Improving reproductive efficiency in female buffaloes
2005
Barile, V.L.
Reproductive efficiency is the primary factor affecting productivity in female buffalo, but is greatly hampered by late attainment of puberty, seasonality of calving, long postpartum anoestrus and subsequent calving interval. Moreover, artificial insemination (AI) is seldom performed because of the weakness of oestrus symptoms and the variability of oestrus length, which makes oestrus detection very difficult. Researchers have tried to cope with each of the critical physiological aspects of buffalo reproductive performance mentioned above. In the present review, the main factors affecting the low reproductive efficiency in buffalo are examined and proposals made for its improvement, taking into account both our research work and literature results. Previous research on the changes in hormone profile during the oestrus cycle and in follicle development were used to develop models for improving reproductive efficiency. Hormonal treatments can be used: (1) to anticipate puberty in order to reduce the age at first calving; (2) to improve fertility in the low breeding season; and (3) to increase the effectiveness of AI programmes by overcoming the difficulty in oestrus detection.
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