Effect of two different source of forage on the organic matter digestibility in Mediterranean Italian Buffalo cows

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of two different source of forage (haysilage and hay) during the lactation on organic matter digestibility (OMD) in buffalo cows. Lactating buffaloes (n = 40) at 29.6 days in milk (DIM) were equally divided as function of previous milk yield into Group 1 (meadow hay, n = 20) and Group 2 [haysilage (Lolium multiflorum), n = 20]. The diets were isoenergetic [0.92 milk unit forage (MUF) on dry matter basis] and isoproteic (16.2 % crude protein on dry matter basis) and administred as total mixed ration (TMR). From all the buffaloes, for each group and in two sampling time (first sampling, DIM = 74.0 and second sampling, DIM = 129.0) the faeces were collected in order to evaluate the in vivo digestibility. Overall the trial, the subjects fed haysilage showed higher OMD than those fed hay (66.1 vs 45.7; P<0.01), moreover the in vivo digestibility was affected by the DIM, in particular in the group fed hay (40.6 vs 53.4; P<0.0001, respectively). This work underlines the importance of the administration of the haysilage (Lolium multiflorum) as source of high quality forage because it gives, overall the lactation, more nutritive principles compared with meadow hay

Follicular dynamics in synchronized Italian Mediterranean buffalo cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate the length and the characteristics of the oestrous cycle in Italian Mediterranean buffalo cows, undergone synchronization of ovulation. The trial was performed on 32 buffaloes synchronized by the Ovsynch Program, which consists of an injection of GnRH on day 0, PGF2&alpha; on day 7 and GnRH on day 9. Starting on day 10 (Day 0 of the new cycle). Buffaloes undergone ultrasound examination of the ovaries on alternate days until the following heat. Follicular growth and corpus luteum formation and dimensions were recorded as well as the number of follicular waves. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Four animals (12.5%) did not show signs of oestrous and were excluded from the trial. The mean length of the oestrous cycle was 23.7&plusmn;3.4 days. In particular, 1 animal (3.6%) showed an oestrous cycle characterized by 1 follicular wave with a length of 16 days, 17 subjects (60.7%) showed 2 follicular waves with a cycle length of 22.4&plusmn;2.3 days and 10 buffaloes (35.7%) showed 3 follicular waves with a cycle of 26.8&plusmn;2.0 days. These results confirm previous reports performed in buffalo species, although the cycle resulted longer in the 3-waves group

Strategies to reduce embryonic mortality in buffalo cows

The aim of the present study was to examine whether treatment with a GnRH agonist, hCG or P4 on Day 25 after AI increased P4 concentrations and reduced the incidence of embryonic mortality (EM) in pregnant buffaloes mated in mid-winter in a Mediterranean environment. The trial was carried out in two farms characterized, in previous years, by low (LEM Group), 153 buffaloes (DIM=150±7 days), and high (HEM Group), 284 buffaloes (DIM=163±5 days), incidence of embryo mortality. Animals were synchronized by Ovsynch-TAI Program and artificially inseminated. On day 25, pregnant buffaloes were randomly assigned to four groups: Control (no treatment), GnRH agonist (buserelin acetate, 12.6 μg), hCG (1500 IU) and P4 (341 mg of P4 i.m. every 4 days for three times). Progesterone (pg/ml) was determined in milk whey on Days 10, 20 and 25 after AI in all buffaloes and in Days 30 and 45 only in buffaloes pregnant on day 25 and assigned to four groups of treatment. Pregnancy diagnosis was undertaken on Day 45 by ultrasound. All treatments increased P4 milk whey and reduced embryonic mortality in buffalo cows bred in the farm characterized by high EM

Adhesion molecules in gamete transport, fertilization, early embryonic development, and implantation—role in establishing a pregnancy in cattle: A review

Cell–cell adhesion molecules have critically important roles in the early events of reproduction including gamete transport, sperm–oocyte interaction, embryonic development, and implantation. Major adhesion molecules involved in reproduction include cadherins, integrins, and disintegrin and metalloprotease domain-containing (ADAM) proteins. ADAMs on the surface of sperm adhere to integrins on the oocyte in the initial stages of sperm–oocyte interaction and fusion. Cadherins act in early embryos to organize the inner cell mass and trophectoderm. The trophoblast and uterine endometrial epithelium variously express cadherins, integrins, trophinin, and selectin, which achieve apposition and attachment between the elongating conceptus and uterine epithelium before implantation. An overview of the major cell–cell adhesion molecules is presented and this is followed by examples of how adhesion molecules help shape early reproductive events. The argument is made that a deeper understanding of adhesion molecules and reproduction will inform new strategies that improve embryo survival and increase the efficiency of natural mating and assisted breeding in cattle

Relationship of body condition score and blood urea and ammonia to pregnancy in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes

