Reproduction in Domestic Buffalo

Abstract

The domestic buffalo is an indispensable livestock resource to millions of smallholder farmers in developing countries, particularly in Asia. Although its reproductive biology is basically similar to that of cattle, there are important differences and unique characteristics that need to be considered in order to apply modern reproductive technologies to improve its productivity. Under most smallholder production systems, the reproductive efficiency of buffalo is compromised by factors related to climate, management, nutrition and diseases. However, when managed and fed properly, buffalo can have good fertility and provide milk, calves and draught power over a long productive life. The basic technical problems associated with artificial insemination in buffalo were largely overcome two decades ago, but the technology has not had the expected impact in some developing countries, because largely of infrastructural and logistic problems. Approaches involving the use of hormones for treating anoestrus and for synchronizing oestrus have had varying rates of success, depending on the protocols used and the incidence of underlying problems that cause infertility. Embryo technologies such as multiple ovulation embryo transfer, in vitro embryo production, cryopreservation and cloning are being intensively studied but have had far lower success rates than in cattle. Improving the productivity of buffalo requires an understanding of their potential and limitations under each farming system, development of simple intervention strategies to ameliorate deficiencies in management, nutrition and healthcare, followed by judicious application of reproductive technologies that are sustainable with the resources available to buffalo farmers.

Alginate encapsulation preserves the quality and fertilizing ability of Mediterranean Italian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Holstein Friesian (Bos taurus) spermatozoa after cryopreservation

“…Additional problems relate to the short lifespan of frozen/thawed spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract and the narrow uterine cervix of buffalo females which makes intrauterine artificial semen delivery difficult [21]. …”

Morpho- and Histometric Evaluations on the Testis and Epididymis in Buffalo Bulls During the Different Reproductive Seasons

“…In wild life, seasonality can be interpreted as a natural contraceptive method [4], which restricts the reproductive activity to the optimal time of the year for assuring that births occur at a time that promotes maximal growth and development of the offspring and supports lactation in the mother. Accordingly, the buffalo has been traditionally regarded as a poor breeder with low reproductive efficiency, characterized by late attainment of puberty and maturity, seasonality of calving, long postpartum anoestrus, poor expression of oestrous signs, low conception rates and long calving intervals [5][6][7]. A seasonal pattern of reproduction is frequently seen in the bubaline females in some world locations, where annual changes in rainfall determine the availability and quality of feed.…”

Zearalenone is bioactivated in the river Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): hepatic biotransformation

“…For instance, there are reports indicating that under an acceptable management in particular proper nutrition, it would be possible to overcome part of the fertility problems in river buffalo (Perera 2008). Thus, it is clear that like other livestock, nutrition can influence most of the physiological functions in river buffalo as well.…”

“…The world water buffalo population, which is estimated to be approximately 170 million, is mainly classified into two types: river and swamp (Perera 2008). The river buffalos are located largely in South Asia, and the swamp-type buffalos are found across the South East Asia.…”