 and 329 kg, respectively, were individually fed daily 2.0 kg ground crude soybeans; 2.0 kg ground ear corn plus sorghum silage ad libitum. Animals were weighed every 28 days and individual feed consumption was controlled daily. The experimental design was a randomized complete block which showed the following results: average daily weight gain, 0.880 and 1.027 kg (p<.01); feed conversion as kg dry matter intake/kg weight gain, 9.84 and 7.92 kg (P<.01), respectively for zebu cattle and buffalo. In conclusion, buffalo steers reached market weight earlier and consumed less dry matter than zebu to gain 1 kg weight.
Keywords: buffaloes, crude soybeans, feedlot, sorghum silage, zebu cattle
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FRANZOLIN, R. Feed efficiency: a comparison between cattle and buffalo. Buffalo Journal, Supplement 2, p.39-50,1994.[EN]
ABSTRACT: The feed efficiency utilization by cattle and buffalo depends on the type of diet and of the animal ability to digest and utilize the end products of the digestion keeping losses to a minimum. The utilization of poor quality feeds rich in structural carbohydrates of cell wall only is possible due the presence of microorganisms existing in the reticulo-rumen and large intestine. Wide differences have been detected between cattle and buffalo in relation to the total process of digestion and utilization of the various feeds. These differences include: anatomy and physiology of digestive system, feed intake and digestibility, rumen microbial metabolism, rumen ciliate protozoa population, etc. A review of these topics comparing cattle and buffalo is discussed. Emphasis is given in relation to the differences that have been observed in the composition of the rumen ciliate protozoa between the both animal species in various feeding systems around the world.
Key words :feed efficiency, cattle, buffalo
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FRANZOLIN, R. Buffalo Nutrition: The Efficient Utilization of the Feeding. Proceedings of the IV World Buffalo Congress., vol. 1, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1994, p. 196-208. [EN]
ABSTRACT: A review of the characteristics of feed efficiency utilization (digestive tract, microbial metabolism in the rumen, feed intake e digestibility) comparing cattle and buffalo is discussed. Emphasis is given in relation to the differences that have been observed in the concentration and composition in the population of rumen ciliate protozoa between both animal species on various feeding systems around the world.
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FRANZOLIN, R.; HERLING, V.R.; NOGUEIRA FILHO, J.C.M. In situ degradability of grasses and legumes in buffalo on pasture. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia, v.24, n.1, p.8-19,1995.[PT]
ABSTRACT - Disappearance of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of forages were evaluated with nylon bags in four ruminally cannulated buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) grazing native grass (Paspalum notatum). Three grasses, napier (Pennisetum purpureum), setaria (Setaria anceps Stapf cv kazungula) and gordura (Melinis minutitlora), and three legumes, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), pueraria (Pueraria phaseoloydes) and soybean (Neotonia wightii), were studied with nylon bags suspended in the rumen for periods up to 96 hours. Setaria had the lowest disappearance rate of DM and NDF of all forages, and it had the most rapid initial disappearance of CP among the grasses. The grasses had nutrient disappearance curves which were slower than legumes. The maximum disappearance of DM, CP and NDF was reached in 72 hours and 48 hours for grasses and legumes, respectively. Degradability of DM, CP and NDF were estimated, assuming turnover rate in the rumen of 0.02, 0.05 and 0.08 per hour. Degradability of CP for napier were: 43, 36, and 33 %; setaria: 41, 33 and 30%; gordura: 49, 39, and 36%: alfalfa: 68, 62 and 58%; pueraria: 66, 57 and 52%; and soybean: 66, 59 and 55% respectively for the three turnover rates.
Key words: buffalo, degradability, forage, grasses, legumes.
