THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

THE CATTLE AND CARABAO BREEDING
PROGRAMS OF THE PHILIPPINES*
O. L. Bondoc, Assistant Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
A. C. M. Bantoc, University Research Associate, IAS-CA, UPLB
The project aimed to evaluate the genetic and economic
impacts of artificial insemination (AI) on the cattle and carabao
breeding programs in the Philippines. Historical records
about the technical viability and application of AI in relation
to breeding programs were reviewed. The scope, field
success rates, and potentials to effect rapid genetic
improvement in the performance (and breeding structure)
of cattle and carabao in the Philippines were then determined
through in-depth library work, personal interview, and mailin
survey. Finally, specific recommendation about a national
breeding program, breeding stations, professional of a pilot
project in Laguna are given with the intention of improving
the usefulness and impacts of AI on the local cattle and
carabao breeding programs. The following are the highlights
of the project: (1) Cattle and carabao breeding (i.e. genetic
improvement programs in the Philippines were noted to
lack of the infrastructure for AI and animal performance
recording and evaluation systems and thus economically
important traits; (2) Based on AI records compiled by the
National Artificial Breeding Center (NSBC), the scope and
success rates when using AI under Philippines conditions
have been limited, very low, and unsustained. With natural
mating and traditional (usually unimproved) husbandry
practices, cattle and carabaos are expected to produced at
much lower levels and reproduce themselves less rapidly.
In view of the low field success rates, the use of AI should
be restricted in selected matings to produce bulls for natural
breeding; (3) Results of mail – in survey indicated low
success rates with AI in the farm due to many problems
associated with the animals themselves, AI technicians
and technology itself, and poor environmental conditions.
Furthermore, heterogeneity in opinions and decision
regarding what breed to use and what recording system,
breeding objectives and selection criteria to implement were
prevalent at all; (4) Theoretical (predicted) genetic progress
attained through AI in cattle and carabao can be
demonstrated locally under workable breeding schemes;
(5) Importation of frozen semen from outstanding sires to
be used in impregnating a nucleus of selected (i.e. locally
available and superior) cows is recommended to
complement the current government program that introduces
the usually expensive live breeding stock; (6) Cost of AI
relative to genetic and socio-economic benefits need to be
monitored and evaluated regularly; (7) An AI breeding
project that shall highlight the genetic and economic impact
of AI in cattle is proposed to be piloted in the province of
BREEDING AND GENETICS
Laguna; and (8) Distribution of a technical publication about
the genetics and economics of AI is likewise proposed in
order to spur interest and knowledge in the use of artificial
breeding technology by local cattle and carabao breeders.
Keywords: artificial insemination (AI), cattle and carabao
breeding programs, genetic and economic impacts
*Terminal Report. PCARRD–DOST Project No. 89-540.
IAS, UPLB, Colleges, Laguna. 1996. 95 p. Also in
Annotated Bibliography on Philippine Biodiversity:
Livestock and Poultry (Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997,
Carabaos (2002) p. 294.
B-9
GENETIC VARIABILITY OF KARYOTYPIC
CHARACTERISTICS IN RELATION TO THE
GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF ECONOMICALLY
IMPORTANT TRAITS IN WATER BUFFALOES
(Bubalus bubalis)*
O. L. Bondoc, Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
M. C. G. T. Flor, Research Assistant, IAS-CA, UPLB
B. C. Gomez, Research Assistant, IAS-CA, UPLB
I.. T. Santos, Research Assistant, IAS-CA, UPLB
J. A. C. G. Flor, Senior Science Research Specialist, PCC at UPLB
E. A. H. Bisa, Farm Superintendent, PCC at UPLB
A. S. Sarabia, Supervising Science Research Specialist, PCC at UPLB
A. N. del Barrio, Center Director, PCC at UPLB
One hundred and thirty (130) water buffaloes grouped into:
pure breeds (i.e., Philippine carabao (C), Indian Murrah
(IM) and Bulgarian Murrah (BM), two-way crosses (i.e.
50%IM-50%C, 50%BM-50%C, 50%Nili-Ravi-50%C),
backcross (75%IM-25%C), and three-way crosses
among C, IM, and Nili-Ravi, were considered for
karyotypes analysis using the modified Leukocyte Culture
Techinique and evaluation of their production and
reproductive performance using the ordinary least squares
method. Karyotypic characteristics (i.e. modal chromosome
number based on chromosome frequency, chromosome
type, and percent relative length, centromeric index, and
arm ratio for some chromosome) were significantly different
between breed groups. Significant differences between
groups were also found for production traits (i.e. 1-year
and 3-year old body weights, wither height, heart girth,
and body length) and reproductive parameters (i.e. total
milk yield, lactation length, age at first calving, and semen
volume). Significant linear correlation between karyotypic
characteristics and some economically important traits in
water buffaloes are highlighted in the study. The significant
correlation values imply that some karyotypic
characteristics can be used as important markers or criteria
to select potentially productive young water buffaloes. The
high coefficient of variation (C.V.) values in karyotypic
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