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			<p class="Type-of-Article">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Type-of-Article"><span class="CharOverride-1">Research Article</span></p>
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			<p class="title- ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="title- ParaOverride-1">Genetic and Phenotypic Correlation of Some Body Measurements with Milk Yield in Nili Ravi Buffaloes of Pakistan</p>
		</div>
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			<p class="Default ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Default ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">Riaz Hussain Mirza</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">1</span><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">, Khalid Javed</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">2</span><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">, Maqsood Akhtar</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">3</span><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">, Mubasher Rauf</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">1</span><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">, Syed Muhammad Raihan Dilshad</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">4</span><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">, Musarrat Abbas Khan</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">5</span><span class="CharOverride-2" lang="en-GB">, Murtaza Ali Tipu</span><span class="CharOverride-3" lang="en-GB">3</span></p>
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			<p class="Default ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="CharOverride-5" lang="en-GB">1</span><span class="CharOverride-6" lang="en-GB">College of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur Campus, Layyah-31200, Pakistan; </span><span class="CharOverride-5" lang="en-GB">2</span><span class="CharOverride-6" lang="en-GB">University of Veterinary and Animal Science Lahore-54000, Pakistan; </span><span class="CharOverride-5" lang="en-GB">3</span><span class="CharOverride-6" lang="en-GB">Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki-55300, Punjab, Pakistan; </span><span class="CharOverride-5" lang="en-GB">4</span><span class="CharOverride-6" lang="en-GB">Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Lahore-54000, Pakistan; </span><span class="CharOverride-5" lang="en-GB">5</span><span class="CharOverride-6" lang="en-GB">College of Veterinary Sciences, Islamia University, Bahawalpur-63100,  Pakistan.</span></p>
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			<p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-7">Abstract</span> | Genetic correlations between any two traits indicate that some of the same genes are controlling them and in case of positive genetic correlation, selection for improvement in one trait will result in improvement in the other trait as a correlated response. In case of absence of any milk recording system under field conditions, farmers generally select animals on the basis of phenotype. Information on genetic correlation of body measurements with milk yield can be used for indirect selection for improved milk yield. Objective of this study was to record different body measurements in Nili Ravi buffaloes and estimation of phenotypic and genetic correlations with milk yield. These correlations were estimated in 437 Nili Ravi buffaloes maintained at 5 Livestock Experiment Stations in Punjab and few private breeders. Data included 1180 records of milking buffaloes. Correlations were estimated using BLUP techniques. Age of the buffalo at scoring, stage of lactation, parity, herd and season of scoring were included in the model. Data were analysed using the mixed model procedure of the SAS. Fixed effects observed to be significant in the initial analysis were included in the model for estimation of genetic and phenotypic correlation of each trait with milk yield using bivariate analysis in ASREML computer program. Buffaloes in the data were the progeny of 88 sires and 303 dams with 119 base animals. The least squares means for height at withers, diagonal body length and heart girth were found as 132.04±4.56, 154.01±7.60 and 194.46±10.31cm, respectively. Phenotypic correlations of 305 days milk yield with body measurements were low. Positive genetic correlations were observed as 0.16±0.0003 for diagonal body length, 0.08±0.00 for height at withers and 0.14±0.0005 for heart girth. Diagonal body length has shown a low but positive genetic correlation with milk yield and this trait might be considered in the selection program for Nili Ravi buffaloes. Genetic correlation of heart girth with milk yield can be considered for indirect selection for milk yield.</p>
		  <p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-7">Keywords</span> | Nili Ravi buffalo, Genetic correlations, Body measurements, Milk yield, Phenotypic correlations</p>
		  <p class="Abstract ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
