Incidence and etiologies of Repeat breeding in buffaloes

Repeat breeding is one of the important infertility problems that occur in buffaloes. Repeat breeding increases service period and inter-calving interval thereby causing low milk and calf production resulting in greater economic losses to the dairy industry. A buffalo that does not become pregnant after three or more breeding is considered a repeat breeder. Repeat breeding can be a failure of fertilization and early embryonic death. Ovulation abnormalities, anatomical abnormalities and endometritis are the female factors associated with failure of fertilization. Age, season and poor semen quality are the bull factors while improper insemination time is a technician factor causing failure of fertilization. Early embryonic death refers to the death of fertilized ova and embryos within the first 2-3 weeks of gestation due to low luteal progesterone concentration, poor corpus luteum development and heat stress during the summer season.