Phenotypic diversity in buffalo cows of the Jafarabadi, Murrah, and Mediterranean breeds

Diversidade fenotípica em búfalas Jafarabadi, Murrah e Mediterrâneo

Abstract:

The objective of this work was to estimate the phenotypic diversity in Jafarabadi, Murrah, and Mediterranean buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis). Thoracic perimeter, withers-and-rump height, body length, and biiliac, external biischiatic, external ilioischiatic, sacropubic, and mean biiliac diameters were measured. The following indexes were calculated: anamorphosis index, pelvic index, withers-to-rump ratio, body index, lateral-body index, relative body index, body capacity indexes 1 and 2, transversal pelvic index, longitudinal pelvic index, and thoracic-perimeter-to-withers ratio index. The effect of breed was evaluated using univariate (mean tests) and multivariate (size-free discriminant analysis and Fisher’s linear discriminant function) analyses. The diversity among the breeds and their correlation with the variables were also evaluated using biplot graphs developed from principal component analysis. The breeds evaluated show a rectilinear, midline body model with similar capacity of muscular tissue development in body parts from which the most valuable cuts are extracted, and intermediate suitability for meat and milk production. The Jafarabadi breed has a larger body size, with a rear portion wider than longer, while the Murrah and Mediterranean breeds show similar biotypes, mainly differentiated in the pelvic region.

Index terms:
Bubalus bubalis; biometric measurements; pelvimetry; zootechnical indexes.

Resumo:

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a diversidade fenotípica em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) das raças Jafarabadi, Murrah e Mediterrâneo. Mensuraram-se perímetro torácico, altura de anterior e de garupa, comprimento do corpo e diâmetros do biilíaco, biisquiático externo, ilioisquiático externo, sacropúbico e biilíaco médio. Calcularam-se os seguintes índices: de anamorfose, pélvico, relação cernelha-garupa, corporal, corporal-lateral, corporal relativo, capacidade corporal 1 e 2, pélvico transversal, pélvico longitudinal e relação perímetro torácico-cernelha. Avaliou-se o efeito de raça por meio das análises univariada (teste de médias) e multivariada (análise discriminante independente do tamanho e função discriminante linear de Fisher). Também avaliaram-se a diversidade entre as raças e a sua relação com as variáveis, por meio de gráficos biplot, elaborados a partir da análise de componentes principais. As raças apresentam modelo corpóreo retilíneo, mediolíneo e com capacidade igual para desenvolvimento de tecido muscular em locais de onde são extraídos cortes nobres, com aptidões intermediárias para produção de carne e leite. A raça Jafarabadi apresenta maior porte corporal, assim como uma porção traseira mais larga do que comprida, enquanto a Murrah e a Mediterrâneo apresentam biótipos próximos, diferenciados principalmente na região pélvica.

Termos para indexação:
Bubalus bubalis; medidas biométricas; pelvimetria; índices zootécnicos.

Introduction

Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) have great capacity of adaptation and resistance to various microclimates and production systems (Malhado et al., 2008) and are suitable for work and meat and milk production (Malhado et al., 2009), which adds interest to using them as an alternative livestock species in Brazil (Malhado et al., 2007). Murrah, Jafarabadi, and Mediterranean are among the water buffalo breeds officially recognized by the Brazilian Association of Buffalo Breeders (Albuquerque et al., 2006).

Phenotypic diversity evaluations on water buffalo breeds can help breeders to identify the suitability of each breed (Rezende et al., 2014b, 2016) and their qualities and problems as well as to design mating strategies so as to improve certain progeny characteristics (Mello & Schimidt, 2008; Souza et al., 2015).

Measuring various anatomical parts of the animals can contribute to the phenotypic evaluation. For instance, the evaluation of the pelvic area of buffalo cows can contribute to identify animals with not as many delivery problems. Another tool for phenotypic evaluation can be the combined use of body measurements to develop zootechnical indexes, which has been reported as an efficient strategy to investigate the suitability of domestic animals (Cerqueira et al., 2011; Contreras et al., 2011; Meneses et al., 2013; Rezende et al., 2014a, 2016).

Multivariate statistics is an efficient alternative for data analysis, considering the large number of variables to be measured in production animals. The size-free discriminant analysis (SFDA), described by Reis et al. (1990) and Peres-Neto (1995), can be used to remove the effect of size on shape. The residual effect is increased when body measurements are taken in animals of different age, sex, or type of management they are subjected to, for example. SFDA improves the accuracy of results, which allows to better assess differences between treatments. Fisher’s linear discriminant function (FDF) can also be used to reduce the p-dimensional space to a one-dimensional one, thus making the use of univariate statistics possible (Carneiro et al., 2007).

