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Water Buffalo (water + buffalo)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	62%
Medical Sciences	33%

Selected Abstracts

Microvascular Architecture of the Near-term Uterine Caruncles in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 3 2007
M. M. M. Abd-Elnaeim
Summary The present investigation was carried out on five near-term pregnant water buffaloes for studying the microvascular architecture of the uterine caruncles. The vascular casts were obtained by injection of 4:1 mixture of mercox and methylmethacrylate through the branches of the uterine arteries. After complete polymerization of the plastic, corrosion was conducted in 20% potassium hydroxide, then the vessel casts were immersed in distilled water, cut into small pieces, sputter coated with gold, and examined by using a scanning electron microscope. The buffalo uterine caruncle is highly vascularized through two slightly convoluted arteries and a single less tortuous vein. The arteries branch into several stem arteries at the base of the uterine caruncle, which follow nearly straight course in the primary septa towards the fetal side. During the courses of these stem arteries arterioles of variable diameters arise. The arterioles run in the secondary and tertiary septae and at this location arterioles and venules are connected through a voluminous capillary complex. The latter consists of capillaries of greatly variable diameters with vigorous coiling and sinusoidally dilated zones. From the capillary complexes the blood is driven through postcapillary venules back to the tertiary, secondary and primary septa, respectively, and then converge into stem veins which leave the caruncles through the branches of the uterine vein. [source]

Polymorphisms in MHC- DRA and - DRB alleles of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) reveal different features from cattle DR alleles

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2003
L. Sena
Summary Seventy-five individuals of Bubalus bubalis belonging to four different breeds, three of river buffalo and one of swamp buffalo, were studied for polymorphism in MHC DRB (Bubu-DRB) and DRA (Bubu-DRA) loci. Eight alleles of Bubu-DRB were found, and all alleles in the swamp type were shared with the three river breeds. All alleles sampled from the breed of European origin (Mediterranean) were present in breeds sampled in Brazil, thus variability of this locus may have been preserved to a great extent in the more recently founded Brazilian population. Bubu-DRB alleles contained higher proportions of synonymous vs. non-synonymous substitutions in the non-peptide-binding sites (PBS) region, in contrast to the pattern of variation found in BoLA-DRB3, the orthologous locus in cattle. This indicated that either the first domain exon (exon 2) of Bubu-DRB has not undergone as much recombination and/or gene conversion as in cattle alleles, or Bubu-DRB may be more ancient than BoLA-DRB3 alleles. Phylogenetic analysis of DRB alleles from Bubalus, Syncerus c. caffer, the Cape buffalo, and domestic cattle demonstrated transspecies polymorphism. Water buffalo contained two alleles of DRA that differed from each other in two amino acid positions, including one in the PBS (,22) that was also shared with Anoa depressicornis, the anoa. Discovery of variation in DRA was surprising as the first domain of DRA is a highly conserved polypeptide in mammals in general and especially in ruminants, where no other substitution in PBS was seen. [source]

Cloning and sequencing of Indian water buffalo interleukin-18 cDNA

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 2 2005
P. Chaudhury
Summary Full-length cDNA (582 bp) of the interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene of the Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was amplified by reverse transcriptase,polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence has 99% and 95% similarity with the IL-18 sequences of cattle and sheep, respectively. There are two amino acid substitutions at positions 132 and 182 in buffalo IL-18 compared with that of cattle. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the IL-18 sequence of fish forms a different lineage and is most divergent from that of cattle, buffalo, sheep, pig, dog, horse, human, monkey, mouse, rat and chicken. [source]

Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) interleukin-2: sequence analysis reveals high nucleotide and amino acid identity with interleukin-2 of cattle and other ruminants

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 4 2002
E. Sreekumar
Summary A 4400-bp genomic sequence and a 332-bp truncated cDNA sequence of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene of Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned. The coding sequence of the buffalo IL-2 gene was assembled from the 5, end of the genomic clone and the truncated cDNA clone. This sequence had 98.5% nucleotide identity and 98% amino acid identity with cattle IL-2. Three amino acid substitutions were observed at positions 63, 124 and 135. Comparison of the predicted protein structure of buffalo IL-2 with that of human and cattle IL-2 did not reveal significant differences. The putative amino acids responsible for IL-2 receptor binding were conserved in buffalo, cattle and human IL-2. The amino acid sequence of buffalo IL-2 also showed very high identity with that of other ruminants, indicating functional cross-reactivity. [source]

Genetic and morphometric characterization of a local Vietnamese Swamp Buffalo population

