Investigations on Delayed Puberty in Egyptian Buffalo-Heifers with Emphasis on Clinicopathological Changes and Treatment Using GnRH (Receptal)

The delay in puberty and consequently delayed conception is one of the most important causes of low reproductive efficiency in buffaloes. The present study was designed to throw light on this phenomenon and to make a treatment trial to improve the productive performance of Egyptian buffaloes. This study was conducted during the breeding season of buffaloes (September - March) on 200 buffalo-heifers reared at Lower Egypt and kept in smallholder farm. Animals were gynecologically examined and blood samples were collected to investigate some clinicopathological changes associated with this phenomenon. Also, fecal samples and vaginal swabs were collected from all heifers. Heifers were divided into two groups; the 1st group included 70 normal pubertal animals, kept as the control group and the 2nd group included 130 animals represented the delayed pubertal buffalo-heifers.37 delayed pubertal heifers were intramuscularly (im) injected with 200jag of GnRH (Receptal®) and response was recorded. Results indicated that the most recorded haematological changes associated with this phenomenon were macrocytic hypochromic anemia, changed red cell parameters and decreased total leucocytic count (TLC), neutrophils and lymphocytes with oesinophilia. Decreased values of serum progesterone (P4), glucose, cholesterol, total proteins, albumin, globulins, ceruloplasmin (Cp), calcium, inorganic phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were obvious in delayed pubertal heifers with marked changes in oxidant/antioxidant parameters. Prevalence of parasitic infestation was higher in delayed pubertal than normal pubertal buffalo-heifers. Also, vaginal bacterial isolates were higher in delayed pubertal than normal pubertal buffalo-heifers with low incidence of lactobacitti spp. isolation. 75.68% of treated heifers revealed estrous activity within 20 - 30 days post GnRH treatment with obvious ovarian activity. In conclusion, delayed puberty is a common phenomenon in buffalo heifers and is associated with obvious clinicopathological changes, disrupted oxidative status and low serum progesterone level. GnRH efficiently treated this condition in 75% of the cases. Proper nutrition and biosecurity are the main keys to avoid the occurrence of delayed puberty in buffaloes.