• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.336-340
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• 1999

Age at maturity was studied in 661 Nili Ravi buffaloes maintained at six dairy farms in Pakistan. The mean age at maturity in the overall data from the six farms was $976.49{\pm}9.2$ days. Significantly lower mean age at maturity $(957.93{\pm}10.68\;days)$ was observed at Military Dairy Farm, Khyber Okara, Military Daiiy Farm, Punjnad and Livestock Research Station, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Group I) compared to $(1015.26{\pm}17.39\;days)$ other three Military Dairy Farms, Peshawar, Nowshera and Rawalpindi (Group II). The advantages associated to early age at maturity were as following. Male and female calves were heavier $(38.35{\pm}0.17\;and\;31.84{\pm}15kg,\;respectively)$ in Group I as compared to $(29.27{\pm}0.26\;and\;26.27{\pm}0.26kg)$ in Group II. Milk yield per lactation was significantly higher in Group I $(1912{\pm}12\;lit.)$ as compared to $(1833.36{\pm}16.56\;lit.)$ in Group II. Lactation length was significantly longer $(284.41{\pm}1.23\;days)$ in Group I as compared to $(277.77{\pm}2.02\;days)$ in Group II. Dry period and service period were significantly shorter $(241.59{\pm}4.18\;and\;217.05{\pm}4.95\;days,\;respectively)$ in Group I as compared to $(306.39{\pm}78\;and\;280.95{\pm}9.32\;days)$ in Group II. The mean age at first calving and sex ratio were low ($1282.75{\pm}10.14$ days and 100 ♀ ♀:130.7 ♂ ♂) in Group I as compared to ($1308.7{\pm}16.44$ days and 100 ♀ ♀:152.15 ♂ ♂) in Group II but the differences were non significant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.789-793
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• 2003

An investigation was conducted on 729 Hariana cows maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar, from 1973 to 1999, with an objective to compare the efficiency of various selection indices for attaining desired genetic gains in the index traits. The various traits included were age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP), calving interval (CI), days to first service (DFS), number of services per conception (NSPC), lactation milk yield (LY), peak yield (PY), dry period (DP). Except for LY, PY and AFC the heritabilities of all other traits were low. Desirable associations among reproductive traits are supportive of the fact that any one of these traits incorporated in simultaneous selection is expected to cause correlated response in other traits. Production traits (LY and PY) were positively correlated, while DP had low negative genetic correlation with LY, and high genetic correlation with PY. Thus, DP can be taken as additional criteria in selection index for better over all improvement. Almost all production traits except DP had low negative correlation with AFC, SP, DFS and CI meaning that reduction in reproduction traits up to certain level may increase production performance. While, the correlation of NSPC with LY and PY was moderate positive. Among four trait indices I23: incorporating PY, AFC, SP and NSPC and among three trait indices I1: incorporating LY, AFC and SP were the best as these required least number of generations (4.87 and 1.35, respectively) to attain desired goals. Next in order of preference were PY or LY along with DP and SP as the best indices (I20 and I16) of which, index with PY may be preferred instead of LY as it produced considerably high correlated response in LY and reduction in NSPC as well.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2006

The data were collected in the dairy herd improvement program from January 2000 to July 2005. Test data included 825,157 records of first parity and animals with both parents known were included. This study aimed to describe the effect of incomplete lactation records of latest generation to the change in sire's breeding value using Random Regression model (RRM) in genetic evaluation. Estimation of genetic parameter and breeding value for sire used REMLF90 and BLUPF90 program. The phenotypic value on the number of test day records between group TD11, TD8, TD5, TD2 showed no large differences. For all the group heritability of test day milk yield range from 0.30 to 0.36. However TD2 group showed low heritability the least test day recode on the latest generation. The correlation of above 50% between test day and TD11(0.610), TD8(0.616), TD5(0.661) and TD2(0.682) with different records in latest generation. Sire's rank of breeding value varied widely depending on the records on the number of lactation from start to the latest generation. Study showed that change in breeding value ranked if daughter's test recode more so it should have at least 5 test day records. The use of RRM in dairy cattle genetic evaluation would be desirable if complete lactation records for latest generation daughters of young bulls when selection for proven bulls. Random Regression model (RRM) require at least 5 test-day lactation recode.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-94
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• 1993

