Typical repeat breeding and its improvement in buffaloes.

Abstract

Propagation problems in buffaloes are often not easily recognizable, particularly lacking are studies on the repeat breeding syndrome. In the present study repeat breeder buffaloes were inseminated 3 or more times within the same lactation period. The incidence of typical repeat breeders was 8.33% in the lactation herd. These animals had a longer lactation period and a higher number of services per conception than normal buffaloes. The correlation coefficients were significant between the number of services per conception and each of weight at birth and weight at first service. Repeat breeders significantly (P < 0.05) surpassed normal buffaloes in creatinine values and had contrary values in the serum albumin concentration, glucose, inorganic phosphate, and zinc. Progesterone in urine (efficacious progesterone) was significantly lower on the 10th day post estrus, whereas the non-efficacious progesterone was significantly higher in repeat breeders. Supplying the repeat breeders with sodium phosphate for 1 month 40 g/head/day in the diet and 500 ppm zinc acetate in the drinking water improved the conception rate by 80%.