Moreover, principal component analysis enables rewriting the coordinates of the samples in an axis system more convenient to data analysis. According to Moita Neto & Moita (1998), this technique allows evaluating the importance of the original variables from the statistical point of view, i.e., those given a higher weight in the linear combination of the first principal components are considered the most important.

The objective of this work was to estimate the phenotypic diversity in Jafarabadi, Murrah, and Mediterranean buffalo cows.

Materials and Methods

Data were collected in a farm located in the municipality of Maiquinique, in the southwest of the state of Bahia, Brazil (15°36'59"S, 40º14'43"W), from 412 primiparous and multiparous buffalo cows of the Jafarabadi (78), Murrah (221), and Mediterranean (113) breeds aged 11.0±4.7, 6.9±3.4, and 8.4±4.1 years, respectively.

The animals were subjected to a rotational grazing system in paddocks of average support capacity of 1 animal unit (equivalent to 450 kg) per hectare using Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster and U. humidicola (Rendle) Morrone & Zuloaga grasses throughout the experimental period. The animals were provided with a mineral mixture in specific trough and water ad libitum. The prophylactic program of the farm followed a systematic schedule of vaccinations against foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, symptomatic carbuncle and rabies, and control of endo and ectoparasites, according to the needs of the herd.

The animals were kept in a cattle crush so that information regarding their identification could be collected and general body measurements (Bianchini et al., 2006; Mello & Schimidt, 2008), as well as external and internal pelvic measurements (Araújo et al., 2014), could be performed. These measurements were combined to calculate the following indexes for conformity, production suitability (milk and meat), and ethnology (Marchiani Dubuc, 1991; Contreras et al., 2011; Rezende et al., 2014a): anamorphic index (thoracic perimeter squared divided by withers height, multiplied by 100); pelvic index (rump width divided by rump length, multiplied by 100); withers-to-rump ratio (withers height divided by rump height); body index (body length divided by thoracic perimeter); lateral-body index (withers height divided by body length, multiplied by 100); relative body index (body length multiplied by 100, divided by withers height); body capacity index 1 (quotient between weight and body length); body capacity index 2 (quotient between weight and thoracic perimeter); transversal pelvic index (rump width divided by wither height, multiplied by 100); longitudinal pelvic index (rump length divided by withers height, multiplied by 100); and thoracic-perimeter-to-withers ratio (thoracic perimeter divided by withers height).

The differences between breeds were evaluated using the analysis of variance (Anova), followed by Tukey’s test, at 5% probability, using the GLM procedure of SAS software (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The SFDA was used to remove the effect of size on shape (Peres-Neto, 1995). Regression residuals of each variable as affected by the first principal component were used in the multivariate analysis. The FDF was based on the first canonical variable of the SFDA procedure using SAS software (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Subsequently, Anova was performed on the first canonical variable, followed by Tukey’s test, at 5% probability, to evaluate the breed equality hypothesis using the GLM procedure of SAS software (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Using Genes software (Universidade Federal de Viçosa, MG, Brazil), the method of Singh (1981), based on the average Euclidean distance, was used to reduce the number of variables, thus eliminating those that did not contribute much to breed differentiation considering three groups of characteristics (linear measures, pelvic measures and zootechnical indexes). Subsequently, the similarity degree between breeds was evaluated using principal component analysis, in scatter biplot graphs developed in Past software (Hammer et al., 2001). The dissimilarity matrices between breeds were calculated using the generalized Mahalanobis distance D² in the Genes program.

Results and Discussion

Buffalo cows of the three breeds evaluated had mean weights and body heights within the standards for buffalo cows (Andrade & Garcia, 2005) (Table 1). The higher body (withers and rump measures) of the Jafarabadi buffalo cows may be related to their biotype, which is characterized by late production, since larger adult animals have higher maintenance energy requirements and also later finishing (Ramos et al., 2009).

Table 1.
Body measures of buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis) of the Jafarabadi (n=78), Murrah (n=221) e Mediterranean (n=113) breeds⁽¹⁾.

Characteristic	Jafarabadi		Murrah		Mediterranean
	Mean	Standard deviation	Mean	Standard deviation	Mean	Standard deviation
Weight (kg)	574.48A	83.93	527.50B	94.27	501.62C	83.50
Thoracic perimeter	219.17A	12.02	204.36B	10.61	207.48B	12.47
Withers height	141.73A	6.64	133.31B	5.96	134.63B	4.93
Rump height	141.79A	10.38	132.91B	5.55	134.20B	4.29
Body length	161.21A	11.50	147.00C	9.23	151.60B	8.31
External biiliac diameter	65.15A	5.37	58.94C	4.46	60.23B	3.98
External biischiatic diameter	37.64A	3.76	31.89B	3.73	32.59B	3.29
Right ilioischiatic diameter	46.97A	3.99	42.09C	2.69	43.23B	2.43
Left ilioischiatic diameter	47.16A	3.94	42.15C	2.68	43.08B	2.74
Sacropubic diameter	28.06A	2.34	25.90C	2.49	26.77B	2.38
Internal mean biiliac diameter	24.47A	1.96	21.86B	1.73	22.35B	1.85

• ⁽¹⁾
  Means followed by different letters, in the lines, differ by Tukey’s test at 5% probability.

