This paper provides a short review of the scientific literature, focusing on recent advances on the most representative events from birth to weaning, with special emphasis on the behavior and welfare of buffalo calves during the phases of imprinting, suckling and allosucking, based on the differences and similarities reported with dairy and beef cattle. The similarities include the facts that all 3 are gregarious animals whose dams separate from the herd prior to parturition to facilitate dam-calf bonding, and that maternal care fosters the ingestion of colostrum by the young. These species are also precocial and rely on mother – young mutual recognition for calf survival. In particular, mothers develop a selective bonding with their young soon after parturition, although buffalo cows seem to be tolerant to alien claves and are often engaged in communal nursing. In buffaloes and cattle negative emotions are induced by the stress brought on by early maternal separation. However, buffalo calves are more prone to express cross-sucking and contract neonatal diseases with higher mortality rates in intensive systems as compared to cattle. The review concludes that all three exhibit similar behaviors from parturition to weaning although the knowledge about the specific needs of buffalo calves should be increased and appropriate management practices implemented to improve their welfare state.

The river buffalo is an emerging production species worldwide; indeed, it is overtaking other cattle as a producer of meat and milk in some countries. Though both species belong to the Bovidae family, they show significant anatomical, physiological, and behavioral differences due to their different phylogenetic positions. The river buffalo is a rustic animal that can benefit from low-quality, fibrous forages due to its digestive system, in contrast to beef cattle or dairy cows. Besides, the buffalo cow's reproductive apparatus has fewer cervical muscle rings and a shorter vagina and cervix. This species has maintained its seasonal breeding pattern, also in contrast to Bos indicus and Bos taurus. Even though buffaloes have an inefficient thermoregulating system, scarce hair, and a thicker epidermis, they are more resistant to tropical weather conditions if water for wallowing is available than dairy cows, which in turn adapt better to temperate zones. Due to the morphology of the river buffalo's mammary glands, they produce less milk, while their conical teats with narrower sphincters decrease predisposition to mastitis compared to dairy cows. Thus, the study of the anatomical and physiological differences among river buffalo, Bos Taurus, and Bos Indicus will allow the implementation of strategies to improve the former's productivity while also increasing welfare levels according to the production system in which they are raised.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate in 111 ejaculates from fertile men membrane integrity of spermatozoa before selection and sperm motility, and sperm concentration and chromatin integrity before and after selection of motile spermatozoa. METHODS: We evaluated the membrane integrity (using hypoosmotic swelling test and Eosin-Y) before separation and chromatin integrity (using acridine orange), concentration and motility before and after separation by migration sedimentation technique. All individuals had pregnant wives or had procreated a baby during the last year. Resumen.-OBJETIVO: El fin del presente estudio fue evaluar en 111 eyaculados de individuos fértiles la in

No abstract

This review seeks to integrate recent scientific findings on the behaviour of buffalo cows in different production systems. These issues are discussed in relation to the level of welfare that buffalo cows experience under different production systems. In extensive conditions, the level of welfare is high because the animals are free to express natural behaviours related to feeding (grazing, ruminating) and rest. In contrast, intensified livestock-raising methods and techniques (machine-milking, artificial breeding etc.), first developed for dairy cattle are increasingly being used with water buffaloes in order to increase milk production. Greater knowledge of the biology of dairy buffaloes in aspects linked to physiology, behaviour, and health, together with needed adjustments to their production systems, will indicate options for improving the levels of comfort and welfare of these animals and contribute to increasing the efficiency of this type of dairy production. It is necessary to appreciate the importance of welfare within the entire chain of animal production since each of the scientific aspects considered in this manuscript reflects that animal welfare is not an absolute term, but multidisciplinary, with direct consequences on productivity. The welfare of animals in the production systems must be considered with the aim of ensuring an adequate nutritional, clinical, sanitary and behavioural status of the animals. When these aspects are achieved, production can be maximized and, for this reason, it is essential to maintain a balance between welfare and productivity.

Although the effect of maternal age on fertility is well known, it is unclear whether paternal age also affects fertility. The aim of this retrospective study was to establish an association between the age of the individuals from Medellin, Colombia with semen volume, rapid progressive motility (a), total progressive motility (a + b) and concentration. We evaluated semen volume using a graduated tube, progressive motility using light microscopy (40 x) and sperm concentration using a Makler Chamber. Semen samples were grouped according to age into three arbitrary groups (or= to 40 years). The semen volume, rapid progressive motility (a) and total progressive motility (a + b), concentration and total sperm count were found to be inversely related to age (p < 0.05). The reduction in semen parameters of 1364 men attending an andrology center was associated with increasing age of the individuals.

