THE PHILIPPINE WATER BUFFALO

V. G. Momongan, Prof., IAS-CA, UPLB & Proj. Leader, PCRDC-PCARRD,
UPLB
A. S. Sarabia, University Researcher, PCRDC-PCARRD, UPLB
A. R. Obsioma, University Researcher, PCRDC-PCARRD, UPLB
S. S. Capitan, Assistant Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
N. P. Roxas, Assistant Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
There is a need to improve the productivity of the Philippine
carabao, a swamp-type buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), to meet
the increasing demand for draught animal power, meat and
milk through crossbreeding with the Murrah buffaloes.
Primarily, there is a need to evaluate the reproductive
performance of the crossbreds vis-à-vis with the carabao
before a large-scale crossbreeding program will have to be
adopted as a national policy. The results of this study
showed that the Phil-Murrah corssbred reached puberty,
conceived for the first time and gave birth to the calf one
year earlier than the Philippine carabao. As soon as
sexual maturity is attained, as evidenced by ovulation and
corpus luteum (CL) formation there was an observed
coincidental rise on plasma progesterone.
Keywords: carabao, ovulation, Phil-murrah crossbred,
plasma progesterone, puberty, reproductive performance
*Abstracts of Completed Researches 1981-1995. (1986).
PCC-DA, UPLB, College, Laguna. Also in Abstracts of
Water Buffalo Researches in the Philippines, 1981-1995.
1996. PCC-DA. p. 59. Also in Annotated Bibliography
on Philippine Biodiversity: Livestock and Poultry
(Agrobiodiversity) 1949-1997, Carabaos. 2002. p. 384.
R-30
IMPROVING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE
PHILIPPINE CARABAOS UNDER VILLAGE
CONDITIONS*
V. G. Momongan, Prof., IAS-UPLB & Project Leader, PCRDC-PCARRD,
UPLB
A. S. Sarabia, Science Research Specialist, PCC-PCARRD, UPLB
N. P. Roxas, Assistant Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
O. A. Palad, Associate Professor, IAS-CA, UPLB
A. R. Obsioma, Science Research Specialist, PCC at UPLB
Z. M. Nava, Science Research Specialist, PCC at UPLB
A. N. del Barrio, Science Research Specialist, PCC at UPLB
There is a need to improve the carabao’s reproductive
efficiency to meet the increasing demand for draught power,
meat and milk. Under village conditions, carabaos appear
to have pregnancy rate of 17.7%, which could be attributed
greatly to tethering management that prevent their natural
breeding activities. Moreover, about 32% of breedable
female carabaos are cycling or pregnant have better body
conditions than those which are acyclic or non-pregnant.
Plasma progesterone was very low at the time of
insemination (