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2010
C. Berthouly
Summary The water buffalo plays a key role in the socio-economy of South-East Asia as it is the main draught power for paddy rice cultivation. While in the Indian subcontinent the water buffalo is the riverine type, in South-East Asia the majority of buffaloes are of the swamp type. In the poor remote northern province of Ha Giang in Vietnam, improvement of the swamp buffalo breed may be one of the best ways to increase sustainability of farming systems. Therefore, analysis of the genetic structure of the province buffalo population is a prerequisite to any conservation or improvement project. A total of 1122 animals were described for 11 body and horn measurements for morphometric characterization. From this sample set, 744 animals were genotyped for 17 microsatellite markers. Also 17 animals from southern provinces of Vietnam were genotyped as a comparative sample. The results showed that genetic diversity as well as inbreeding value in the Ha Giang was high. The FST values within the province and across Vietnam were low indicating that most of the population variation is explained by individual variability. Bayesian clustering analysis did not highlight the presence of subdivided populations. These results are useful for the implementation of a conservation and improvement strategy of the swamp buffalo in order to guarantee the householders' needs for sustainability of the farming system in the Ha Giang province. [source]

Purification and characterization of a bacteriocin-like compound (Lichenin) produced anaerobically by Bacillus licheniformis isolated from water buffalo

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2001
P. Pattnaik
Aims:,To characterize a bacteriocin-like factor from Bacillus licheniformis 26 L-10/3RA isolated from buffalo rumen. Methods and Results:,The culture supernatant exhibited the antibacterial activity against a number of indicator organisms in a cut-well agar assay under anaerobic conditions. The inhibitory component was purified by following ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography and confirmed to be a single peptide. A single band on tricine-sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that the peptide was purified to homogeneity and having an estimated molecular mass of approximately 1400 dalton. Complete amino acid sequence of the peptide yielded 12 amino acids from the N-terminal end (ISLEICXIFHDN). No homology with previously reported bacteriocins was observed and has been designated as Lichenin. Lichenin was found to be hydrophobic, sensitive to atmospheric oxygen, retained biological activity even after boiling for 10 min and was active over a pH range of 4·0,9·0. Conclusions:,The Lichenin represents the first anaerobiosis specific expression of bacteriocin-like compound isolated from Bacillus licheniformis 26 L-10/3RA of buffalo rumen origin. Significance and Impact of the Study:,Lichenin could be a potential condidate for manipulating the rumen function at molecular level intended for improving the productivity of the ruminant. [source]

Differentiating Human Bone from Animal Bone: A Review of Histological Methods

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 2 2007
Maria L. Hillier M.Sc.
ABSTRACT: This review brings together a complex and extensive literature to address the question of whether it is possible to distinguish human from nonhuman bone using the histological appearance of cortical bone. The mammalian species included are rat, hare, badger, racoon dog, cat, dog, pig, cow, goat, sheep, deer, horse, water buffalo, bear, nonhuman primates, and human and are therefore not exhaustive, but cover those mammals that may contribute to a North American or Eurasian forensic assemblage. The review has demonstrated that differentiation of human from certain nonhuman species is possible, including small mammals exhibiting Haversian bone tissue and large mammals exhibiting plexiform bone tissue. Pig, cow, goat, sheep, horse, and water buffalo exhibit both plexiform and Haversian bone tissue and where only Haversian bone tissue exists in bone fragments, differentiation of these species from humans is not possible. Other primate Haversian bone tissue is also not distinguishable from humans. Where differentiation using Haversian bone tissue is undertaken, both the general microstructural appearance and measurements of histological structures should be applied. Haversian system diameter and Haversian canal diameter are the most optimal and diagnostic measurements to use. Haversian system density may be usefully applied to provide an upper and lower limit for humans. [source]

Binucleate trophoblast giant cells in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) placenta

