• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.331-334
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• 2003

The assessment of reproductive potentials of female gayal under semi-intensive management was conducted with 18 animals in Bandarban hilly area of Bangladesh. Age at first estrous (days), age at first conception (days), length of estrous cycle (days), number of service per conception (natural), gestation period (days), age at first calving (days), and calving interval (natural service) (days) of gayal were $598.2{\pm}168.44$, $723{\pm}169.94$, $21.86{\pm}2.93$, 1.41, $296.05{\pm}3.87$, $1014.42{\pm}260.32$ and $465{\pm}80.48$ respectively. Daily milk yield and lactation length of gayal were $304.98{\pm}30.46ml/day$ and $116.67{\pm}8.08days$. Gayal male calves had higher birth weight (19.67 kg) than female calves (15.58 kg) in first lactation. Birth weight increases in second and third lactation than first lactation in both male and female calves. Highest conception rate observed in winter season and 70.60% successful conception occur when service was given within 21-30 h of estrous. Maximum number of female gayal use to come in estrous in winter and calved in monsoon and autumn. Cervicitis and irregular heat were the most reproductive problems followed by metritis, case of abortion, anestrous and repeat breeding. From this study it was observed that the reproductive performance of gayal is very close with the domestic cattle. It may use as beef cattle for the hilly regions of Bangladesh.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.159-163
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• 2004

Data pertaining to first lactation records of 316 Murrah buffaloes, progeny of 47 sires, maintained at NDRI Farm for a period of 18 years were analysed to construct selection indices and to examine their robustness by changing the relative economic values of different economic traits. A total of 120 selection indices were constructed for three sets of relative economic values ( 40 for each set) considering different combinations of seven first lactation traits viz. age at first calving (AFC), first lactation 305 day or less milk yield (FLMY), first lactation length (FLL), first calving interval (FCI), milk yield per day of first lactation length (MY/FLL), milk yield per day of first calving interval (MY/FCI) and milk yield per day age at second calving (MY/ASC). The three sets of relative economic values were based on economic values of different traits, 1% standard deviation of different traits and regression of different traits on FLMY. The 'optimum' indices for the first two sets had five traits each namely AFC, FLMY, FLL, FCI and MY/ASC giving improvement in aggregate genotype of Rupees 269.11 and Rs. 174.88, respectively. The accuracy of selection from both indices was 70.79 and 69.39%, respectively. The 'best' selection index from the third set of data again had five traits (AFC, FLMY, FLL, FCI and MY/FLL) giving genetic gain of Rs. 124.16 and accuracy of selection of 71.81%. The critcal levels or break-even points for FLMY for varying levels of AFC and FCI estimated from the "optimum index" suggested the need of enhancement of present production level of the herd or reduction of AFC or FCI. It was concluded that economic values of various first lactation traits were the most appropriate to construct selection indices as compared to other criteria of assigning relative economic weights in Murrah buffaloes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1189-1192
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• 2000

The experiment was conducted on 69 cows to identify the quantitative variations of some economic traits of five genetic groups as $Local{\times}Friesian $ $F_1$, $Local{\times}Sahiwal$ $F_1$, Local (indigenous zebu type), $Local{\times}Sindhi $ $F_1$, and $Local{\times}Hariana$ $F_1$. The traits studied were age at weaning, age at first heat, age at first conception, services per conception, daily milk yield, lactation length, lactation yield and post partum heat period. The records on milking and reproduction performances of cows and heifers were obtained from farm register and by interviewing the farmers. It was observed that the lowest age at weaning, age at first heat and age at first conception were $5.37{\pm}0.24$, $27.17{\pm}1.72$ and $27.83{\pm}1.82$ months respectively in $Local{\times}Hariana$ $F_1$. Services per conception were lowest in $Local{\times}Sahiwal$ $F_1$ $(1.08{\pm}0.18)$ although not significantly (p>0.05) affected by farms, genetic groups and $farm{\times}genetic$ groups interaction. Average daily milk yield was highest in $Local{\times}Friesian$ $F_1$ $(5.81 {\pm}0.40 kg)$. Lactation length and lactation yield were highest in $Local{\times}Sahiwal$ $F_1$ ($299.38{\times}9.74$ days and $1863.00{\pm}141.00kg $ respectively). Average post partum heat period was lowest in $Local{\times}Sindhi$ $F_1$ ($3.19{\pm}0.38$ months). Least squares ANOVA showed that farm had significant (p<0.001) effect on age at weaning, age at first heat, age at first conception and post partum heat period. There was insignificant (p>0.05) effect of farm on services per conception, daily milk yield, lactation length and lactation yield, whereas genetic groups had a significant effect for all the traits under review except services per conception. $Farm{\times}genetic$ groups interaction was insignificant for all of the traits under consideration except age at weaning.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.219-221
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• 1995

