T.K. Patbandha

Alteration in peripheral blood concentration of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in cows developing retention of fetal membranes

Retention of fetal membranes (RFM) adversely affects the production and reproduction potential of the affected cows leading to huge economic loss. Physiological separation of fetal membranes is reported to be an inflammatory process. The present study compared the concentrations of certain pro inflammatory cytokines [Interleukin 1β (IL-1), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) between the cows that developed RFM (n=10) and the cows that expelled fetal membranes normally (n=10) to find out if they could serve as a predictive tool for RFM. Blood samples were collected from the cows from 30 days before expected parturition through day -21, day -14, day -7, day -5, day -3, day -1, on the day of parturition (day 0), day 1 postpartum and the pro-inflammatory cytokines were estimated in blood plasma by ELISA method. The IL-1β concentration was significantly lower (P<0.05) in cows that developed RFM compared to those that expelled fetal membranes normally from 3 days before calving till the day of calving. The plasma concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were also lower (P<0.05) in cows that developed RFM than those calved normally. On the day of calving, significantly (P<0.05) lower concentrations of TNF-α was observed in cows that developed RFM compared to those expelled fetal membranes normally. It may be inferred that the concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α around parturition were altered in cows developing RFM compared to those expelled fetal membranes normally.

Investigation of body and udder skin surface temperature differentials as an early indicator of mastitis in Holstein Friesian crossbred cows using digital infrared thermography technique

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of infrared thermography (IRT) technique and its interrelationship with conventional mastitis indicators for the early detection of mastitis in Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred cows. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 quarters of lactating HF crossbred (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) cows (n=19) were monitored for body temperature (i.e., eye temperature) and udder skin surface temperature (USST) before milking using forward-looking infrared (FLIR) i5 camera. Milk samples were collected from each quarter and screened for mastitis using Somatic Cell Count (SCC), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and California mastitis test. Thermographic images were analyzed using FLIR Quick Report 1.2 image analysis software. Data on body and USST were compiled and analyzed statistically using SPSS 16.0 and Sigmaplot 11. Results: The mean±standard deviation (SD) body (37.23±0.08°C) and USST (37.22±0.04°C) of non-mastitic cow did not differ significantly; however, the mean USST of the mastitis-affected quarters were significantly higher than the body temperature and USST of unaffected quarters (p<0.001). The mean±SD USST of the subclinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis-affected quarters were 38.08±0.17 °C and 38.25±0.33 °C, respectively, which is 0.72 and 1.05 °C higher than the USST temperature of unaffected quarters. The USST was positively correlated with EC (r=0.95) and SCC (r=0.93). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a higher sensitivity for USST in early prediction of SCM with a cut-off value of >37.61°C. Conclusion: It is concluded that infrared thermal imaging technique could be used as a potential noninvasive, quick cow-side diagnostic technique for screening and early detection of SCM and clinical mastitis in crossbred cows.

BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS OF ESTRUS IN DIFFERENT PARITY OF MURRAH BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS): A COMPARATIVE STUDY

In dairy bovines, estrus detection is the key determinant of the herd fertility. However, owing to silent heat in buffaloes, it is difficult to detect estrus at proper time which in turn affects the estrus detection efficiency and reduces conception rate. Further, it is not clear whether the buffaloes during different parities have differential expression of estrus behaviour. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the behavioural signs of estrus expressed by Murrah buffaloes (n=94) belonging to different parities. Estrus detection was done by parading teaser bulls (4 times bull parading in a day), heat expectancy chart and visual observation of behavioural signs of estrus. The study revealed significantly (PThese results indicated that intensity of bellowing/vocalization, micturition and tail raising behaviours during estrus were poorly expressed in heifers and more focussed attention is needed to detect buffalo heifers in estrus.

Transcriptional abundance of antioxidant enzymes in endometrium and their circulating levels in Zebu cows with and without uterine infection

Oxidative stress during peripartum period may compromise the uterine immunity. In the present study, we assessed the oxidative stress and antioxidant status during peripartum period and studied their relationship with postpartum uterine infection in dairy cows. Peripheral blood concentrations of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined (day -21, -7, on the day of calving and day +7, +21, +35) in normal (n=11), puerperal metritic (n=7) and clinical endometritic (n=6) cows. Endometrial biopsy was performed on the day of calving and expression of CAT, GPx4 and SOD2 genes was studied using qRT-PCR. Puerperal metritic cows had significantly (P<0.05) lower TAC (on day -7, day 0, day +7, +21 & +35), higher MDA (on day -21, -7 & on the day of calving) and NO (on day 0, +7 & day +35) concentrations compared to normal cows. Similarly, clinical endometritic cows had significantly (P<0.05) lower TAC (on day -7, 0, +7 & +21), higher MDA (on day -21, -7, +7 and +35) and NO (on day +7, +21 & +35) concentrations compared to normal cows. The expression of CAT and GPx4 genes was lower (P<0.05) and SOD2 gene was higher (P<0.05) in endometrial tissue of cows that developed uterine infection compared to normal cows. The relationship of peripheral levels of MDA and NO with antioxidant enzymes expression in endometrial tissue was found significant. Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed that the concentrations of TAC on day -7 to day +35, MDA on day -21 to day +7 and NO on the day of calving to day +35 were highly correlated to the development of postpartum uterine infection in cows. It may be inferred that the low serum TAC level and high level of lipid peroxidation and NO during peripartum period influenced the endometrial expression of anitioxidative genes that compromised the uterine health during postpartum period.

