Birth and weaning weights in buffalo calves resulting from artificial insemination or natural mating in Venezuela
A retrospective study (2016-2018) was conducted at the commercial farm “La Fortuna”, located south of Lake Ma-racaibo, Zulia state, Venezuela, to analyze the effect of fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) and natural mating (NM) on birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), age at weaning and post...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidad del Zulia
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Revista Científica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cientifica/article/view/43450 |
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| Summary: | A retrospective study (2016-2018) was conducted at the commercial farm “La Fortuna”, located south of Lake Ma-racaibo, Zulia state, Venezuela, to analyze the effect of fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) and natural mating (NM) on birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), age at weaning and post-weaning weights in dairy buffalo calves. The effect of buffalo calf sex on these variables was also assessed. After birth, calves were kept with their mother for 15 days. After that, they were suckled twice daily until weaning and went daily to the pasture from 30 days postpartum. During the study period, 15 AI and ten natural mating bulls were used. Data were analyzed by the general linear model of SAS. BW was greater in calves born from TAI (n=141; 36.2 ± 0,1 kg) than from NM (n=131; 35.7 ± 0.2) (p=0.0320). The age at weaning was similar between breeding methods (TAI: 285.1 ± 3.7 d; NM: 290.9 ± 3.8 d; p=0.2731). Weaning weight was ∼ 10 kg greater in calves born from TAI (178.8 ± 3.8 kg) than from NM (168.6 ± 4.0 kg) (p=0.0450). Adjusted weight at 205 (202.1 ± 4.6 vs. 179.2 ± 4.7 kg respectively; p=0.0006) and 365 days (248.2 ± 6.1 vs 230.8 ± 6.3 respectively; p=0.0466) was significantly greater in buffaloes resulting from TAI than from NM. Female buffaloes (n=157) were born lighter than males (35.7 ± 0.1 vs 36.2 ± 0.2 kg; p=0.0500). The former (295.8 ± 3.5) reached an older age at weaning than the latter (280.2 ± 4.1 d) (p=0.0041). The weight at weaning was similar between sexes (174.9 ± 3.6 and 172.6 ± 4.2 kg respectively; p=0.6838). Adjusted weight at 205 days was greater in females (198.6 ± 4.3 kg) than in males (182.7 ± 4.3) (p=0.0178); however, the weight at 365 days did not vary between the sexes (females: 243.2 ± 5.7 kg; males: 235.8 ± 6.3 kg; p=0,3663). This study demonstrated that artificial insemination is a valuable tool for improving weaning and yearling weights in buffalo herds. Although female buffalo calves were born at lower birth weights and weaned at older ages, they achieved better post-weaning weights.
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| ISSN: | 0798-2259 2521-9715 |