<div><strong>Background:</strong> The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of floor enrichment with rubber mattress of calving pen on prepartum calving behaviour of Tharparkar cow during the winter season.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> A total 28 Tharparkar cows were taken in study during winter season (November to March) and divided into two groups each contain 14 animals. One group placed in floor enriched with rubber mattress and other group kept on bare concrete floor calving pen. Preparturient behaviours like lying time, standing time, lying bout duration, number of lying bouts, rumination time ,rumination bouts, self grooming and frequency of self grooming were evaluated on -12 hr, -7<sup>th</sup> day, -14<sup>th</sup> day and -21<sup>st</sup> day prepartum for period of 12 hr in a day. Repeated Meausures ANOVA was used for the analysis of the data.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> It was found that lying time, lying bout duration was significantly more in rubber mattress group as compare to concrete floor. However, 12 hr before parturition standing time was significantly high compare to any other observational day within the group. Similarly, rubber mattress had positive effect on rumination time, lying duration and self grooming frequency as compare to bare concrete floor. It was concluded that rubber mattress had beneficial effect in calving pen of Tharparkar cow during winter season due to its softness and insulating property. It provided comfort and warmth to the parturient cows. which was evident by increase in rumination time, more lying duration and reduced self grooming frequency.</div>


<p>Effect of Floor Enrichment with Rubber Mattress of Calving Pen on Prepartum Behaviour of Tharparkar Cow during Winter Season</p>


<div style="text-align: justify;">The blood glucose and the plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were estimated during extended transition period (56 days prepartum to 84 days postpartum) in relation to body condition scores in 26 purebred Sahiwal cows, 13 cows each from two farms i.e. the BMEF and CBF, Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh. BMEF herd concentrate was not fed to the animals during prepartum stage. In BMEF, the mean BCS at periodical intervals was significantly less than that of CBF herd throughout the transition period. The postpartum mean unit loss in BCS of the cows of BMEF herd (0.54&plusmn;0.09) was significantly higher than that of CBF cows (0.52&plusmn;0.09). The unit change in BCS was higher in magnitude till 42 days post partum in the cows of BMEF whereas it was lower in the cows of CBF. &nbsp;Non significantly higher mean blood glucose concentration was observed in the cows of BMEF (61.46&plusmn;16 mg/dl) than the cows of CBF. &nbsp;The blood glucose level in both the herds was lower than as fore set range. The post partum mean NEFA concentration (0.138&plusmn;0.015 mM/l) were significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than prepartum mean NEFA concentration (0.089&plusmn;0.11mM/l) in BMEF cows however in CBF cows it remained same and differed non significantly. The overall mean plasma NEFA concentration in BMEF (0.116&plusmn;0.010 mM/l) were significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than those of CBF (0.050&plusmn;0.005 mM/l). In the cows of BMEF, NEFA value was higher than that of CBF and hence indicated a trend of reduction in BCS after calving. During prepartum period in BMEF and CBF cows, blodd glucose and plasma NEFA were negatively (with low &ldquo;r&rdquo;) correlated with BCS.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Changes in blood glucose and plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in relation to body condition scores in periparturient purebred Sahiwal cows&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant Jaffarabadi buffaloes (n=40) of 2-4 parity selected on an organized farm were divided equally into control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 150-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 6 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and PGF2a metabolites on days -45, -30, -7, 0, +7, +15, +30, +45 and +60 peripartum as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. Half of the buffaloes in both the groups also received parenteral microminerals (Inj. Stimvet 5 ml i/m) twice, 45 days before and on the day of calving. Again half of them were treated with ecbolic (Exapar) 2 boli bid for first 4 days postpartum. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;4 ng/ml) on day 45 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 7 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 15, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 30, 45 and 60 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 7 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 45 and 60 postpartum. The levels of cortisol were significantly higher on the day of parturition as compared to values on day 7 pre- and post-partum. The plasma concentration of PGFM was low on day 45 prepartum, which increased gradually and significantly by almost 10-folds to reach peak values on the day of calving in both control and treatment groups and then declined gradually and significantly till day 45 postpartum. The rise was little more in nutrients supplemented group with higher mean values at most intervals peripartum than in control group. The periods for uterine involution, first postpartum estrus, and days open were significantly shorter with higher conception rate in nutrient supplemented group. It is concluded that the peripartum nutrient supplementation in Jaffarabadi buffaloes is beneficial and has positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma progesterone and PGFM profile.</div>

