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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Buffalo-associated Theileria parva: the risk to cattle of buffalo translocation into the Highveld of Zimbabwe.

There has been an increase in the introduction of game animals, including African buffaloes, into the Highveld of Zimbabwe to establish private game reserves on condition that they are confined in separate and secured paddocks. Owing to shortages of pastures cattle were grazed in buffalo-grazed paddocks resulting in outbreaks of buffalo-derived theileriosis. This paper reports the results of epidemiological observations carried out on two game reserves to assess the risk of buffalo translocation. The infection rate with Theileria parasites in ticks collected from buffalo-grazed pastures was high and produced fatal theileriosis in susceptible cattle. Similarly, adult R. appendiculatus ticks artificially fed as nymphs on the buffaloes produced fatal infections in susceptible cattle. Theileria parva (Boleni), the vaccine used to immunize cattle against theileriosis, and a buffalo-derived T. parva stabilate (BV-1) were inoculated in naïve buffaloes to study the Theileria carrier-state in these animals. The two buffaloes that had received the Boleni stabilate showed no clinical theileriosis reaction; however, the ticks derived from them produced a subclinical reaction in one susceptible calf. The buffalo which had received stabilate BV-1 developed fever, high schizont parasitosis for 10 days and 15% piroplasms parasitemia. R. appendiculatus ticks fed as nymphs on this buffalo produced fatal theileriosis reaction in a susceptible calf.

Animals↗

Cystic echinococcosis in water buffaloes: epidemiological survey and molecular evidence of ovine (G1) and buffalo (G3) strains.

A survey of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of the Italian Mediterranean breed was carried out in Campania, a region of southern Italy. In addition, a molecular study was performed on 48 hydatid cysts coming from 48 water buffaloes in order to determine the Echinococcus granulosus strain(s) present in this host. Out of a total of 722 water buffaloes examined for CE, 76 (10.5%) were found infected. The average number of cysts per buffalo was 4.3 (minimum 1, maximum 45). Seventeen buffaloes had hydatid cysts only in the liver (with an average of 5 cysts/liver), 34 only in the lungs (with an average of 1.8 cysts/lungs), and 25 buffaloes had cysts both in the liver and in the lungs. Fertile cysts were found in 10 (13.2%) out of the 76 positive buffaloes. The sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene of the 48 hydatid cysts produced sequences of 419 bp for each sample analysed. For 33 samples, alignment of the obtained sequences with those present in GenBank showed a total homology with the common domestic sheep strain G1; for 15 samples, sequences obtained showed 100% homology with buffalo strain G3. The findings of the present survey represent the first epidemiological and molecular comprehensive studies on CE in water buffalo from an endemic area for E. granulosus.

Abattoirs↗

Histo-morphology of the uterus and early placenta of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and comparative placentome morphology of the African buffalo and cattle (Bos taurus).

Differences exist in reproductive physiology between African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), cattle (Bos taurus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The aim of this study was to histo-morphologically compare the anatomy of non-pregnant and pregnant uteri of buffalo and cattle. Two non-pregnant uteri and placentae of six pregnant African buffalo were used. Early placentome formation (fetal crown rump length (CRL): 2-17.5 cm) in S. caffer and B. taurus was compared. The endometrium of buffalo uteri comprises round to ovoid, dome-shaped and gland-free caruncles. A predominantly simple columnar epithelium of non-ciliated cells covers caruncular tissue, while, additionally, ciliated cells occur in the epithelium of the intercaruncular areas and within the simple columnar or pseudostratified epithelium of the endometrial glands. During early gestation, multiple placentomes develop. Unlike the placentomes in cattle at similar CRL, buffalo placentomes do not develop a caruncular stalk. The sessile, dome-shaped buffalo placentome has simple, slightly conical villi branching less than in cattle, thus indicating different and less complex feto-maternal interdigitation than seen in the latter. A synepitheliochorial interhaemal barrier can be expected in the buffalo placenta, as the occurrence and ultrastructure of trophoblast giant cells resemble those described in cattle.

