260
THE BUFFALO—A REVIEW
[
Vol. XXII, Part TV
The signs of oestrus and the behaviour of both sexes at mating have been des-
cribed by Ocompo [1939], who has stated that the symptoms are more marked in
the Philippine carabao than in the Indian. He has attributed the absence of the
thick vaginal discharge during the heat period to the frequent urination of the oes-
trous female. In general, the symptoms seem to be much intense than in cattle-.
The duration of oestrus is about 1 or 1½ days and the maximum duration is four to
five days as recorded by Ocompo [1939]. The length of the oestrous cycle, which
is about 21 days, is more variable than that of the cow. The cycle length of 37
days reported by Ocompo [1939] may not actually be the length of one oestrous
cycle but perhaps two cycles intervened by one silent heat. The histology of the
vaginal mucosa does not denote the phase of the cycle [Manresa and Diapo, 1938].
The occurrence of ovulation does not depend on the age, the milk yield or the physical
work ; and in healthy animals as a rule conception follows ovulation [Kaleff, 1942].
Polding and Lall [1945] have given a descriptive account of the comparative genital
anatomy (comparative measurements of genitalia) of the buffalo and the cow.
They have stated that in the buffalo, the recent corpus lutem is veined with red
and has a haemorrhagic protrusion (luteal protrusions 3 to 10 mm. in diameter)
while the regressing corpora lutea are not veined and white in colour. They have
also shown that never during the cycle is the luteal substance yellow while the
luteal cavities (3 to 5 mm. in diameter) are common.
Symptoms of pregnancy and approaching parturition (changes in the genitalia,
udder and vaginal discharges), behaviour during post-partum and the changes in
the live weight and the body measurements of the pregnant buffalo-cow have been
described by Ocompo [1939]. In Egyptian buffaloes, the average length of gestation
is 316.77±8.8 days and male calves are carried for a longer period than females
[Ragab and Asker, 1951]. Maymone [1945], however, states that pergnancy
is shorter in the case of the male foetus. The month of calving has a significant
effect on length of gestation while the calving sequence of the dam or her age have
no effect on the gestation period [Ragab and Asker, 1951]. Pregnancy is slightly
shorter in the case of the pregnant heifer [Kaleff, 1932 ; Markus, 1943]. In general,
the gestation period varies with the race as it does in cattle and it ranges from 287
to 340 days (Table II).
The interval between calving and post-partum heat seems to depend on genetic
factors which are characteristic of the strains as well as the individuals [Kaleff,
1942]. Asdell [1946] has classified the Indian (Asiatic) buffalo into two races, a
swamp race with nocturnal mating and with the post-partum heat occurring after
65 days. The other, a river race, mates during the day. In Bulgaria, buffaloes
calving yearly come on heat at the beginning of their lactation period up to 118
days post-partum, while those calving every 1½ to 2 years show the post-partum
heat at the end of the lactation period (8 to 12 months) [Kaleff, 1932]. The Egyp-
tian buffalo-cow shows post-partum oestrus 22 days after calving, while conception
requires from 1 to 4 services. This is due to the unprepared post-partum endome-
trium for embroy implantation [Hafez, 1952 a]. Table II summarizes the literature
on the reproduction of the domestic buffalo in its different breeding centres.
As the gestation period is about 11 months, the calving season coincides with the
period of the maximum ovarian activity. In Italy, the primiparous buffaloes calve
from March to April while the multiparous ones calve from August to Sepetmber