Feedlot rearing versus pasture grazing enhances plasma leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations but does not anticipate puberty in dairy buffalo (<i>Bubalus bubalis</i>) heifers

Plasma Leptin (LEP) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), related to growth puberty onset, were assayed in growing buffalo heifers from 8 up 21 months of age, reared feedlot (FR, n = 13; initial body weight 132 ± 11 Kg) or grazing at pasture (PG, 137 12 Kg). The mean age was not different between the two groups (599.5 610.5 days, FR PG, respectively). At puberty, showed higher BCS, average daily gain (DWG) than PG ones (0.87 vs. 0.62 Kg/day), heavier (462 375 A negative correlation DWG significant for group. Inhibin-A increased both one month before puberty. LEP IGF-1 sharply 2 (about 18 old) only, which concentrations hormones heifers. levels correlated positively with IGF-1. Despite hormone being affected by rearing systems, lower pasture, these latter experienced adequate reproductive maturation. In fact, reached same as ones, shorter puberty–conception interval (51.3 67.2 groups, respectively) no difference conception rates (83.3 84.6%, BW due fat deposition, did anticipate onset. HighlightsMetabolic IGF-1, linked attainment, are good indicators animal energetic state.Buffalo intensive system had growth, but performance better.Post-weaned can be during breeding, without compromising performance.