Tactile, Auditory, and Visual Stimulation as Sensory Enrichment for Dairy Cattle.

Several types of enrichment can be used to improve animal welfare. This review summarizes the literature on the use of mechanical brushes, tactile udder stimulation, music, and visual stimuli as enrichment methods for dairy cows. Mechanical brushes and tactile stimulation of the udder have been shown to have a positive effect on milk yield and overall behavioral repertoire, enhancing natural behavior. Classical music reduces stress levels and has similarly been associated with increased milk yield. A slow or moderate tempo (70 to 100 bpm) at frequencies below 70 dB is recommended to have this positive effect. Evidence on the impacts of other types of enrichment, such as visual stimulation through mirrors, pictures, and color lights, or the use of olfactory stimuli, is equivocal and requires further study.

Anatomy and Physiology of Water Buffalo Mammary Glands: An Anatomofunctional Comparison with Dairy Cattle.

The present review aims to analyze the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the mammary gland and udders of water buffalo by making an anatomofunctional comparison with dairy cattle. It will also discuss the knowledge generated around the physiological regulation of milk ejection in the water buffalo. It was found that buffalo's average udder depth and width is approximately 20 cm smaller than Bos cattle. One of the main differences with dairy cattle is a longer teat canal length (around 8.25-11.56 cm), which highly influences buffalo milking. In this sense, a narrower teat canal (2.71 ± 0.10 cm) and thicker sphincter muscle are associated with needing higher vacuum levels when using machine milking in buffalo. Moreover, the predominant alveolar fraction of water buffalo storing 90-95% of the entire milk production is another element that can be related to the lower milk yields in buffalo (when compared to Bos cattle) and the requirements for prolonged prestimulation in this species. Considering the anatomical characteristics of water buffalo's udder could help improve bubaline dairy systems.

The Challenge of Global Warming in Water Buffalo Farming: Physiological and Behavioral Aspects and Strategies to Face Heat Stress.

Water buffaloes have morphological and behavioral characteristics for efficient thermoregulation. However, their health, welfare, and productive performance can be affected by GW. The objective of this review was to analyze the adverse effects of GW on the productive behavior and health of water buffaloes. The physiological, morphological, and behavioral characteristics of the species were discussed to understand the impact of climate change and extreme meteorological events on buffaloes' thermoregulation. In addition, management strategies in buffalo farms, as well as the use of infrared thermography as a method to recognize heat stress in water buffaloes, were addressed. We concluded that heat stress causes a change in energy mobilization to restore animal homeostasis. Preventing hyperthermia limits the physiological, endocrine, and behavioral changes so that they return to thermoneutrality. The use of fans, sprinklers, foggers, and natural sources of water are appropriate additions to current buffalo facilities, and infrared thermography could be used to monitor the thermal states of water buffaloes.

Dairy Buffalo Behavior: Calving, Imprinting and Allosuckling.

Maternal behavior, in water buffalo and other ruminants, is a set of patterns of a determined species, including calving, imprinting, and suckling. This behavior is mainly triggered by hormone concentration changes and their interactions with their respective receptors in the brain, particularly oxytocin. These chemical signals also influence mother-young bonding, a critical process for neonatal survival that develops during the first postpartum hours. Currently, dairy buffalo behavior during parturition has rarely been studied. For this reason, this review aims to analyze the existing scientific evidence regarding maternal behavior in water buffalo during calving. It will address the mechanisms of imprinting, maternal care, and allosuckling strategies that may influence the survival and health of calves.

Neurophysiology of Milk Ejection and Prestimulation in Dairy Buffaloes.

The present review aims to integrate the anatomical characteristics of the mammary gland and the neurophysiology of milk ejection to understand the milking capacity of the water buffalo. Since one of the main uses of this species is milk production, this article will analyze the controversies on the use of oxytocin as a stimulant during milking as well as the existing alternatives that farmers apply to promote correct stimulation during milk letdown. According to the available literature, the efficiency of the milking process, the quality of the milk, and the health of the animals are elements that require the consideration of species-specific characteristics to enhance the performance of buffaloes. The incorporation of technological innovations and competitive strategies could contribute to a better understanding of water buffalo in the milk industry.

