Retention of fetal membranes in Iraqi buffaloes

The third stage of parturition will be ended by expulsion of the Fetal membranes, which is usually takes less than (6 to 8) hr, after parturition in buffaloes. the most commonly used definition of RFM, is the fetal membranes remain unexpelled for 24 hr or longer postpartum. when the villi of the fetal cotyledons fail to separate from the crypts of the maternal caruncles, this will leads to what we call (RFM). RFM is one of the main causes of Septic metritis, endometritis, and pyometra in buffaloes, and causes economic loss by increased duration from calving to first service interval, reduction in pregnancy rate at the first service and consequently the interval between calving will be longer. Many, often interrelated, factors have been implicated in the occurrence of RFM. Thus, various risk factors related to development of RFM in buffalo have been identified, although some are controversial. Calving problems including dystocia, multiple births, and stillbirths all are associated with an increased incidence of RFM. In addition to these problems, abnormalities in partus, parity, long gestation period, calving season, and nutrition status are also considered risk factors for RFM