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			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-9">Editor</span> | Asghar Ali Kamboh, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan.</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-7">Received</span> | November 03, 2014; <span class="CharOverride-7">Revised</span> | November 19, 2014; <span class="CharOverride-7">Accepted</span> | November 21, 2014; <span class="CharOverride-7">Published</span> | December 09, 2014&#9;&#9;</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-7">*Correspondence</span> | Riaz Hussain Mirza, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur Campus, Layyah, Pakistan; <span class="CharOverride-7">Email: </span>riazmirza71@yahoo.com</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-7">Citation</span> | Mirza RH, Javed K, Akhtar M, Rauf M, Dilshad SMR, Khan MA, Tipu MA (2015). Genetic and phenotypic correlation of some body measurements with milk yield in Nili Ravi buffaloes of Pakistan. J. Anim. Health Prod. 3(1): 1-5.</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-9">DOI</span> | <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.jahp/2015/3.1.1.5"><span class="Hyperlink">http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.jahp/2015/3.1.1.5</span></a></p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="Editor---Citation CharOverride-7">ISSN </span>| 2308–2801</p>
			<p class="Editor----Citation"><span class="CharOverride-9">Copyright </span>© 2015 Mirza et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.</p>
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		<div class="Basic-Text-Frame">
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">INTRODUCTION</p>
			<p class="Caps-on-First-Para">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Caps-on-First-Para"><span class="_idGenDropcap-1">E</span>ach breed has some special physical attributes which are important for appropriate performance and functional survival. Some of the body measurements are considered very important from milk production point of view and they have been reported to be correlated with milk yield. <a href="#Rehman-M--1996-."><span class="Hyperlink">Rehman (1996)</span></a> and <a href="#Khalid-MS--2011"><span class="Hyperlink">Khalid (2011)</span></a> have reported positive phenotypic correlation of body length with milk yield. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported a very high genetic correlation of height at withers with milk yield in crossbred cows. <a href="#Jaayid-TA--Yousief-MY--Hamed-FH--Owaid-JM--2011-"><span class="Hyperlink">Jaayid et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported significant positive phenotypic correlation of heart girth with milk yield.</p>
		  <p class="Caps-on-First-Para">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Genetic correlations between any two traits indicate that some of the same genes are controlling these traits and in case of positive genetic correlation between them selection for improvement in any of these traits will result in the improvement in the other trait as a correlated response. In case of absence of any milk recording system under field conditions, farmers generally select animals on the basis of phenotype. Information on genetic correlation of body measurements with milk yield can be used for indirect selection for improved milk yield in this breed. Keeping in view the importance of body measurements and their correlation with milk yield as reported in the literature, the present study was planned with the objectives to record different body measurements in Nili Ravi buffaloes and estimation of phenotypic and genetic correlations with milk yield.   </p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">MATERIALS AND METHODS</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Nili Ravi buffalo herds maintained at 5 Livestock Experiment Stations in Punjab and few private breeders were utilized in the present study. The data included 227, 297, 172, 165, 269 and 50 records at Pattoki, Chack Katora, Haroonabad, Khushab, Rakh Ghulaman and private breeder’s herds, respectively.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">General management and feeding practices at these stations were almost similar and have been more or less the same. Adult animals were being maintained in open enclosures with sufficient covered area for shade and shelter during extreme weather conditions. Routine practice was to allow animals to graze on available fodders for 4-6 hours daily early in the morning after the end of milking depending on season. The lactating buffaloes were fed concentrate at the rate of one kg for every three kg of milk produced. Buffaloes were milked twice daily with an approximate interval of 12 hours at all the farms. All the body measurements were recorded for thrice with an approximate interval of three months with the the first measurement taken after about one month of calving. </p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">Data structure</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Data recording on body measurements was started during July, 2010 and continued till June, 2012. Information including tag number of the buffalo, sire and dam number and pedigree records of sire and dam and other such recorded data were collected in addition to recording body conformation traits. Body measurements including heart girth, height at withers and diagonal body length were studied.</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-2--History-in-MM-">Statistical analysis</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Environmental factors such as age of the buffalo at scoring, stage of lactation, parity, herd and season of scoring were included in the model for initial analysis. Data were analyzed by the mixed model procedure of the Statistical Analysis Systems (<a href="#SAS-Instt.