Reproductive management in buffalo by artificial insemination

Artificial insemination (AI) is important for genetic improvement and to control the period of breeding in buffalo and has increased significantly over the past 20 years. AI is more difficult in buffalo compared with cattle due to variable estrous cycles, reduced estrous behavior, and reproductive seasonality. The latter is associated with a higher incidence of anestrus and increased embryonic mortality during the nonbreeding season. Protocols to control the stage of the estrous cycle have undergone recent development in buffalo. These protocols are based on the control of both the luteal phase of the cycle, mainly by prostaglandins and progesterone, and follicle development and ovulation, by prostaglandins, progesterone, GnRH, hCG, eCG and estradiol. Protocols that synchronize the time of ovulation enable fixed timed AI, avoiding estrous detection. Factors to consider when selecting an AI protocol include animal category (heifers, primiparous or pluriparous), reproductive status (cyclic or anestrus), and season. This review looks at the current status of estrus synchronization and AI in buffalo and provides some practical suggestions for application of AI in the field.