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A comparative fatty acid analysis of raw milk and during in vitro digestion of milk from different breeds of cow (Gir, Sahiwal, Tharparkar, and Karan fries) and buffalo (Murrah) maintained under similar feeding regimes was conducted. Saturated fatty acids were higher in Murrah and Karan Fries, whereas monounsaturated fatty acids were higher in Gir, Sahiwal and Tharparkar. Based on the fatty acid profile, atherogenic, thrombogenic index and hypercholesterolemic saturated fatty acids were lower, and desired fatty acids were higher in milk from indigenous breeds than in crossbred and Murrah. The size of milk fat globules was also lower in indigenous cattle breeds, which has allowed for faster in vitro digestibility of milk fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The indiscriminate crossbreeding is the major cause for losses as well as for risk to existing breeds. Kangayam, a pride indigenous cattle breed of Tamil Nadu, also badly affected due to this unplanned indiscriminate breeding. Urgent and immediate action is required to protect this traditional breed. Estrus synchronization would be a best tool to improve the fertility rate and increase the population of this breed under field condition. Methods: Fifty Kangayam cows selected at farmer's field were divided into Group I, II, III, IV (Treatment groups) and Group V (Control group). Estrus synchronization with single PGF2α, double PGF2α, CIDR+PGF2α and ovsynch protocols were used in Group I, II, III and IV cows, respectively and inseminated during induced estrus. Group V cows were inseminated during observed estrus. The pattern of estrus, fertility rate and serum hormonal profiles on different days of treatment were studied. Result: The conception rates were higher in double PGF2α (80 per cent) and ovsynch protocol (80%) followed by CIDR+ PGF2α (70%). The progesterone (ng/ml) concentration was significantly (P≤0.05) higher during estrus induction with PGF2α in treatment groups than during selection and insemination. The serum estradiol-17β concentration was significantly (P≤0.05) higher during insemination (24.21±1.74 to 25.57±0.80 pg/ml) than during PGF2α injection (12.81±0.25 to 13.68±0.30 pg/ml). The study concluded that higher conception rate in indigenous Kangayam cows can be obtained with synchronization using Double PGF2α and Ovsynch protocol followed by CIDR+PGF2α protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gangatiri cattle are mainly found in the adjacent areas of the river Ganga in eastern Uttar Pradesh (Chandauli, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Ballia districts) and adjacent Bhabhua (Kaimoor), Buxar, Arrah and Chhapra areas of Bihar. The breeding tract of this breed includes mainly Ballia and Ghazipur districts of Uttar Pradesh and Rohtas and Shahbad Districts of Bihar. Present study was conducted on 114 Gangatiri cattle - an indigenous cattle herd - maintained at Surbhi Shodh Sansthan (Geeta Goshala), Dagmagpur, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh- to study the physical and morphometric characterstics. White colour was the most prominant colour in the population. Colour of coat, forehead and neck was white and eyelid, tail and hoof were black in 65.78, 76.31, 63.15, 66.66, 82.45 and 76.31 % of animals, respectively. Hair was mainly straight type (97.10 %) but 2.90 % of the animals also had curly type of hair. Medium size muzzle was present in 79.71 % of the animals while it was small and large sized in 11.59 and 8.69 % of animals, respectively. Shades of grey were also present on different body parts of these animals. Grey colour was the second most prominant colour in the population. Majority of animals have shallow groove in middle head (57.97 %). Poll was prominent in 92.75 % of the population. Forehead was straight type in almost 78.26 % of these animals. Most of the adult animal population (72.46 %) was having medium body size. The average height at wither, body length, heart girth, face length, face width, neck length, ear length, fore cannon bone girth, height at hip bone, height at pin bone, rump slope and rump length were 117.12±1.23, 108.06±0.90, 145.50±1.80, 30.14±0.86, 15.48±0.43, 47.07±1.25, 19.99±0.56, 15.65±0.40, 117.78±1.16, 105.25±1.10, 12.47±0.16 and 35.56±0.65 cm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 345 million people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), 30.6% are severely food insecure, 8% malnourished and 50% live with less than US $1 per day, respectively. Livelihood, food and nutrition security have, therefore, become key priorities for the SADC region in response to these complex challenges. Given that 70% of the SADC population directly rely on agriculture for food, nutrition and income, sustained agricultural productivity may play an important role in achieving livelihood, food and nutrition security in the region. Being an important part of the agri-food system of marginalised communities in the region, cattle have great potential to contribute to the goal of reducing food and nutrition insecurity. The region has a population size of about 64 million cattle of which 75% of the population is kept under the smallholder farming systems, and primarily composed of indigenous tropical breeds. Most indigenous cattle breeds are, however, either undergoing rapid genetic dilution or at risk of extinction. At the same time, their environments, production and marketing systems are experiencing high rates of change in time and space. More importantly, indigenous cattle breeds in the region are undervalued. This makes it uncertain that future systems will have the adapted cattle breeds required for optimal livelihoods, food and nutrition security. To this end, the promotion of sustainable use of indigenous cattle for livelihood, food and nutrition security in the SADC region is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]