The postpartum buffalo: I. Endocrinological changes and uterine involution

To maintain a calving interval of 13-14 months in buffaloes, successful breeding must take place within 85-115 days after calving. Disturbances during this period due to delay of uterine involution or resumption of estrous activity are likely to prolong the calving interval and reduce the lifetime reproductive and productive efficiency. In this article literature on endocrinological changes in the peripartum period and on factors affecting uterine involution are reviewed. The available information indicated that although the availability of releasable FSH does not appear to be a limiting factor for resumption of postpartum cyclicity a substantial increase of releasable LH and replenishment of pituitary stores occurred around Day 20 in dairy and Day 30 in swamp buffaloes. There is evidence that follicular activity is resumed early (15-30 days) in the postpartum period. However, the factors which initiate release of appropriate LH pulses, follicular maturation and ovulation in the postpartum buffalo need further studies. The mean interval to complete uterine involution varied widely between 19 and 52 days. Assessment of cervical and uterine horn diameters by rectal palpation alone is not satisfactory to diagnose delayed uterine involution and possible subclinical uterine infection. Vaginal inspection can be included as a fundamental part of postpartum genital examination for diagnosis of such case. Uterine involution, however, does not seem to be a limiting factor for achievement of satisfactory fertility in the postpartum buffalo but the main determinant is resumption of estrous activity.