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FRANZOLIN, R.; ZANETTI, M.A.; OCAMPOS, D.; HERLING, V.R.; GOMIDE,C.A. Serum macrominerals and total protein levels of weaned buffalo calves under tropical grass pasture. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, v.66, n.11, p.,1996.[EN]
ABSTRACT: Buffalo calves (7) at 8.5 months average age were weaned and kept in a paddock of approximately 3.5 ha of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture to study the serum levels of calcium phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and total protein. Blood and random pasture samples were collected at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 weeks post weaning. Crude protein, calcium and potassium reduced and crude fiber increased in the grass from the first to tenth week after the buffalo calves started grazing. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among periods for serum levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium and total protein with no significant differences observed for calcium and phosphorus. Phosphorus and sodium concentrations in the pasture grass were marginal or low to meet the growing animals requirement throughout the collection periods, however the calves were able to maintain normal levels for these minerals in their blood serum. Only potassium showed positive correlation (r = 0.81) between the levels in pasture and blood serum but there was a tendency for the serum mineral levels to change in the same direction as the grass.
Key words: buffaloes, minerals, serum minerals
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FRANZOLIN, R. Comparison of ruminal fauna and diet degradability between buffalo and zebu cattle fed a sugar cane based diet. Tese de Livre-docencia, FZEA/USP, Pirasssununga, Brazil, 1996,78p.[PT]
ABSTRACT: Three rumen fistulated buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and three zebu cattle (Bos indicus) were fed chopped sugar cane ad libitum for 13 weeks. Twice daily they were offered 1.5 kg per head of a concentrate supplement. After two weeks of adaptation, samples of rumen contents were collected weekly at two times, i.e., just before feeding (T0) and 40 min after feeding (T40) to measure the concentration and composition of ruminal fauna. Ruminal contents were exchanged between animals of the same species five weeks after starting the trial. During the last week of the trial, degradability of DM, CP, and NDF of sugar cane and DM and CP of the concentrate were determined in situ using nylon bags. The average concentration of total protozoa was higher (P < 0.01) in cattle (4.85 ×105/ml) than in buffaloes (3.82 × 105/ml). Cattle had higher concentrations of Entodinium spp., Isotricha spp. (P < 0.01) and Dasytricha spp. (P < 0.05), while Epidinium spp. and genera in the subfamily Diplodiniinae were higher (P < 0.01) in buffaloes. Percent generic composition for Entodinium and subfamily composition for Diplodiniinae was 79.2% and 6.2% in cattle and 32.0% and 54.9% in buffaloes, respectively. There was no interaction between animal species and sampling time. Holotrich concentrations increased between T0 and T40. No differences (P > 0.05) between buffaloes and cattle were found in disappearance of the nutrients studied. Degradability of DM, CP and NDF in sugar cane, estimated at 72 hours of rumen incubation, was: 71.8%, 50.8% and 56.7% in buffaloes and 71.5%, 55.7% and 55.8% in cattle, respectively. For the concentrate ration, degradation of DM and CP estimated after 48 h of incubation was: 77.5% and 71.9% in buffaloes and 75.1% and 64.4% in cattle, respectively. From the results of this study, it was concluded that in buffaloes and zebu cattle fed a sugar cane based diet: (1) the rumen ciliate fauna differs between the two animal species, particularly in the percentage composition of Entodinium spp. and Diplodiniinae; (2) holotrich species exhibited capacity of migration and sequestration within the rumen of both species; (3) similar values were obtained from both animal species in the degradation of sugar cane and concentrate ration, as measured by the in situ nylon bag technique.
Key words: rumen protozoa, rumen fauna, degradability, sugar cane, buffaloes
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FRANZOLIN NETO, R. Perspectives of the buffalo production in Brazil. in:
SAMARA, S.I.; DUTRA, I.S.; FRANCESCHINI, P.H.; MOLERO FILHO, J.; CHACUR,
M.G.M. Sanidade e produtividade em bufalos. FUNEP, jaboticabal, Brazil,
1993,p.1-15.[PT].
ABSTRACT: A review of the water buffalo potential to milk, meat and power
work production in Brazil is discussed. Brazil is one of the largest
country in land of world with area around 845 millions hectares. The
pastoral activity is held in 21% of total, i.e., around 180 millions ha.
Water buffaloes have a great potential to improve the economical milk and
meat production with high quality, specially to small farmers due their
adaptation on this wide tropical environment and ability to produce on
feeding system at low cost as pasture grazing and agriculture byproducts
supplementation.
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