Handling and Physiological Aspects of the Dual-Purpose Water Buffalo Production System in the Mexican Humid Tropics.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of the dual-purpose water buffalo production based on the Mexican production system as a model in tropical wetlands. It includes a broad literature review emphasizing the most recent and specialized publications examining key findings to improve our understanding in the performance of the buffalo species (Bubalus bubalis). The complementary topics addressed include reproductive management, parturition, the dam-calf bond, milking routines, and models of confinement and management, in addition to aspects related to milk commercialization. This article summarizes the advances made to date in this production system and its current margins for improvement. The development of dual-purpose water buffalo production systems in Mexico's tropical wetlands is a relatively recent phenomenon that has progressed and improved due to herd management. Buffaloes are an interesting alternative for dual purpose systems that offer several advantages. The lower milk production of this species compared to cattle is its main limitation. However, the properties of their milk allow one to obtain an added value and make this type of farms competitive. In synthesis, consolidating buffalo production in Mexico's tropical wetlands will require broadening our knowledge of this species, and perfecting the most appropriate handling procedures. The activities of government agencies and processing enterprises will play vital roles in achieving the integral modernization of this potentially important economic activity.

Dual-Purpose Water Buffalo Production Systems in Tropical Latin America: Bases for a Sustainable Model.

Tropical regions of Latin America have been incorporated into development in recent decades, with extensive cattle ranching as one of the main economic activities but without adequate planning, drastically degrading the ecosystem. In recent years, buffalo production has been incorporated into the region, with possibilities for development in profitable and sustainable models. To study this option in depth, a broad bibliographic review was carried out focusing on the ecological characteristics of tropical zones and the physiological and productive characteristics of buffaloes. We also investigated the structure and functioning of dual-purpose systems that have worked in cattle and that can be optimized with this alternative animal species. The possibility of taking sustainable advantage of abundant forage resources in the region was detected through intensive grazing models, as well as agrosilvopastoral systems, due to the gregarious qualities of buffaloes and responding to their thermoregulation needs. In this way, the productive and regenerative capacities of the dual-purpose system could be increased, as well as the quality of meat and milk, which could be marketed as differentiated products, taking advantage of their outstanding nutritional qualities. Integral management of the dual-purpose system is proposed, retaking the bases of the original model of family characters, diversified and with low investments and risks, which with specific innovations can be an effective development option for producers in the region.

The Use of Draught Animals in Rural Labour.

This study discusses scientific findings on the use of draught animals such as equids (i.e., horses, mules, and donkeys) and bovids (i.e., cattle and water buffaloes) in rural labours. Relevant peer-reviewed literature published between 1980 and 2021 was retrieved from CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases. Although animals were used to produce draught power since their domestication and are still being used for this purpose, mechanisation has markedly reduced animal labour demand in agriculture. However, the process was uneven across continents according to economic constraints, and draught animals are currently concentrated in small production units located on terrains that do not favour agriculture mechanisation in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Generally, equids can work at rates similar to those of bovids or faster but can sustain the work for shorter periods of time. In addition, buffaloes possess tough hooves and resistance to disease that make them suitable for working in wetlands and clay soils. Draught animals allow a marked reduction of both GHG emissions and non-renewable energy consumption as compared with agricultural machinery. In addition, they may allow obtaining profits from otherwise non-usable lands. Therefore, their use should be promoted in rural areas where low investments are usually the only ones feasible, and the energy of the animals can be obtained at a low cost by feeding them harvest residues and by-products. However, more attention should be paid to the quality of human-animal interactions-due to the close contact between animals and humans while working-and to the welfare of draught animals when transported and slaughtered-due to the high prevalence of injuries they suffer when subjected to these practices.

