Suckling and reproduction in dairy buffalo: A review

Abstract

Following parturition, a longer period of anovulation and anestrus occurs in suckled buffalo. Delayed onset of ovarian activity is attributed to different factors, viz. suckling, nutrition, season, parity, body condition score (BCS) and nlilk yield. This causes serious economic constraints in the efficiency of milk production. Even though uterine involution begins soon after parturition, failure of follicular development is primarily due to apparent lack of luteinizing hormone (LH). Resumption of LH pulsality is limited by the depletion of anterior pituitary LH stores during early postpartum period (calving to 20 days postpartuln), while it is suppressed during days 20 through 35 postpartum due to suckling. Endocrine regulation of this behavior and its relationship with hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion has been facilitated using techniques that assess the functioning of pituitary gland in response to GnRH challenges exogenously. Based on the econolnic importance of buffalo as an integral part of livestock agriculture in Asia, a model of suckling-induced postpartum acyclicity has been discussed.