REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS AND THE DYNAMIC PATTERN OF OVARIAN FOLLICLE GROWTH IN EGYPTIAN BUFFALOES

This study investigated the incidence of reproductive disorders and their impact on ovarian follicular dynamics in 172 Egyptian buffaloes examined at least 60 days postpartum. Overall, ovarian disorders were most prevalent (54.7%), followed by uterine disorders (45.3%). Incidence of reproductive disorders was significantly higher during hot months (63.4%) compared with cold months (36.6%), in milking buffaloes (73.8%) versus dry ones (26.2%), and in animals under rural management (61.0%) compared with semi-intensive systems (39.0%). Disorders were most frequent in the 2nd (28.5%) and 5th parities (23.3%), while the lowest rates were observed in the 3rd parities (12.2%). Buffaloes with prolonged calving-to-conception intervals ≥180 days showed the highest disorder rates (29.7%) compared with those examined at 60 days postpartum (9.9%). Ultrasound assessment of 67 buffaloes revealed that smooth ovaries were dominated by small follicles (60.8%), persistent corpus luteum and endometritis cases by medium follicles (61.0% and 57.7%, respectively), whereas large follicles were consistently scarce (≤6.6%) and failed to ovulate. These findings indicate that reproductive disorders in Egyptian buffaloes are strongly influenced by season, production status, management conditions, parity, and postpartum interval, and are associated with altered follicular dynamics characterized by impaired development of large ovulatory follicles.