A buffalo cow with large thoracic perimeter has long, separated and well-arched ribs, which provides an ample and deep thorax that facilitates respiratory functions (Lucena et al., 2015). These characteristics are good indicators for growth, adaptability and feed efficiency of animals (Oliveira & Nogueira, 2006).

The largest thoracic perimeter and body length were found in Jafarabadi buffalo cows. Although Murrah buffalo cows had the shortest body length, their thoracic perimeter was statistically similar to that of the Mediterranean. The thoracic perimeter together with the body length form an anatomical area related to the limits of muscular tissue development and gain weight capacity (Koury Filho et al., 2010). Therefore, it is recommended to select buffalo cows within the herd considering their greater precocity and lower height in relation to thoracic perimeter and body length (Menezes et al., 2012; Rezende et al., 2014b).

Regarding the pelvic region, the sacropubic diameter was greater than the mean biiliac diameter, with significant breed differences. In all cases, the anatomical model of the pelvis was similar to an ellipse with vertical major axis, i.e., the birth canal had a lateral flattening. The main advantage of knowing these measures is to avoid fetal-pelvic incompatibility, i.e., large progeny and/or mature cow pelvis with measures smaller than the standard (Araújo et al., 2014).

The withers-to-rump ratio and longitudinal pelvic zootechnical indexes were used to classify buffalo cows of the three breeds into similar profiles. Withers-to-rump ratio of the breeds revealed a rectilinear body model, with balanced anterior and posterior heights. The longitudinal pelvic index indicated that the buffalo cows had equal capacity of muscular tissue development in body parts from which the most valuable cuts are extracted (Table 2).

Table 2.
Zootechnical indexes of buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis) of the Jafarabadi (n=78), Murrah (n=221) e Mediterranean (n=113) breeds⁽¹⁾.

Characteristic	Jafarabadi		Murrah		Mediterranean
	Mean	Standard deviation	Mean	Standard deviation	Mean	Standard deviation
Anamorphosis index	3.39A	0.28	3.13B	0.26	3.20B	0.32
Pelvic index	80.46A	8.62	75.91B	8.96	75.49B	7.39
Withers-to-rump ratio	1.00A	0.04	1.00A	0.02	1.00A	0.01
Body index	73.00A	0.03	71.00B	0.04	73.00A	0.05
Lateral-body index	88.14B	4.40	90.91A	5.07	89.00B	4.85
Relative body index	1.13A	0.05	1.09C	0.07	1.12B	0.06
Body capacity index 1	3.63A	0.53	3.33A	0.59	3.17B	0.52
Body capacity index 2	2.62A	0.39	2.58B	0.47	2.43B	0.48
Transversal pelvic index	45.94A	2.72	44.20C	2.69	44.73B	2.44
Longitudinal pelvic index	33.12A	2.00	31.58A	1.63	32.11A	1.53
Thoracic-perimeter-to-withers ratio	1.54A	0.06	1.53B	0.06	1.54A	0.08

• ⁽¹⁾
  Means followed by different letters, in the lines, differ by Tukey’s test at 5% probability.

The anamorphosis index of buffalo cows exceeded the 2.5 to 3.0 scale proposed by Marchiani Dubuc (1991) for dairy cattle (Table 2). Thus, the breeds’ body model revealed a large thoracic perimeter in comparison to body height, with the highest results for the Jafarabadi breed.

In terms of pelvic index, the Jafarabadi breed had a proportionally larger than longer pelvis when compared with the other breeds. This index reveals the proportion that defines the pelvic canal of buffalo cows and consequently their calving ease (Contreras et al., 2011). All breeds had intermediate body index for milk and meat, according to the intervals established by Marchiani Dubuc (1991), i.e., 78 to 83 (for dairy breeds) and 64 to 70 (for beef breeds). This result confirms the double suitability of these three buffalo breeds in Brazil.

Regarding the lateral-body index, Rodríguez et al. (2001) evaluated Hereford and Holstein cow breeds and found lateral-body index equal to or lower than 78 for beef, and equal to or higher than 84 for dairy animals. Based on this index, the buffalo breeds evaluated in the present study were more suitable for milk than meat production. According to Contreras et al. (2011), the lower the value for this index, the higher the trend of the animal to a more compact biotype, which is a desirable model for animals intended for meat production.

