Folliculogenesis and Ovarian Physiology Applied to Reproductive Biotechnologies in Buffaloes

The review aims at illustrating the state of the art in terms of acquisition of knowledge in the reproductive physiology of the buffalo species, ranging from fetal oogenesis to prepuberal and adult follicular dynamics in river and swamp buffaloes. Such aspects are considered in parallel and compared to cattle reproductive physiology. Reproductive efficiency is presented in the light of a seasonal pattern, and affected by human intervention due to localistic differential market demands for milk and cheese production. Finally, the implementation of reproductive technologies, from the use of artificial insemination together with the development of protocols for synchronization of ovulation, to in vivo (MOET) and in vitro embryo production and Ovum Pick Up (OPU), are taken into consideration, highlighting successes and difficulties.

Keywords: Buffalo, Reproduction, Reproductive technologies