Search

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.

Hypothermia is one factor associated with mortality in newborn ruminants due to the drastic temperature change upon exposure to the extrauterine environment in the first hours after birth. Ruminants are precocial whose mechanisms for generating heat or preventing heat loss involve genetic characteristics, the degree of neurodevelopment at birth and environmental aspects. These elements combine to form a more efficient mechanism than those found in altricial species. Although the degree of neurodevelopment is an important advantage for these species, their greater mobility helps them to search for the udder and consume colostrum after birth. However, anatomical differences such as the distribution of adipose tissue or the presence of type II muscle fibers could lead to the understanding that these species use their energy resources more efficiently for heat production. The introduction of unconventional ruminant species, such as the water buffalo, has led to rethinking other characteristics like the skin thickness or the coat type that could intervene in the thermoregulation capacity of the newborn. Implementing tools to analyze species-specific characteristics that help prevent a critical decline in temperature is deemed a fundamental strategy for avoiding the adverse effects of a compromised thermoregulatory function. Although thermography is a non-invasive method to assess superficial temperature in several non-human animal species, in newborn ruminants there is limited information about its application, making it necessary to discuss the usefulness of this tool. This review aims to analyze the effects of hypothermia in newborn ruminants, their thermoregulation mechanisms that compensate for this condition, and the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to identify cases with hypothermia.