Hassan Warriach

A Review of Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction — A Review

The buffalo is an important livestock resource in several countries of South Asia and the Mediterranean regions. However, reproductive efficiency is compromised due to known problems of biological and management origins, such as lack of animal selection and poor nutrition. Under optimal conditions puberty is attained at 15 to 18 months in river buffalo, 21 to 24 months in swamp buffalo and is influenced by genotype, nutrition, management and climate. However, under field conditions these values deteriorate up to a significant extant. To improve reproductive efficiency, several protocols of oestrus and ovulation synchronization have been adopted from their use in commercial cattle production. These protocols yield encouraging pregnancy rates of (30% to 50%), which are comparable to those achieved in buffaloes bred at natural oestrus. The use of sexed semen in buffalo heifers also showed promising pregnancy rates (50%) when compared with conventional non-sexed semen. Assisted reproductive technologies have been transferred and adapted to buffalo but the efficiency of these technologies are low. However, these latest technologies offer the opportunity to accelerate the genetic gain in the buffalo industry after improving the technology and reducing its cost. Most buffaloes are kept under the small holder farming system in developing countries. Hence, future research should focus on simple, adoptable and impact- oriented approaches which identify the factors determining low fertility and oestrus behaviour in this species. Furthermore, role of kisspeptin needs to be explored in buffalo.

Higher Levels of Aflatoxin M1 Contamination and Poorer Composition of Milk Supplied by Informal Milk Marketing Chains in Pakistan

The present study was conducted to observe the seasonal variation in aflatoxin M1 and nutritional quality of milk along informal marketing chains. Milk samples (485) were collected from three different chains over a period of one year. The average concentrations of aflatoxin M1 during the autumn and monsoon seasons (2.60 and 2.59 ppb) were found to be significantly higher (standard error of the difference, SED = 0.21: p = 0.003) than in the summer (1.93 ppb). The percentage of added water in milk was significantly lower (SED = 1.54: p < 0.001) in summer (18.59%) than in the monsoon season (26.39%). There was a significantly different (SED = 2.38: p < 0.001) mean percentage of water added by farmers (6.23%), small collectors (14.97%), large collectors (27.96%) and retailers (34.52%). This was reflected in changes in milk quality along the marketing chain. There was no difference (p = 0.178) in concentration of aflatoxin M1 in milk collected from the farmers (2.12 ppb), small collectors (2.23 ppb), large collectors (2.36 ppb) and retailers (2.58 ppb). The high levels of contamination found in this study, which exceed the standards set by European Union (0.05 ppb) and USFDA (0.5 ppb), demand radical intervention by regulatory authorities and mass awareness of the consequences for consumer health and safety.

Transfer of aflatoxins from naturally contaminated feed to milk of Nili-Ravi buffaloes fed a mycotoxin binder

The objectives of this study were to observe the extent of transfer of aflatoxin B1 in feed to the aflatoxin M1 metabolite in milk in Nili-Ravi buffaloes and to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial mycotoxin binder (Mycofix, Biomin Singapore) incorporated into feed to minimise this transfer. Multiparous animals (n = 28) were randomly distributed to four groups corresponding to two treatments each with two levels of aflatoxin B1. Individual animals were exposed to naturally contaminated feed providing a total of 1475 µg/day (Groups A and B) or 2950 µg/day (Groups C and D) of aflatoxin B1. Groups B and D were given 50 g of mycotoxin binder daily mixed with feed whereas Groups A and C were kept as controls. Feed samples were analysed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography for aflatoxin B1 and milk samples were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the liver metabolite aflatoxin M1. The mean value of total daily aflatoxin M1 excretion for animals fed 2950 µg/day of aflatoxin B1 (112.6 µg/day) was almost double (P < 0.001) than the excretion in buffaloes fed 1475 µg/day (62.2 µg/day). The mean daily concentration of aflatoxin M1 in milk of animals from both treatment groups supplemented with 50 g/day of mycotoxin binder was 76.5 µg/day, nearly 22 µg lower than those without binder at 98.3 µg/day (s.e.d. = 5.99: P < 0.01). The interaction of binder and treatment was not significant i.e. the 50 g/day of binder was able to sequester aflatoxin B1 with the same efficiency in groups fed with high and low concentrations of aflatoxin B1. Carry over was (3.44%) lower (P = 0.001) in animals supplemented with 50 g/day of mycotoxin binder than those fed no binder (4.60%). Thus buffaloes are highly efficient at transferring aflatoxins in feed to the aflatoxin M1 metabolite in milk, whereas mycotoxin binder is capable of alleviating without preventing this contamination risk.