-Inc.--2011-"><span class="Hyperlink">SAS, 2011</span></a>).</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">The following general mathematical model was used (Model 1):			</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Y<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm</span> = µ + S<span class="CharOverride-11">i</span> + H<span class="CharOverride-11">j</span> + P<span class="CharOverride-11">k</span> + T<span class="CharOverride-11">l</span> +b<span class="CharOverride-11">1</span> (a<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm</span>) +b<span class="CharOverride-11">2</span> (a<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm</span>)<span class="CharOverride-12">2</span>  + e<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm  </span></p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Where</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Y<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm&#9;       </span>is the record of m<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> buffalo at l<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> stage of lactation during k<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> parity of j<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> herd in i<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> season</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">µ&#9;      is the overall population mean</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">S<span class="CharOverride-11">i&#9;          </span>is the effect due to i<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> season</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">H<span class="CharOverride-11">j </span>&#9;      is the effect due to j<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> herd</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">P<span class="CharOverride-11">k </span>&#9;      is the effect due to k<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> parity</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">T<span class="CharOverride-11">l  </span>&#9;      is the effect due to l<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> stage of lactation</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">a<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm&#9;          </span>is the age of buffalo at classification</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">b<span class="CharOverride-11">1</span> and b<span class="CharOverride-11">2      </span>is the linear and quadratic regression coefficient of age at classification			</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">e<span class="CharOverride-11">ijklm </span>&#9;       is the random error associated with the observation on m<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> buffalo at l<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> stage of lactation during k<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> parity of j<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> herd in i<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> season.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) evaluation techniques. Fixed effects observed to be significant in the initial analysis using the above model were included in the model for estimation of genetic and phenotypic correlations of body measurements with milk yield. Individual Animal Model was fitted under Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) Procedure outlined by <a href="#Patterson-HD--Thompson-R--1971-."><span class="Hyperlink">Patterson and Thompson (1971)</span></a>. Bivariate analysis fitting animal model in ASREML computer program (<a href="#Gilmour-AR--Gujel-BJ--Cullis-BR--Thompson-R--2009-"><span class="Hyperlink">Gilmour, 2009</span></a>) was used for estimation of correlations which were calculated by applying the following formulas:</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Phenotypic correlation (r<span class="CharOverride-11">p</span>)= Cov <span class="CharOverride-11">pi. pj</span> / <span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">pi. </span><span class="CharOverride-14">σ</span><span class="CharOverride-11">² pj</span></p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Genetic correlation (r<span class="CharOverride-11">G</span>)= Cov <span class="CharOverride-11">Ai. Aj</span> / <span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">Ai</span>. <span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">Aj</span></p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Environmental correlation (r<span class="CharOverride-11">E</span>)= Cov <span class="CharOverride-11">Ei. Ej</span> / <span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">Ei.