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

<div style="text-align: justify;">Advanced pregnant healthy HF crossbred cows (n=20) of 2-4 parity were equally divided in to control (routine farm feeding-RFF) and treatment/nutrients supplementation (RFF + bypass fat @ 100-200 g/h/d and ASMM @ 50 g/h/d) groups and were studied from 2 wks prepartum to 8 wks postpartum for plasma profile of steroid hormones and metabolites on days -14, -3, 0, +3, +14, +28 and +42 as well as for puerperal events and postpartum fertility. The mean plasma progesterone values were maximum (&gt;6 ng/ml) on day 14 prepartum, which declined significantly (p&lt;0.01) on day 3 prepartum reached to the basal levels (&lt;1 ng/ml) on the day of calving, remained basal till day 14, and thereafter showed a rising trend on days 28 and 42 postpartum. The oestradiol-17b values were at its peak on the day of calving (p&lt;0.01), showed a rapid fall by day 3 postpartum and remained low till recrudesce of follicular activity around day 35 postpartum. However, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in either of the hormones, except on day 42 postpartum. The levels of cortisol and PGF2 a Metabolites (PGFM) were 3-8 times higher on the day of parturition as compared to values at day 14 pre- and postpartum, and declined further till day 42 postpartum reaching to prepartum levels. The plasma cholesterol gradually decreased as parturition approached and increased in postpartum days to reach the highest value (p&lt;0.01) at day 42. The nutrients supplemented cows had significantly (p&lt;0.01) higher plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol values than the control cows around parturition. However, no such variation was noted in plasma protein profile. The period of uterine involution in control and supplemented groups was identical (31.97&plusmn;1.82 and 30.27&plusmn;1.41 days), yet the cows in treatment group resumed estrous cycle earlier (38.00&plusmn;1.95 vs 42.32&plusmn;4.14 days, p&lt;0.05) and had shorter service period (85.22&plusmn;7.17 vs 100.67&plusmn;5.60 days) with improved pregnancy rate (80 vs 60 %) as compared to those in control group. Thus, the peripartum nutrient supplementation in crossbred cows was beneficial and had positive effect on the postpartum fertility and plasma cortisol, PGFM and cholesterol profile.</div>

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows&nbsp;

<div>The objective of this study was to determine the effect of close-up diets with increased ratios of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) to non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) on feeding behavior in transition cows. Thirty-nine dry cows were blocked, assigned randomly to three groups and fed diets with a low (1.07, LF), medium (1.41, MF) or high (2.08, HF) NDF:NFC ratio from 21 d prior to the expected day of calving. After parturition, all cows were fed the same diet for a further 35 d. The average DMI decreased as the ratio of NDF:NFC increased at -3 weeks (Wk) and -2 Wk and increased at +5 Wk (P&lt;0.05). The average daily feeding time was lower and the average feeding rate was higher (P&lt;0.05) for LF cows compared with MF and HF cows during prepartum. In conclusion, a prepartum diet with increased ratios of NDF:NFC decreased the DMI and feeding rate, increased daily feeding times and visits prepartum and was beneficial in increasing DMI postpartum.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Effects of Diets with Different Ratios of Neutral Detergent Fiber to Non-Fibrous Carbohydrates on Feeding Behavior in Transition Holstein Cows</div>


<p>Fourteen apparently healthy advanced pregnant Murrah buffaloes at 35 day prepartum were either maintained as per routine management practices (control group) or fed prilled fat (treatment group) @100g/d during the prepartum and @ 150g/d for a period of 95 days during the postpartum period. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals during different periods &nbsp;i.e. prepartum, day of parturition and postpartum by day 35 and thereafter at fortnightly intervals till day 120 of lactation. Haematological parameters, plasma glucose and lipid profile were analyzed by standard method of analysis. Red blood cell (RBC) number declined on the day of parturition and increased after the parturition (P&lt;0.01) in both the groups, however RBC count varied non - significantly between the groups. Haemoglobin (Hb) level was significantly more before parturition (P&lt; 0.05) and was low on the day of parturition. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) in the treatment group was higher (P&lt;0.01) on day of parturition in comparison to before and after parturition. Total leukocyte count (TLC) (P&lt;0.01) varied significantly before, during and after parturition. However, between group changes were non-significant (P&gt;0.05). Plasma glucose increased in the treatment group (P&lt;0.01) over the control group. Plasma cholesterol and HDL were increased in treatment group (P&lt;0.05) as compared to control group. However, triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels varied non-significantly (P&gt;0.05) between the groups. It was concluded that supplementation of prilled fat did not influence haematological parameters; however treated buffaloes had higher blood glucose, HDL and cholesterol levels.&nbsp;</p>