Animals↗

Phylogeography of the African buffalo based on mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal loci: Pleistocene origin and population expansion of the Cape buffalo subspecies.

Population genetics and phylogeography of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are inferred from genetic diversity at mitochondrial D-loop hypervariable region I sequences and a Y-chromosomal microsatellite. Three buffalo subspecies from different parts of Africa are included. Nucleotide diversity of the subspecies Cape buffalo at hypervariable region I is high, with little differentiation between populations. A mutation rate of 13-18% substitutions/million years is estimated for hypervariable region I. The nucleotide diversity indicates an estimated female effective population size of 17 000-32 000 individuals. Both mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal diversity are considerably higher in buffalo from central and southwestern Africa than in Cape buffalo, for which several explanations are hypothesized. There are several indications that there was a late middle to late Pleistocene population expansion in Cape buffalo. This also seems to be the period in which Cape buffalo evolved as a separate subspecies, according to the net sequence divergence with the other subspecies. These two observations are in agreement with the hypothesis of a rapid evolution of Cape buffalo based on fossil data. Additionally, there appears to have been a population expansion from eastern to southern Africa, which may be related to vegetation changes. However, as alternative explanations are also possible, further analyses with autosomal loci are needed.

Africa↗

Basic haematological values in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) and in the red buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus).

Basic haematological values in 13 African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer caffer), 11 cows and 2 bulls, and in 2 red buffaloes (Syncerus caffer nanus), 1 bull and 1 cow, are reported. In the African buffalo, the erythrocyte count--mean 9.76 X 10(12) 1(-1)--ranged from 6.72 to 12.42 X 10(12) 1(-1), the haematocrit values--mean 0.391--varied from 0.32 to 0.47 and the haemoglobin content--mean 148.17--was in the range from 122.1 to 172.5 g 1(-1). For the red buffalo only individual values are given. In the African buffaloes, the leukocyte counts--mean 7.39 X 10(9) 1(-1)--ranging from 5.1 to 12.4 X 10(9) 1(-1) were slightly increased compared with man. For the red buffalo only individual values are reported. These values are compared with data abstracted from the literature for related buffalo species. The age-dependent decrease of erythrocyte counts and the age-dependent rise of the eosinophile proportion in the differential count are discussed.

Aging↗

Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and tissue xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) activity in buffaloes (Bubalis bubalis) with special reference to differences between buffaloes and Bos taurus cattle.

The urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was measured in six buffaloes (Bubalis bubalis) during fasting and in fourteen buffaloes given four restricted levels of roughage (2.5-4.8 kg DM/d). Only allantoin and uric acid, not xanthine and hypoxanthine, were present in the urine, the pattern of excretion being similar to that in cattle. The fasting PD excretion amounted to 0.20 (SD 0.06) mmol/kg metabolic weight (W)0.75 per d, and the rate of PD excretion as a linear function of feed intake was 5.2 mmol/kg digestible organic matter intake. Both values were considerably lower than the values for cattle reported in the literature. Creatinine excretion values were 0.33 (SD 0.06) and 0.44 (SD 0.09) mmol/kg (W)0.75 per d determined in fasting and feeding periods respectively. Fasting N excretion was 257 (SD 49) mg N/kg (W)0.75 per d. Both creatinine and fasting N excretions were also lower than in cattle. The activities of xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) in plasma, liver and intestinal mucosa were determined in buffaloes, cattle and sheep. Xanthine oxidase activities in buffaloes were 24.5 (SD 2.7) unit/l plasma and 0.44 (SD 0.02) and 0.31 (SD 0.10) unit/g fresh tissue in liver and intestinal mucosa respectively. These activities were higher than those in cattle and sheep. Xanthine oxidase was practically absent from plasma and intestine of sheep. It is suggested that the differences in PD excretion between buffaloes and cattle were probably due to the smaller proportion of plasma PD that was disposed of in the urine of buffaloes.

Allantoin↗

Cloning of a buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) prostaglandin F(2alpha) receptor: changes in its expression and concentration in the buffalo cow corpus luteum.

