Productive, reproductive, and estrus characteristics of different breeds of buffalo cows in Bangladesh

Objective: The objective of this research work is to know the productive and reproductive perfor¬mances and problems of local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows in selected study areas in Bangladesh. Methodology: A total of 1,241 local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows were surveyed in the selected areas with a pre-set questionnaire. Among 1,241 buffalo cows, 112 buffalo cows were randomly selected at day 0 of the estrus cycle for studying ovarian features. Results: Results showed that the average age, body condition score, and body weight were sig¬nificantly (p < 0.05) different among the studied breeds. Milk production in Murrah and lactation length in Nilli cows were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than indigenous, crossbred, Nilli, and indig¬enous, crossbred, Murrah buffalo cows, respectively. Results also illustrated that sexual maturity, estrus cycle length, insemination time after the onset of estrus, and gestation length insignifi¬cantly (p > 0.05) varied among the surveyed breed. But, the fallout of the study denoted that estrus duration, first calving age, parity number, number of service per conception, calving inter¬val, and voluntary waiting period varied significantly (p < 0.05) in different breeds. Ovarian phys¬iological characteristics such as vaginal electrical resistance, average number of follicles in two ovaries, and largest follicular diameter, estrogen, and progesterone at day 0 of the estrus cycle of local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows showed insignificantly (p > 0.05) differences. Conclusion: The study will help the veterinarian and researcher to identify the constraints for the reproductive efficiency of buffalo in Bangladesh. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(4.000): 553-560]