Effect of weaning on the postpartum reproductive performance of Murrah buffaloes

Abstract

The present experiment was designed to study the effect of weaning on resumption of ovarian cyclicity in postpartum Murrah buffaloes. A total of sixteen postpartum Murrah buffaloes in their second to sixth lactation were divided into two equal groups as: (1) Group 1 (Weaning) and (2) Group 2 (Suckling) keeping body weight, age, parity and birth weight of calf into consideration. The animals in the weaning group (n= 8) were isolated from calf by day 3 and animals of the suckling group (n= 8) were allowed to suckle twice daily until the end of experiment. Behavioural estrus (53.29± 7.52 vs. 128.00± 9.94 days, P< 0.01) were shorter in weaned animals than control animals. More than half proportion of animals in weaning group conceived before 90 days postpartum compared to animals in suckling group (62.50 vs. 0.00%, P< 0.01). Furthermore, first service conception rate in weaned animals was greater than suckling animals (28.50 vs 25.00%, P> 0.05). It was concluded from the present study that buffalo reproduction can be successfully manipulated through the effect of weaning. Weaning accelerated the resumption of cyclic activity and enhanced the conception rate in postpartum buffaloes.