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Animals
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Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction
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Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 26357

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vittoria Lucia Barile

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis, CREA—Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, 00015 Rome, Italy
Interests: animal reproduction; oestrus synchronization; artificial insemination; seasonality; anoestrus; pregnancy; livestock production systems; cattle; buffalo
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Olimpia Barbato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Interests: endocrinology; pregnancy; placenta; PAG; Immuno-assays; cattle; buffalos; bisons
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global buffalo population is continuously increasing. More than 95% of the population is in Asia, where buffaloes play a prominent role in rural livestock production. It is also well-developed in the Mediterranean area and in Latin America, and in the recent decades several herds have also been introduced in Central/Northern Europe. Reproductive efficiency is the primary factor affecting livestock production and productivity, and it is hampered in buffalo by the seasonality. Female buffaloes show variation in reproduction activity and fertility, with distinct breeding and nonbreeding seasons. During the last several decades, considerable attention has been focused on the reproductive physiology of buffalo and the factors affecting its behavior. Based on this knowledge, different biotechnologies have been developed to improve the reproductive efficiency of both males and females.

The aim of this Special Issue is to bring together original research papers and reviews on basic and applied aspects of buffalo reproduction, both in males and females, possibly using new and multidisciplinary approaches, as well as studies on the application of classical and innovative technologies for reproduction control to optimize the management of buffalo herds.

Dr. Vittoria Lucia Barile
Dr. Olimpia Barbato
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 1143 KiB  
Article
Interferon Tau (IFNt) and Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs) Expression in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and Correlation with Circulating Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) during Peri-Implantation and Early Pregnancy in Buffalo Cows
by Anna Beatrice Casano, Vittoria Lucia Barile, Laura Menchetti, Gabriella Guelfi, Gabriele Brecchia, Stella Agradi, Giovanna De Matteis, Maria Carmela Scatà, Francesco Grandoni and Olimpia Barbato
Animals 2022, 12(22), 3068; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12223068 - 08 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1925
Abstract
The objective of this study was to analyze interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and interferon tau (IFNt) gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes during the peri-implantation period and until 40 days of pregnancy in buffalo cows. Relationships were also examined between [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to analyze interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and interferon tau (IFNt) gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes during the peri-implantation period and until 40 days of pregnancy in buffalo cows. Relationships were also examined between the expression of ISGs and IFNt and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) peripheral plasma concentration. Buffalo cows were synchronized and artificially inseminated (d 0). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 18, 28 and 40 after artificial insemination (AI) for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) isolation and PAGs radioimmunoassay analysis. The study was carried out on 21 buffalo cows divided ex post into Pregnant (n = 12) and Non-pregnant (n = 9) groups. Steady state levels of OAS1, MX2, ISG15 and IFNt mRNA were measured by RT-qPCR and their estimated marginal means (p < 0.01 for all) were higher in pregnant than non-pregnant buffaloes, both in PBMCs and PMNs. In PBMCs, pairwise comparisons showed that OAS1 and MX2 expressions differed between pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes on all the days of observation (p < 0.001), while significant differences in ISG15 and IFNt started from day 28 post-AI (p < 0.05). In PMNs, ISG15 expression differed between groups only at days 18 and 28 (p < 0.001), while comparisons were always significant for IFNt (p < 0.05). The expression of all genes, except ISG15 as determined in PMNs, was positively associated with PAGs plasma concentrations (p < 0.05). This work showed a significant increase in ISGs and IFNt expressions in PBMCs and PMNs in buffalo during the peri-implantation period and early pregnancy, and their correlation with PAGs plasma concentration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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9 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
Use of GnRH Treatment Based on Pregnancy-Associated Glyco-Proteins (PAGs) Levels as a Strategy for the Maintenance of Pregnancy in Buffalo Cows: A Field Study
