Heat Detection in the Cow

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Heat Detection in the Cow

• Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
• Professor and Extension Program Leader
• Texas AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas AM System
• College Station, TX 77843
• http//extensionvetmed.tamu.edu

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The Mechanics of Estrus

• The basics of the estrous cycle
• Why a cow cycles

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• Duration of heat 1 day (6-30 hrs)
• Heat
• Estrus
• Days between cycles 20 days
• No heat
• Out of heat
• Between heats
• Diestrus

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• Cycling
• Estrous cycle is 21 days (18-24 days)
• Not cycling
• Anestrus (no heat)

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• Cow in heat for 1 day
• Follicle and egg
• Cow out of heat for 20 days
• CL develops for 5 days
• Mature CL for 11 days
• CL regresses for 4 days
• Cow comes in heat after CL regresses

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• Age cattle should cycle (puberty)
• English breeds 12-13 months
• Continental breeds 14-15 months
• Brahman 14-18 months
• Cross breeds puberty at least 1 month earlier

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Determination of Timing for A.I.

• Early Stage of Heat
• Bawling and walking
• Butting, trailing and mounting other cows
• Swollen vulva with redness inside
• Little if any, clear mucous discharge
• Cervix is open
• Uterus is rigid

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• Middle Stage of Heat
• Complacent and restless
• Very red and swollen vulva
• Abundant, clear mucous discharge
• Slightly matted hair on tail head
• Rides other cows
• Ridden by other cows
• Stands to be mounted (in standing heat)

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• Late Stage of Heat
• Mount other cows
• May still be ridden but will not stand
• Nervousness disappear
• Vulva swelling and mucus decrease
• Mucus becomes slightly rubbery
• Hair on tail head becomes matted

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• Ovulation occurs 14 hours (range 6 to 18 hours)
  after standing heat ends
• Slightly bloody mucous discharge occurs about 24
  to 48 hours after standing heat ends

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• Proper timing to increase conception rates
• Heat checks by an observer are 15 to 30 minute
  durations
• Repeated 3 to 4 times a day
• Breed the cow 8 to 12 hours after first mounting
  (standing heat)
• When standing heat begins in the morning, breed
  at night
• When standing heat begins at night, breed in the
  morning

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Health Concerns

• Non-diseases
• Persistent heat
• Persistent follicle
• Persistent no heat/anestrus
• Persistent CL
• Embryonic/fetal deaths
• Stress
• Malnutrition

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• Infertility
• Stress
• Malnutrition
• Low reproductive tract scores
• Low body condition scores
• Uterine trauma

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• Diseases
• Embryonic/fetal deaths
• Vibriosis
• Trichomoniasis
• Neosporosis
• Brucellosis
• IBR
• BVD
• Hemophilus
• Infertility
• Uterine infections