• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 1991

Twenty five 75% Holstein Friesian cross bred bullocks fed rice straw (Oryza sativa) of long form, were fed with the following five treatments. 1. Rice straw, untreated (RS) 2. RS + water (1:1), stored for 24 hours (WRS) 3. RS (100 kg) + urea solution (4 kg urea/100 litre water) and dried (USRS) 4. RS (100 kg) + urea solution (as in 3) stored in wet condition for 24 hours (UWRS) 5. RS (100 kg) + urea solution (as in 3) stored in pit for 21 days (UTRS). Potential digestibility of treatments of RS was evaluated by monitoring (in vitro) Simulating Rumen like Fermentation (SRLF). The results indicated that Dry Matter Intake (DMI), digestibility of nutrients, N utilization were of the order UTRS > UWRS > USRS > WRS and RS (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). SRLF index was high (255.84) for UTRS and least (145.58) for USRS. It was intermediary (199.66) for UWRS. The acetyl content (AC) of UTRS with higher hemicellulose (HCE) digestibility (80.8%) was low compared to UWRS, USRS, RS and WRS. The acetate content was of the order UTRS < UWRS < USRS < WRS and RS thereby indicating that reduction in acetyl content was an index of positive response of urea-treatment of RS. In addition, the ratio of HCE/AC in faeces of UTRS was 0.87 as against the ratios (2.26-2.48) observed in other treatments recording reduction in AC due to urea-treatment. Among the treatments, USRS only supplemented N while UTRS in addition to utilization N, increased the digestibility of structural carbohydrates. Reduction in treatment time from 21 days to 1 day (UWRS) resulted in improvements similar to those of UTRS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.755-759
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• 2004

The present investigation was carried out to assess the effect of Sephadex (G-15) filtration on the post thaw bull semen quality and conception rate. Post thaw unfiltered (control) and Sephadex filtered semen from four healthy bulls (three cross bred and one pure bred Holstein Friesian) were subjected to microscopic examination viz. sperm concentration, individual motility, live sperm count and sperm morphology. Sixty-two healthy, normal cycling crossbred cows were inseminated with post thaw unfiltered (n=32) and filtered semen (n=30). Sephadex filtration of post thaw semen significantly (p<0.05) decreased total sperm concentration and sperm with abnormal head, mid piece and tail. The overall average total sperm concentration, head and tail defects in filtered semen decreased significantly (53.4, 1.2 and 6.4 million) than in the unfiltered semen (80.4, 2.4 and 15.7 million, respectively). However, after filtration significant (p<0.05) increase in overall average motile and live sperm concentration were observed (38.8 and 38.0) as compared to unfiltered semen (29.2 and 32.0 million, respectively). The overall conception rate recorded was 21.9% with post thaw unfiltered semen and 56.7% with filtered semen. It was concluded that Sephadex filtration of post thaw semen improved its quality and conception rate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.104-113
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• 2001

Smallholder dairy production systems in developing countries are discussed with reference to type of systems, their characteristics, potential, and opportunities for improvement. Three types of dairy systems are identified and described: smallholder systems, smallholder cooperative dairy production systems, and intensive dairy production systems. The first two systems are by far the most important, and are associated with increasing intensification. Buffaloes are especially important in South Asia, but elsewhere dairy production mainly involves Holstein-Friesian cross-bred cattle. Dairy goats are important in some countries, but are generally neglected in development programmes. The expansion and intensification of smallholder dairy production is fueled by increased demand for milk with associated problems of milk handling and distribution, hygiene and environmental pollution. The major constraints to production are inter alia, choice of species, breeds and availability of animals; feed resources and improved feeding systems; improved breeding, reproduction, and animal health care; management of animal manure, and organised marketing, and market outlets. These constraints provide major opportunities and challenges for research and development to increase dairy production, efficient management of natural resources, and improved livelihoods of poor farmers. Specific areas for research are identified, as also the need of a holistic focus involving interdisciplinary research and integrated natural resource management, in a shared partnership between farmers and scientists that can demonstrate increased productivity and sustainable production systems. Suggestions for performance indicators in smallholder dairy production systems are indicated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.479-484
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• 2011

The study was conducted on 20 Holstein X Sahiwal cross bred dairy cows, with an average milk production of $2,752{\pm}113.79$ liters in $284{\pm}5.75$ days during a single lactation, that were divided in to two groups of 10 animals. We investigated the oxidative stress and antioxidant status during the transition period in dairy cows. In this study, plasma level of MDA was considered as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and SOD, catalase, GSH and GSHPx as antioxidants. The lipid peroxidation was significantly (p<0.001) higher in cows during early lactation as compared to the cows in advanced pregnancy. A significant positive correlation (r = +0.831, p<0.01) was determined between MDA and catalase in early lactating cows. In early lactating cows, blood glutathione was significantly lower than in advanced pregnant cows. However, early lactating cows showed non-significant negative correlation for all antioxidant enzymes with lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, dairy cows seemed to have more oxidative stress and low antioxidant defense during early lactation or just after parturition than advanced pregnant cows, and this appears to be the reason for their increased susceptibility to production diseases (e.g. mastitis, metritis, retention of fetal membranes etc.) and other health problems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1575-1581
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• 2005