by Corrado Pacelli, Vittoria Lucia Barile, Emilio Sabia, Anna Beatrice Casano, Ada Braghieri, Valeria Martina and Olimpia Barbato
Animals 2022, 12(20), 2822; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202822 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1633
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of GnRH administrated at day 35 after artificial insemination (AI) on the reproductive performance of buffalo cows. In ten buffalo farms in the period January–February, 481 buffalo cows were subjected to estrus synchronization [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of GnRH administrated at day 35 after artificial insemination (AI) on the reproductive performance of buffalo cows. In ten buffalo farms in the period January–February, 481 buffalo cows were subjected to estrus synchronization protocol and fixed-time artificial insemination (Ovsynch–TAI program). Radioimmunoassays (RIA) for pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) were used to detect pregnancy at day 28 after AI (cut-off value: ≥1 ng/mL). Among pregnant subjects, those with PAG values between 1 and 2.5 ng/mL were considered at risk of embryonic mortality (EM) and were assigned into two groups: treated (T; n = 57) control (C; n = 57). Treated buffaloes received 0.01 mg of buserelin acetate intramuscularly on day 35 after AI, whereas control buffaloes received no treatment. The pregnancy diagnosis was confirmed at day 60 through PAGs level and rectal palpation. The treatment with GnRH had a significant effect (p < 0.001) in reducing EM. Between days 28 and 60 after AI, the animals that experienced EM were only 2/57 in the T group, while were 13/57 in the C group. Moreover, GnRH treatment produced a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the PAG concentration between day 28 and day 60. Administration of GnRH at day 35 after AI in animals considered at risk of low embryo survival based on PAG levels allowed a reduction in pregnancy losses and improved the pregnancy rate during low-breeding season in buffalo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
14 pages, 2322 KiB  
Article
Comparative Proteomic Analyses of Poorly Motile Swamp Buffalo Spermatozoa Reveal Low Energy Metabolism and Deficiencies in Motility-Related Proteins
by Runfeng Liu, Xingchen Huang, Qinqiang Sun, Zhen Hou, Weihan Yang, Junjun Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Liangfeng Huang, Yangqing Lu and Qiang Fu
Animals 2022, 12(13), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131706 - 01 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1475
Abstract
The acquisition of mammalian sperm motility is a main indicator of epididymal sperm maturation and helps ensure fertilization. Poor sperm motility will prevent sperm cells from reaching the fertilization site, resulting in fertilization failure. To investigate the proteomic profiling of normal and poorly [...] Read more.
The acquisition of mammalian sperm motility is a main indicator of epididymal sperm maturation and helps ensure fertilization. Poor sperm motility will prevent sperm cells from reaching the fertilization site, resulting in fertilization failure. To investigate the proteomic profiling of normal and poorly motile buffalo spermatozoa, a strategy applying liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry combined with tandem mass targeting was used. As a result, 145 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in poorly motile spermatozoa (fold change > 1.5), including 52 upregulated and 93 downregulated proteins. The upregulated DEPs were mainly involved in morphogenesis and regulation of cell differentiation. The downregulated DEPs were involved with transport, oxidation-reduction, sperm motility, regulation of cAMP metabolism and regulation of DNA methylation. The mRNA and protein levels of PRM1 and AKAP3 were lower in poorly motile spermatozoa, while the expressions of SDC2, TEKT3 and IDH1 were not correlated with motility, indicating that their protein changes were affected by transcription or translation. Such changes in the expression of these proteins suggest that the formation of poorly motile buffalo spermatozoa reflects a low efficiency of energy metabolism, decreases in sperm protamine proteins, deficiencies in motility-related proteins, and variations in tail structural proteins. Such proteins could be biomarkers of poorly motile spermatozoa. These results illustrate some of the molecular mechanisms associated with poorly motile spermatozoa and provide clues for finding molecular markers of these pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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14 pages, 943 KiB  
Article
Follicular Dynamics during Estrous Cycle of Pubertal, Mature and Postpartum Crossbred (Nili Ravi × Jianghan) Buffaloes
by Adili Abulaiti, Umair Riaz, Zahid Naseer, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Guohua Hua and Liguo Yang
Animals 2022, 12(9), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091208 - 07 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3265
Abstract
The follicular dynamics is used as a reliable indicator for reproductive management in livestock. However, the follicular dynamics (follicle wave emergence, estrus cycle length, diameter of dominant follicle, follicular growth and atretic phases) during the estrous cycle of crossbred (Nili Ravi-Jianghan) buffalo is [...] Read more.
