K. P.

Paudel
Sem VIII
VOG 421
Lecture 4

Symptoms of Estrus and Estrous Cycle

The chain of physiological events or changes in the reproductive organs of female animals from one
estrous period to other one after the onset of puberty (except during pregnancy) is called estrous cycle.
Estrus is the stage of the estrous cycle when female expresses sexual desire and accepts male. With
reference to bovines, there are four stages in one estrus cycle. These are proestrus, estrus, metestrus
and diestrus.

Proestrus:
This is the period immediately preceding (before) estrus characterized by rapid growth and
maturation of the graffian follicle in the ovary under the influence of FSH and producing
increasing amounts of estradiol. The stage is not precisely defined but begins from day 17 -
18 of the estrous cycle once the regression of the corpus luteum begins. Thus the period lasts
for about 3 days (in bovines) until the apparent estrus is evident. There is increased in activity
of all the organs of the reproductive tract.

Estrus:
Estrus is fairly defined period of the estrous cycle characterized by expression of sexual desire and
acceptance of the male by a female domestic animal. This period begins with the time of the first
acceptance and ends with the last acceptance of the male. The graffian follicle in the ovary is large
and mature. The ovum undergoes some maturational changes approaching ovulation. The signs of
estrus are obvious and has economic significance from herd management viewpoint - heat detection
and mating in time results improved reproductive efficiency.

Metestrus:
Also called post-estrus, this stage is again poorly defined period following (after) estrus during which
the corpus luteum grows rapidly from granulosa cells of the ruptured follicle under the influence of
luteinizing hormone of the anterior pituitary gland. Metestrus is the phase under the influence of
drastic withdrawal of estrogen, therefore is largely under the influence of progesterone produced by
the corpus luteum. The stage lasts for about 3 - 4 days post estrus. The presence of progesterone
inhibits secretion of FSH by the pituitary gland and thus prevents the development of more graffian
follicles and immediate development of another estrus until progesterone withdrawal is reached
(effect of PGF2 α after day 16 - 17).

Diestrus:
This phase is the longest phase or period of the estrous cycle in domestic animals. The corpus luteum
is matured and the effects of progesterone on the reproductive tract are most pronounced (marked).
This phase occurs between day 4 or 5 to day 16 or 17 of the estrous cycle in bovines. If the animal got
pregnant, the CL continues and implantations proceeds, as trophoblastic cells of the developing
conceptus secrete a specific protein called interferon tau which informs mother about the pregnancy,
otherwise CL has to regress under the influence of PGF2α secreted by endometrium due to the
absence of viable embryo in the uterus.

Anoestrus:
This is the period (when referred to physiologic estrous cycle) of ovaries being inactive, quiescent,
functionless and occurs for a few days to few months after parturition and during off-season in
seasonally breeding animals (for example mare and ewe). Anoestrus (non-functional or non cyclic
ovaries) during other times is generally a pathological (infertility) condition.
Behavioral Signs of estrus
The acceptance of male during estrus is due to the effect of estradiol on the central nervous system,
producing species-specific characteristics or behavioral patterns of receptivity in various female
animals.
With reference to bovines, some of the prominent signs of estrus include:
- Bellowing
- Restlessness, however, standing still when approached by other animals
- Separation from the rest of the herd and search for a male
- Accepting mounting by other animals
- Frequent urination
- Vaginal mucus discharge - transparent and string like
- Pink vulva (hyperemia)
- Reduced feed and water intake
- Slight rise in body temperature

Assignment: Refer to the textbook for the symptoms of estrus in other species: equines, caprine,
swine and canine and discuss the variations in the class.

Regulation of estrous cycle:

Factors affecting the estrous cycle:

The reproductive cycles of domestic animals are primarily under the endocrine control and are greatly
influenced by the external environmental factors that act through the central nervous system to initiate
and regulate the release of gonadotropic hormones. Several factors affect the onset of estrous and its
interval between the estrous periods; some of the important factors are:
i. Nutritive state of the animal
ii. Seasonal influences and light. Sheep and horse tend to follow seasonal pattern in heat
expression.
iii. Age: younger animals specially of swine and cattle species tend to show shorter estrum
and estrous cycle than their older members
iv. Temperature: Excessive heat and cold may produce adverse hormonal situations and
affect the heat pattern
v. Nature/type of the work animal performs and the state of production: Mares heavily put
on draught work may not show estrum regularly. So is the case in heavily lactating cows.
vi. Systemic diseases: Any period of suffering from systemic disease produces adverse effect
on regularity of the estrous cycle in all species.
vii. Pathology of the uterus and the cervix:
viii. Endocrine disturbances
ix. Other miscellaneous causes include: Variation among individuals within same species are
also noticed,
 Features of the Reproductive Cycle
Supplementary notes;

Species Age at Puberty Cycle Type Cycle Length Duration of Best Time to Breed First Comments
Estrus Estrus
After
Parturition

Cattle 10–12 months, Polyestrous 21 days (18– 18 hour (6– Insemination from mid- 20–60 days Ovulation 10–12 hr
usually first bred year round 24) 24) estrus until 6 hr after end after end of
14-15 months of estrus estrus.

Sheep 6–9 months Seasonally 17 days (14– 24–36 hr. 18–20 hr. after onset of Next fall Ovulation near end
polyestrous, early 20) estrus of estrus.
fall to winter

Goat 5–7 months Mostly yearround 21 days 24–48 hr. Daily during estrus 30 -60 days
OR seasonally
polyestrous

Pig 6–7 months Polyestrous all year 21 days (19– 40–60 hr. Daily during estrus 4–10 days Ovulation usually
23) after ~40 hr. after
weaning beginning of
estrus.

Horse 10–24 months Seasonally ~21 days 5–7 days Last few days of estrus, 4–14 (9) Ovulation usually
polyestrous, early (19–23) just before ovulation; days 1–2 days before
 spring through should be bred at 2-day end of estrus.
summer intervals Double ovulation
in ~20% of
estrous periods,
but twins rare.

Dog 6–24 months; earlier Mono-estrous all 6–7 months 9 days Second day after 4–5 months Pro-estrous
in smaller breeds, year (3–21d) ovulation bleeding 7–10
later in larger days. Ovulation
breeds usually 1–3 days
after onset of
estrus..

Cat 4–12 months Seasonally 14–21 days 6–7 days Daily from day 2 of estrus 4–6 week Induced ovulation
polyestrous, spring 24–48 hr after
through early fall mating.
Pseudopregnancy
lasts 40 days.
Infertile matings
delay onset of
next cycle ~45
days.