One of the most important challenges facing today's society is feeding a growing world population. This review aims to examine the available information to assess the potential of river buffalo as a meat producer with a focus on the sustainability of the supply chain and on meat quality in terms of nutritional and sensory properties. Traditionally, buffalo meat came from old, culled animals in rural agricultural regions where animals were slaughtered at the end of their productive life as dairy or draught animals. Therefore, the meat had low quality. However, when younger animals are used, buffalo meat is generally well appreciated by consumers. Buffaloes can adapt to different production systems and convert poor-quality high fiber feedstuffs into high-quality products, including meat, with a lower degree of competition with human nutrition. In addition, although requiring more land, extensive production systems may have lower environmental impacts due to the low inputs used in the productive process and show higher levels of animal welfare. Although weight gains and dressing percentages are generally lower than in cattle, the meat is characterized by better nutritional properties (low fat and cholesterol contents, high-quality protein, and unsaturated fatty acids). In addition, the use of appropriate production systems might improve its sensory properties. Therefore, buffalo meat may be considered a good option to meet the increasing demand for food for human consumption.

<p>La caracterización genética del ganado criollo colombiano (gcc) ha demostrado el valor de estas razas en los sistemas productivos tropicales, lo que ha despertado el interés para desarrollar programas de conservación y multiplicación. Se adelantó un estudio de análisis genético con las siete razas de ganado criollo colombiano, (rgcc): Blanco Orejinegro (BON), Romosinuano (R), Costeño Con Cuernos (CCC), Sanmartinero (SM), Chino Santandereano (Ch), Hartón del Valle (H) y Casanareño (Ca), utilizando el Cebú (C) como control, con el objeto de evaluar su diversidad genética y relaciones filogenéticas. Se usaron 7 microsatélites (STR) para establecer las distancias genéticas amplificadas mediante PCR. El tamaño de los loci se definió mediante marcaje con ɣ³² P seguido de un pase en geles de poliacrilamida (PAGE) o marcados con fluorescencia y electroforesis capilar. Los datos se analizaron usando los programas Genepop, GDA y Phylip. El número promedio de alelos por locus fue de 8,9 y Ia heterocigosidad promedia observada fue de o,52. El árbol filogenético construido con el programa Phylip, empleando la distancia de Nei y el algoritmo de Neighbour-joining, agrupó en dos las gcc. En el grupo uno las razas: BON, SM, R, CCC y H; y en el grupo dos las razas: Ch, Ca y C. Los resultados de evaluación filogenética de las gcc indicaron que existe diversidad genética adecuada en estas razas para programas de mejoramiento genético; sin embargo, se recomienda continuar el estudio con un mayor número de marcadores genéticos.</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>Diversity and Phylogenetic Relations of Colombian Criollo Cattle.</strong></p><p>Studies of genetic characterisation of Colombian criollo cattle (gcc) has shown the value of these breeds in tropical production systems; consequently attention is noticeably growing to develop conservation and multiplication programs. A genetic analysis study was conducted including the seven criollo cattle breeds: Blanco Orejinegro (BON), Romosinuano (R), Costeño Con Cuernos (CCC), Sanmartinero (SM), Chino Santandereano (Ch), Hartón del Valle (H) and Casanareño (C), using Cebu as external control breed, with the purpose to evaluate genetic diversity and philogenetic relations. Seven microsatellite (STR) were used to detect length variations amplified by the PCR and sized by means of ɣ³² P, runned in PAGE or tagged with a fluorescent dye and electrophoresis. Data were analysed using Genepop, GDA and Phylip programs. Mean number of alleles by loci were 8.9 and mean heterozygocity was o.52. The phylogenetic tree developed using Phylip program, the Nei's distance and the neighbour-joining aglorithm grouped in two the gcc. Group one included: Bon, SM, R,CCC and H, and the second group included Ch, Ca, C. Results of the phylogenetic relations of gcc showed that these breeds have adequate genetic diversity for breeding Programs; however we suggest to carry out studies including higher number of genetic markers.</p>