Behavioural, follicular and hormonal characteristics of the oestrous cycle of Mexican Criollo cattle
A. Quezada-Casasola A , L. Avendaño-Reyes A C , J. A. Ramírez-Godínez B , U. Macías-Cruz A and A. Correa-Calderón A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Carretera a Delta s/n C.P. 21705, Ejido Nuevo León, Baja California, México.
B Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco Rosario Almada km.1, C.P. 31031, Chihuahua, México.
C Corresponding author. Email: lar62@uabc.edu.mx, lar62@hotmail.com
Animal Production Science 54(3) 277-284 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN12334
Submitted: 21 September 2012 Accepted: 11 April 2013 Published: 21 May 2013
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to describe the behavioural, ovarian and hormonal characteristics of the oestrous cycle of Criollo cattle. Twenty-two cycling cows subjected to oestrus synchronisation were used to take blood samples every 4 h, to determine luteinising hormone (LH) until ovulation was detected by ultrasound and then every 24 h until the subsequent naturally occurring ovulation to determine progesterone concentrations. At the onset of synchronised oestrus, ovaries were examined by ultrasound every 8 h to determine dominant follicles until ovulation was detected, and daily afterwards to observe ovarian dynamics until the onset of the subsequent spontaneous behavioural oestrus. Time from oestrus to ovulation was higher in synchronised than in spontaneous oestrus (P < 0.01). Time from LH surge to ovulation was 40.5 h. When two- and three-wave cycles were compared, inter-ovulatory intervals were similar, growth rate of the preovulatory follicle was lower in two-wave cycles, time from onset of ovulatory wave to ovulation was higher in cycles with two waves and time from oestrus to ovulation was higher in three-wave cycles (P < 0.01). Corpus luteum volume averaged 1.3 cm3 and progesterone concentration peaked at an average 6.5 ng/mL. LH peak averaged 33.5 ng/mL during oestrus in all cows. Ovulatory follicle diameter ranged from 8 to 12 mm in either two- or three-wave cycles. Results suggested that overall times from oestrus and LH peak to ovulation are longer in Criollo cows than those in other breeds. This, along with information about growth rate, size and age of ovulatory follicles, may have implications for reviewing the optimum time for artificial insemination and how reproductive technologies are applied to Criollo cattle.
Additional keywords: ovarian dynamics, ovulation, progesterone.
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