Effect of the feeding condition and number of dominant follicles on oestrus synchronization in Swamp buffalo

Abstract

The research aimed to assess how feeding conditions and the number of the dominant follicles (DF) influence oestrus synchronization in swamp buffaloes. A total of 170 swamp female buffaloes raised in semi-grazing and housekeeping were included in the study. The synchronization used CIDR method and the follicles on the day of CIDR (Controlled Internal Drug Releasing) insert and removal were tracked by sonography. The results indicated that the age of first mating, age at first calving, and caving interval showed no significant differences in the two feeding conditions. The number of follicles at CIDR insertion and removal decreased in semi-grazing, but increased in housekeeping buffaloes. The percentage of buffalo without DF, one DF, and two DFs at CIDR withdrawal did not differ statistically. The percentage of estrus was 100% in both groups. Pregnancy rates were 53.18% in semi- grazing and 52.63% in housekeeping. The onset of oestrus was similar, but the duration of oestrus was longer in the buffaloes without DF than those with one or two DFs. The percentage of pregnant buffaloes in the group without DF was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. In summary, the efficiency of oestrus synchronization did not differ between semi-grazing and housekeeping methods. Buffaloes without DF displayed longer oestrus periods and lower pregnancy rates compared to those with one or two DFs in the ovarian system.