REVIEW: Behavioral, physiological, and reproductive performance of buffalo cows during eutocic and dystocic parturitions

Purpose: The reproductive problems at parturition in buffaloes are highly important. The literature describes a high incidence of dystocia in buffalo herds as a cause of significant mortality in neonates. Therefore, understanding the physiology, behavior, and signals of calving in buffalo dams during eutocic and dystocic births will allow the development of accurate responses for the health of dams and the welfare of newborns. This review thus discusses the 3 phases of calving (onset of labor, calf expulsion, and removal of fetal membranes) and their reproductive complications. Sources: The search engines CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus were used for the following search terms: buffalo, stillbirth, parity difficulties, parturition, calving, postpartum, reproductive problems, delivery, dystocia, and uterine torsion. Synthesis: Dystocia caused by uterine torsion is common in buffalo dams, as are prepartum vaginal prolapse and placental retention. The study cites the higher incidence of clinical and subclinical uterine infection in buffaloes compared with cattle, associated only with a high number of bacteria, or combined with cases of toxic puerperal metritis that affect fertility and cause economic losses. Several studies coincide in citing high rates of stillbirths in buffaloes associated with reproductive factors that result in significant financial losses. Conclusions and Applications: Accurate predictions of the onset of calving are critical for the welfare of both dams and calves, as well as for farm economics, because it can ensure the timely provision of necessary interventions. The strategies to modify, or improve, handling and reproduction methods in buffaloes are the focus of several studies.