This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of IGFBPs in plasma of steers, and to profile the relationship between growth and plasma IGF-1 and IGFBPs with aging in Holstein steers. Four blots of IGFBP at molecular weights of 38-43, 34, 29-32 and 24 kDa bands were detected by western ligand blot assay using $^{125}I-IGF-1$. On the basis of immunoblotting with anti-bovine IGFBP-2 and -3 antiserums, we observed the band for IGFBP-2 at approximately 34 kDa, and the IGFBP-3 band was detected at 38-43 kDa and 34 kDa in adult steers and calves. The IGFBP-3 antiserum used on the blots exhibited significant cross-reactivity with 34 kDa IGFBP-2. Furthermore, the 38-43 kDa IGFBP-3 bands were reduced to a 36 kDa band after deglycosylation, whereas the 34 kDa IGFBP-2 was intact. The plasma IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and other IGFBPs showed stability throughout a whole day. The change in live weight was found to be positively correlated to the plasma IGF-1 concentration (r = 0.6801, n = 64, p<0.05) and plasma IGFBP-3 (r = 0.6321, n = 64, p<0.05), while inversely correlated to plasma IGFBP-2 (r = -0.2919, n = 64, p<0.05). Furthermore, plasma IGF-1 was positively correlated to plasma IGFBP-3 (r = 0.6191, p<0.001), but was not correlated to plasma IGFBP-2. The portion of IGFBP-2 for total IGFBPs in calves was higher than in adult steers (p<0.05) and was decreased with growth, whereas that of IGFBP-3 was increased with increased live weight (p<0.05). The ratio IGFBP-3 for IGFBP-2 (BP-3/BP-2) was increased with growing of liveweight. Therefore, the changes in plasma IGF-1 level with increased liveweight may be related to the changes in plasma IGFBP-3 level and IGFBP-2 may give an important role in anabolic action of IGF-1 with the growth of body during calfhood in Holstein steers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.497-504
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• 2008

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to report prevalence and to identify risk factors of subclinical mastitis of dairy cattle in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Among 325 dairy farms of the district 12 farms(3.7%) were selected conveniently for this study. All the dairy cows of the 12 farms were selected for sample collection. Fresh milk samples from each of the selected dairy cows were collected aseptically in separate sterilized test tube as RF, RH, LF and LH quarter of the udder. Rapid modified White Side Test(WST) was used to detect subclinical mastitis(SCM). Results of WST and data derived from filled in questionnaire were entered in Microsoft Excel 2003 and transferred to $STATA^{(R)}$, version 8.0/Intercooled(Stata Corporation, Texas, USA, 2003). The overall prevalence of SCM and its distribution in different categories of variables in cow and their exact binomial 95% confidence intervals were calculated in $STATA^{(R)}$. Simple bivariable associations among independent variables were investigated by $x^2$ test in $STATA^{(R)}$. Multiple logistic regression analysis with backward elimination method was used to identify risk factors of SCM. To identify significant variation in quarter SCM, linear regression analysis was performed after arcsine transformation of the data. The overall prevalence of SCM found in this study is 54%. Dairy cows with teat lesions had significantly increased SCM(OR=12342, P value=0.000, 95% CI=762, 199798) than others without teat lesions. The Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwal breed has significantly decreased(OR=0.18, p=0.03, 95% CI 0.04, 0.85) SCM than other breeds. The prevalence of SCM found in this study is in agreement with others. The injury in the teat increases the probability of getting infected with microbes and thereby mastitis. If the prevalence of teat lesion can be decreased the probability of subclinical mastitis will also be decreased. The negatively associated Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwall breed may help in planning mastitis control program if this finding can be validated by a more powerful case-control or cohort study design.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.1266-1270
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• 2006