Acting primarily through its specific G protein-coupled receptor termed FPr, prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) induces regression of the corpus luteum (CL) at the end of a non-fertile oestrous cycle. This study was aimed at cloning a full-length cDNA for FPr and determining its expression and protein concentrations during different stages of CL development in the water buffalo. Serum progesterone and StAR expression were determined to establish temporal relationships between indices of steroidogenesis and changes in FPr expression at different stages of CL development. In contrast to the dairy cow, the stage IV CL (day 20 of the oestrous cycle) did not appear to be functionally regressed in the buffalo. Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding the buffalo FPr yielded a full length 2193 bp FPr cDNA containing a single open reading frame encoding a 362 amino acid protein with seven putative membrane-spanning domains. The deduced buffalo FPr amino acid sequence possesses a high degree of identity with the other mammalian homologues. Steady state concentration of buffalo FPr transcript increased (P > 0.05) from stage I to stage II/III, and declined at 18 h post PGF(2alpha) injection. The FPr concentration expressed as fmol/microg of plasma membrane protein showed an increase (P > 0.05) from stage I (1.98 +/- 0.10), through stage II/III (2.42 +/- 0.48) to stage IV (2.77 +/- 0.18). High affinity FPr was observed in stage I (K(d) 4.86 nmol) and stage II/III (K(d) 6.28 nmol) while low affinity FPr (K(d) 19.44 nmol) was observed in stage IV. In conclusion, we have cloned a full length FPr cDNA from buffalo cow CL and observed that FPr mRNA expression, receptor number and affinity did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) within the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immune response induced by Vero cell culture adapted buffalo pox virus in rabbits and buffaloes.

The Vero cell culture adapted buffalo pox virus was found to be completely attenuated at 40th passage for rabbits as well as buffaloes since it did not produce any thermal reaction or skin lesions. It induced high level of humoral and cell mediated immune response in rabbits as well as buffaloes. The antibody titres obtained were 80-160 for SN antibody, 32 for complement fixing and 640-1280 for enzyme immunoassay antibodies. The percent migration inhibition (MI) of leukocytes was 65.3% in rabbits and 69.50% in buffaloes, MI of macrophages was 62.15% in rabbits and 63.02% in buffaloes with a high skin reactive factor value. In protection tests conducted in rabbits and buffaloes, all the vaccinated animals were immune as compared to controls which showed severe disease.

Animals↗

Assessment of circulating agglutinating anti-sperm antibodies in buffalo cows with unexplained infertility and an attempt to identify buffalo sperm isoantigens.

The presence of circulating agglutinating anti-sperm antibodies as cause for unexplained infertility of artificially inseminated buffalo cows was assessed. An attempt to identify buffalo sperm isoantigens was also made. The following methods were applied for that purpose: the tray agglutination test (TAT), SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting. The results obtained showed that three of 90 sera from buffalo cows with unexplained infertility were positive in TAT (3.3%) and their titers were low. A total of 27 spermatozoal polypeptides reacted positively with the IgG-isoantibodies of one of the sperm agglutinating sera in immunoblotting. Of the control sera 12 also revealed individual variations in the number of positive fractions on the blots. On the basis of comparing the blot with the positive sperm agglutinating serum to the blots of the positive controls, two buffalo sperm isoantigens were identified, with the respective molecular weights of 40 kDa and 120 kDa. In conclusion, circulating agglutinating anti-sperm antibodies are very rarely detected in buffalo cows with unexplained infertility after several artificial inseminations.

Agglutination Tests↗

Cloning and sequencing of buffalo male-specific repetitive DNA: sexing of in-vitro developed buffalo embryos using multiplex and nested polymerase chain reaction.

