Reproductive management in buffalo by artificial insemination

Self Cite

The buffalo milk industry has economic and social relevance in Italy, as linked to the manufacture of traditional dairy products. To provide an overview of the current status of buffaloes’ performances on a large scale, almost 1 million milk test-day records from 72,294 buffaloes were available to investigate milk yield, energy corrected milk, fat, protein, and lactose content, and somatic cell score (SCS). Phenotypic correlations between milk traits were calculated and analysis of variance was carried out through a mixed model approach including fixed effect of parity, stage of lactation, sampling time, month of calving, and all their interactions and random effects of buffalo, herd-test-date, and residual. Third-parity buffaloes were the most productive in terms of milk yield, while the lowest solid content was detected in sixth parity buffaloes. A considerable gap between primiparous and multiparous buffaloes was observed for milk yield, especially in early- and mid-lactation. Overall, SCS progressively increased with parity and showed a negative correlation with milk yield in both primiparous (−0.12) and multiparous (−0.14) buffaloes. Results suggested that, at the industrial level, milk of primiparous buffaloes may be preferred for transformation purposes, since it was characterized by greater solid content and lower SCS. Results of this study provide a picture of the Italian population of buffaloes under systematic performance records and might be beneficial to both dairy industry and breeding organizations.

Section: Analysis Of Variancementioning

confidence: 99%

Phenotypic Characterization of Milk Yield and Quality Traits in a Large Population of Water Buffaloes

Costa

Negrini

Marchi

et al. 2020

Self Cite

“…were excluded from the study. Furthermore, if the animals did not show corpora lutea and/or follicles larger than 0.7 cm following three consecutive examinations, they were considered to be in anoestrus and were subjected to oestrus synchronization [ 17 ] and AI (see below). On the contrary, if a pregnancy was recorded, the diagnosis was confirmed at least two times 30 days apart, and the animals were excluded from further investigations.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A reduction of seasonal anoestrus can be achieved using some hormonal treatments [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Significant results have been recorded using either intravaginal progesterone (P 4 ) devices [ 15 , 18 ] or norgestomet ear implants [ 19 ], which are associated with prostaglandin and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Days after Calving and Thermal Stress on the Efficacy of a Progesterone-Based Treatment in Acyclic Italian Mediterranean Buffalo

Matera

Cotticelli

Salzano

et al. 2021

Self Cite

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a progesterone-based treatment on anoestrus in buffaloes. Primiparous acyclic buffaloes (n = 276), were divided into three classes according to their days in milk (DIM): from 50 to 90 (Class I; n = 86), from 91 to 150 (Class II; n = 102) and from 150 to 200 (Class III; n = 88). Animals were synchronized using P4 vaginal implants, followed by timed artificial insemination (TAI). They were then allowed to enter into a larger group of buffaloes for natural mating 15 days after AI was performed, and pregnancy status was monitored from then on at 15-day intervals. Finally, the temperature–humidity index (THI) was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA by means and both multiple and linear regression. The total pregnancy rate (PR) was 87.7%, with no differences among DIM classes (88.0, 92.4, and 80.0% in Classes I, II, and III, respectively). However, the PR at TAI tended to be higher (p = 0.07) in buffaloes in Class II. The follicle (FL) area in Class II buffaloes was larger (p < 0.01) than that of the other classes. No influence of the THI on the total PR was recorded. The pregnancy outcome at TAI was affected by the FL area (odds ratio = 2.237; p < 0.05) and body condition score (BCS) (odds ratio = 1.256; p < 0.05). In conclusion, treatment with vaginal P4 optimizes pregnancy rates in anoestrus buffaloes, particularly when the animals are in mid-lactation and show an optimal BCS. Furthermore, the THI does not seem to affect the efficiency of the progesterone treatment.

“…Female buffaloes have a small follicular size that generates low concentrations of estradiol. Research has documented that 3.4% of female buffaloes manifest estrous behavior and that over 60% have what is called “silent estrus” [ 8 , 15 ]; thus, some ranches have implemented fixed-time reproductive protocols that foster genetic improvement by responding to the physiological characteristics of female buffaloes if no male capable of identifying estrus is available ( Figure 3 ). In addition to this, non-invasive tools such as infrared thermography have been used in the detection of estrus due to the changes presented in the vulva prior to ovulation, which could be an efficient and safe indicator of estrus [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Reproductive Management Of Female Buffaloesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Handling and Physiological Aspects of the Dual-Purpose Water Buffalo Production System in the Mexican Humid Tropics

Rodríguez-González

Minervino

Orihuela

et al. 2022

The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of the dual-purpose water buffalo production based on the Mexican production system as a model in tropical wetlands. It includes a broad literature review emphasizing the most recent and specialized publications examining key findings to improve our understanding in the performance of the buffalo species (Bubalus bubalis). The complementary topics addressed include reproductive management, parturition, the dam–calf bond, milking routines, and models of confinement and management, in addition to aspects related to milk commercialization. This article summarizes the advances made to date in this production system and its current margins for improvement. The development of dual-purpose water buffalo production systems in Mexico’s tropical wetlands is a relatively recent phenomenon that has progressed and improved due to herd management. Buffaloes are an interesting alternative for dual purpose systems that offer several advantages. The lower milk production of this species compared to cattle is its main limitation. However, the properties of their milk allow one to obtain an added value and make this type of farms competitive. In synthesis, consolidating buffalo production in Mexico’s tropical wetlands will require broadening our knowledge of this species, and perfecting the most appropriate handling procedures. The activities of government agencies and processing enterprises will play vital roles in achieving the integral modernization of this potentially important economic activity.