Reproductive Biotechnology in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): Biology, Constraints, and Prospects for Genetic Improvement

Abstract

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is the second most important dairy animal globally, contributing approximately 13% of the world's milk supply, and represents the primary draught animal and protein source for hundreds of millions of people in South and Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and Latin America. Despite this economic and nutritional significance, the reproductive efficiency of buffalo is substantially lower than that of domestic cattle (Bos taurus), presenting major constraints to productivity improvement through conventional and biotechnological means. This review systematically examines the reproductive biology of water buffalo in comparison with Bos taurus, identifying the species- specific characteristics — including seasonal reproductive patterns, silent oestrus, reduced follicular population, poor semen cryopreservability, and suboptimal in vitro embryo production — that create barriers to biotechnological implementation. The current state of each major reproductive technology is critically evaluated, including artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation, synchronisation protocols, ovum pick- up- based in vitro fertilisation (OPU- IVF), embryo transfer, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), sexed semen, and the emerging application of genomic selection in buffalo. Species- specific solutions including antioxidant- enriched semen extenders, melatonin implants for anoestrus management, FSH priming before OPU, and modified IVF culture systems are evaluated with respect to published efficacy data. The review concludes with a research roadmap for closing the productivity gap between buffalo and cattle in key producing regions.