Estrous Signs & Methods of Detection

1. Physiology of Estrous Estrus
detection: significance, signs, methods
of detection, timing of insemination,

2. Estrus Detection
• Economic Importance
• Signs
• Methods of Detection
• Breeding (AI) Time

3. Significance of ED
• Lesser no. of repeat breeder cows
• Decreased no. of services per conception
• Decreased calving interval
• Per cow/buffalo increase in the
productivity and income of the farmer
• Decreased culling percentage due to
reproductive reasons

4. Behavioral
signs of
estrus
•Economic
Significance
•Calf a year
•Ideal 60-90
days
postpartum
successful
rebreeding

5. Estrus Signs
(cows & buffaloes)
Primary Sign
• Stands to be mounted (Standing Heat)
Secondary Signs
• Vulvar swelling (general sign)
• Reduced feed intake (general sign)
• Licking other cows (general sign)
• Raised Tail head
• Wandering in search of male
• Micturition
• Bellowing
• Excitement (Circling around peg) (general sign)
• Milk let down reappear just after milking (“Dokey”) 1-2 days before estrus
period
• Clear Mucus discharge (best sign)
• Mounting on other females (she will come in heat later)
• Dried mucus on tail & buttock (late sign)
• Roughened tailhead (late sign)

6. STANDING HEAT IN COWS: A
SURE SIGN OF ESTRUS
Note: Buffaloes
do not show
homosexual
behavior

9. Note: Buffaloes don’t show homosexual behavior

11. CLEAR MUCUS DISCHARGE : A VERY
GOOD SIGN OF ESTRUS

12. SIGNS OF ESTRUS: CHANGES IN
THE VULVA
NO ESTRUS
AFTER ESTRUS
BEFORE ESTRUS
MAIN ESTRUS
PREGNANCY

14. SIGNS OF ESTRUS: CHANGES IN THE
APPEARANCE OF CERVIX
PRE ESTRUS
POST ESTRUS PREGNANCY
MAIN ESTRUS
NO ESTRUS

15. MATURE FOLLICLE

16. 34% 22%
21% 23%
Methods of Detection
Two to three times a day heat check is needed (visual method)
Note: 66%
Buffaloes show
estrus activity
during 6 pm to
mid night
•Efficient
•Accurate

17. HEAT MOUNT DETECTOR

18. Barn estrus
and
breeding
chart

19. •Chin ball marker device
•Penile deviated bulls
•Vasectomized bulls
•Androgenized cows

20. Aids to estrus detection in cow
P4 milk test
Penile deviated bulls
Uterine tone

21. Optimum time of insemination in relation to
onset of (standing) estrus (AM-PM rule)
•Fertilizable life of ova about 6 -12 hrs after ovulation
•Fertilizable life of sperm in female reproductive tract is 24-48 hrs

22. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Duration after termination of standing
oestrus (h)
16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Pre-standing oestrus (h)
9 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Standing oestrus (h)
L.H ( Roelofs et al., 2004)
A.I
IMPLICATIONS FOR TIMING OF OVULATION
IN RELATION TO OESTRUS BEHAVIOUR IN
BUFFALOES
Hours in relation to onset of standing oestrus
200
150
100
50
0
Oestrus
behavioral
score
A.I
• Increased activity
• Vulvular swelling
• Frequent urination
• Mucous discharge clear
and thin
Too early to breed
• Mucous thicker & cloudy
• Restless
• Will not stand
• Sniffing the vulva of another
buffalo
Fair to poor fertility
Best time to breed

23. Managemental activities helpful for
better ED
• Clear identification (branding/ear tagging)
• Record keeping
• Only one man should be made responsible for this job
• He should know the primary & secondary signs of heat
• Accurate timing of AI
• Every heat detection aid should be accompanied with
visual observation
• Interval between milking and offering of fodder is ideal
time for visual observation
• Estrus activity chart of breeding females
• Observing heat signs after AI has the same importance
as before AI

24. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Favorable conditions for cows to show
estrus
• Free interaction of cows to show estrus
behavior especially mounting activity
• Adequate numbers of cows present in
the grouping
• Cows able to have good footing for
successful mounting in respect of
ground conditions
• Cows should not have feet and leg
problems that discourage them from
mounting

25. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Mount detection aids

26. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Chin-ball marker

27. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Vaginal probe

28. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Labor intensive

29. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Activity monitors

30. Prof. Dr. Nasim Ahmad
Measures walking activity