This study examined metabolic profiles of 1349 Holstein cows from 91 commercial herds. Thirteen parameters which are consisted of twelve blood components and body condition score were examined and their mean values. standard deviations and standard limits, which are 80% confidential limits, in each lactational stage were reported. The variations of each parameter affected by season, individual milk yield, adjusted corrected milk yield of herd. and lactation number were also reported. A model of metabolic profile test applicable to this country where the average number of cows in a herd is small as to be fifteen is designed. Metabolic profiles as reflected in each parameter were discussed in relation to adequacy of dietary intake for production, milk production, reproductive performance, and diseases, and the possible measure to improve productivity of dairy cows were proposed. Much of the variation in parameters was due to differences between herds, and less to differences between seasons, differences between individual milk yield, and differences between lactational stages. As the average herd size in this country is small, it is believed that all the cows in a herd must be sampled, and the individual result of each parameter was compared with the standard limit for each lactational stage, and the percentage of cows which are outside the standard limits in a herd was calculated to use as a criteria for evaluation of the herd. Data outside the 99% confidential limits were to be deleted at first, but when the trends of the data outside the 99% confidential limits are same as the trends of the data within 99% confidential limits, the deleted data must be reviewed again, otherwise some important informations would be missed. The mean concentration of blood urea nitrogen in this study was much higher than that was reported in England, U.S.A. and Japan, and it was similar to the upper limits reported in England, U.S.A. and Japan. So it was thought that the concentration of blood urea nitrogen is improper as a criteria for protein intake. The increase of serum total protein cocentration beyond standard limits was due to increase of serum globulin concentration in most of the cows. The correlation coefficient between serum and protein and serum globulin concentration was 0.83. Serum globulin concentration was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd. Serum albumin, calcium and magnessium concentrations were negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd, which indicate that high-producing individual or high-producing herd have not taken sufficient protein/amino acids, calcium and magnessium. Packed cell volume was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of the herd, and the trend was same In each lactational stage. The correlation coefficient between serum and packed cell volume was 0.16 and the correlation was very weak. Blood glucose concentration was lowest in early lactational stage, which indicates negative energy balance in early lactational stage. Blood glucose concentration was negatively related to adjusted corrected milk of herd from peak to late lactational stage, which indicates negative energy balance during the period in high-producing individuals or high-producing herds. Correlation coefficient between serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase activity was 0.41, and this indicates that serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase should be included as a parameter of metabolic profile test to evaluate liver function. Body condition score of dairy cows in this country was lower than that of Japan in every lactational stages, and the magnitude of increase in body condition score during middle and late lactational stages was small. Metabolic profile can not be evaluated with solely nutritional intake. When an individual or large percentage of cows in a herd have adnormal values In parameters of metabolic profile test, veterinary clinician and nutritionist should cooperate so as to diagnose diseases and to calculate the e of no운ents simultaneously.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.837-841
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• 2000

The study was conducted at semi urban area in Bangladesh. It was based on a field survey by a prepared questionnaire. Various milking and reproduction performance were analyzed. The effects of grazing hour were found significant on age at weaning (AW) (p<0.001), age at first heat (AFH) (p<0.001), age at first conception (AF conception) (p<0.001), age at first calving (AF calving) (p<0.001), post partum heat period (PPHP) (p<0.001), calving interval (CI) (p<0.001), lactation length (LL) (p<0.001) and total lactational production (TLP) (p<0.001). The effects of concentrate feed were significant on AW (p<0.01), AFH (p<0.01), AF conception (p<0.001), AF calving (p<0.001), PPHP (p<0.001) CI (p<0.001), LL (p<0.001) and TLP (p<0.001). The effects of management level were significant on AW (p<0.001), PPHP (p<0.01), CI (p<0.001), daily milk yield (DMY) (p<0.05) and TLP (p<0.001). The overall mean values were $251.88{\pm}2.97$ days for AW, $37.29{\pm}0.33$ months for AFH, $38.43{\pm}0.34$ months for AF conception, $47.62{\pm}0.34$ months for AF calving, $1.30{\pm}0.02$ number of services per conception (NSPC), $191.57{\pm}3.92$ days for PPHP, $17.02{\pm}0.15$ months for CI, $2.49{\pm}0.06kg$ for DMY, $247.23{\pm}3.51$ days for LL and $590.40{\pm}15.00kg$ for TLP.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.221-227
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• 2004