<p>Plasma lipid and haematological profile during transition period in&nbsp;Murrah buffaloes supplemented with prilled fat</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Body condition score (BCS) system is a subjective method to assess the body fat reserves particularly over the bony prominences like back and pelvic region. It is based on evaluation of the outer appearance of the animal that interacts with its body fat reserves and therefore is directly influenced by energy balance. Studies on the relationship between BCS and postpartum performance were meager in buffaloes. Hence, the present work was carried out to study the relationship between BCS at calving and postpartum performance in Murrah buffaloes.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> The effect of body condition score at calving (BCSc) on the postpartum performance was studied in 24 Murrah buffaloes grouped based on BCS, maintained at Buffalo Research Station during 2018-19.<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The study showed that buffaloes of BCSc above 3.5 with significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher body weights showed better reproductive performance compared to buffaloes of BCSc groups below 3.5 with less body weights. The prepartum and weekly postpartum changes in BCS studied showed that the buffaloes gained a BCS of 0.57 from 3 months prepartum to one week prepartum, lost 0.17 BCS due to calving, further showed a decline in BCS up to 9 weeks of postpartum and then started regaining BCS gradually until 18 weeks postpartum. The mean LBCS over the period of 18 weeks postpartum was comparatively higher (0.75&plusmn;0.05) than BCS restored in the early lactation which was shown as GBCS (0.34&plusmn;0.02). Buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5-3.99 showed the best reproduction performance among the four BCSc groups with less postpartum estrus period (46.66 days), service period (58.83 days), number of service per conception (1.50) and high rate of 1st service conception (66.66%).&nbsp;</div>


<p>Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Postpartum Performance of Murrah Buffaloes</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> The negative energy balance around calving and in early lactation is the major cause of increased incidence of postpartum metabolic disorders, reduced milk production and impaired reproductive performance. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of rumen protected choline, fat supplementation and Vit-E and selenium&nbsp; injections on plasma endocrine profile, postpartum productivity, fertility and economics in transitional Gir cows.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Forty advanced pregnant multiprous Gir cows of an organized farm were randomly distributed into five equal groups (T1 to T5; n=8 each) and were fed and managed individually from 30 days prepartum till 60 days postpartum. Cows in T1 (control) group were fed basal diet, while cows in treatment groups received basal diet + supplementation of rumen protected choline-RPC @ 45 g/d/cow (T2), rumen protected fat-RPF @ 80 g/d/cow from -30 to +15 days peripartum and then @ 10 g/kg milk yield (T3), RPC and RPF in combination @ as above (T4) and&nbsp; Inj. E-Care Se<sup>(R) </sup>10 ml i/m (Vit-E 500 mg and Se 15 mg) on days -30, -15, 0, +15, +30 and +45 peripartum (T5) along with blood samples for estimation of plasma levels of insulin, IGF1, PGFM, estradiol (E<sub>2</sub>), progesterone (P<sub>4</sub>) and cortisol. The puerperal events and fertility parameters were recorded till 10 months postpartum.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Result: </strong>The fortnightly plasma P<sub>4</sub> concentration decreased, while E<sub>2</sub>, PGFM and cortisol increased gradually and significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 30 days prepartum to day of calving and thereafter P<sub>4</sub>, E<sub>2</sub> and cortisol remained basal or very low, while PGFM decreased till 45-60 days postpartum, overall and in all groups. The treatment effect was significant (P&lt;0.01) only for E<sub>2</sub> and PGFM, with higher values of E<sub>2</sub> in T3 and T4 groups and of PGFM in T1 and T2 than in T5 group. The insulin and IGF1 concentrations fluctuated insignificantly during prepartum phase with significantly lowest values till 15 and 30 days postpartum and thereafter only IGF1 increased significantly by day 60 postpartum. The treatment effect was also significant at some intervals with overall highest values of both the metabolic hormones in T1 followed by T5 and T2 than T3 and T4 groups. The uterine involution was significantly earlier in all treatment groups than in control. The first heat postpartum (days) was significantly earlier in group T5 (33.6&plusmn;3.4), delayed in group T1 (63.5&plusmn;9.5) and intermediate in Group T2 to T4. The conception rates postpartum were 50.0, 75.0, 62.5, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups T1 to T5, respectively, with significantly reduced service period (days) in T5 (96.3&plusmn;14.6), followed by T2 (137.3&plusmn;11.2), than T1, T3 and T4 groups (187 to 214 days). The overall net returns over feed cost of milk yield and reduced service period in T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups over control T1 were Rs. +15898, +6150, +7165 and +24060, respectively. The findings reflected the beneficial and economic role of RPF alone or in combination with RPC and of Se + Vit E supplementation on peripartum endocrine profile and improved postpartum fertility in Gir cows.</div>


