Breeding techniques, welfare and mammary gland pathologies in buffalo.

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of bunks on the health, welfare and productivity of the buffalo, a species that is characterized by high genetic and behavioural variability and in which hierarchic phenomena are particularly evident. The trial was conducted for a period of 120 days and involved 96 buffaloes bred in the Salerno province. The animals were divided into two homogeneous groups according to days in milk, body condition score (BCS) and milk production (both quality and quantity): buffaloes in Group 1 were maintained on cement pads equipped with foam rubber bunks, while those in Group 2 were allocated to similar cement pads without bunks. Monthly, milk production was recorded and individual milk samples were collected, to evaluate fat and protein contents and somatic cell counts. Finally, after 2, 3 and 4 months, milk samples were sterilely collected for total bacterial counting. Each month, milk samples underwent bacteriological analyses to detect the presence of mastitis-causing agents. At the same time-points, the well-being of the animals was assessed through determination of the main parameters of innate immunity, which are indicators of well-being (bactericidal capacity, haemolytic complement, haptoglobin, serum lysozyme). Statistical analysis was performed by means of chi-square test and ANOVA.