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Dairy Buffalo Behavior: Calving, Imprinting and Allosuckling
Daniel Mota-Rojas1, Andrea Bragaglio2, Ada Braghieri3
1Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|November 11, 2022
Summary
This review examines maternal behaviors in water buffalo, focusing on calving, imprinting, and suckling. Understanding these hormonal and neurological processes is key for calf survival and health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Behavior
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Maternal behavior in ruminants involves calving, imprinting, and suckling, crucial for neonate survival.
- Hormonal changes, especially oxytocin, significantly influence mother-young bonding during the critical postpartum period.
- Dairy buffalo parturition behavior remains understudied, highlighting a knowledge gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing scientific evidence on maternal behavior in water buffalo during calving.
- To analyze the mechanisms of imprinting, maternal care, and allosuckling in water buffalo.
- To investigate factors influencing calf survival and health related to maternal behavior.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific studies on water buffalo maternal behavior.
- Analysis of hormonal and neurological mechanisms underlying maternal bonding.
- Examination of calving, imprinting, and suckling patterns.
Main Results:
- Maternal behavior is a complex species-specific pattern triggered by hormonal shifts.
- Oxytocin plays a pivotal role in mother-young bonding and maternal care.
- Allosuckling strategies may impact calf health and survival.
Conclusions:
- Further research into water buffalo maternal behavior during calving is essential.
- Understanding these behaviors can improve calf health and survival rates.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge to guide future studies and practices.
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