</span> <span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>²<span class="CharOverride-11"> Ej</span></p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Where,</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">Ai</span>  = additive genetic variance for the i<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> trait</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">Aj    </span>= additive genetic variance for the j<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> trait</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>²<span class="CharOverride-11">pi</span>   = phenotypic variance for i<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> trait</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">p     </span>= phenotypic variance for j<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> trait</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>² <span class="CharOverride-11">Ei</span>  = residual variance for the i<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> trait</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-13">σ</span>²<span class="CharOverride-11"> Ej </span>  = residual variance for the j<span class="CharOverride-12">th</span> trait</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Cov <span class="CharOverride-11">pi. pj</span>  = phenotypic covariance for the traits i and j</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Cov <span class="CharOverride-11">Ai. Aj</span>  = additive genetic covariance for the traits i and j</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Cov <span class="CharOverride-11">Ei. Ej</span>  = residual covariance for the traits i and j</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----"><span class="Emphasis CharOverride-15">Results</span></p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Separate data and pedigree files were prepared in excel sheets and analysis was performed in ASREML computer program (<a href="#Gilmour-AR--Gujel-BJ--Cullis-BR--Thompson-R--2009-"><span class="Hyperlink">Gilmour, 2009</span></a>). Pedigree records of buffaloes were traced back up to five available generations and these buffaloes were the progeny of 88 sires and 303 dams. Number of base animals were 119 with no pedigree records. Most of the phenotypic correlations of 305 days milk yield with body measurements were in low range. Body measurements have shown very low positive phenotypic correlation values with 305 days milk yield. Negative phenotypic correlations with 305 days milk yield were not observed. Positive genetic correlation values were observed for diagonal body length, height at withers and for heart girth. The results are presented in <a href="#Table-1"><span class="Hyperlink">table 1</span></a> and <a href="#Table-2-"><span class="Hyperlink">2</span></a>.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading"><span class="CharOverride-7"><a id="Table-1"></a>Table 1: </span>Least squares means for body measurements in Nili Ravi buffaloes</p>
			<table width="657" height="94" class="Table-Style-1 TableOverride-1" id="table-1">
				<colgroup>
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-1" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-2" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-3" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-4" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-5" />
				</colgroup>
				<tbody>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-6">
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title CharOverride-7">Trait</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title CharOverride-7">N</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title CharOverride-7">Mean±Std Dev</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title CharOverride-7">Coefficient of Variation (%)</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title CharOverride-7">Range</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-7">
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">Diagonal body length (cm) </span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">1155</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title">154.01±7.60</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title">4.94</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">127-185</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-8">
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">Height at withers (cm)</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">1170</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title">132.04±4.56</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title">3.46</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">117-146</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-9">
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">Heart girth (cm)</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">1179</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title">194.46±10.31</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-3"><span class="Title">5.30</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-2"><span class="Title">121-226</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
				</tbody>
			</table>
			<p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Figure--and-Table-Heading ParaOverride-1"><span class="CharOverride-7"><a id="Table-2-"></a>Table 2: </span>Phenotypic and genetic correlation of some body measurements with 305 days milk yield in Nili Ravi Buffaloes</p>
			<table width="657" height="94" class="Table-Style-1 TableOverride-1" id="table-2">
				<colgroup>
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-10" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-11" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-12" />
					<col class="_idGenTableRowColumn-13" />
				</colgroup>
