The present study was conducted on crossbred (Vrindavani) cattle calves to evaluate the effect of modified housing using different roofing materials on growth and physiological performance of calves ...during the summer. Calves (24; 6–8 months old) were randomly selected and allocated in 4 groups, viz. control (C): corrugated cemented sheet (CCS) as roofing material, T1: the CCS roof was painted black inside and white outside, T2: polycarbonate plastic sheet as roof; and T3: polycarbonate roof with adjustable height. Overall the average temperature of shed was significantly lower in T1 (24.89±0.08) followed by T3 (27.30±0.10), T2 (28.28±0.04) and C (29.46±0.16). Overall average relative humidity (%) was significantly lower in T3 (62.38±0.30) as compared to T1 (64.54±0.14), T2 (65.68±0.23) and C (66.30±0.30). Overall average temperature humidity index was significantly lower in T1 (76.32±0.30) followed by T3 (76.50±0.16), T2 (77.91±0.05) and C (78.74±0.25). Total body wt gain (kg) was significantly higher in T3 (35.67), followed by T1 (34.83), T2 (34.1) and C (28.16). Overall rectal temperature (°C) and respiration rate (per minute) in afternoon was significantly higher in control as compared to all other treatment groups. It may be inferred that the micro-environment was more conducive in T1 and T3 than control; hence the reflective paints on roof and adjusted higher height of polycarbonate roof may be the desirable choice for animal housing in view of mitigating heat stress during the summer.
The present investigation was taken to study the temperament score and its relation with various production and reproduction parameters in Vrindavani cows. Docile temperament was observed in 74.10% ...of the cows and restless temperament in 25.90%. The mean temperament scores were 1.92±0.03 and 2.27±0.04 for docile and restless animals, respectively. The least squares means significantly differed for heart girth and ratio of body weight to wither height in two temperament groups. However, the temperament score of cows had no significant effect on most of the production and reproduction traits, but the milking behavior traits were better for less temperament scored animals than higher one. Evaluating temperament score could be quite useful tool to the farmers as well as dairy producers in view of selection and management of dairy cattle for better productivity and profitability.
Present investigation studied the effect of heat ameliorating measures on micro-climate of sheds of Murrah buffalo heifers during hot dry summer. Buffalo heifers (24) were categorised in 4 groups (6 ...in each), viz. control (T0), cooling jacket (T1), cooling jacket+forced ventilation (T2) and sprinklers+forced ventilation (T3). Daily minimum and maximum and dry and wet bulb temperatures of both micro and macro-climate were measured at 10.00 AM and 2.00 PM of Indian Standard Time (IST) by using maximum and minimum and dry and wet bulb thermometer, respectively. Significant reduction in maximum temperature was observed in T3, T2 and T1 groups than control group. However, significantly higher minimum temperature was found in T0 group as compared to T3, T2 and T1 respectively. Relative humidity (RH) was significantly lower in T3 and T2 (65.67±0.48 and 65.97±0.53%, respectively) than T0 (68.51±0.56%) group at 10.00 AM whereas, at 2.00 PM significant reduction in RH was observed in T3, and T2 (55.31±0.51 and 57.20±0.62) than T0 (58.96±0.63%) group. During peak hot periods, significantly lower Temperature humidity Index (THI) was found in T3, T2 and T1 than T0 group. However, at 10.00 AM significant reduction in THI was found in T3 and T2 groups than T0 group. The findings of the present study indicated that forced ventilation along with sprinklers and cooling jacket had helped in protecting the animals from thermal stress under loose housing system during hot-dry summer.
The caprine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from fetal adnexa are highly proliferative. These cells possess tri-lineage differentiation potential and express MSC surface antigens and ...pluripotency markers with a wound-healing potential. This present study was conducted to compare the immunomodulatory potential of caprine MSCs derived from the fetal adnexa. Mid-gestation caprine uteri (2–3 months) were collected from the abattoir to isolate MSCs from amniotic fluid (cAF), amniotic sac (cAS), Wharton’s jelly (cWJ) and cord blood (cCB), which were expanded and characterized at the 3
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passage. These MSCs were then stimulated with inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) to assess the percentage of inhibition produced on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proliferation. The percentage of inhibition on activated PBMCs proliferation produced by cWJ MSCs and cAS MSCs was significantly higher than cCB and cAF MSCs. The relative mRNA expression profile and immunofluorescent localization of different immunomodulatory cytokines and growth factors were conducted upon stimulation. The mRNA expression profile of a set of different cytokines and growth factors in each caprine fetal adnexa MSCs were modulated. Indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase appeared to be the major immunomodulator in cWJ, cAF, and cCB MSCs whereas inducible nitric oxide synthase in cAS MSCs. This study suggests that caprine MSCs derived from fetal adnexa display variable immunomodulatory potential, which appears to be modulated by different molecules among sources.
