THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

A study in the conception rate of the Philippine upgraded
buffaloes after induced estrus using prostaglandin F 2á is
herein presented. Of the twenty untreated animals with
normal estrus cycle, 13 (65%) caracows and caraheifers
were pregnant. Among 20 anestrus animals in the
experimental group treated with prostaglandin F 2á , 11 (55%)
caracows and caraheifers were pregnant. In additions, 4
(20%) of the treated caracows and caraheifers showed
signs of estrus after unsuccessful breeding. Two of these
animals became pregnant on the succeeding estrus. The
average concentration rates of caracows and caraheifers
in the control group regardless of the nature of breeding
were 62.5% and 75% respectively; in the experimental
group, the average was 57.1% among caracows and
50% among caraheifers. Statistical analysis showed no
significant difference between caracows and caraheifers.
The overall average conception rates in the experimental
and control group were 55% and 65% respectively. Based
on these results, it could be concluded that in the unestrous
animals prostaglandin F 2á -induced heat had a conception
rate comparable to that normally cycling animals as
indicated by the non-significant difference between the two
groups as regards overall conception rate. Since the
experiment was done under field conditions and was not
rigidly controlled, several factors such as the plane nutrition,
climatic condition (e.g. atmospheric humidity) day length
and viability of the semen used in artificial insemination
were unavoidable.
Keywords: estrus-induction, prostaglandin F 2á, anestrus,
conception rate, carabao
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Diliman, 1981.
P-12
DETERMINATION OF SERUM CHOLINESTERASE
ACTIVITY IN THE PHILIPPINE CARABAO
(BUBALUS BUBALIS) LINNEAUS*
B. M. Jubilan, Student
The serum cholinesterase activity of 100 apparently healthy
Philippine carabaos were determined. Values obtained
ranged from 0.0259 to 0.1464 U/ml with a mean of 0.0629
U/ml ± .01999. the serum enzyme mean activities of the
female group was higher than that of the male; uncastrated
male carabaos revealed lower mean enzyme activity than
the castrated ones with the latter approximating the values
in the female group. Factors affecting the serum
cholinesterase levels included the sex hormones, the state
of nutrition, liver disease conditions, and exposure to serum
cholinesterase inhibitors such as organophosphates and
PHYSIOLOGY
urea compounds, and physiologic interspecies and intraspecies
variations.
Keywords: serum cholinesterase, carabao
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Diliman, 1979.
P-13
A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF SOME PROPERTIES
OF THE SYNOVIAL FLUID FROM THE
TIBIOTARSAL SAC OF THE PHILIPPINE BUFFALO
(Bubalus bubalis)*
R. T. Lannu, Student
A preliminary study of some physical and chemical properties
of the bubaline tibiotarsal synovial fluid was undertaken. A
total of sixty two bubaline synovial fluid samples from different
animals were analyzed. The macroscopic properties of the
bubaline tibiotarsal synovia were presented. The synovial
fluid appeared colorless to pale yellow with some having a
very slight degree of turbidity. No clotting of the synovial fluid
was observed. The pH values obtained were almost similar
to those reported on other domestic animals. The mean was
7.56 ± 0.15 with a range from 7.30 to 7.90. The specific
gravity of the tibiotarsal bubaline synovial fluid was within
the range previously reported for the bovine. It recorded a
mean of 1.014 ± 0.002 ranging from 1.011 to 1.025. Total
protein values noted were significantly lower than those
reported in other domestic animals. The mean was 0.82 ±
0.33 g/100 ml with a minimum of 0.30 and a maximum of
1.85 g/100 ml. Probable factors influencing the protein content
of the synovia were presented. Total leukocyte count in the
present investigation gave a mean of 152.82 ± 154.58 cells/
ìl, with range of 25 to 750 cells/ ìl. The data did not significantly
differ with leukocyte values reported for other domestic animals
by previous authors. The present inquiry entailed many
limitations. For the synovial fluid to be useful as a diagnostic
test in differentiation, prognosis, and evaluation of joint diseases,
other properties should also be investigated. These properties
should include: (1) chemical examination of the synovia
(e.g. sugar concentration in the synovia correlated to blood
sugar concentration in the synovia correlated to blood sugar
concentration and character of the mucus after reaction with
acetic acid); (2) viscosity testing; (3) determination of enzyme
concentration (i.e. ALP, GPT, and LDH); (4) determination of
albumin-globulin ratio; (5) differential leukocyte count; and in
special cases (6) bacteriologic examination and isolation.
Keywords: synovial fluid, tibiotarsal joint, carabao
*Undergraduate thesis, College of Veterinary Medicine,
University of the Philippines Diliman, 1978.
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