Nutrient utilization and plasma level of minerals were studied in lactating crossbred cows fed diet supplemented from different source of minerals. Twelve crossbred cows of first to third lactation during their mid stage of lactation were distributed equally under two groups and were fed concentrate mixture, green fodder (para grass) and finger millet straw as per requirement. Cows in group I were fed concentrate mixture supplemented with 1% mineral mixture whereas cows in group II were not supplemented with mineral mixture in the concentrate mixture but were offered additional quantity of green fodder (1 kg DM/cow/day) to compensate for the requirement of minerals. Balance study conducted towards the end of 120 days of feeding experiment indicated that the total dry matter intake in both the groups did not differ significantly. The cows in group II offered additional quantity of green fodder consumed significantly (p<0.05) more of green fodder (5.11 vs. 4.51 kg /animal/day) and the cows in group I consumed significantly (p<0.01) more of finger millet straw (1.71 vs. 0.92 kg/animal/day). The digestibility of major nutrients did not differ between the groups except for ether extract which was significantly (p<0.05) lower in cows fed additional green fodder. The total daily intake of P, Cu, Fe and Co did not differ significantly in both the groups whereas significantly higher intakes of Ca, Mg, Zn and Mn were observed in cows supplemented with inorganic source of minerals. However, supplementation through both the sources could meet the mineral requirement in group I and group II. The gut absorption (%) of all the minerals was comparable between the groups except for Mg which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cows supplemented mineral mixture. The net retention of all the minerals was significantly more in the group supplemented with inorganic source of minerals. Except for P, Mg and Co the retention as percentage of total intake was comparable for all minerals in both the groups. Irrespective of source of mineral supplementation the average monthly blood plasma mineral levels (Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe) were within the normal range and comparable between the groups. Lower level of Cu observed at the start of the experimental feeding in both the groups increased with the advancement of supplemental feeding. The plasma Zn and Fe content in cows of both the groups did not vary. The blood plasma level of some minerals (Ca, P, Mg and Cu) was significantly higher towards the end of experimental feeding as compared to the initial values due to the reduction in milk yield with advancement of lactation or due to supplemental effect of minerals. It could be concluded that supplementation of minerals through inorganic source is better utilized in terms of retention as compared to green fodder (para grass), which is a moderate source of most nutrients.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1756-1765
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of body condition score (BCS) at calving on the metabolic status of female Murrah buffaloes in the transition period. Methods: Thirty-seven pregnant buffaloes (multiparous) were selected and monitored during the transition period based on their body condition score and on the estimated calving date. Two groups were formed: i) buffaloes with a BCS>3.5 (n = 17); this group was classified and named 'high BCS at calving' (HBCS); and ii) buffaloes with a $BCS{\leq}3.5$ (n = 20); this group was classified and named 'low BCS at calving' (LBCS). All animals were monitored during the last 30 days of pregnancy and the first 70 days post-calving and kept in the same environment and under the same feeding and management conditions. Mean values for BCS at calving were $2.98{\pm}0.9$ (mean${\pm}$standard error of the mean [SEM]) and $4.21{\pm}0.9$ (mean${\pm}$SEM) for the HBCS and LBCS groups, respectively. Results: The HBCS group showed higher milk fat content (p = 0.007) and milk fat yield (p = 0.027) and a higher concentration of milk urea nitrogen (p = 0.001) than LBCS buffaloes, which in turn had a lower urine pH value (p = 0.033) than HBCS buffaloes in the pre-calving period (7.86 for HBCS vs 7.76 for LBCS). The HBCS animals had a higher concentration of erythrocytes (p = 0.001) and hematocrit (p = 0.012) post-calving and a higher hemoglobin concentration (p = 0.004) pre-calving. Conclusion: Buffaloes during the transition period exhibited some variations in the oxidative stress related to their metabolic status. After calving, buffaloes with a high BCS at calving and greater lipid mobilization have a more marked alteration in oxidative status, but improved production performance.