The relationship of body condition score ( BCS) and blood urea and ammonia to pregnancy outcome was examined in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows mated by AI. The study was conducted on 150 buffaloes at 145 +/- 83 days in milk that were fed a diet comprising 14.8% crude protein, 0.9 milk forage units . kg(-1) dry matter and a non- structural carbohydrate/ crude protein ratio of 2.14. The stage of the oestrous cycle was synchronised by the Ovsynch- TAI programme and blood urea and ammonia levels were assessed on the day of AI. Energy corrected milk ( ECM) production and BCS were recorded bi- weekly. The pregnancy risk was 46.7% and was slightly lower in buffaloes with BCS 7.5. There were no significant differences in ECM, urea and ammonia between pregnant and non- pregnant buffaloes. However, pregnancy outcome was higher ( P = 0.02) in buffaloes with blood urea < 6.83 mmol . L-1. The likelihood of pregnancy for buffaloes with low urea blood level was 2.6 greater than for high urea level and exposure to a high urea level lowered the probability of pregnancy by about 0.25. The findings indicate that buffaloes are similar to cattle and increased blood levels of urea are associated with reduced fertility when animals are mated by AI

Detection of Brucella abortus DNA and RNA in different stages of development of the sucking louse Haematopinus tuberculatus

Background: Brucellosis is considered the world’s most widespread zoonotic infection. It causes abortion and sterility in livestock leading to serious economic losses and has even more serious medical impact in humans, since it can be a trigger to more than 500,000 infections per year worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Haematopinus tuberculatus, a louse that can parasitize several ruminants, as a new host of brucellosis. Louse specimens were collected from seropositive and seronegative water buffaloes and divided in 3 developmental stages: adults, nymphs and nits. All samples were separately screened for Brucella spp. DNA and RNA detection by Real Time PCR. In particular, primers and probes potentially targeting the 16S rRNA and the Brucella Cell Surface 31 kDalton Protein (bcsp31) genes were used for Real Time PCR and buffalo β actin was used as a housekeeping gene to quantify host DNA in the sample. A known amount of B. abortus purified DNA was utilized for standard curve preparation and the target DNA amount was divided by the housekeeping gene amount to obtain a normalized target value. A further molecular characterization was performed for Brucella strain typing and genotyping by the Bruce-ladder, AMOS-PCR and MLVA assays. Data were statistically analysed by ANOVA. Results: Brucella abortus DNA and RNA were detected in all developmental stages of the louse, suggesting the presence of viable bacteria. Data obtained by MLVA characterization support this finding, since the strains present in animals and the relative parasites were not always identical, suggesting bacterial replication. Furthermore, the detection of Brucella DNA and RNA in nits samples demonstrate, for the first time, a trans-ovarial transmission of the bacterium into the louse. Conclusions: These findings identified H. tuberculatus as a new host of brucellosis. Further studies are needed to establish the role of this louse in the epidemiology of the disease, such as vector or reservoir

embryonic mortality in buffalo naturally mated

The aim of this work was to evaluate the incidence of embryonic mortality in three different period of year in buffaloes naturally mated. The trial was carried out in a buffalo farm located in Caserta province between 2000-2006. In this period were registered natural insemination on 200 buffaloes. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out on Day 30, confirmed on Day 45 and every 15th days until 90 days after natural mating. Buffaloes that were pregnant on Day 30 but not on Day 45 or Day 90 were considered to have undergone embryonic (EM) or fetal mortality (FM) respectively. EM and FM were 8.8% and 13.4% respectively throughout the experimental period. A high incidence (P<0.01) of FM was found in the transitional period (December-March) than in other months of the year. The incidence of embryonic mortality was significantly (P<0.01) higher between 28-60 days of gestation and lower after 71 day of gestation. The higher fetal mortality found in this study could be due the lower serum levels of progesterone normally found in transitional period in buffalo cows

Mediterranean river buffalo oxytocin-neurophysin I (OXT) gene: structure, promoter analysis and allele detection

Oxytocin (OXT) is a very abundant nonapeptide neurohypophysial hormone implicated in several aspects of reproduction, including social, sexual and maternal behaviour, induction of labour and milk ejection. The nucleotide sequence of the whole OXTneurophysin I encoding gene (OXT) in Mediterranean river buffalo was determined, plus 993 nucleotides at the 5' flanking region. Buffalo oxytocin gene sequence analysis showed two transitions in the promoter region (C→T in position – 966 and G→A in position – 790) and one transversion G→T at the 170th nucleotide of the second exon, responsible for the Arg97→Leu aa substitution which identifies an allele named OXT B. A PCR-RFLP based method for a rapid identification of carriers of these alleles has been developed

A Multi-Analytical Diagnostic on an Outdoor Wall Painting: The Study on the Déesis of St. Maria Annunziata’s Church, Motta San Giovanni (Reggio Calabria, Italy)

This article concerns the diagnostic campaign aimed at analyzing the mural painting representing the iconographic theme of the Deesis of the Church of St. Maria Annunziata, Motta San Giovanni, in the province of Reggio Calabria. In 1951, a flood caused the collapse of the building and the consequent breaking of the apse into two parts. The present study focused on the left side of the apse, hosting the figures of Christ and Mary, in order to plan the best conservation intervention strategy. For this purpose, non-invasive investigations and laboratory analytical methods were conducted in order to characterize the constituent materials and to identify the forms of alteration and degradation present on the surface of the painting. In particular, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled to the chemical analysis by an EDS probe, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and ion chromatography were employed. The results highlighted the presence of a single layer of plaster made with a lime-based binder. The chromatic palette of the painting is characterized by ochres and carbon black mixed with lime to obtain the different shades. Finally, the definition of the nature of the deposits and of the overlaid materials was fundamental in order to identify the best products and methods to restore the readability of the work