The follicular dynamics is used as a reliable indicator for reproductive management in livestock. However, the follicular dynamics (follicle wave emergence, estrus cycle length, diameter of dominant follicle, follicular growth and atretic phases) during the estrous cycle of crossbred (Nili Ravi-Jianghan) buffalo is still unexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to observe the follicular dynamics in estrous cycle of crossbred buffaloes at different physiological stages (pubertal; n = 28, sexual mature; n = 22 and postpartum; n = 18). In the present study, the follicular dynamics were ultrasonically examined at 12 h intervals throughout an estrous cycle during the breeding season. The results indicate that about 86.76% (59/68) crossbred buffaloes, irrespective of physiological stage, exhibited two follicular waves in estrous cycle with an average estrus cycle length was 20.7 ± 0.4 days. The estrus cycle length was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) in pubertal buffaloes (19.4 ± 0.4 days) compared with sexual mature (21.5 ± 0.3 days) and postpartum (21.9 ± 0.4 days) buffaloes. The first follicular wave emerged on same day during one- (pubertal vs. postpartum), two- (pubertal vs. mature vs. postpartum) or three-wave (mature vs. postpartum) estrous cycle buffaloes. The maximum diameter of dominant follicle (DF) in pubertal, sexually mature and postpartum crossbred buffaloes was 9.6 ± 2.0 mm, 10.6 ± 0.5 mm and 12.6 ± 0.7 mm with growth rate of 1.08 ± 0.04 mm/day, 0.92 ± 0.04 mm/day, and 0.9 ± 0.07 mm/day, respectively. In conclusion, similar to other buffalo breeds, Nili Ravi-Jianghan crossbred buffaloes showed the two-wave follicular pattern dominantly with an average duration of ~20 days estrous cycle. The observed follicular dynamics can be used as a reliable indicator for synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) programs to improve the fertility of crossbred buffaloes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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14 pages, 2788 KiB  
Article
Quercetin Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Buffalo Ovarian Granulosa Cells
by Weihan Yang, Runfeng Liu, Qinqiang Sun, Xingchen Huang, Junjun Zhang, Liangfeng Huang, Pengfei Zhang, Ming Zhang and Qiang Fu
Animals 2022, 12(6), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060787 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2104
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a crucial role in granulosa cell (GCs) apoptosis, which is the main cause of follicular atresia. Quercetin (QC), a plant-derived flavonoid, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other biological properties. However, whether QC can alleviate the effects of ER stress [...] Read more.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a crucial role in granulosa cell (GCs) apoptosis, which is the main cause of follicular atresia. Quercetin (QC), a plant-derived flavonoid, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other biological properties. However, whether QC can alleviate the effects of ER stress on buffalo GCs remains unknown. In this study, we constructed an ER stress model in buffalo GCs by using tunicamycin (TM) and pre-treated with QC to explore the effect of QC on cells under ER stress. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin fluorescein 5 isothiocyanate (V-FITC), and the expressions of mRNA and related proteins involved in ER stress and apoptosis were detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The results revealed that ER stress can cause apoptosis in GCs, whereas QC pre-treatment can prevent apoptosis caused by ER stress. After pre-treatment with QC, the expression levels of ER stress-related genes and proteins significantly decreased, pro-apoptotic genes were significantly down-regulated, and anti-apoptotic genes were significantly up-regulated. Furthermore, the results of Chop gene overexpression suggested that QC alleviated ER stress via the PERK/CHOP signaling pathway. In this study, we preliminarily elucidated that QC alleviates ER stress-induced apoptosis in buffalo GCs, and the results suggest a novel strategy for delaying follicular atresia by inhibiting GCs apoptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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13 pages, 1846 KiB  
Article
Adaptive and Biological Responses of Buffalo Granulosa Cells Exposed to Heat Stress under In Vitro Condition
by Marwa S. Faheem, Nasser Ghanem, Ahmed Gad, Radek Procházka and Sherif M. Dessouki
Animals 2021, 11(3), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030794 - 12 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2083
Abstract
The steroidogenesis capacity and adaptive response of follicular granulosa cells (GCs) to heat stress were assessed together with the underlying regulating molecular mechanisms in Egyptian buffalo. In vitro cultured GCs were exposed to heat stress treatments at 39.5, 40.5, or 41.5 °C for [...] Read more.
The steroidogenesis capacity and adaptive response of follicular granulosa cells (GCs) to heat stress were assessed together with the underlying regulating molecular mechanisms in Egyptian buffalo. In vitro cultured GCs were exposed to heat stress treatments at 39.5, 40.5, or 41.5 °C for the final 24 h of the culture period (7 days), while the control group was kept under normal conditions (37 °C). Comparable viability was observed between the control and heat-treated GCs at 39.5 and 40.5 °C. A higher release of E2, P4 and IGF-1 was observed in the 40.5 °C group compared with the 39.5 or 41.5 °C groups. The total antioxidant capacity was higher in response to heat stress at 39.5 °C. At 40.5 °C, a significant upregulation pattern was found in the expression of the stress resistance transcripts (SOD2 and NFE2L2) and of CPT2. The relative abundance of ATP5F1A was significantly downregulated for all heat-treated groups compared to the control, while TNFα was downregulated in GCs at 39.5 °C. Expression analyses of stress-related miRNAs (miR-1246, miR-181a and miR-27b) exhibited a significant downregulation in the 40.5 °C group compared to the control, whereas miR-708 was upregulated in the 39.5 and 40.5 °C groups. In conclusion, buffalo GCs exhibited different adaptive responses, to the different heat stress conditions. The integration mechanism between the molecular and secretory actions of the GCs cultured at 40.5 °C might provide possible insights into the biological mechanism through which buffalo GCs react to heat stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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Review

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10 pages, 856 KiB  
Review
Reproduction and Fertility of Buffaloes in Nepal
by Bhuminand Devkota, Shatrughan Shah and Gokarna Gautam
Animals 2023, 13(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010070 - 24 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2534
Abstract
Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Nepal contributes 57% of the total milk and 36% of the total meat production in the country. The productive efficiency of Nepalese buffaloes is quite low, due mainly to subfertility and infertility. Delayed puberty and prolonged [...] Read more.
Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Nepal contributes 57% of the total milk and 36% of the total meat production in the country. The productive efficiency of Nepalese buffaloes is quite low, due mainly to subfertility and infertility. Delayed puberty and prolonged inter-calving intervals, attributed mainly by anestrus due to silent cyclicity and ovarian acyclicity, are the major forms of infertility in Nepalese buffaloes. Moreover, buffaloes in Nepal show a distinct seasonal breeding pattern, with July to December as the active breeding season, and with April to June and January to March as the low and transitional breeding seasons, respectively. Endoparasitic infection and poor nutritional status, which are more severe during the low season, are found to be the major factors causing anestrus and compromising its treatment response in buffaloes. Various hormonal protocols for timed artificial insemination (TAI) have been attempted, with a varying pregnancy outcome. Recently, an integrated technique including anthelmintic treatment, nutritional supplementation and hormone-based fertility management programs for TAI has been developed and implemented successfully. A wider adoption of this technique as a package of practices could be key to improving the reproductive efficiency of buffaloes in Nepal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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21 pages, 5252 KiB  
Review
Dairy Buffalo Behavior: Calving, Imprinting and Allosuckling
by Daniel Mota-Rojas, Andrea Bragaglio, Ada Braghieri, Fabio Napolitano, Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Patricia Mora-Medina, Adolfo Álvarez-Macías, Giuseppe De Rosa, Corrado Pacelli, Nancy José and Vittoria Lucia Barile
Animals 2022, 12(21), 2899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212899 - 22 Oct 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5972
Abstract
Maternal behavior, in water buffalo and other ruminants, is a set of patterns of a determined species, including calving, imprinting, and suckling. This behavior is mainly triggered by hormone concentration changes and their interactions with their respective receptors in the brain, particularly oxytocin. [...] Read more.
Maternal behavior, in water buffalo and other ruminants, is a set of patterns of a determined species, including calving, imprinting, and suckling. This behavior is mainly triggered by hormone concentration changes and their interactions with their respective receptors in the brain, particularly oxytocin. These chemical signals also influence mother–young bonding, a critical process for neonatal survival that develops during the first postpartum hours. Currently, dairy buffalo behavior during parturition has rarely been studied. For this reason, this review aims to analyze the existing scientific evidence regarding maternal behavior in water buffalo during calving. It will address the mechanisms of imprinting, maternal care, and allosuckling strategies that may influence the survival and health of calves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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21 pages, 3655 KiB  
Review
Neurophysiology of Milk Ejection and Prestimulation in Dairy Buffaloes
by Fabio Napolitano, Ada Braghieri, Andrea Bragaglio, Daniela Rodríguez-González, Patricia Mora-Medina, Marcelo Daniel Ghezzi, Adolfo Álvarez-Macías, Pamela Anahí Lendez, Emilio Sabia, Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Joseline Jacome-Romero and Daniel Mota-Rojas
Animals 2022, 12(19), 2649; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192649 - 02 Oct 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3636
Abstract
The present review aims to integrate the anatomical characteristics of the mammary gland and the neurophysiology of milk ejection to understand the milking capacity of the water buffalo. Since one of the main uses of this species is milk production, this article will [...] Read more.
The present review aims to integrate the anatomical characteristics of the mammary gland and the neurophysiology of milk ejection to understand the milking capacity of the water buffalo. Since one of the main uses of this species is milk production, this article will analyze the controversies on the use of oxytocin as a stimulant during milking as well as the existing alternatives that farmers apply to promote correct stimulation during milk letdown. According to the available literature, the efficiency of the milking process, the quality of the milk, and the health of the animals are elements that require the consideration of species-specific characteristics to enhance the performance of buffaloes. The incorporation of technological innovations and competitive strategies could contribute to a better understanding of water buffalo in the milk industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Buffalo Reproduction)
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