THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

D-13
SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL
CHANGES CORRELATED WITH WORK IN THE
PHILIPPINE CARABAO AND PHIL-MURRAH
CROSSBRED*
A. S. Sarabia, Supervising Science Research Specialist, PCC-DA, UPLB
V. G. Momongan, Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
R. M. Lapitan, Supervising Science Research Specialist, PCC-DA, UPLB
A total of eight untrained and intact buffalo bulls, consisting
of four animals each from the Philippine carabao (PC) and
the Phil-Murrah (Murrah Buffalo x PC or PM) crossbreed
were used in the study. Biochemical data were analyzed
using analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a 2 x 2 x 4
factorial; and Student’s t-test to analyze the differences in
endurance time between breed types during the training
period. Study revealed that when subjected to the same
training period, the PM crossbreed exhibited similar
behavioral and physiological responses to the training
scheme as the PC. The two breed types did not differ in
terms of speed and distance covered when allowed to pull
a sledge with a load of 50% of their body weights, and in
terms of field capacity (m 2 /hr), speed and draft power during
plowing. Plower-operator, time of day, soil hardness and
atmospheric temperature were some of the factors that
directly and indirectly influenced animal draft performance.
The pulse rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature (PRT)
were significantly affected by the time of the day that these
parameters were monitored. Rectal temperature was the
most sensitive thermoregulatory index to assess the
responses of the different buffalo breed types to stressful
stimuli. The PC registered significantly higher increase in
rectal temperature immediately after sledge pulling
compared to the crossbreed. It took a buffalo more than
two hours of rest to return its PRT to its pre-work value.
The changes in the concentrations of plasma lactic acid
and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) varied between
breed types as well as between the experimental stage.
Lactic acid appeared to be the most sensitive and practical
index to assess if the animal has been subjected to stressful
stimuli. The mean plasma lactic acid concentration
increased in buffaloes after they were exposed to work
activities (4.63 mmol/li after work vs. 2.74 mmol/li before
the start of the work), regardless of breed type.
Furthermore, lactic acid concentrations were higher during
training, sledge pulling and plowing period compared to
those during pre-training and rest period. On the other
hand, LDH was higher in the blood serum of the buffaloes
before work (824.82 IU/ml) than after work 790.11 IU/ml).
Keywords: behavioral responses, field capacity,
DRAFT POWER
physiological and biochemical changes, work bulls
*Proceedings of the 2 nd Asian Buffalo Association Congress,
Shangri-la Manila Hotel, Makati City, Philippines, October
9-12, 1996. p. 103-115. Also in Philippine Journal of
Veterinary Animal Science, 23 (3& 4):1-13. Also in Abstracts
of Water Buffalo Researches in the Philippines 1981-1995,
PCC-DA (1996), p. 110. Also in Philippine Carabao R &
D Highlights 1994-1996, (1997) PCC-DA. p. 40-41. Also
in Annotated Bibliography on Philippine Biodiversity:
Livestock and Poultry (Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997,
Carabaos (2002) p. 361.
D-14
DRAUGHT PERFORMANCE OF WATER BUFFALO
AND CATTLE IN THE PHILIPPINES*
C. C. Sevilla, Assistant Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
C. C. de Luna, Research Associate, IAS-CA, UPLB
E. C. Castro, Jr., Assistant Professor, AMDP-CEAT, UPLB
While buffalo and cattle provide the bulk of power input for
all farming systems in the Philippines, little attention, in
terms of research and development, has been given to
animals. In this paper, results of a number of research
trials on the draught capacity and physiological response
of the Philippine Water buffalo or the carabao and their
grades of Murrah and Nili-Ravi are summarized, and those
of the first studies to be conducted on Philippine draught
and cattle in a lowland rice-based system are reported. In
general, the carabao and their crossbreeds are comparable
in terms of resistance to work stress and docility. Cattle
and carabao can generate the same draught power
equivalent to 15% of body weight, but were found to be
physiologically more comfortable with draught output
equivalent to 11% of bodyweight.
Keywords: cattle, draught performance, physiological
responses, water buffalo
*Draught Animal Power in Asian-Australian Region, ACIAR
Proceedings, 1993. No. 46. p. 33-39. Also in Annotated
Bibliography on Philippine Biodiversity: Livestock and
Poultry (Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos (2002) p. 230.
D-15
THE PHILIPPINE WORK CARABAO*
V. E. Villegas, Professor, DAH-CA, UP
The Philippine carabao is the draft animal par excellence in
the Philippines. A well-proportioned animal has an average
weight of 520 kilograms and an average height of 130
centimeters. It is light to deep black in color; during certain
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