				<tbody>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-14">
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-17">Trait</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-17">N</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-17">Phenotypic correlation</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-17">Genetic correlation</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-7">
						<td>
							<p class="Normal" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">Height at withers</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">1170</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">0.04±0.02</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">0.08±0.0000</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-15">
						<td>
							<p class="Normal" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">Diagonal body length</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">1155</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">0.04±0.04</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">0.16±0.0003</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
					<tr class="_idGenTableRowColumn-7">
						<td>
							<p class="Normal" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">Heart girth</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-1" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">1179</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">0.04±0.04</span></p>
						</td>
						<td>
							<p class="Normal ParaOverride-3" lang="en-US"><span class="Title CharOverride-18">0.14±0.0005</span></p>
						</td>
					</tr>
				</tbody>
			</table>
			<p class="Normal" lang="en-US">&nbsp;</p>
		  <p class="Normal" lang="en-US">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----"><span class="Emphasis CharOverride-15">DISCUSSION</span></p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
            <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Phenotypic correlation of diagonal body length with milk yield was very low in the current study (&lt;0.05). <a href="#Sieber-M--Freeman-AE--Kelley-DH--1988-."><span class="Hyperlink">Sieber et al. (1988)</span></a> reported a significant phenotypic correlation of body length with milk yield as 0.21. <a href="#Bayram-B--G-ler-O--Yacndc-M--Akbulut----2006-"><span class="Hyperlink">Bayram et al. (2006)</span></a> has also reported a significant positive phenotypic correlation of body length with milk yield as 0.28. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported this correlation as 0.25 in crossbred cows. <a href="#Jaayid-TA--Yousief-MY--Hamed-FH--Owaid-JM--2011-"><span class="Hyperlink">Jaayid et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported significant positive phenotypic correlation of body length with milk yield as 0.32 in Iraqi buffaloes. <a href="#Musa-AM--Mohammed-AO--Abdalla--Elamin1-KM--2011-."><span class="Hyperlink">Musa et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported this correlation highly significant as 0.54 in Kenana cattle. The very low phenotypic correlation in the current study might be due to relatively small data set or due to species differences.</p>
          <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
            <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Genetic correlation of diagonal body length with 305 days milk yield has been observed considerable as 0.16±0.0003. <a href="#Khan-MA--2009-"><span class="Hyperlink">Khan (2009)</span></a> has reported almost similar genetic correlation of diagonal body length with 305 days milk yield as 0.13±0.00 in Sahiwal cows. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported this correlation as 0.048 in crossbred cows. Diagonal body length in the current study has shown a low but positive genetic correlation with milk yield and this trait might be considered in the selection program for Nili Ravi buffaloes.</p>
          <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
            <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Phenotypic correlation of height at withers with 305 days milk yield was found as 0.04±0.02. <a href="#Jaayid-TA--Yousief-MY--Hamed-FH--Owaid-JM--2011-"><span class="Hyperlink">Jaayid et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported a similar phenotypic correlation of height at withers with milk yield as 0.03 in Iraqi buffaloes. Slightly higher phenotypic correlation of height at withers with milk yield was reported by <a href="#Lin-CY--Lee-AJ--Mcallister-AJ--Batra-TR--Roy-GL--Vesely-JA--Wauthy-JM--Winter--KA--1987"><span class="Hyperlink">Lin et al. (1987)</span></a> as 0.12 in Holstein cows and <a href="#Khan-MA--2009-"><span class="Hyperlink">Khan (2009)</span></a> as 0.09±0.06 in Sahiwal cows. <a href="#Sieber-M--Freeman-AE--Kelley-DH--1988-."><span class="Hyperlink">Sieber et al. (1988)</span></a> reported a significant phenotypic correlation of height at withers with milk yield as 0.22. <a href="#Bayram-B--G-ler-O--Yacndc-M--Akbulut----2006-"><span class="Hyperlink">Bayram et al. (2006)</span></a> has also reported a significant positive phenotypic correlation of 0.30 in Holstein Friesian cows. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported this correlation as 0.23 in crossbred cows. <a href="#Khalid-MS--2011"><span class="Hyperlink">Khalid (2011)</span></a> has reported this correlation as 0.20 in Nili Ravi buffaloes. <a href="#Musa-AM--Mohammed-AO--Abdalla--Elamin1-KM--2011-."><span class="Hyperlink">Musa et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported this correlation highly significant as 0.28 in Kenana cattle.</p>