Episodes of clinical mastitis and its relationship with duration of treatment and seasonality in crossbred cows maintained in organized dairy farm

Aim: Present study aimed to evaluate the different episodes of clinical mastitis (CM) and influence of duration of treatment and seasonality on the occurrence of different episodes of CM in crossbred cows. Materials and Methods: A total of 1194 lactation data of crossbred CM cows were collected from mastitis treatment record from 2002 to 2012. Data of CM cows were classified into types of episodes (pattern of repeated or multiple episodes occurrence) and number of episodes (magnitude of multiple cases). Types of episodes were divided as single (clinical cure by a single episode of treatment), relapse (retreatment of the same cow within 21 days), recurrence (new CM at least 21 days after treatment), and both (relapse and recurrence). The season was classified as winter (December to March), summer (April to June), rainy (July to September), and autumn (October to November). The difference between incidences of different types of CM episodes and the association between number or type of CM episodes with duration of treatment and seasons of CM occurrence were analyzed by Chi-square test. Results: Among 1194 animals suffered with CM, 53, 16, and 18% had the single episode, relapse, and recurrence, respectively; while 13% suffered by both relapse and recurrence. We estimated the duration of treatment and found 80% of the cows treated 1-8 days, in which 65% treated for 1-4 days, while 35% cows were treated for 5-8 days. Further, 12% cows treated for 9-15 days and 7.5% cows treated >15 days. The relationship between duration of treatment and different episodes of CM revealed that 1-8 days treated cows were mostly cured by the single episode with less relapse and recurrence. In contrast, the incidences of recurrence and relapse episodes were higher in cows treated for more than 9 days. The highest incidence of relapse was noticed in winter (36%) than other seasons (10-28%), while the recurrence was less during autumn (9%) compared to other seasons (20-40%). Conclusion: Cows those suffered by both relapse and recurrence were more susceptible to CM, and they need to be culled from farm to control the transmission of infections. Although the influence of seasonality was difficult to understand, the higher magnitude of relapse and recurrence during winter suggested the adverse effects of cold stress on treatment outcome.

Association of milk components with intra-mammary inflammation in Jaffrabadi buffaloes

Aim: To study the alteration of major milk components such as milk fat, protein, lactose, solid not fat (SNF) and total solids (TS) and their association with different degree of intra-mammary inflammation (IMI) in Jaffrabadi buffaloes. Materials and Methods: Milk samples (n=1516) were collected from Jaffrabadi buffaloes separately from each quarter. Milk samples were analyzed for milk fat, protein, lactose, SNF and TS percent on the same day using milk analyzer “LACTOSCAN.” Milk samples were checked for IMI by California mastitis test (CMT), and the results were expressed as negative (0), +, ++, and +++ CMT score. The traits of milk components which showed significant difference (p<0.05) between samples from inflamed and non-inflamed quarters were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to see the accuracy and degree of association with IMI. Results: Among several milk components, milk protein and lactose percent showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between milk samples from normal and inflamed quarters. Though, during the early stage of mammary gland inflammation milk protein percent remained significantly high (p<0.05), later with an increase in the degree of severity of inflammation it did not show any difference. Milk samples from normal udder quarters had significantly higher lactose percent than inflamed quarters (p<0.05). Milk lactose percent decreased gradually with an increase in the degree of severity of inflammation. ROC analysis revealed that milk samples having lactose content below the threshold values had significantly higher chances to come from inflamed udder quarters (p<0.05). Though, the value of the area under curve (AUC) indicated that milk lactose was significantly associated with IMI (p<0.05), the accuracy was moderate (AUC=0.71-0.75). Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that milk lactose percent gradually and significantly reduced during IMI and can be used as a marker for identification of IMI in buffaloes. However, ROC analysis further confirmed that using milk lactose IMI can be identified with moderate accuracy.

Factors Associated with Calf Mortality under Field Condition in Saurashtra Region of Gujarat, India

1 Polytechnic in Animal Husbandry, College of Veterinary Science and A. H., Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362 001, Gujarat, India 2 Referral Veterinary Diagnostic and Extension Centre, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Uchani, Karnal-132 001, Haryana, India 3 College of Veterinary Science and A. H., Sarkanda, Bilaspur-495 001, Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, India *Corresponding author

Effect of short-term cooling on core body temperature, plasma cortisol and conception rate in Murrah buffalo heifers during hot-humid season

The present investigation studied the effect of short-term cooling around the time of artificial insemination (AI) on body temperature, plasma cortisol and conception rate (CR) in Murrah buffalo heifers. Buffalo heifers (n = 25) were divided into two groups i.e. control group (n = 9) and short-term cooling group (n = 16). In both the groups, estrus synchronization using ovsynch protocol and fixed time AI was carried out. Heifers in short-term cooling group were kept in a specially designed air condition room from 3 h before to 3 h after AI. Blood samples were collected for estimation of cortisol and progesterone and rectal and vaginal temperatures were measured before 3 h of AI, at the time of AI and after 3 h of AI. At the time of AI and after 3 h of AI, both rectal and vaginal temperatures were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in heifers subjected to short-term cooling compared to control group. After 3 h of AI, cortisol levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in control group (5.023 ± 0.74 ng/ml) compared to short-term cooling group (1.061 ± 0.99 ng/ml). A trend of higher CR was observed in short-term cooling group compared to control group (68.75 vs. 33.33%, P = 0.087). It may be inferred that short-term cooling reduced the stress at the time of AI and improved the CR in Murrah buffalo heifers during hot-humid season.