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Negative energy balance condition during transition period is a gateway for production and infectious diseases during periparturient period. Energy balance is calculated directly through difference in energy input and energy output or indirect methods like estimation of energy metabolites (NEFA, BHBA and glucose level), Body condition scoring (BCS), back fat thickness, body weight and milk components (e.g., fat protein ratio), etc., at herd level. All the indirect energy balance indicators were studied in relation to postpartum health and performances in dairy animals. Blood biochemical parameters are routinely used for evaluation of general health status of animals. But, their relationship with energy balance in early lactating cows is not clear. In this review, effects of energy balance, critical period to assess the energy balance, and blood biochemical parameters in relation to energy balance, milk yield and health status of dairy animals are discussed. We also discussed energy balance indicators in other biological fluids in dairy cattle.

Background: The selection of genetically superior animals at an early stage of life, the molecular markers are used along with traditional selection. The study was carried out to identify the genetic polymorphism in the exon3 region of the Prolactin and enumerate its effect on milk production performance in Sahiwal cattle. Prolactin plays an imperative regulatory role in mammary gland development, milk emission and lactogenesis. Analysed the sequence of this gene to explore whether mutations in this sequence and it could be accountable for quantitative variations in milk production and its composition traits.Methods: Total DNA was isolated from the blood samples of 98 pedigreed Sahiwal population. Using PCR-RFLP method and direct sequencing, noticed a single-nucleotide polymorphism in exon3 region of the Prolactin gene in 156bp and also the effect of non- genetic factors on each trait was assessed by least-squares analysis for non-orthogonal data by a fixed model.Result: PCR-RFLP was done with RsaI restriction endonuclease for the identification of different genotypes. The frequency of G and A alleles of the Prolactin gene was evaluated as 0.575 and 0.425, whereas the frequencies of GG, GA and AA genotypes for the Prolactin gene were 0.45, 0.25 and 0.30, respectively. SNP (G55A) conferred an increase in test-day milk yield around 321.5g, in test day fat yield around 13.9g and in test day SNF yield increase was 19.4g, respectively. High correlation was perceived from test day (TD2) onwards between test day traits and lactation milk yield indicating that selection based on identified SNP in TD2 increased test day milk yield, fat yield and SNF yield by 1.1472 kg, 29.6gm and 45.4gm, respectively.

Background: Improper estrus detection causes huge economic losses due to inaccurate time of insemination leading to poor conception rate. So, here pedometer proved to be a promising tool in defining optimal time of insemination,improving fertilization rates based on increased number of steps. The study is to determine the relationship between increased pedometer activity for efficient estrus alert and duration of estrus for prediction of accurate time of ovulation.Methods: Oestrus detected in KF cows (N = 20) by behavioural estrus visually. Further validated by pedometer activity and confirmed by progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentration. Individual animal daily activity pattern collected, transformed and arranged to in Excel sheet for statistical analysis for determining estrus alert, estrus duration, ovulation and insemination time.Result: Based on pedometer estrus alert,duration, estrus onset and estrus end to ovulation was 15.63±1.46 h, 30.53±1.21h and 14.89±2.03h respectively. The mean activity count per hour (ACPH) for the pedometer oestrus (426.19±70.19) and E2 found associated on oestrus day. Based on oestrus alert and duration artificial insemination (A.I) can be made 10h after onset up to 5h after end of pedometer oestrus. Pedometer detects estrus slightly earlier than behavioural estrus efficiently and help in predicting the ovulation time for governing the accurate time of insemination.

Background: The testicular biometry such as scrotal circumference (SC) and scrotal volume, affect semen quality hence bull fertility and thus testicular biometry can be used for breeding soundness of bulls. Methods: The present study was carried out to study the testicular parameters of 77 Sahiwal males of different ages and to establish its importance for selection of breeding bulls during 2015-2016 at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. The testicular biometry of each male was done at monthly intervals using Vernier calliper, cloth tap and ultrasonography. Result: The semen quality parameters were significantly (P less than 0.05) more in the group having higher scrotal circumference. The scrotal circumference follows the curvilinear manner of growth from 12 months to greater than 72 months (correlation value of 0.92 and R2 0.84). The paired testicular volume (PTV) differed significantly (P less than 0.05) between different age group males. Scrotal circumference and paired testicular volume are directly related to semen quality hence bull fertility. Thus, testicular biometry is an important criterion for breeding soundness for selecting Sahiwal males.