The relative body index of all buffalo cows was greater than 1, which indicates better leg development, especially for the Jafarabadi. The Jafarabadi and Murrah buffalo cows had higher body capacity index 1 than the Mediterranean, whereas Jafarabadi had higher body capacity index 2 than the Murrah and Mediterranean. In both cases, Jafarabadi buffalo cows had higher results, which were due to their larger body size. Greater body capacity and minor leg development (compact biotype) are desirable characteristics for production animals. Thus, the Murrah breed had an interesting biotype for animal production, with minor leg development and good body capacity.

Jafarabadi buffalo cows had significantly higher transversal pelvic index, which indicates, as compared to Murrah and Mediterranean, a breed with greater capacity of muscular tissue development in body parts from which the most valuable cuts are extracted. The thoracic-perimeter-to-withers ratios showed that these buffalo cow breeds had moderate suitability for meat production, with the Jafarabadi and Mediterranean breeds having higher suitability.

The first canonical variable of the FDF explained 93.21% of the total variation among breeds (Table 3). The FDF coefficients showed higher values for the rear region, especially for the external biischiatic, left external ilioischiatic and pelvic indexes. When the FDF index was used as the dependent variable in the univariate analysis, significant differences were found between the means of Jafarabadi and other buffalo cows.

Table 3.
Fisher’s linear discriminant function (FDF)^{(1 )}.

Characteristic	First canonical variable
Weight	-37.78*
Thoracic perimeter	-429.55*
Withers height	+2,036.14*
Rump height	+62.33*
Body length	+60.82*
External biiliac index	-1,710.66*
External biischiatic index	+4,754.65*
Left ilioischiatic index	-4,982.72*
Right ilioischiatic index	+11.50*
Sacropubic index	-5.15*
Internal mean biiliac index	+6.95*
Anamorphosis index	+241.83*
Pelvic index	-4,741.78*
Withers-to-rump ratio	+47.63*
Body index	+8.18*
Lateral-body index	+46.89*
Relative body index	-15.80*
Body capacity index 1	+33.09*
Body capacity index 2	+7.79*
Transversal pelvic index	+1,701.51*
Longitudinal pelvic index	+247.01*
Thoracic-perimeter-to-withers ratio	-38.72*
Breed	FDF
Jafarabadi	264,709.95±22,454.11A
Murrah	249,305.26±25,441.52B
Mediterranean	248,221.05±21,030.17B

• ⁽¹⁾
  Means followed by different letters, in the lines, differ by Tukey’s test, at 5% probability. *, **, and ***Significant at 10, 5 and 1% probability, respectively.

Despite the significant difference in the univariate analysis, measures of sacropubic index, internal average biiliac index, and body capacity index 2 were the least important variables to differentiate the breeds. The scatter biplot graph showed greater distances between the Jafarabadi buffaloes and the other breeds (Figure 1). This difference is explained by this breed’s higher average measures of height, perimeter, body length; external biiliac, external biischiatic, left and right external ilioischiatic indexes; and pelvic index, lateral-body index, and transversal pelvic index (Figure 1).

Figure 1.
Scatter graphs for the Jafarabadi, Murrah and Mediterranean buffalo cow (Bubalus bubalis) breeds. Biplot with linear measurements (A); biplot with pelvic measurements (B); biplot with zootechnical indexes (C). PVlater, rear pelvic perimeter; PVprevious, fore pelvic perimeter; PVright, right pelvic perimeter; PVleft, left pelvic perimeter; W, weight; RH, rump height; TP, thoracic perimeter; BL, body length; LBI, lateral-body index; PI, pelvic index; TPI, transversal pelvic index; and LPI, longitudinal pelvic index.

The analysis of generalized Mahalanobis distances between breed pairs confirmed the high dissimilarities between the Jafarabadi and Murrah (D²= 4.48) and Mediterranean (D²= 3.31) breeds, and low dissimilarities between the Murrah and Mediterranean (D²= 0.37) breeds. The introduction of Mediterranean genes in Murrah animals in Brazil may explain this low diversity between these two breeds (Marques et al., 2003). Albuquerque et al. (2006) used molecular markers and reported lower divergence rates between Mediterranean and Murrah (24.6%) compared with Jafarabadi (29.9%), thus reinforcing this hypothesis.

Conclusions

1. Buffalo cows of the Jafarabadi breed show large body size, with a rear portion wider than longer posterior region, whereas buffalo cows of the Murrah and Mediterranean breeds show similar biotypes, mainly differentiated in the pelvic region.

2. Jafarabadi, Murrah, and Mediterranean breeds have a similar capacity of muscular tissue development in body parts from which the most valuable cuts are extracted, and intermediate suitability for meat and milk production (double suitability).

Acknowledgments

To Dr. Alcides Ramos Amorim (in memoriam), for his invaluable contribution to Brazilian buffalo and animal production.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Aug 2017

History

• Received
  11 Jan 2016
• Accepted
  30 Sept 2016