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The complex microbiomes of the rumen functions as an effective system for plant cell wall degradation, and biomass utilization provide genetic resource for degrading microbial enzymes that could be used in the production of biofuel. Therefore the buffalo rumen microbiota was surveyed using shot gun sequencing. This metagenomic sequencing generated 3.9 GB of sequences and data were assembled into 137270 contiguous sequences (contigs). We identified potential 2614 contigs encoding biomass degrading enzymes including glycoside hydrolases (GH: 1943 contigs), carbohydrate binding module (CBM: 23 contigs), glycosyl transferase (GT: 373 contigs), carbohydrate esterases (CE: 259 contigs), and polysaccharide lyases (PE: 16 contigs). The hierarchical clustering of buffalo metagenomes demonstrated the similarities and dissimilarity in microbial community structures and functional capacity. This demonstrates that buffalo rumen microbiome was considerably enriched in functional genes involved in polysaccharide degradation with great prospects to obtain new molecules that may be applied in the biofuel industry.

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Studies on sexual behaviour as such, and the documented reports on the influence of seasons on these characteristics are scanty for Kankrej bulls. These indices could be successfully used in selection and culling of Kankrej bulls in the breeding programs. Hence, a study on sexual behaviour of Kankrej bull was carried out at the Semen Processing Unit; with the objective to study the seasonal effect on sexual behaviour traits of Kankrej bulls. The period of investigation was divided into three season viz., summer, monsoon and winter. Eight healthy Kankrej bulls of 4-5 years of age were selected. Weekly once semen collection was done for each bull, but only fortnightly observations of semen collection were recorded and eight collections in a season for each bull, 64 from each season and total of 192 collections, were evaluated. The mean values for different sexual behaviour traits were; temperament score (0-5 scale) 1.96±0.02, libido score (0-9 scale) 6.20±0.12, erection score (0-4 scale) 3.36±0.04, protrusion score (0-4 scale) 2.90±0.02, intensity of thrust (0-4 scale) 3.42±0.06, reaction time 112.20±5.09 seconds, total time taken to successful mount 165.68±6.53 seconds and Flehmen reaction (0-1 scale) 0.49±0.04. Libido was significantly (P<0.05) higher in June (7.31±0.35) and July (7.25±0.41) months, as compared to rest of the months. Significantly lower libido was observed in October (5.31±0.45) and November (5.13±0.34) months. Libido score was significantly (P<0.05) higher during summer (6.70±0.18) season as compared to winter (5.70±0.19). However, libido score during monsoon (6.20±0.23) was non-significant with both summer and winter seasons. Seasonal variation was non significant for other sexual behaviour traits viz., temperament, erection, protrusion, intensity of thrust, reaction time, total time taken to successful mount and Flehmen reaction. Positive correlation was observed between libido score and reaction time; erection score with protrusion score and intensity of thrust; protrusion score with intensity of thrust and reaction time with total time taken to successful ejaculation. It was concluded that, Kankrej bull have good sexual behaviour throughout the year, however, sexual behaviour was more intensive in summer months.