Abstract
This study aimed to assess the influence of live body weight (LBW) and age on reproductive performance in buffalo heifers synchronized by different treatments. The study was carried out on 146 Mediterranean buffalo heifers (mean age 25.3±13.4 months, LBW 424±47 kg), divided into 2 homogeneous groups and synchronized by Ovsynch-TAI Program (OVS; n = 72) or double prostaglandin administered 12 days apart (PGF; n = 74). All the buffaloes were inseminated twice and follicle dimensions and ovulation rate (OR) were assessed by ultrasound 24 and 48 h post-insemination. Pregnancy was assessed on day 25, 45 and 90 post-insemination and the incidence of late embryonic (LEM) and fetal (FM) mortality were respectively recorded. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. The LBW was significantly (P<0.05) higher in inseminated animals, compared to those that did not respond to the treatments (450.0±3.2 vs. 423.2±9.6 kg in inseminated and not inseminated heifers, respectively). Total OR was similar between groups, although OR at 24 h tended to be higher (P = 0.06) in OVS (86.7 vs. 72.9% in OVS and PGF, respectively). A (P<0.01) higher LBW was observed in ovulated heifers of PGF, while no differences were recorded in OVS. LBW affected OR (odds ratio = 1,032; P<0.05) only in PGF, while no effects were recorded in OVS. Total pregnancy rate, LEM and FM were similar between groups. In conclusion, the LBW would be considered before including buffalo heifers in a synchronization program and both synchronization treatments can be useful.
Highlights
In buffalo species the optimization of breeding techniques in Italy allowed to reduce the age at first calving from about 45 months to less than 30 months in 30 years (Bhatti et al, 2007)
Ovulated buffaloes showed a significantly (P
The ovulation rate recorded in OVS at 24 h tended to be higher (P = 0.06) compared to that recorded in PGF (86.7 vs. 72.9% in OVS and PGF, respectively)
Summary
In buffalo species the optimization of breeding techniques in Italy allowed to reduce the age at first calving from about 45 months to less than 30 months in 30 years (Bhatti et al, 2007). In cyclic buffalo heifers with normal Corpus Luteum (CL) function, the response to estrus synchronization by Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α; Zicarelli et al, 1997) or Ovsynch-Timed Artificial Insemination (O-TAI) program (Neglia et al, 2018), is comparable to the response observed in cattle. At present, no information are available on the relationships between the body weight and reproductive performance in buffalo heifers treated by different synchronization protocols. The aims of this study were: i) to assess the influence of LBW on reproductive performance in buffalo heifers; and ii) to evaluate if the synchronization by double PGF2α or O-TAI program may affect pregnancy rate in buffalo heifers
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