Relationship of Blood Metabolites with Reproductive Parameters during Various Seasons in Murrah Buffaloes

Peri-partum metabolic profile was evaluated in winter and summer calving, with 15 Murrah buffaloes in each seasonal group. In summer calvers, significantly lower values were observed for blood plasma urea nitrogen (BUN) at day 30 pre-partum (p<0.05), on calving day (p<0.05) and at all other stages (p<0.01); plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) values were significantly lower on day 30 pre-partum (p<0.01) and on day 60 post-partum (p<0.05). This was associated with significant reduction in days to first service (DFS) and service per conception (SPC) and an overall better reproductive performance in terms of service period, risk to first service on days 60, 90 and >90, and pregnancy risk to first service up to days 60 and 90. This may be attributed to better pre-partum nutritional status. Cervical and uterine involution were completed in fewer days, involutional changes took place at a faster pace and there were a lower number of abnormal involutional changes in winter compared to summer season. This may be attributed to better post-partum nutrition and less environmental stress. However, validation requires further targeted cohort investigation with a large sample size.