Abstract The objective of the present experiment is to study
the effect of feed intake restriction on the reproductive performance
and pregnancy rate in Egyptian buffalo heifers. Thirty
anestrus buffalo heifers were randomly divided into two equal
groups. The low feed intake (LFI, n015, 50 % restriction)
group was fed a diet that consists of 3 kg concentrate, 1 kg
wheat straw, and 3 kg fresh alfalfa, while the high feed intake
(HFI, n015) group was fed double the amount given to the
LFI group for 4 months. All animals were weighed, transrectally
examined, and visually checked for the signs of estrus,
and blood samples were collected. Heifers in heat were mated
with one fertile bull. The number of heifers showing estrus
activity was 93.3%in HFI vs. 20%in LFI (P<0.01).Ovarian
activity started earlier (P00.03) in the HFI than LFI group.
The weight at breeding, the diameter of the dominant follicle,
number of heifers showing ovulations, number of services per
conception, pregnancy rate, and overall mean of progesterone
and estrogen concentrations were significantly higher
(P<0.01) in the HFI than in the LFI group. The level of serum
total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, total cholesterol, and
calcium were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the HFI group.
Restriction of the daily feed intake to 50 % from NRC recommendations
impair reproductive performance in terms of
increasing the age at first service and reducing the pregnancy
rate in buffalo heifers. In conclusion, feed intake could be
effective in improvement of reproductive performance in buffalo
heifers and further studies should be done on large scale
of buffaloes in this point.