Seasonality of clinical estrus in buffalos

Abstract

Seasonality is a variation on changes that are recorded during the year, being modulated by microclimate factors and macroclimat. At buffaloes, seasonality is manifested during certain times of the year. The literature are described seasonal changes in the female genital tract, especially differences in the volume of ovaries, depending on the period of the sexual cycle. Regarding of occurrence estrous phase in the winter (November to March), anestrous installs in around 90% of cases. In this study have been monitored a total of 65 buffalo concerning: timing of estrus, estrous clinical signs and its duration. Estrus detection was performed by clinical methods while buffalos were stimulated by using male buffalo. Mode of occurrence of oestrus and its manifestations have been grouped into seasons. Results showed that at 9.23% (6 buffaloes) of the effective were not identified clinical signs of heat. As to the clinical manifestation of the estrous phase, her characterization is poorly expressed clinical, also vulvar edema is reduced, less abundant mucus and reduced volume. Behaviourally buffalo in estrus are characterized by reduced appetite, slightly agitated and curious. On the seasons, spontaneous estrus was diagnosed in 50.8% (30) in spring, 30.5% (18) summer, 13.6% (8) autumn and 5.1% (3) in winter. Seasonality manifestation estrus at buffalo, is concretized by the antagonistic results obtained in May and December. It was found that spontaneous estrus in May was diagnosed in 28.8% (17) of buffalo herd, and in December no female has been diagnosed in estrus. Low values were observed in January, November and August (1.7%).