Effect of weaning age and milk feeding level on pre and post-weaning growth performance of Sahiwal calves

The Sahiwal cow is a tropical dairy breed native to Pakistan. The objective of the present study was to evaluate pre- and post-weaning growth of Sahiwal calves weaned either at 8 or 12 weeks and offered milk at either 10% or 15% of bodyweight (BW) from birth to weaning. Colostrum fed Sahiwal calves (n = 48) were randomly allocated to four treatments of 12 calves each. Calves were offered milk either at 10% (low-milk) or 15% (high-milk) of BW in two weaning programs (early or late). Early weaned calves were offered milk until Day 35, adjusted weekly for liveweight and then reduced by one-third in each subsequent week until weaned at Day 56 (early weaned). Late-weaned calves were offered milk until Day 63 and were weaned at Day 84 (late-weaned) by reducing milk offered by one-third in each subsequent week. Calves were offered a concentrate ration (21% crude protein and 2.93 metabolisable energy, Mcal/kg) from Day 28 to Day 112. Final BW at 16 weeks was highest (77.6 ± 1.8 kg; P < 0.01) in high milk-fed late-weaned calves and lowest in low milk-fed early weaned calves (60.2 ± 1.8 kg). High-milk early weaned and low milk late-weaned calves had comparable final BW (70.7 ± 1.8 vs 72.0 ± 1.8 kg), although lower than that of high-milk late-weaned calves, but still at an acceptable lower feeding cost to gain per kg liveweight (US

Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) relating to brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers in two provinces in Pakistan

3.2 vs 2.5). Thus, offering milk to Sahiwal calves at 15% of BW and weaning at 8 weeks saves milk and labour required for additional days to feed these calves.

Pattern of partitioning of aflatoxins from feed to urine and its effect on serum chemistry in Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers

The present study aimed to assess the extent of knowledge and understanding of brucellosis in smallholder dairy farmers and identify practices at the farm and household level that might pose a risk for humans contracting brucellosis. Between February and June 2015 a cross-sectional study was conducted among smallholder farms (n = 420) in five districts of Punjab and two districts of Sindh province. Farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain information on farmers’ knowledge about brucellosis and the potential risks for contracting the disease that are present for dairy farmers and their families. Logistic regression and ordinal logistic models were used to investigate potential predictors for risky behaviours. The results show almost all farmers (97%) were not aware of the modes of transmission of brucellosis. Relating to risk, the majority (66%) of the farmers’ families were reported to consume raw milk and its products, live in shared housing with animals (49%) and not cover hand cuts during contact with animals (74%). All farmers performed at least one risky practice on a regular basis for brucellosis transmission from animal to human. A multivariable analysis highlighted that the respondents with no formal education and those who had not heard of the disease displayed greater risky behaviour. Poor understanding of the disease, presence of multiple risky practices on farm and at the household, and incorrect perception supports the need for an educational awareness program in order to ensure uptake of improved practices.

Impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan

The objectives of the present study were (1) to monitor the pattern of excretion of aflatoxinM1 in urine after its conversionfromaflatoxinB1and(2)toobservetheeffectsofdifferentlevelsofaflatoxinB1infeedonserumconcentrations of key metabolites glucose, total protein, cholesterol and urea as indicators of metabolic status. Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers (n = 12) of similar age and weight were randomly distributed to four groups. Animals in Groups A, B and C were offered a contaminated cottonseed cake-based concentrate ration at 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% of bodyweight, respectively. Control animals in Group D were fed with aflatoxinB1-free green fodder. Based on the level of contamination of the concentrate ration with aflatoxinB1 (554 mg/kg), Groups A, B and C consumed 953, 2022, 3202 m go f aflatoxinB1 daily. Feed samples were analysed at Romer Laboratories Pty Ltd, Singapore by high performance liquid chromatography. AflatoxinM1 quantification in urine samples was conducted using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with kits supplied byHelicaBiosystems,Inc.,USA.Serumsampleswereanalysedforconcentrationsofglucose,totalprotein,cholesteroland urea using clinical chemistry kits provided by Human diagnostics (HUMAN, Biochemica und Diagnostica mbH, Germany). Carry-over rate of aflatoxinM1 in urine for Groups A, B and C was 15.51%, 15.44% and 14.04% of aflatoxinB1 while there was no detectable aflatoxinM1 in the urine of the control group (D). There was no significant difference in the concentrations of serum glucose, total protein and cholesterol between treatment groups. However, the concentration of serum urea was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the group offered the highest level of aflatoxinB1- contaminated concentrate. This result suggests that mycotoxicosis may compromise protein metabolism and accretion in affected animals. This leaves open the possibility that high concentrations of aflatoxins in milk may ultimately affect the health status of human milk consumers.