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
A.F. Carvalho
Abstract The binucleate trophoblast giant cells (BNC) of the water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, placenta were studied, with emphasis on the synthesis of BNC-specific proteins. Placentomal tissues of 27 water buffalos (2,10 months of pregnancy) were processed for light and electron microscopy. The frequency of BNCs was 20% of the trophoblastic cells in 2,3-month placentas and increased to 27% in the later stages. Ultrastructurally, binucleate cells displayed a prominent granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, typical of cells involved with protein synthesis and exportation. The buffalo BNCs contained periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive granules and reacted with antisera against bovine placental lactogen, prolactin-related protein-I, and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins. Lectin histochemistry with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, Vicia villosa agglutinin, and Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin showed specific staining of BNCs. Different stages of BNC migration and fusion with uterine epithelial cells were observed. Trinucleate feto-maternal hybrid cells were the typical outcome of cell fusions. These cells underwent degeneration, with typical morphological features of apoptosis. The results revealed a strong homology between water buffalo and cattle BNCs concerning cell morphology, protein expression, glycosylation pattern, and characteristics of cell migration and fusion. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Detection of Water Buffalo Sex Chromosomes in Spermatozoa by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2003
T Révay
Contents In order to identify X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa in water buffalo by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), some available probes of closely related species were examined. An X- and Y-specific probe set, made from flow sorted yak chromosomes, labelled in somatic metaphases of water buffalo the whole X and Y, respectively, except their centromere regions. A cattle Y-chromosome repeat sequence (BC1.2) showed strong signal on the telomere region of the buffalo Y-chromosome, demonstrating the evolutionary conservation of this locus in water buffalo. In hybridization experiments with spermatozoa from five buffaloes, the yak X-Y paint set demonstrated clear signals in more than 92% (46.8% X and 45.8% Y) of the cells. Using the cattle Y-chromosome specific BC1.2 probe, clear hybridization signal was detected in more than 48% of the cells. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between bulls or from the expected 50 : 50 ratio of X- and Y-bearing cells. The probes presented here are reliable to assess separation of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa. [source]

Immunohistochemical distribution of S-100 protein and subunits (S100-, and S100-,) in the swamp-type water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) testis

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 3 2003
M. B. C. Cruzana
Summary. The distribution and localization of S-100 protein (S-100) and its subunits (S100-, and S100-,) in the testis of swamp-type water buffalo were investigated using immunohistochemistry. S-100 was detected in the Sertoli cells in the convoluted seminiferous tubules, modified Sertoli cells lining the terminal segment of the seminiferous tubules and in the intratesticular excurrent ducts (straight tubules and rete testis). S100-, showed the same distribution and localization with that of S-100. However, the cytoplasmic extension of the Sertoli cells in S100-, staining showed less staining intensity compared with that of S-100. S100-, showed a positive staining only in the modified Sertoli cells of the terminal segment of the seminiferous tubule. Endothelial cells of blood vessels were also positive with the proteins while the Leydig and spermatogenic cells showed a negative reaction. The localization of S-100 in the testis of the water buffalo was in parallel with that of other artiodactyls which supports the hypothesis that this protein is a multifunctional protein. S100-, in the Sertoli cells suggests that this protein is involved in establishing blood,testis barrier. Its presence in the modified Sertoli cells and in the epithelium of the excurrent ducts suggest secretory and absorptive function, respectively. Meanwhile, S100-,, which was detected only in the modified Sertoli cells, is involved in the secretory activity of these cells that are related to exocrine function. [source]

Y-chromosomal variation confirms independent domestications of swamp and river buffalo

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2010
M. Yindee
Summary Y-chromosomal variation in the water buffalo was analysed by sequencing of DBY, ZFY and SRY gene segments. A clear separation of the paternal lineages of the river and swamp types parallels the differences between their maternal lineages and nuclear DNA. Sequence divergence was found to be comparable to the divergence of taurine cattle and zebu, and this divergence predated domestication, confirming that river and swamp buffalo originated from different wild populations. Within a sample of 23 Thai swamp buffaloes, we identified four haplotypes with different geographical distributions, two of which were shared by Thai wild buffaloes. [source]

Genetic diversity in farm animals , a review

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2010
L. F. Groeneveld
Summary Domestication of livestock species and a long history of migrations, selection and adaptation have created an enormous variety of breeds. Conservation of these genetic resources relies on demographic characterization, recording of production environments and effective data management. In addition, molecular genetic studies allow a comparison of genetic diversity within and across breeds and a reconstruction of the history of breeds and ancestral populations. This has been summarized for cattle, yak, water buffalo, sheep, goats, camelids, pigs, horses, and chickens. Further progress is expected to benefit from advances in molecular technology. [source]

Polymorphisms in MHC- DRA and - DRB alleles of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) reveal different features from cattle DR alleles

Eating and rumination behaviour in Brahman grade cattle and crossbred water buffalo fed on high roughage diet

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2010
Renato S. A. VEGA
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to compare feeding and other behavior and nutrient digestibility of tropical grade Brahman (body weight (BW) = 231 kg ± 12.4; n = 3) and crossbred water buffalo (BW = 300 kg ± 13.9; n = 3). This experiment on digestibility and measures of muscles of mastication utilized one-way, and animal behavior two-way, analysis of variance, respectively. Two video camcorders were installed in each pair of buffalo and Brahman for 24 h period programmed on the 107th, 109th and 111th days of the digestion trials. Frequency and duration of feeding, meal intake, rumination, bolus, chews, drinking, defecating, standing and lying were recorded daily. Muscle diameter of Digastricus, Masseter and Pterygoid and different regions of the tongue were sampled and measured under light microscope using a standard micrometer. Buffalo obtained significantly higher intake of dry matter, roughage, crude protein, total digestible nutrient and metabolized energy than Brahman. This was supported by longer meal duration (P , 0.05), and shorter meal breaks (P , 0.05) of buffalo than Brahman. The diameter of the muscles for mastication was bigger (P , 0.05) in buffalo than in Brahman, which is indicative of stronger chewing ability. Briefly, lesser and slower chewing action; higher intake of roughage and crude protein; and longer resting behavior of crossbred water buffalo than Brahman are all indicative of better digestive and metabolic performance of the buffalo under high roughage feeding conditions. [source]