The study was conducted to compare the milking behaviour and temperament of Murrah buffaloes due to suckling and weaning at different ages. Initially, 42 recently calved buffaloes were selected and ...assigned alternately in to 3 groups as suckling (Gr 1), weaning at birth (Gr 2) and weaning on 45th day (Gr 3). The different behavioural parameters of the buffaloes were recorded for the first 15 days of milking/weaning during each milking. The overall average milk let down time was non-significant among the groups. The average milk yield per milking (morning and evening) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Gr 1 (3.44±0.14 kg) and Gr 2 (3.18±0.46 kg) in comparison to Gr 3 (2.24±0.25 kg). The overall average milking time was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Gr 1 (4.41±0.14 min) than Gr 3 (3.05±0.21 min); however milking time in Gr 2 (4.29±0.41min) was not significantly different from Gr 1. The percent of dams showing stepping behaviour in Gr 1, Gr 2 and Gr 3 was 20.23, 27.57 and 44.11, respectively, and the corresponding value for kicking behaviour was 2.61, 10.60 and 13.39, respectively. The average number of dams showing bellowing behaviour in Gr 1, Gr 2 and Gr 3 was 3.56, 9.09 and 12.66, respectively. Similar trends were observed among the groups as mentioned in stepping and kicking. The percentage of dams which licked calf or looked at milker in Gr 1, Gr 2 and Gr 3 was 34.99, 9.38 and 33.33 respectively. The percentage of dams showing head shaking activity during milking operation in Gr 1, Gr 2 and Gr 3 was 26.42, 0.00 and 10.00 percent, respectively. The overall mean milking temperament score was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Gr 3 (1.73±0.18) than Gr 1 (1.20±0.05) and Gr 2 (1.48±0.17). The success rate of weaning practice in dairy buffaloes was higher at calving than later stage of lactation.
The present study was conducted to compare the effect of weaning at different ages on growth measurement traits and serum biochemical parameters in Murrah buffalo calves from birth to 90 days of age. ...Out of 42 buffalo calves, 35 were randomly assigned in to 3 groups, viz. control (C): suckling (14); treatment T1 (T1): weaning of calves at birth (11); and treatment T2 (T2): weaning of calves at 45th day of birth (10). The mean body weight gain was significantly higher in control followed by T2 and T1. The mean initial body length of calves in control, T1 and T2 were 59.35±0.58, 56.64±0.99 and 57.20±0.91 cm, respectively. The final body length (cm) was significantly higher in control than T1 and T2. Similar trends were observed for height at wither and heart girths of calves in different groups though there were initial differences as well. The serum cortisol (nM/l) was significantly higher only at day-60th of sampling in T2 followed by T1 and control. The serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) was significantly higher at 45th and 60th days of sampling in T1 and T2 than control group. The weaned groups of calves had comparatively lower growth values than suckling, however, the significant differences on serum biochemical parameters were observed only at few stages of weaned buffalo calves as compared to suckling group, which indicates minor inconsistent physiological deviations. The weaning in buffalo calves at early stages affects body growth parameters with minor inconsistent changes in blood biochemical profile.
The present study was carried out to investigate the reasons of lower birth weight in crossbred (50-75% Exotic and 25-50% Hariana) calves. The data on birth weight of 2,102 crossbred calves, progeny ...of 22 sires over a period of 11 years from 2005 to 2015 were analyzed under investigation using Least Squares analysis. Heritability of birth weight was calculated using half sib correlation method. The observed parameters were period of calving, season of calving, sex of calf, parity of dam, age of dam at calving, weight of dam at calving and sire of calf. Research results revealed that average birth weight of crossbred calves was 21.92 kg. The effect of period of calving, season of calving, sex of calf, age of dam at calving, weight of dam at calving and sire of calf was statistically significant on birth weight. Birth weight showed increasing trend across the periods. The heaviest (9.47% more than rainy) birth weight was observed for calves, born in hot-dry (summer) season whilst, it was the lowest in those born inhot-humid (rainy) season. Male calves were heavier (3.66% more) at birth than the female calves. Cows more than 6 years of age and 400 kg body weight produced the heaviest calves. Five sires (22.72%) had their calves with more than 24 kg birth weight. Heritability of birth weight in crossbred calves was moderate (0.24±0.08) reflecting the ample scope of improvement through proper feeding and care of dam.
The present study was undertaken to study the impact of milk feeding frequency on performance, health and behaviour of crossbred cattle calves. A total of 12 crossbred (Vrindavani) calves were ...allocated equally in to two groups viz. control (G-I) and experimental group (G-II). During the experimental period (from16th to 70th day of birth), the calves in Gr-II and G-I group were fed milk once and twice daily, respectively without any change in total offered milk quantity. The mean birth weight (kg) of calves in control and experimental group were 21.01±0.88 and 21.25±0.88 kg, respectively. The total body weight gain of calves in control and experimental group were 21.06±0.39 and 21.08±0.39 kg, respectively. The average weekly body weights, gains and body measurements in general were non-significantly different in control and G-II group from 1st to 10th week of age. However, the body length was significantly (P<0.05) higher in G-II from third week to end of experiment. As a whole, 16.67% calves in G-I and 33.34% calves in G-II suffered from calf scour. The change in feeding schedule had no significant effect on immune status and behavioral activities of calves. Once daily feeding saved 29.41% (36 man minutes) labour than twice daily feeding schedule. It was concluded that reduction in milk feeding frequency to calves did not affect growth, feed intake, health, behaviour and overall performance, hence one time milk feeding to calves may be adopted at organized herds, where weaning is being practiced, in view of saving labor cost.
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