The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is considered an efficient converter of poor quality forages into high quality milk and meat. This species is ubiquitous, with prevalence though in Asian and Mediterranean countries. From a genetic standpoint, the species is characterized by two main subspecies: river and swamp type. The former to be found predominantly in Mediterranean countries, whereas the latter is found only in the Asia continent. At present, the majority of the total world buffalo population is distributed in Asia, holding around 97% of the available stock. There, animals are mostly fed on low quality roughages and crop residues with poor nutritive value, resulting inevitably in reduced productive and reproductive performances. A distinctive differential production system is in effect between river and swamp type buffaloes, due to a significant production capacity of the two sub-species. An overview of production systems and their sustainability in the two sub-species with an emphasis on country of origin and feed availability is presented.

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This study was designed to adopt in vitro embryo production (IVP) protocol using abattoir ovary. Ovaries were collected from local abattoir; cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) were aspirated from 3 to 8 mm diameter follicles using a 10 ml disposable syringe attached with a 21G needle. The COCs were selected based on morphological characteristics and selected COCs were transferred into in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for 22 to 24 hrs. The matured COC were fertilized in vitro (IVF) using fresh semen capacitated through incubation with heparin sodium salt (20 ?g/ml). After IVF, the presumed denuded zygotes were cultured in in vitro culture medium-I (IVC-I) for 3 days. After 3 days, the ?8 cell embryos were transferred into IVC-II medium until day 8 of embryonic development (day 0: day of IVF). Cleavage and blastocyst development rates were evaluated at day 3 and day 7. The maturation rates of COC were examined through detection of first polar body and cumulus cell expansion. Results showed that 74.16 ± 5.49% of the total immature COCs were matured as detected by the presence of first polar body. The diameter of matured COC was 2.21 times higher than that of the immature COC. Moreover, about 64.30 ± 6.71% COC showed full expansion of their cumulus cell. The cleavage rate of presumed zygotes was 62.05 ± 7.07%. Among the cleaved embryos, 26.67 ± 11.78%, 10.84 ± 6.13%, 22.51 ± 9.57% and 39.98 ± 5.25% embryos were at 2-, 4-, 8- and 16 to 32-cell embryonic stages, respectively at day 3. Blastocyst development rates were 14.95 ± 4.39%. This study inferred that the BLRI adopted culture system supports development of bovine embryo in vitro.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (1): 31-35

The study was c o n d u c t e d to standardize t h e desire level of papaya (Carica papaya) latex on quality of cottage cheese prepared from buffalo milk. Cheese sample was prepared using whole milk collected from Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd. Dairy farm. This experiment was conducted on five treatments named as sample BC2: buffalo control; A2: 5 drops (0.16g); B2: 6 drops (0.18g); C2: 7 drops (0.21g); and D2: 8 drop (0.24g). Overall score of cheese samples, B2 was highest (91.67±0.58) and A2 was lowest (77.67±9.29). Chemical analysis showed that, highest protein value 24.00±1.00 was found in B2 and lowest value 21.00±1.00 was in C2. On the other hand C2 content the maximum fat percent18.00±1.00 and A2 content the minimum fat percent 12.00±1.00. Results indicate that carbohydrate, ash and acidity have significant differences (p<0.01) but non-significant difference was found in total solids and moisture. Cheese from buffalo milk on coagulation time significantly different (p<0.01) but non-significant differences was found in yield.

The chemical and bacteriological qualities of popular Dahi collected from six areas of Bangladesh were evaluated. The areas were Dhaka (Savar), Rajshahi (Bogra), Khulna, Barishal (Gauronadi), Chittagong (Comilla) and Sylhet. Traditionally made 24 Dahi samples, 4 in each area, were collected and analyzed for chemical and bacteriological qualities. Acidity, pH, ash and protein content of Dahi were found insignificant difference among the samples of different areas. However, significance differences in chemical parameters (fat and sugar) were observed. The higher total viable bacteria and coliform count were found in Bogra region. An overall analysis of the results of this study revealed that the Dahi collected from selected areas were of acceptable quality. However, their sugar and ash content were very high.http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v41i1.11977

Article History JEL Classification: M31Livestock is the premier animal protein supply cradle to human dietary menu and milk is considered as one of the best diets for human nutrition. Gap between demand for and supply of milk is acute in the country. Triggering these views, the study taken objectives were to estimate profitability of milk production and to determine value addition at different levels of milk marketing. Study areas were selected from three districts namely Panchagarh, Chittagong and Sylhet, purposively considering the representation of normal milk available area, milk pocket area and milk deficit area. Total sample size was 390 (300 farmers and 90 traders). Simple random sampling technique was followed for selecting the respondents. Field survey method was adopted to collect primary data from January to March/2016. The study reveals that the production cost of milk for cross-bred cattle was estimated BDT 43,673/ ton. Per ton net return was estimated for cross-bred cattle BDT 2,543. Average gross margin and net margin per 100 liters of milk for milkmen was estimated BDT 5,479 and BDT 969, respectively. In case of sweet seller, average gross margin and net margin per 100 liters of milk (equivalent to 67 kg sweets) were estimated BDT 11,888 and BDT 4,875, respectively. For tea sellers, average gross margin and net margin was also estimated BDT 12,537 and BDT 6,194, respectively. It was observed that value chain actors i.e. milkmen, sweet seller and tea seller added value. On average, milkmen added value 29%, sweet seller 150% and tea seller 175%. Contribution/ Originality:This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the current status of profitability of milk production and its marketing channels where various market actors are involved. It has also estimated the marketing margins and value addition of by the actors.

Abstract:The 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cisRA) enhances early embryonic development in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of 9-cisRA in the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on embryo development efficiency and embryo quality. For this purpose, immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) collected from slaughterhouse derived bovine ovaries were matured in three different IVM media (control group, DMSO group and DMSO+RA group). In the control group, base IVM medium were used without supplementation of 9-cisRA and DMSO. In the DMSO group, base IVM medium was supplemented with 0.5 µl DMSO per ml IVM medium without 9-cisRA. In DMSO+RA group, base medium was supplemented with 5 nm 9-cisRA dissolved in 0.5 µl DMSO. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA method and means were compared using Duncan's multiple range test. Results showed that, supplementation of 9-cisRA in the maturation medium has no effect on embryonic development uptocleavage stage. However, blastocyst development rates (P>0.01), total blastomere number (P> 0.01), number of apoptotic blastomere per blastocyst (P>0.05) and percent of apoptotic blastomere per blastocyst (P>0.05) were significantly influences by 9-cisRA. In conclusion, 9-cisRA may be supplemented into the maturation medium for increasing bovinein vitro blastocyst development efficiency and blastocyst quality.