<p>Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance</p>


<div>The investigation was carried out to monitor changes in concentration of plasma adipokines in transition period of crossbred cows of high and medium body conditions during winter and summer seasons. For this study, 24 Karan-Fries cows, six each of medium body condition (MBC) and high body condition (HBC) were selected from National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) livestock research centre in both the seasons. Blood samples were collected on 21st, 15th and 7th day prepartum, on day of calving and on 7th, 15th and 21st days postpartum. Concentration of leptin, adiponectin and resistin were estimated. Body condition score differed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) between MBC and HBC cows in both the seasons. Body condition score (BCS) losses are higher in HBC cows as compared to MBC cows during early postpartum period in both the seasons. In winter as well as summer seasons, plasma levels of all the studied parameters were higher in HBC cows as compared to MBC cows. Plasma concentrations of leptin (P = 0.03) differed significantly between HBC and MBC cows. In summer mean value of adiponectin differed significantly (P &lt;0.05) between day of calving and postpartum period in HBC cows but in case of MBC cows the mean differed significantly (P &lt; 0.05) between prepartum, day of calving and postpartum. Resistin differed non-significantly between HBC and MBC cows in winter as well as summer.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Changes in Plasma Concentration of <em>Leptin, Adiponectin</em> and <em>Resistin</em> in Karan-Fries Cows of High and Medium Body Conditions During Winter and Summer Seasons</div>


<p style="text-align: justify;">The present study was conducted in 24 Murrah buffaloes to study the effect of supplementation of poly-herbal mixture and butyric acid with the objective to reduce parturition stress and to improve immunity. In this study, control group i.e T0 (n=6) was offered ration as per NRC requirement plus 10 % and the rest of three supplemented groups T1, T2 and T3 (n=6 for each group) were offered ration as per control group along with three different supplementations, (T1= poly-herbal supplementation for seven day post partum, T2= poly-herbal supplementation for seven day post partum + 200 ml butyric acid supplementation (30 day prepartum and 30 day postpartum) and T3= 200 ml butyric acid supplementation (30 day prepartum and 30 day postpartum). Total leukocyte count (TLC) values in all groups showed decreasing trend as observed on 1st, 2nd and 5th days of postpartum. On the 1st day of postpartum, blood neutrophil percentage was found significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in T2 and T3 group as compared to T0 group. On the 5th day of postpartum, blood neutrophil percentage were found &nbsp; significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in T1, T2 and T3 groups as compared to T0 &nbsp;group. On day one postpartum, the phagocytic activity (PA) and myeloperoxidase activity (MA) was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in the T2 and T3 group of buffaloes in comparison to T0 group. On the 5th day of postpartum PA and MA were found to be significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in the T1, T2 and T3 group of buffaloes in comparison to T0 group. &nbsp;These results indicate that supplementation of poly-herbal, poly-herbal + butyric acid and butyric acid during the transition period reduces the stress and improves immunity in Murrah buffaloes. &nbsp;Out of all the supplemented groups, maximum improvement was observed in the poly-herbal+butyric acid supplemented group.</p>


Effect of Floor Enrichment with Rubber Mattress of Calving Pen on Prepartum Behaviour of Tharparkar Cow during Winter Season

Changes in blood glucose and plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in relation to body condition scores in periparturient purebred Sahiwal cows

Impact of bypass fat and mineral supplementation peripartum on plasma profile of steroid hormones PGFM and postpartum fertility in Jaffarabadi buffaloes

Effect of peripartum nutritional supplementation on postpartum fertility and blood biochemical and steroid hormone profile in crossbred cows

Effects of Diets with Different Ratios of Neutral Detergent Fiber to Non-Fibrous Carbohydrates on Feeding Behavior in Transition Holstein Cows

Plasma lipid and haematological profile during transition period in Murrah buffaloes supplemented with prilled fat

Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Postpartum Performance of Murrah Buffaloes

Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance

Changes in Plasma Concentration of Leptin, Adiponectin and Resistin in Karan-Fries Cows of High and Medium Body Conditions During Winter and Summer Seasons

Effect of Poly-herbal mixture and butyric acid feeding on immune parameters of postpartum Murrah buffaloes