Seasonal fluctuations in the response of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes to synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination

A comprehensive study of the efficiency of synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination (TAI) was undertaken in a large group of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes at a commercial dairy. A total of 2791 synchronization protocols were carried out on 857 animals over 3 years. Of these protocols, 823 (29.5%) did not proceed beyond Day 7 (due to the absence of a vascularized CL) and 620 (22.2%) were discontinued on Day 10 (due to the absence of follicles >1.0 cm and tonic uteri); hence, 1443 (51.7%) protocols did not progress to TAI. Data were analyzed for four periods: P1, transition to spring (from breeding season to low breeding season); P2, low breeding season; P3, transition to fall (low breeding season to breeding season); and P4, breeding season. No differences were found among the four periods in terms of the proportion of protocols that did not result in TAI. Of the 857 buffaloes, 660 (77%) conceived and delivered a calf. The average number of TAI per pregnancy was 2.1 and ranged from 1.9 to 2.3 across years. Logistic regression analysis showed that buffaloes that calved during P3 had a higher odds ratio for pregnancy (1.380; P < 0.05) than buffaloes that calved in other periods. Pregnancy was also influenced by the calving to service period (odds ratio = 0.977; P < 0.01) and the pregnancy per AI (P/AI) at successive TAI (odds ratio = 1.480; P < 0.01). The pregnancy per AI at the first TAI (424/857, 49.5%) was greater (P < 0.01) than in subsequent TAI. The occurrence of late embryonic mortality (between Days 27 and 45 after TAI) was similar among the four periods. These findings indicated that there are distinct seasonal differences in the response of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes to synchronization and TAI.