Buffalo Y-chromosome specific repetitive DNA (BuRY.I) was cloned and sequenced in order to develop a sensitive method for sexing of buffalo preimplantation stage embryos using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A highly sensitive and reliable sex determination assay using a primary (BRY.I), nested (BuRYN.I) and multiplex (BuRYN.I, ZFX/ZFY) PCR was developed. The BRY.I and BuRYN.I primers are targeted to amplify Y-specific sequences, while the ZFX/ZFY loci was amplified to serve as a positive control for both male and female samples. Accuracy of the sex determination assay was initially verified with genomic DNA obtained from blood of known gender. Further sensitivity and reproducibility of the assay was examined using DNA obtained from 1 or 2 blastomeres to demi embryos. Altogether, 80 IVF-derived embryos ranging from the 2 to 4 cell to the blastocyst stage were used for sex determination. Definite and clear signals following PCR amplification were obtained from all embryo samples. Accuracy of assays was determined by comparing results from a single cell with those of blastocyst stage embryos, thereby indicating that 1 or 2 blastomeres from a preimplantation buffalo embryo is sufficient for sex determination by PCR. No misidentification was observed within the embryo samples using nested (BuRY.I), primary (BRY.I) and multiplex (BuRYN.I; ZFX/ZFY) PCR, suggesting that this technique is a highly reliable method for sexing buffalo embryos.

Animals↗

Effect of buffalo seminal plasma heparin binding protein (HBP) on freezability and in vitro fertility of buffalo cauda spermatozoa.

The study was conducted to assess the effect of heparin binding seminal plasma proteins (HBP) on freezability and in vitro fertilizing ability of buffalo cauda epididymal spermatozoa. Spermatozoal motility, viability and acrosomal integrity at prefreeze and post-thaw stages were studied. The in vitro fertilizing ability of spermatozoa was assessed by the application of two tests, i.e. bovine cervical mucus penetration test (BCMPT) and hypo-osmotic sperm swelling test (HOST). HBP isolated from buffalo seminal plasma and maintained in the laboratory were used for the study. Twelve pairs of epididymis from adult buffaloes slaughtered at the local abattoir were used for the study. The results indicated that HBP addition improved the progressive motility, BCMPT and HOST response at prefreeze level. HBP at a concentration of 40 microg/ml showed better results than HBP at a concentration of 80 microg/ml. However, subjecting the HBP treated spermatozoa to cryopreservation resulted in significant reduction of motility, viability, acrosomal integrity and response to BCMPT and HOST in the HBP treated groups when compared to those in control group. The deleterious effect of HBP was found to be concentration dependent with the higher concentration causing higher post-thaw damage.

Acrosome↗

Kappa-casein polymorphisms in Indian dairy cattle and buffalo: a new genetic variant in buffalo.

We screened 57 Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus) and 53 Murrah, 19 Nili-Ravi and 11 Egyptian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to detect the polymorphisms at kappa-casein (CSN3) gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CSN3 A and B alleles were identified by PCR-RFLP using the restriction enzymes that detect the underlying nucleotide changes at codon 136 (Taql) and at codon 148 (HindIII or HinfI) in cattle. The frequency of CSN3 B allele in the Sahiwal cattle was estimated as 0.16 with no homozygous BB animal. Using the same set of primers as used in the Sahiwal cattle, a part of exon IV of buffalo CSN3 gene was amplified, but restriction enzyme analysis using HindIII/HinfI and TaqI did not reveal any polymorphism. However, DNA sequencing of the amplified fragment (GenBank Acc. No. U96662) revealed one polymorphism at codon 135 (ThrACC -->I1eATC) in buffalo; the frequencies of 135 Thr/Ile alleles were estimated as 0.88 and 0.12, respectively.

Alleles↗

Effect of calmodulin-like protein from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) seminal plasma on Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase of purified plasma membrane of buffalo spermatozoa.

Buffalo sperm heads and tails were cleaved by sonication and isolated in relatively pure proportions i.e. 95% and 98% respectively, by discontinuous sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. Purified plasma membranes from the isolated sperm heads and tails were obtained by hypotonic treatment and brief sonication followed by discontinuous sucrose density-gradient centrifugation. Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was evident in plasma membrane from sperm heads and tails, although activity was greater in the latter. A calmodulin-like protein isolated from buffalo seminal plasma increased the Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase of plasma membrane from the sperm heads and tails by 128 and 136% respectively. Based upon the data obtained here and elsewhere (Sidhu & Guraya, 1989a) a model is proposed which explains regulation of Ca2+ in buffalo spermatozoa and implicates calmodulin-like protein and Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase in sperm acrosome reaction.