The objective of the study was to characterize the term Doka and to capture morphological changes in teat to find out the relationship between Doka and onset of estrus in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The Murrah buffaloes maintained at of Livestock Research Centre (LRC), ICAR-NDRI, Karnal were classified into two groups based on the lactation number for the study of Doka characteristics. In group I, twenty animals up to 3rd lactation were incorporated, whereas thirty animals from 4th to 5th lactation were included in group II. The period when buffaloes showed teat engorgement was called as Doka period, is the local term used by the farmers in North India that can be taken as a visual sign for prediction of estrus. The length and diameter of teats, before and after milking were measured, for both the groups during morning and evening milking and subsequently analyzed. The present study confirmed that the teat diameter (mm) before milking during Doka was significantly (plessthan0.05) higher as compared to pre Doka period in both the groups (group-I - 37.01 ±2.13 vs 28.42 ±1.64, group-II - 53.49 ±2.82 vs 41.096±2.16). The teat diameter (mm) during Doka period after milking was significantly (plessthan0.05) more in both the groups (group-I - 26.65 ±1.26 vs 24.44 ±1.16, group-II - 39.27 ±2.41 vs 35.31 ±2.17) as compared to pre Doka period. So, it can be concluded that the changes in teat diameter can safely be considered as a sign of Doka and the forthcoming heat in Murrah buffaloes. However, the difference in teat length between different stages of Doka was found to be non significant.

The study was conducted to identify the genetic marker for prolactin gene related to milk yield in pedigreed Sahiwal population. PCR-RFLP was carried out by using Rsa1 restriction endonuclease and revealed three genotypes GG, GA and AA in Sahiwal population. The frequency of G and A allele of Prolactin gene (exon 3) was estimated as 0.575 and 0.425, whereas the frequencies of GG, GA and AA genotypes for Prolactin gene (exon 3) were estimated as 0.45, 0.25 and 0.30, respectively. Regression analysis inferred that, SNP (G55A) of prolactin gene (exon 3) contributed to an increase in the average test day milk yield by 321.5g which was 3.92% of the average test day milk yield. Forty Sahiwal animals (20 families) under Daughter- Dam Design were screened and it was observed that one SNP (G55A) was found in all the nine families (45%) having heterozygous (GA) genotype. Thus, it could be considered as a potential genetic marker for high milk production in Sahiwal population.

The present study was undertaken to identify the differences in sperm kinematics between buffalo bulls with different fertility ratings. Murrah buffalo bulls (n=9) that were routinely used for breeding purpose under progeny testing programme were utilized for the study. Bull fertility was determined based on in vivo fertility trials and the conception rates (CR) were adjusted for different non-genetic parameters. Based on the adjusted CR, bulls were classified into high, medium and low fertile group. Frozen semen samples of these bulls were obtained and sperm kinematic parameters were assessed using a computer assisted sperm analyzer. The kinematic parameters analyzed included the curvilinear velocity (VCL), the linear velocity (VSL), the average path velocity (VAP), the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), the linearity (LIN), the straightness coefficient (STR) and the beat cross frequency (BCF). In high fertile bulls, the proportion of motile spermatozoa was higher (p

The present study was designed to evaluate the Pregnancy Diagnosis-Positive Rate (PD-PR) along with conception rate (CR) in an organised farm (Livestock Research Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal) to take effective management decision. One year record of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) and PD of dairy animals (N=1327; comprised 1003 cows and 324 buffaloes) was analysed. On an average, cows and buffaloes were presented for per rectal pregnancy diagnosis after 75.63 (38-119) and 76.3 (46-128) days, respectively of A.I. Overall PD-PR value of cattle was observed to be significantly higher compared to buffaloes (70.77 and 59.45%, respectively, prus symptoms as well as on CR.