Data on productive and reporductive performance of native cows maintained at Savar Dairy Farm, Central Cattle Breeding Station (CCBS), Savar, Dhaka, were collected from the periods of 1980-1988. The mean calving to first breeding during the second parity was longer (p < 0.01) than the fourth and fifth parities (152 vs 105 and 96 days respectively). There was no difference on the parameters like first breeding to conception, service period, gestation length, number of services per conception and total milk yield over the parities. The mean calving interval during the second parity was longer (p < 0.05) than the fourth and fifth parities. The mean lactation length during the first parity was longer (p < 0.01) than those of second, third, fourth and fifth lactations (317 vs 237, 266, 250 and 247 days respectively). The mean per day milk yield during the first lactation was lower (p < 0.01) than those of second, third, fourth and fifth lactations (1.88 vs 2.55, 2.75, 2.54 and 2.57 kg respectively). The mean dry period was longer in first lactation (p < 0.05) compared to third and fifth lactations (209 vs 141 and 129 days respectively).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 1994

The lactation milk yields of 209 buffaloes and cattle were measured on farms in Taplejung and Dhankuta Districts in East Nepal. This includes local and crossbred buffaloes and cows. The average milk yield (${\pm}\;SD$) of 97 local buffaloes was $833\;{\pm}\;94.6\;kg$ whereas that for 83 local cows was only $455\;{\pm}\;61.5\;kg$. The milk yield of buffaloes decreased with number of calvings, but that for the cows increased. The milk yields of 18 Murrah crossbreds were on average 215 kg higher than the yields of local buffaloes, and the yields of 11 Jersey crossbred cows averaged 247 kg more than the local cows. Lactation length (${\pm}\;SD$) which averaged $326\;{\pm}\;100$ days for the buffaloes and $292\;{\pm}\;98$ days for the cows, was not affected by crossbreeding. The milk yields of the crossbreds were more variable than the local buffaloes and cows. In addition to milk yield the overall productivity of a milking animal depends on calf mortality, age at first calving, calving interval, longevity, food intake, the work performance of male cattle and the meat production of male buffaloes. Among these parameters, the work performance of Jersey crossbred and local male cattle was studied later. However, other factors could not be measured.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1151-1161
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the association of age at first calving (AFC) with first lactation traits as well as lifetime performance traits in Murrah buffaloes. Methods: Data on first lactation and life time performance of Murrah buffaloes (n = 679), maintained at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India during the period 1983 through 2017, were deduced to calculate heritability estimates, genetic and phenotypic correlation of different first lactation and lifetime traits. The univariate animal model was fitted to estimate variance components and heritability separately for each trait, while bivariate animal models were set to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits under study. Results: The heritability was high for first peak milk yield (FPY, 0.64±0.08), moderate for AFC (0.48±0.07) and breeding efficiency (BE 0.39±0.09). High genetic correlations of first lactation total milk yield (FLTMY) with first lactation standard milk yield (FLSMY, 305 days or less), FPY, and first lactation length (FLL) was seen. Likewise, genetic correlation of AFC was positive with FLTMY, FLL, first dry period (FDP), first service period (FSP), first calving interval (FCI), herd life (HL) and productive days (PD). Significant phenotypic correlation of FLTMY was observed with HL, productive life (PL), PD, total lifetime milk yield (LTMY), standard lifetime milk yield (standard LTMY). Moreover, positive genetic and phenotypic correlation of FPY was observed with HL, PL, PD, total LTMY and standard LTMY. Conclusion: This study reports that AFC had positive genetic correlation with FDP, FSP, FCI, and unproductive days while, negative association of AFC was observed with FLSMY, PL, total LTMY, standard LTMY, and BE. This suggests that reduction of AFC would results in improvement of lifetime performance traits.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.523-531
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• 2008

