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Submitted by

Topic

Submitted to
University of Sargodha

Qasim Mahmood
University college of Agriculture

Department of Animal Science UCA , UOS,

Oestrous Cycle of Different Animals

Dr.Muhammad Arif
 Feature Occurence Remarks
Average Range
Age at First Oestrus 9 Months 7-12 Months Occures in 1st autumn when well
grown
Length of oestrus cycle 16.5 days 14-20 days Very long intervals usually
indicate intervening silent heat
Duration of Oestrus 26 hrs 24-48 hrs Some ewes show oestrus while
lactacing
First oestrus post-partum Spring or autumn 7-13 heats per season according to
breed
Cycle type Seasionally polyeatrus -
Breeding life – span 6 years 5-8 years Short breeding life for hill ewes
Breeding season Precedes shorter day of year but Northern breeds have shorter
varying in extent according to season then southern breeds
breed
Temporal Feature of oestrrus in sheep

Tem poral Feature of oestrus in Goats

Feature Occurance Remarks

Average Range
Age at firstoestrus 5 months 4-8 months Kids born in springs show
oestrus in autumn of same years
Length of estrus cycle 19 days 18-21days Short infertile cycles
Duration of estrus 28hrs 1-3days Seldom less then 24hrs
First oestrus post-partum Autumn Tropical breeds can sometimes
be bred while lactating
Cycle type Seasionally polyestrous 8-10 heat periods
Breeding life-span 7 years 6-10 years Shortest in tropical breeds
Breeding season Commences about autumnal September to January in
equinox northern Hempshire. Extensive
sesson in tropics