This study was carried out to determine the contents of vitamins A and E in carcass fat from Japanese Black and F1 cross cattle, because the method of controlling the amount of vitamin A in feed has been used in the production of expensive beef with high marbling in Japan. We determined the contents of tocopherol and retinol in subcutaneous and perirenal fats for 40 carcasses of Japanese Black and F1 (Holstein${\times}$Japanese Black crossed) cattle that had been sent to market from 10 prefectures. In bovine fat, free ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was present in the greatest amount, the level of ${\gamma}$-tocopherol was about 10% and there was only a trace of ${\delta}$-tocopherol. The means${\pm}$standard deviation of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content in subcutaneous and perirenal fats were $0.68{\pm}0.33mg/100g$ and $0.54{\pm}0.23mg/100g$, respectively. The means${\pm}$standard deviation of retinol content in subcutaneous and perirenal fats were $2.9{\pm}4.5{\mu}g/100g$ and $2.9{\pm}5.1{\mu}g/100g$, respectively. Both vitamins differed widely between animals and were present at a relatively low level compared to other reports (${\alpha}$-tocopherol 2.4-5.4 mg/100 g fat tissue and $30-220{\mu}g/100g$ muscle tissue). The correlation coefficients between subcutaneous and perirenal fats for retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol content were 0.97 (p<0.01) and 0.82 (p<0.01), respectively, which showed high correlation. However, the correlation coefficients between retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol contents for subcutaneous and perirenal fats were 0.11 and 0.08, respectively, which showed low correlation. Breed effect was observed in both vitamins. These results indicated that vitamins A and E in fat from Japanese Black and F1 cross cattle under the vitamin A controlling method are present at relatively low levels and feeds need to be supplemented with vitamin E.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.541-548
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• 2002

This study, consisting of two experiments, was conducted to determine the effects of feeding heat treated protein and mineral complex (HPM) on milk production and composition, and ruminal fermentation of Holstein dairy cows. In in vitro experiment, HPM levels were 0, 0.2, 1 and 2%, and Timothy hay, which was substrate, was milled as 1 mm size, and the effects of HPM on pH, ammonia and VFA were analyzed after incubation times of 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The pH and ammonia production were not significantly different between treatments during the incubation. In addition, generally, total VFA and individual VFA were not affected by HPM on 0, 6 and 24 h. While, total VFA and individual VFA were increased in 0.2% and 1% of HPM supplemented treatments, but decreased in 2% of HPM treatment compared with control on 12 h. On 48 h, total VFA and individual VFA were increased in HPM treatments compared to control (P<0.05). However, A/P ratio was not affected by HPM supplementation. Gas production was higher in HPM treatment compared to control on 24 h (P<0.05) and 48 h (P<0.05). In lactating experiment, fourteen lactating Holstein cows were used for 4 months in a cross over experimental design. There were two treatments; no added HPM as a control and 0.2% of HPM added as a test treatment. Daily milk yield (P<0.001), 4% FCM (P<0.001), milk protein (P<0.05) and SNF (solid not fat; P<0.05) were increased in HPM treatment compared to control. While, milk fat, MUN (milk urea nitrogen) and SCC (somatic cell count) were not significantly different between treatments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1435-1440
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• 2008

An experiment was carried out to investigate whether a local breed of cattle is better adapted than European breed crosses to low quality feeds and to variations in their supply. Four Red Chittagong (RC) and four Holstein cross Sahiwal (Hx) cattle were used to compare the intake and digestibility of German grass (Echinocloa crusgalli) and rice straw with four regimes of feed supply. These were; a choice of German grass and rice straw each offered ad libitum on the same day (A); German grass and rice straw offered ad libitum on alternate days (B); rice straw offered ad libitum for 5 days followed by German grass ad libitum for 5 days (C); and German grass offered ad libitum for 5 days followed by rice straw ad libitum for 5 days (D). Each breed was offered the treatments in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square design. The German grass intake and total dry matter intake per kg metabolic live weight were significantly higher for the Hx than for RC, but there were no significant effects of genotype on digestibility of nutrients or live weight. Treatment A had the highest proportion of German grass relative to rice straw in the total DM intake, and had the highest total DM intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients compared with treatments B, C and D. It was concluded that there was no significant evidence that the RG cattle were better adapted to a variable supply of low quality feed than Hx cattle, and that the variable feed supply reduced the ability of cattle to select a preferred diet and consequently nutrient intake was depressed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1377-1385
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• 2011

This study was conducted to determine the nutritive value of live yeast culture (RumiSacc, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and to investigate its effects on milk yield, milk composition and some blood parameters in lactating cows. Six multiparous Holstein cows were allocated to two groups of three cows and assigned randomly to one of two diets in a cross-over experiment. Daily 50 g RumiSacc was top dressed at the p.m. feeding for the treatment group. RumiSacc supplied a high protein and energy with high organic matter digestibility values (83.35%) determined by in vitro enzymatic analysis. Yeast culture supplementation significantly increased milk yield, tended to increase fat yield, protein yield and lactose yield of milk. Methylated fatty acid level of 18:3 (n-3) in milk fat was increased by yeast culture supplementation. The concentrations of methionine, phenyalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan and taurine were significantly increased with dietary inclusion of yeast culture. Live yeast culture supplementation did not affect other performance characteristics, milk quality characteristics and blood parameters. As a conclusion live yeast culture (RumiSacc, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) had high nutritive value and positive effects on milk production and some milk quality characteristics in lactating cows under field conditions.