Animals↗

Piroplasmosis in buffaloes and its serological diagnosis based on a homology between buffalo and bovine immunoglobulins.

Babesia argentina, Babesia bigemina and Theileria mutans were transmitted experimentally from water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) to splenectomised Bos taurus calves. Buffaloes were positive to an indirect fluorescent antibody test for B. argentina when reagents of bovine origin were used. The formation of similar patterns during immunoelectrophoresis suggested a homology of buffalo and bovine serum proteins, particularly IgG.

Animals↗

Standard karyotype of the river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L., 2n = 50). Report of the committee for the standardization of banded karyotypes of the river buffalo.

During the 10th European Colloquium on Cytogenetics of Domestic Animals held in Utrech, The Netherlands, in 1992, an international committee on river buffalo chromosomes was established. At the recent 8th North American Colloquium on Domestic Animal Cytogenetics and Gene Mapping in Guelph, Canada (1993), Q-, G- and R-banded river buffalo karyotypes were presented and discussed. This material was used to establish the first standard karyotype of the river buffalo.

Animals↗

[Studies on buffalo milk. XI. Heterogeneity of the buffalo k-casein and the less moving fractions treated with 2-mercaptoethanol (author's transl)].

The heterogeneity of the buffalo k-casein, treated with 2-mercaptoethanol, has been estimated by disk gel-polyacrylamide electrophoresis on 428 caseins isolated from individual milks. The investigation showed six electrophoretic fractions: A, B, C, D, E, F, that, in ten buffalo farms considered formed ten different groups: ABCDEF; ABCDE; ABCEF; ABCE; BCDE; CDEF; BCE; CDE; CEF; and CE. The group ABCDE is the only that is present in all ten farms considered and presents on the whole, the greater number of observations (161). The fraction C is the most abundant. The investigation showed the heterogeneity of the gamma fraction, showing five electrophoretic fractions: A, B, C, D, E, that constitute the nine following groups; ABCDE; ABCD; BCDE; ABD; BCD; ABC; BD; BC and AB. At present a possible correlation to genetic factors seems hazardous.

Animals↗

Pathogenesis of buffalo-pox virus in buffalo calves.

Pathogenesis of buffalo-pox virus (BP4 strain) in buffalo calves following intradermal inoculation revealed bimodal thermal reaction. The prominent symptoms were lacrimation, mucoprulent nasal discharge and diarrhoea. The typical pook lesions produced in the skin were passed through reseolar, papular, vesicular, pustular and desquamative stages of infection followed with a second rash, between day 6-8 on the lips, tongue, neck, perinium region and around the nostrils and eyes. After the eclipse phase of 10 hours, the concentration of the virus started increasing logarithmically. Thereafter, the virus was subsequently detected in the regional lymphnode, blood stream and central organs viz., lung, liver & spleen on 2nd, 4th and 5th day, respectively. In blood stream the virus was found to be associated with white blood cells. Secondary viremia was again on day 6 post-inoculation. Gross and microscopic changes were observed in these organs. The presence of virus along with pathologic changes were also detected in stomach and intestine. The disease ran a course of 13 to 15 days.

Animals↗

Disaster at Buffalo Creek. Family and character change at Buffalo Creek.

Psychiatric evaluation teams used observations of family interaction and psychoanalytically oriented individual interviews to study the psychological aftereffects of the 1972 Buffalo Creek disaster, a tidal wave of sludge and black water released by the collapse of a slag waste dam. Traumatic neurotic reactions were found in 80% of the survivors. Underlying the clinical picture were unresolved grief, survivor shame, and feelings of impotent rage and hopelessness. These clinical findings had persisted for the two years since the flood, and a definite symptom complex labeled the "Buffalo Creek syndrome" was pervasive. The methods used by the survivors to cope with the overwhelming impact of the disaster--first-order defenses, undoing, psychological conservatism, and dehumanization--actually preserved their symptoms and caused disabling character changes.

Character↗