Factors affecting the embryo production in buffalo (): A review.

Under natural and well-managed conditions, the buffalo has good reproductive and productive indices. However, embryo production (IVEP) has been used commercially to maximise the number of elite animals. In this species, several factors (donor management, culture medium, semen, conditions, embryo transfer) still affect the IVEP results. In addition, the cost of this technique is very high for this purpose. Therefore, more studies, as well as adequate plans, are needed to achieve this objective efficiently. In this review, we discussed the current commercial status, influencing factors ( and ), and the progress and future challenges of IVEP in buffalo. A total of 81 references were used from 1979 to 2022. The relevant data or literature were searched using the following databases: Google, ResearchGate, Science Alert, Science Direct and PubMed, using the following keywords: buffalo oocytes/COCs, buffalo embryos, pregnancy and calving or live birth rate after embryo transfer. The best maturation, cleavage and blastocyst rates in the production of buffalo embryos were 95.8, 75.2 and 33.4%, respectively. The pregnancy and live birth rates ranged from 22.2% to 43.5% and from 15.3% to 36.5%, respectively, after the transfer of fresh embryos produced to the recipients. This review will help to contextualise IVEP in buffaloes, as well as create an adequate plan for implementing IVEP in buffaloes.