Effect of body weight at calving on body-weight changes during early lactation and post-partum reproductive performance in buffaloes

Abstract

SUMMARYStudies on the effect of body weight at calving on body-weight losses during early lactation and the post-partum reproductive performance of large, medium and small buffaloes revealed that the large buffaloes (weighing more than 550 kg at calving) lost most weight (45·9 kg) and the small buffaloes (weighing less than 475 kg at calving) least weight (4·9 kg) during the first 5 months of lactation. The body-weight loss was maximal in the 1st month of lactation. The reproductive performance (measured as conception rate, number of services per conception and service period) of small buffaloes was significantly (P < 0·05) better than the large buffaloes. These results indicate that body–weight losses during early lactation are affected by the body weight at calving and these losses play an important role in influencing the post-partum reproductive performance. It is therefore suggested that, to improve the reproductive performance, the feeding regimen of buffaloes during pregnancy and after calving should be such that body-weight losses after calving are small.