Buffalo are a major source of milk production, contributing 12.1% in the World and 38.0% in Asia. The buffaloes are kept under peri-urban farming systems to produce milk for urban populations. Breeding is delayed in these herds to get more economic benefit because farmers believe that the pregnancy decreases milk production. The lactation milk value has been studied in this paper as an economic indicator. Complete milk yield records of 3,304 buffaloes was collected from a group of state farms. Economic traits including lactation yield, lactation length, calving interval (CI), dry period and milk yield per day of calving interval (MYPDCI) were derived from the data. The animals were grouped according to parity number (1-3), service period (G1 to G4, conceiving during <150, 150-200, 200-300 and >300 days post calving) and yield levels (HMY>2,500; MMY 2,001-2,500; and LMY 1,500-2,000 liters/ lactation). To study the effect of pregnancy on milk composition a research trial was conducted at a medium size private dairy farm, using forty lactating buffaloes of three yield levels and four service period groups, as described already. Milk was sampled on alternate weeks and analyzed for fat and protein contents (%). For quantifying the value of milk produced during a lactation period, the value corrected milk (VCM) was determined and converted to lactation milk value (LMV). Group means were compared for varicous parameters. Highest milk yield ($2,836.50{\pm}15.68$ liters/lactation) was recorded in the HMY animals of G4 group while lowest milk yield of $1,657.04{\pm}8.34$ liters/lactation was found in LMY of G1. Lactation was significantly increased with the extending of service period. The shortest dry period was recorded in HMY, parity 1, G1 animals and the longest in parity 2, MMY, G4.The CI was shortest in HMY, parity 1, and G1 animals and longest in LMY, parity 3, G4 buffaloes. The HMY, parity 2, G1 buffaloes showed the highest MYPDCI and the lowest value was recorded ($6.53{\pm}0.17$ vs. $2.76{\pm}0.04$ liter/day) for LMY, parity 1, G4 buffaloes. The VCM decreased with the delayed conception. This decreasing trend was higher in respect of the total yield but decrease in the VCM was smaller due to the increasing levels of fat and protein in the milk. The gap between the various production classes was reduced based on the VCM as compared with the yield per day of CI. LMV showed a consistent decline with extending service period in all three production groups. The study suggests that CI increased with delayed conception, showing a consistent trend in the low, moderate and high yielding buffaloes. There was a coherent declining pattern of milk yield with delaying conception, associated with prolonged CI. An animal conceiving at a later stage of lactation showed a decline in financial returns of 24 to 27% compared with those conceiving earlier.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.511-514
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• 1999

Data pertaining to 1111 first lactation performance record of Karan Fries (Holstein-Friesian $\times$ Zebu) cows spread over a period of 21 years and sired by 72 bulls were used to examine the efficiency of sire indices for lactation milk production using auxiliary traits. First lactation length, first service period, first calving interval, first dry period and age at first calving were considered as auxiliary traits. The efficiency of this method was compared with simple daughter average index (D), contemporary comparison method (CC), least-square method (LSQ), simplified regressed least-squares method (SRLS) and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) for lactation milk production. The relative efficiency of sire evaluation methods using one auxiliary trait was lower (24.2-32.8%) in comparison to CC method, the most efficient method observed in this study. Use of two auxiliary traits at a time did not further improve the efficiency. The auxiliary sire indices discriminate better among bulls as the range of breeding values were higher in these methods in comparison to conventional sire evaluation methods. The rank correlation between breeding values estimated using auxiliary traits were high (0.77-0.78) with CC method. The rank correlation among auxiliary sire indices ranged from 0.98 to 0.99, indicating similar ranking of sire for breeding values of milk production in all the auxiliary sire indices.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2004