Estrus In Cows
The percentage of cows that become pregnant during a breeding season has a direct effect on
ranch profitability. Consequently, a basic understanding of the bovine estrous cycle can increase
the effectiveness of reproductive
management. After heifers reach puberty (first ovulation) or following the postpartum anestrous
period (a period of no estrous cycles) in cows, a period of estrous cycling begins. Estrous cycles
give a heifer or cow a chance to become pregnant about every 21 days. During each estrous
cycle, follicles develop in wavelike patterns, which are controlled by changes in hormone
concentrations. In addition, the corpus luteum (CL) develops following ovulation of a follicle.
While it is present, this CL inhibits other follicles from ovulating. The length of each estrous cycle
is measured by the number of days between each standing estrus.
The Anestrous Period
Anestrus occurs when an animal does not exhibit normal estrous cycles. This occurs in heifers
before they reach puberty and in cows following parturition (calving). During an anestrous
period, normal follicular waves occur, but standing estrus and ovulation do not occur. Therefore,
during the anestrous period heifers or cows cannot become pregnant.
Standing Estrus and Ovulation
Standing estrus, also referred to as standing heat, is the most visual sign of each estrous cycle.
It is the period of time when a female is sexually receptive. Estrus in cattle usually lasts about
15 hours but can range from less than 6 hours to close to 24 hours. In cattle, the period of time
when a female will stand and allow mounting by other animals is the sexually receptive period.
THE BOVINE ESTROUS CYCLE
A females enters standing estrus gradually. Prior to standing estrus she may
appear nervous and restless (for example, walking a fence line in search of a
bull or bawling more than usual). Prior to standing to be mounted by a bull or
other cows, she will usually try to mount other animals. These signs will
progress until standing estrus occurs. Other signs that a cow might be in
standing estrus are a roughed up tailhead, a clear mucous discharge from the
vagina, and a swollen vulva. However, the only conclusive sign that a cow is in
estrus is standing to be mounted by other animals. Following standing estrus,
the ovulatory follicle that is present will ovulate, releasing the egg it contains.
Rupture of the dominant follicle is referred to as ovulation and occurs between
24 and 32 hours after the onset of standing estrus. Following the release of an
egg from an ovulatory follicle the egg will enter the female reproductive tract
and be fertilized if the female has been mated. Following each standing estrus,
a new estrous cycle will be initiated. In a normally cycling animal the interval
between each standing estrus should be about 21 days, but the range in normal
estrous cycle length is from 17 to 24 days. When evaluating reproductive
efficiency, it is important to realize that the interval between standing estrus
can vary from 17 to 24 days.
The Corpus Luteum
Following ovulation, the different cells that make up the ovulatory follicle
change function and become luteal cells that form the corpus luteum (CL). The
CL is the main structure on the ovaries during the estrous cycle. The primary
purpose of the CL is to produce progesterone, a hormone that regulates
several physiological functions. Progesterone prepares the uterus for
pregnancy, maintains the pregnancy if fertilization occurs, and also inhibits the
cows from showing signs
of standing estrus and ovulating. In general, as the CL increases in size during
the beginning of the estrous cycle, progesterone production also increases.
Elevated concentrations of progesterone can be detected about 5 days after
standing estrus. If a cow does not become pregnant, concentrations of
progesterone will begin to decrease around day 17 of the estrous cycle. This
allows the cow to show standing estrus again around day 21.
Follicular Waves
In cattle, follicles develop in wave-like patterns, and follicular waves can be
detected during most reproductive stages including the prepubertal period in
heifers, during estrous cycles, pregnancy (except the last 30 days), and even
during the anestrous postpartum period. Following each ovulation, a new
follicular wave is initiated. Several follicles are recruited from a pool of small,
growing follicles on the ovary and initiate a new follicular wave. Following
recruitment of these follicles, a follicle is then selected to continue to grow. This
selected follicle then becomes the dominant one, inhibiting the growth of any
other follicles. In the absence of progesterone, the dominant follicle will become
the ovulatory follicle and will ovulate following standing estrus. In the presence
of progesterone the dominant follicle will not ovulate, but will undergo atresia
(cell death), and a new follicular wave will be initiated. Cattle usually have 2 or 3
follicular waves during each estrous Cycle.
Hormonal Regulation of the Estrous Cycle
Several hormones regulate the bovine estrous cycle . Changes in the
concentrations of these different hormones regulate the recruitment and growth
of the follicular waves, the timing of ovulation, and the length of the estrous
cycle .
Regulation of follicular waves: Following ovulation, circulating
concentrations of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) increase. This increase in
FSH causes the recruitment of a group (cohort) of follicles at the beginning of
each follicular wave. After the cohort has been recruited, circulating
concentrations of FSH decrease. Beginning around the time of selection, the
continued growth and development of the selected follicle is regulated by
Luteinizing Hormone (LH). Luteinizing Hormone also regulates the growth and
development of the dominant follicle. While a dominant follicle is present,
circulating concentrations of FSH remain low, which inhibits the initiation of a
new follicular wave. However, after a dominant follicle ovulates or undergoes
atresia, a rise in circulating concentrations of FSH occurs and a new follicular
wave is initiated.
Regulation of estrous cycle length: Maternal recognition of pregnancy
occurs around day 15 of the estrous cycle, when the embryo sends a signal to
the mother that it is present and developing in the uterus. When a cow does not
become pregnant, no signal is received from a developing embryo, and the
estrous cycle must be repeated to allow for another opportunity to become
pregnant. When maternal recognition of pregnancy does not occur, the uterus
releases prostaglandin F2(PG) to induce luteolysis (luteolysis means
destroying the CL). If luteolysis does not occur, the cow will not be able to return
to standing estrus and therefore will not have another opportunity to become
pregnant during the breeding season.
Regulation of ovulation: As follicles grow they produce increasing amounts of
stradiol. During the estrous cycle, when progesterone is present, circulating
concentrations of estradiol increase and decrease as follicular waves grow and
regress. When progesterone is not present, high concentrations of estradiol
cause standing estrus and the behavioral changes associated with standing
estrus. High concentrations of estradiol, in the absence of progesterone,
stimulate the release of a surge of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
(GnRH). This surge of GnRH results in a surge of LH, causing ovulation of the
ovulatory follicle.