Body condition score, parity, shelter cleanliness and male proximity: Highly associated non-genetic factors with post-partum anestrus in Murrah buffalo in field conditions

Reproductive Performance of Water Buffalo Cows: A Review of Affecting Factors

“…The genotype has an important effect on the reproductive performance of buffaloes, contributing 77.61% in the total variation of CI [25], which coincides with Kumar et al [26], who suggest that, although more research is needed, genetic factors could affect the variation of postpartum anestrus period. Sanker et al [25] observed that Murrah buffaloes had a shorter CI (424.32±2.60 days, P < 0.05) compared to Diara buffaloes (464.21±2.57) or those genetically not described (462.19±2.55 days).…”

“…As part of the buffalo management system, the continuous presence of a bull improves reproductive efficiency [26,82]. The presence of vasectomized bulls increased the rate of buffalo in estrus, estrus intensity, the rate of ovulatory estrus, and the pregnancy rate in buffaloes in both natural and induced estrus; additionally, these effects were higher during the season of low reproductive activity [83].…”

“…Parity has a determining effect on reproductive efficiency [11,12,[17][18][19]25,26,[50][51][52][53][54]. Sosa et al [16] observed that the incidence of anestrus was higher in first calving water buffaloes (21.59%) compared with those of two (11.63%) and those of three or more calvings (9.97%) and this implies a lengthening of the calving to first estrus and calving to conception intervals.…”

“…However, to observe a shortening of the interval to estrus, a bull's continuous presence was necessary [86]. Recently it was determined that the presence of a bull at less than 20 feet shortened the onset of postpartum ovarian activity [26]. Biostimulation's effects could be due to the action of bull pheromones acting on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to promote the secretion of LH and consequently follicular activity and ovulation and the formation of a competent corpus luteum that secretes higher levels of progesterone favoring the establishment of pregnancy [84].…”

“…The use of oxytocin is common to induce the letdown of milk with mechanical milking [111]. The use of oxytocin at the time of milking increased the calving to the first ovulation interval [14], and more recently a positive correlation has been observed between the use of oxytocin and the postpartum anestrus period [26], and this could be related to its effect on milk production [112] and oxidative stress [113]. Additionally, the use of oxytocin increases the incidence of reproductive problems such as follicular and luteal cysts, retention of placenta, anestrus, and repetition of services [114].…”