Effect of weaning age and milk feeding volume on growth performance of Nili-Ravi buffalo calves

The provision of effective extension services to smallholder farmers across both developing and developed countries remains a challenge worldwide. The objective of the study is to demonstrate the impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan. An extension program was developed and implemented in five districts of Punjab (Okara, Pakpattan, Jhelum, Kasur and Bhakkar) and two districts of Sindh (Thatta and Badin) provinces. The extension program involved the provision of research-based information on a monthly basis to smallholder farming families (FF = 523) over a 4-year period. The extension program was primarily a knowledge transfer-based system, but also relied on farmer engagement and feedback to help drive research and topics for discussion. No financial incentives were provided to the farmers for their participation. A ‘whole-family approach’ was used in the extension program, where comprehensive interdisciplinary training on the whole dairy-farming system was provided to the males, females and children of the farming household. To encourage greater participation and support different learning strategies, several information transfer media were used (including group discussions, one-on-one visits, practical demonstrations, problem-based learning techniques and videos). To assess the impact of this extension program on farms involved, data on farmer awareness, knowledge, adoption and their perceived benefits were collected using a mixed-method approach from three different groups of farmers; registered (IMPreg = 179) farmers directly involved in the extension program, non-registered (IMPnon-reg = 116) farmers indirectly benefiting from the program and traditional (IMPtrad = 104) farmers not associated with any project activities. Overall awareness, knowledge and adoption rates relating to seven different recommendations in the extension program were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the registered farmers than in the non-registered and traditional farmers. The perceived benefits of the adopted recommendations varied between the different extension messages, but farmers described that they observed increases in milk production, improvements in animal health (body condition and morbidity) and labour efficiency (time savings). These results suggest that adopting improved extension services using a whole-family approach we can significantly achieve higher adoption rates, leading to on-farm benefits to smallholder dairy farmers and their families.

Reproductive Performance of Arabian and Thoroughbred Mares under Subtropical Conditions of Pakistan

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth performance of early or late weaned Nili-Ravi buffalo calves offered feeding regimes of low or high milk volumes. For this purpose, 48-day-old buffalo calves were randomly allocated to four treatments of twelve calves each. Calves were weaned either at day 56 (early weaned) or 84 (late weaned). Within each weaning age calves were offered milk at either 10% (low milk) or 15% (high milk) of their body weight. Early weaned calves were offered milk adjusted weekly until day 35; the calculated milk intake at day 35 was reduced by one-third in each of the last two weeks leading to the weaning of the calves at day 56. Late weaned calves were offered milk, adjusted weekly, until day 63 and weaned at day 84 by decreasing milk by one-third each week for the last two weeks. At week sixteen, late weaned calves had higher body weight and average daily gain than early weaned calves (p < .05). These same measurements were also higher in the high milk than the low milk fed calves (p < .05). Highest body weight and average daily gain was recorded in high milk late weaned calves and poorest in low milk early weaned calves. Early weaning or low milk volumes minimised the feeding costs, however, resulted in lower body weights and average daily gains. Thus, choices of pre-weaning feeding regimen should be made with feeding cost and performance of replacement calves kept in mind.

Effect of oestrus synchronization methods on oestrus behaviour, timing of ovulation and pregnancy rate during the breeding and low breeding seasons in Nili-Ravi buffaloes

Breeding records of 57 Arabian and 66 Thoroughbred mares were analysed to assess their reproductive performance under the subtropical conditions of Pakistan. The Arabian mares showed significantly higher conception rates (p<0.05) in second mated oestrus and foal heat mated oestrus compared to Thoroughbred mares. However, conception rates for first lifetime mated oestrus were similar in both breeds of mares. Age at first mating (1,301±40 vs 1,500±32 days) was significantly (p<0.05) less in Arabian compared to Thoroughbred mares. Both breeds of mares showed significantly (p<0.05) higher frequencies of oestrous cycles and conception rates during the winter (October to March) compared to summer (June to August) months. Age of mares affected the conception rates, as mares at ages 3 to 7 and 8 to 12 years of ages had significantly higher conception rates (p<0.05) than those ≥18 years old in both breeds. This study demonstrates that i) reproductive performance in Arabians is better than Thoroughbred mares under the subtropical conditions of Pakistan, ii) mares remain cyclic throughout the year and iii) conception rates were higher in mares bred during winter compared to summer months.