Oestrus Detection in Cattle Using Behavioural and Genital Tract Changes

Abstract

Sixteen normally cycling Boran Friesian cross heifers were studied over 138 oestrus cycles. The animals were checked for behavioural and genital tract changes. In addition, cyclical patterns were determined through measurement of progesterone concentrations using radioimmunoassay methods. Oestrus detection rate using specific and nonspecific behavioural and genital tract changes was 97.1 % when related to serum progesterone profiles. A defmitive diagnosis of oestrus based on standing to be mounted was recorded in 68.7% of the observed heats. Of the non-specific oestrus traits, vulval mucus discharge and restlessness were reliable indicators that the animal was around oestrus; these were observed in 97 and 91 % of all observed heats, respectively. Overall, the mean cycle length in the heifers was 21.2 ± 0.2 days.