Effect of Postpartum Uterine Infections on Reproductive Performance in Buffaloes

Abstract

Postpartum uterine infections are major causes of reduced fertility in buffaloes and may delay reproductive recovery after calving. Metritis, clinical endometritis, and subclinical endometritis can adversely affect estrus expression, conception, and calving interval. Objective: To evaluate the effect of postpartum uterine infections on reproductive performance in buffaloes. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in postpartum buffaloes at the University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 160 postpartum buffaloes were enrolled and classified according to uterine health status into healthy buffaloes (n = 60), metritis (n = 35), clinical endometritis (n = 35), and subclinical endometritis (n = 30). Reproductive performance was assessed using days to first estrus, days to first service, number of services per conception, conception at first service, pregnancy by 150 days postpartum, days open, and calving interval. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance for continuous variables, and chi-square test for categorical variables, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Buffaloes with postpartum uterine infections showed significantly poorer reproductive performance than healthy buffaloes. Compared with healthy animals, infected buffaloes had longer intervals to first estrus (77.0 ± 12.4 vs. 56.7 ± 13.9 days), first service (99.1 ± 15.3 vs. 74.4 ± 13.9 days), and days open (159.7 ± 19.9 vs. 120.5 ± 15.0 days). Calving interval was also prolonged in infected buffaloes compared with healthy buffaloes (452.9 ± 25.5 vs. 411.6 ± 20.5 days), and infected animals required more services per conception (2.4 ± 0.7 vs. 1.7 ± 0.6; p < 0.001). Conception at first service and pregnancy by 150 days postpartum were significantly lower in infected buffaloes than in healthy controls (29.0% vs. 55.0% and 66.0% vs. 91.7%, respectively). Among the uterine infection groups, metritis was associated with the greatest reproductive impairment. Conclusion: Postpartum uterine infections significantly compromise reproductive efficiency in buffaloes by delaying estrus and first service, increasing services per conception, prolonging days open and calving interval, and reducing conception and pregnancy rates. Early diagnosis, timely treatment, and preventive herd health management may improve fertility outcomes in postpartum buffaloes.