Impact of feral water buffalo and fire on growth and survival of mature savanna trees: An experimental field study in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia

AUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2005
PATRICIA A. WERNER
Abstract The impact of feral Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and season of fire on growth and survival of mature trees was monitored over 8 years in the eucalypt savannas of Kakadu National Park. Permanently marked plots were paired on either side of a 25-km-long buffalo-proof fence at three locations on an elevational gradient, from ridge-top to the edge of a floodplain; buffalo were removed from one side of the fence. All 750 trees ,,1.4 m height were permanently marked; survival and diameter of each tree was measured annually; 26 species were grouped into four eco-taxonomic groups. The buffalo experiment was maintained for 7 years; trees were monitored an additional year. Fires were excluded from all sites the first 3 years, allowed to occur opportunistically for 4 years and excluded for the final year. Fires were of two main types: low-intensity early dry season and high-intensity late dry season. Growth rates of trees were size-specific and positively related to diameters as exponential functions; trees grew slowest on the two ends of the gradient. Eucalypt mortality rates were 1.5 and 3 times lower than those of pantropics and of arborescent monocots, respectively, but the relative advantage was lost with fires or buffalo grazing. Without buffalo grazing, ground level biomass was 5,8 t ha,1 compared with 2,3 t ha,1, within 3 years. In buffalo-absent plots, trees grew significantly slower on the dry ridge and slope, and had higher mortality across the entire gradient, compared with trees in buffalo-present plots. At the floodplain margin, mortality of small palms was higher in buffalo-present sites, most likely due to associated heavy infestations of weeds. Low-intensity fires produced tree growth and mortality values similar to no-fire, in general, but, like buffalo, provided a ,fertilization' effect for Eucalyptus miniata and Eucalyptus tetrodonta, increasing growth in all size classes. High-intensity fires reduced growth and increased mortality of all functional groups, especially the smallest and largest (>35 cm d.b.h.) trees. When buffalo and fires were excluded in the final year, there were no differences in growth or mortality between paired sites across the environmental gradient. After 8 years, the total numbers of trees in buffalo-absent plots were only 80% of the number in buffalo-present plots, due to relatively greater recruitment of new trees in buffalo-present plots; fire-sensitive pantropics were particularly disadvantaged. Since the removal of buffalo is disadvantageous, at least over the first years, to savanna tree growth and survival due to a rebound effect of the ground-level vegetation and subsequent changes in fire-vegetation interactions, process-orientated management aimed at reducing fuel loads and competitive pressure may be required in order to return the system to a previous state. The ,footprint' of 30 years of heavy grazing by buffalo has implications for the interpretation of previous studies on fire-vegetation dynamics and for current research on vegetation change in these savannas. [source]

The accumulation of ,-Tocopherol and Retinol in the milk of water buffalo is correlated with the plasma levels of triiodothyronine

BIOFACTORS, Issue 3-4 2003
M. S. Spagnuolo
Abstract Milk is the most important source of Retinol and ,-Tocopherol for calves. These antioxidants save the food quality and prevent lipid oxidation in the mammary gland and the calf growing tissues. In Bubalus bubalis, seasonal changes for the plasma levels of both antioxidants were not found. The levels of Retinol and ,-Tocopherol in the milk were 2 and 1.7 times higher in winter than in summer, respectively. These levels were correlated with the plasma level of triiodothyronine, and markedly increased in cows injected with triiodothyronine in summer. The cytosol from alveolar epithelial cells of mammary glands was incubated with ,-Tocopherol and 3H-Retinol and, after gel filtration chromatography, both antioxidants were found associated with proteins migrating as a single peak of 33 kD. The amount of ,-Tocopherol and Retinol binding proteins was 1.5 and 2.3 times higher in winter than in summer respectively. The Retinol binding proteins migrated as two bands (33 and 16 kD) by electrophoresis in denaturing and reducing conditions. Our data suggest that triiodothyronine enhances the transport of both liposoluble antioxidants through the blood-mammary barrier, and demonstrate that proteins of the mammary epithelial cells are involved in such a transport. [source]