          <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Genetic correlation of height at withers with 305 days milk yield was observed as 0.08±0.00. <a href="#Lin-CY--Lee-AJ--Mcallister-AJ--Batra-TR--Roy-GL--Vesely-JA--Wauthy-JM--Winter--KA--1987"><span class="Hyperlink">Lin et al. (1987)</span></a> and <a href="#Van-Niekerk-DJ--Neser-FWC--Erasmus-GJ--2000-."><span class="Hyperlink">Van Niekerk et al. (2000)</span></a> have reported higher estimates as 0.35±0.13 and 0.33, respectively. <a href="#Khan-MA--2009-"><span class="Hyperlink">Khan (2009)</span></a> has reported this correlation as 0.17± 0.00. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported a very high genetic correlation as 0.59 in crossbred cows. These reports are not in agreement with the findings of current study. Lower genetic correlation of height at withers with milk yield suggested that this trait is not much important, however further research is needed to investigate this relationship in Nili Ravi buffaloes.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">The findings of current study indicated a phenotypic correlation of heart girth with 305 days milk yield as 0.04±0.04. <a href="#Sieber-M--Freeman-AE--Kelley-DH--1988-."><span class="Hyperlink">Sieber et al. (1988)</span></a> reported a positive but non significant phenotypic correlation of heart girth with milk yield as 0.18. <a href="#Rehman-M--1996-."><span class="Hyperlink">Rehman (1996)</span></a> has reported phenotypic correlation of heart girth with milk yield as 0.14±0.02. <a href="#Bayram-B--G-ler-O--Yacndc-M--Akbulut----2006-"><span class="Hyperlink">Bayram et al. (2006)</span></a> have reported a highly significant positive phenotypic correlation of 0.30 in Holstein Friesian cows. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported this correlation as 0.17 in crossbred cows. <a href="#Khalid-MS--2011"><span class="Hyperlink">Khalid (2011)</span></a> and <a href="#Yakubu-A--2011-"><span class="Hyperlink">Yakubu (2011)</span></a> have reported a very high phenotypic correlation of heart girth with milk yield as 0.63 and 0.53 respectively. <a href="#Jaayid-TA--Yousief-MY--Hamed-FH--Owaid-JM--2011-"><span class="Hyperlink">Jaayid et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported significant positive phenotypic correlation of heart girth with milk yield as 0.36 in Iraqi buffaloes. <a href="#Musa-AM--Mohammed-AO--Abdalla--Elamin1-KM--2011-."><span class="Hyperlink">Musa et al. (2011)</span></a> has reported this correlation highly significant as 0.36 in Kenana cattle. The findings of the current study do not agree with most of the above reports. The reason might be relatively small data set or some genetic or environmental differences. </p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp; </p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Genetic correlation of heart girth with 305 days milk yield was found as 0.14±0.00. <a href="#Khan-MA--2009-"><span class="Hyperlink">Khan (2009)</span></a> has reported corresponding value as 0.22±0.00 in Sahiwal cows. <a href="#Lin-CY--Lee-AJ--Mcallister-AJ--Batra-TR--Roy-GL--Vesely-JA--Wauthy-JM--Winter--KA--1987"><span class="Hyperlink">Lin et al. (1987)</span></a> and <a href="#De-Haas-Y--Janss-LLG--Kadarmideen-HN--2007-."><span class="Hyperlink">De Haas et al. (2007)</span></a> have also reported higher genetic correlation of heart girth with milk production as 0.30 and 0.39, respectively. <a href="#Alphonsus-C--Apka-GN--Oni-OO--Rekwot-PI--Barje-PP--Yashim-SM--2010-"><span class="Hyperlink">Alphonsus et al. (2010)</span></a> has reported a very high genetic correlation as 0.82 in crossbred cows. These reported values are high and do not agree with the findings of current study. Genetic correlation of heart girth with milk yield although not very high but seems to be important and can be considered for indirect selection for milk yield through heart girth measurement.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">Diagonal body length in the current study has shown a low but positive genetic correlation with milk yield and this trait might be considered in the selection program for Nili Ravi buffaloes. Genetic correlation of heart girth with milk yield although not very high but seems to be important and can be considered for indirect selection for milk yield through heart girth measurement.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">The cooperation of the officer incharges of public sector livestock farms and the members of buffalo breeders association of Punjab is highly acknowledged. The project was funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">CONFLICT OF INTEREST</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">We want to make it clear that there is no conflict of interest with any of the financial organization regarding the material discussed in the current manuscript.</p>
		  <p class="Body-Text ParaOverride-1">&nbsp;</p>
			<p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">REFERENCES</p>
		  <p class="Heading-1--Introduction----">&nbsp;</p>
			
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