Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Murrah buffalo bulls subjected to surface
cooling had good quality (creamy and light
creamy) semen more frequently with high sperm
concentration, mass activity, motility % and live
sperm production in cooled than uncooled
cows but had no effect on semen volume and pH
(Mandal et al.
2002
) .
horns are more coiled as compared to those of the
cow. The body of the uterus is much shorter
(1-2 cm) than that of the cow (2-4 cm). The cervix
of the water buffalo is smaller than that of the cow
(length 3-10 cm, diameter 1.5-6.0 cm), and its
canal is more tortuous, which probably accounts
for less dilation of the external os during oestrus.
The average number of cervical folds in water
buffalo is three (Sarabia
2004
) . The inactive ova-
ries of the mature water buffalo (El-Wishy
2007
)
are smaller (3.0 × 1.4 × 1.0 cm; 2.9-6.1 g) versus
(3.7 × 2.5 × 1.5 cm; 5-15 g) in the cow (Roberts
1986
). There are differences due to variations in
breed, environmental conditions, season and
management practices.
9.3
Females
Buffaloes are found only in certain regions in the
world, principally Asia, some Mediterranean
countries, some countries in Eastern Europe
and in many countries in Latin America.
These regions are widely different in the geogra-
phical conditions, no other domestic animal can
thrive and be similarly useful and economical.
Most of the buffaloes in India and Pakistan and
the countries of Southeast Asia, where the vast
majority of the world's population of ~170 million
buffaloes (FAO
2003
) reside, are in the care of
small holders. Buffaloes in these countries are kept
primarily for draught purposes and as a source of
milk. By contrast, most cattle are raised in herds and
on farms. Cattle have been selected specifically
as dairy animals or beef animals largely, through
the use of AI and more recently embryo transfer.
Globally, there has been minimal genetic selec-
tion for fertility in buffalo, which are generally
regarded as poor breeders (Bhattacharya
1974
) .
Poor breeding is attributed to late maturity, poor
oestrus expression, prolonged calving intervals
and seasonal reproductive patterns. Wild or feral
female buffalo reaches sexual maturity at
2-3 years of age. Domesticated buffalo that is
cared for and fed properly is likely to reach
puberty early. Puberty is highly affected by man-
agement factors and practices. Body size is more
important than age of animal, and a Murrah heifer
should attain a two-third of mature body weight
around 325 kg at first insemination or mating and
450-500 kg at her first calving. The age of puberty
in buffalo is 36-42 months in India. It is com-
paratively late compared to other countries like
Italy, where the age at first calving is between
28 and 32 months on average (Borghese
2005
) .
The tubular genitalia of the buffalo are gener-
ally more muscular and firmer, and the uterine
9.4
The Reproductive Cycle
of a Buffalo
9.4.1 Puberty
The onset of puberty occurs late in buffaloes.
First oestrus occurs at around 15-18 and 21-24
months in river buffalo and swamp buffalo,
respectively; it varies considerably with the
status of nutrition and body condition score
(Jainudeen
1986
). The age at first oestrus in some
cases may be higher, and in heifers, expression of
behavioural oestrus may be low.
9.4.2 Oestrous Cycle
Water buffalo is seasonally polyestrous with an
average cycle length of 20 days (range 18-24
days) and an average duration of oestrus of 18 h
(range 5-36 h). The oestrous behaviour in water
buffalo is much more subtle, and homosexual
behaviour is rare. Secondary oestrus signs such
as swollen vulva, reddening of the vulvar mucosa,
mucous vaginal discharge and frequent urination
are also observed but may not be true indicators
of oestrus. Ovulation occurs after about 30 h of
the onset of oestrus. The diameter of an ovulatory
follicle is ~10 mm. The diameter of the mature
corpus luteum (CL) ranges from 10 to 15 mm
versus 12.5 to 25.0 mm in the bovine. The ovu-
lation papilla, or crown, of the CL does not pro-
trude much beyond the surface of the ovary,
making it more difficult to identify by palpation
per rectum. The CL of pregnancy is invariably