The 490 and 380 performance records of Karan Fries and Karan Swiss cows developed through crossbreeding followed by inter-se mating were evaluated for production, reproduction performance and disposal rate. Duration of study (1982-92) was grouped into five periods (1982-83; 1984-85; 1986-87; 1988-89; 1990-92) and each year was divided into four seasons (Winter: Dec.-Jan.; Spring: Feb.-March; Summer: April-June; Rainy: July-Sept.; Autumn: Oct.-Nov). Data were also classified according to sire and level of inbreeding. The least squares means of FLY (first lactation yield -305 days), FLL (first lactation length), FSP (first service period), FDP (first dry period), FCI (first calving interval ), MY/FLL (milk yield per day of first lactation length), MY/FCI (milk yield per day of first calving interval), EBV (expected breeding value) and EBE (expected breeding efficiency) were $3,173{\pm}82$ kg, $34611{\pm}$days, $143{\pm}11$ days, $75{\pm}6$ days, $423{\pm}11$ days, $10.6{\pm}0.2$ kg, $8.9{\pm}0.2$ kg, $3,380{\pm}26$ kg, and $88.2{\pm}1.3$% respectively in Karan Fries. Corresponding estimates in Karan Swiss cows were $2,616{\pm}82$ kg, $328{\pm}8$ days, $148{\pm}12$ days, $103{\pm}9$ days, $435{\pm}13$ days, $8.9{\pm}0.2$ kg, $7.2{\pm}0.3$ kg, $2,924{\pm38}$ kg and $86.0{\pm}3.8$% respectively. The effect of sire was significant on FLY, MY/FLL, MY/FCI and EBV in both the herd (p<0.01). The 10 and 15% sires showed superiority (FLY) over herd average of 11 and 7% in Karan Fries and 32 and 21% in Karan Swiss cattle respectively. Inbreeding has adversely and significantly (p<0.05) affected the FLY, MY/FLL, MY/FCI and survivability of Karan Fries females; FDP and disposal through culling of Karan Swiss heifers. The Karan Fries heifers with inbreeding above 12.5% performed 16% lower FLY to herd average. The effect of season of calving was significant on FLL, FSP and FCI (p<0.05) in Karan Fries. Summer calvers ($361{\pm}12$) were have higher lactation length and autumn calvers ($329{\pm}14$) had minimum. Period of calving significantly influenced the FSP, FCI, MY/FLL and MY/FCI in Karan Fries and FLY, MY/FLL and MY/FCI in Karan Swiss. Production efficiency traits in Karan Fries herd witnessed higher yield in the last two periods whereas, Karan Swiss heifers showed fluctuating performance. The findings suggested judicious use of available genetic variability, keeping of inbreeding under safer level and managemental interventions for the consistent improvement of both herds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 1990

The effect of dietary protein-energy restriction (PER) on the growth of long bone were examined in sheep during growing period and then following a cycle of reproduction. Three months-old female sheep were offered protein-energy restricted feed for 6 months (growing period), thereafter changed to normal nutritional conditions for 8 months (reproduction period). A half of animals in each group took pregnancy, parturition and lactation. The nutritional restriction reduced the growth in bone diameter more than that in bone length. Compensatory growth resulting from the removal of the nutritional restraint strongly occurred in bone diameter, especially the bone cortical width, as compared to bone longitudinal growth. A cycle of reproduction severely decreased the growth in the bone cortical width relative to that in the bone width, and little effect was found on the growth in bone length and bone mass. The depression of bone development by pregnancy and lactation tended to exhibit severer in animals having received normal nutrition than in those having received PER. Bone mineral density was not affected by the nutritional restriction. A cycle of reproduction had an adverse effect on the mineral density between in animals having received normal nutrition and in those having received PER.