Efecto del estracto de yucca schidigera en el perfil bioquímico y hemático de cerdos en crecimiento y engorde / Effects of yucca schidigera extract on biochemical and hematological profiles of growing and fattening pigs

Se estudió el efecto del extracto de Yucca schidigera en los valores hemáticos de cerdos en crecimiento y engorde. Se utilizaron 30 cerdos línea York x Landrace x Pietrain (YLP), a los cuales se asignaron tres tratamientos en forma completamente al azar: T1, dieta testigo (sorgo-soya); T2, dieta testigo + 120 g de De-Odorase® y T3, dieta testigo + 120 g de Amoprem®. Las variables hemáticas se evaluaron tomando una muestra de sangre agregando EDTA. Además, se determinó el perfil bioquímico (creatinina, urea, proteínas totales, albúmina, colesterol, triglicéridos y glucosa) de los animales. Se realizó el análisis de varianza para las variables obtenidas y se compararon las medias con la prueba de Tukey. Para la interpretación de las variables hemáticas, se establecieron valores de referencia para el tratamiento testigo, basados en límites de confianza al 95 por ciento y con ellos se interpretaron las variables hemáticas. La concentración de triglicéridos (0,47; 0,32 y 0,33 mmol/l en T1, T2 y T3), colesterol (1,39; 1,29 y 1,31 mmol/l) y urea (3,95; 3,84 y 3,67 mmol/l) mostraron diferencias significativas (P<0,05) entre tratamientos en los cerdos en la etapa de crecimiento. En la etapa de engorda, se observó que las concentraciones de triglicéridos (0,36; 0,31 y 0,35 mmol/l), urea (4,61; 4,65 y 4,28 mmol/l) y proteína total (5,50; 5,36 y 5,47 g/dl) disminuyeron en los tratamientos adicionados con Yucca schidigera (P<0,05). El perfil hemático en la etapa de crecimiento no mostró diferencias (P>0,05); sin embargo, en la etapa de engorde existieron diferencias (P<0,05) en hemoglobina (18,31; 20,04 y 20,62 g/dl), neutrófilos (18,15; 27,15 y 25,40 por ciento) y monocitos (13,45; 7,00 y 8,50 por ciento). En conclusión, los niveles de colesterol, triglicéridos y urea disminuyeron al adicionar extracto de Yucca en la dieta, aún cuando estos valores se encuentran dentro del rango de referencia obtenido en el presente estudio.

The effect of Yucca schidigera an the hematological values of growing and fattening pigs was studied. Thirty York x Landrace x Pietrain pigs (YLP) were assigned to three different treatments at random used for this research: T1, standard diet (sorghum-soybean); T2, standard diet + 120 g of De-Odorase® and T3, standard diet + 120 g of Amoprem®. The hematological values were evaluated in a blood sample with EDTA. Moreover, the biochemical profile of the animals was determined (creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose) with the blood serum. To analyze the hematic values an analysis of variance was used, and the differences between means were inspected using Tukey´s test. In order to interpret the results of the hematological values, there were established reference values for the control treatment calculated by 95% confidence limits. The level of triglyceride (0.47, 0.32, and 0.33 mmol/l an T1, T2, and T3), cholesterol (1.39, 1.29, and 1.31 mmol/l) and urea (3.95, 3.84 and 3.67 mmol/l) in the growing pigs showed differences between treatments (P<0.05). In the fattening pigs, it was observed that the concentrations of triglyceride (0.36, 0.31 and 0.35 mmol/l), urea (4.61, 4.65 and 4.28 mmol/l) and total protein (5.50, 5.36 and 5.47 g/dl) decreased in the treatments when Yucca schidigera was added in the diet (P<0.05). The hematological profiles in the growing pigs didn’t show differences (P>0.05); however, in the fattening pigs there were differences (P<0.05) in hemoglobin (18.31, 20.04, and 20.62 g/dl) neutrophils (18.15, 27.15, and 25.40%) and monocytes (13.45, 7.00, and 8.50%). So the conclusion is that the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea decreased when adding the Yucca schidigera extract in the diet, even when these values are found in the rank of reference obtained in the present study.