Estrous cycle and factors affecting

the length of the estrous cycle

 Introduction

• It is the rhythmic sexual behavioural pattern that is exhibited by the female

beginning at one estrus (heat) and ending at subsequent estrus.
• “Oestrous" is derived form a greek word "Oistros" meaning "Gad fly" -
used to describe the behaviour of cows when attacked by such flies.
• They continue throughout the adult female’s life and are interrupted by
pregnancy, nursing and by season in some species.
• Estrous cycles provide females with repeated opportunities to copulate and
become pregnant
Animals could be categorized based on the occurrence of estrous cycle as:
• Monoestrus: Only one estrous cycle per year. eg. Wild animals.
• Polyestrus: Periodic estrous cycles throughout the year. eg. cow and sow.
• Seasonally polyestrus: Periodic estrous cycles only during a particular season. eg.
Sheep and mare.
Depending on the ovarian activity again estrous cycle is classified as:
• Regular estrous cycle: Characterised by ovulation and formation of corpus luteum.
eg. Cow, sheep, mare, bitch and sow
• Spontaneous ovulators: Ovulations are spontaneous but the corpus luteum formed
will not be functional until mating has occurred. eg., rat or mouse
• Induced ovulators: Ovulation and corpus luteum formation depends on whether
mating has occurred or not. eg. Cat, rabbit, mink.
 Estrous
cycle

Follicular phase Luteal phase

Proestrus Metestrus

Estrus Diestrus
 proestrus
⚫ Ill defined period, immediately precedes estrus phase.
⚫ Characterized by follicular growth, regression of CL and increased production of
estrogen.
⚫ Estrogen increases blood supply of genitaltract, thus,produces edema of genitalia.

⚫ Uterus enlarges very slightly, endometrium becomes congested and edematous,

increased glandular secretory activity.
⚫ Increasedthickness&vascularityofvaginalepitheliumwithcornificationseenindogs&cats.
⚫ Proestrualbleeding seeninbitches.
 Estrus
⚫ Period of sexual receptivity & acceptance ofmale.

⚫ Graafian follicle is large and mature; uterus and oviduct is tonic, erect &
turgid.
⚫ Increased ciliary activity, segmental contraction oviductal musculature &
increased oviductal fluid secretion.
⚫ The uterine, cervical and vaginal glands secrete increased amounts of mucus; the
vaginal epithelium andendometrium become hyperaemic and congested.
⚫ Cervix is relaxed and edematous.
 Metestrus

⚫ TransitionalperiodbetweenovulationanddevelopmentofCL.
⚫ Granulosa cells of ovulated follicle give rise to luteal cells & helps in formation of
corpus luteum.
⚫ In cows, growth of endometrial glands begins, capillary haemorrhage occurs leading
metestrualbleedingduetowithdrawlofestrogen.
⚫ In primates menstruation takes place due to withdrawl of progesterone.
 Diestrus
⚫ Longest Phase where CL matures under the dominance of progesterone.
⚫ Increased hypertrophy of endometrial gland & increased
thickening of endometrium.
⚫ Flaccid uterine muscle
⚫ Cervix is closed with scanty vaginal mucus
⚫ Pale vaginal mucous membrane
⚫ Uterine glands produce thick,viscid fluid (uterine milk) for nourishing zygote.

⚫ CL regresses after 15-16 days,if fertilization fails

 Anestrus

⚫ Characterised by quiescent, functionless ovaries and reproductive tract

⚫ Observed physiologically in most mares during the winter months and in
the ewe during the late spring and summer months.
⚫ Minimal follicular development.

⚫ Scanty and tenacious secretions.

⚫ Constricted cervix and pale vaginal mucosa
Species Estrus Metestrus Diestrus Proestrus

Cow 12 to 24 hours 3 to 5 days 13 days 3 days

Mare 4 to 7 days 3 to 6 days 6 to 10 days 3 days

Sow 2 to 4 days 3 to 4 days 9 to 13 days 3 days

Ewe 1 to 2 days 3 to 5 days 7 to 10 days 2 days

Bitch 9 days (4-12) 75 days (51-82) 9 days (3-16)

Queen 8 days without coitus 2 days (1-3)

5 days with coitus
Estrus- cycle, estrus and time of ovulation in
some of the domestic animals
 Signs of estrus

Cow:
• Primary- Standing to be mounted by other cows
• Secondary- Clear stringy mucoid discharge hanging from the vulva during
estrus., edematous and hyperemic Vulva, increased restlessness, drop in milk
yield, reduced feed intake, bellowing, Chin resting, tail raising, frequent
micturition
• Cervix is soft, relaxed & opened.
• Uterus is felt turgid varying in degree from good tone to weak tone
• Presence of large fluctuating follicle with or without regressing corpus luteum
Buffalo:
• Overt signs of estrus are not pronounced as in cattle
• Heterosexual behaviour, particularly standing to be mounted by a bull is
the most reliable sign
• Signs such as vulval swelling, clear mucoid vulval discharge, bellowing,
restlessness, frequent urination and tail raising.
• Temporary teat engorgement(sudden let down of milk in teats 1-3 days
before estrus onset, called Doka/Doki.
Mares
• Winking of the clitoris , squatting or lowering of the pelvis
• Lifting of the tail, frequent urination
• Seeking out the company of other mares, gelding and handlers
Sow
• Restlessness, champing of the jaw
• Grunting sound, cropping of ear
• It shows a typical symptom called standing reflex, when it allows to be touched and when
pressure is put on back it stands still (Back pressure test).
• Mounting on other animals, drop in milk yield
• Pronounced vulvar swelling
• Congestion and hyperaemia of vulvar mucous membrane, increase in vaginal secretions
Doe/Ewe
• Wagging of tail, bleating frequently
• Restlessness, reduced appetite, reduced milk yield
• Standing to be mounted by teaser buck/fertile buck
• Swelling of vulva and hyperaemia of vulvar mucous membrane (not easy to detect in ewe
because of wool and small size of vulva).
• Thin mucus discharge from the vulva
Bitches
• Crouching and elevating the perineum
• Pressure placed on or near their lower back causes the tail to be held off to one side
• Bitches attract males over long distance due to presence of potent pheromones
• Straw coloured or pink vaginal discharge
• Reduced vulvar swelling, soft and flaccid vulva as compared to proestrous
 Factors affecting estrous cycle
• Nutritive state
• Seasonal influences and light
• Temperature
• Age
• Character of work
• Transportation
• Systemic diseases
• Pathology of the uterus or cervix
• Endocrine disturbances
• Miscellaneous causes
Nutrition:
• Any severe degree of inanition caused by lack of TDN or energy
• Nutritive deficiencies causing loss of appetite (P, Co, Cu, Fe, I2)
Seasonal influences and light
• Seasonal breeding is regulated by light through the medium of eyes or the hypothalamus
and pituitary gland which will control the onset of estrous cycle. This is called as sexual
photoperiodicity.
• In sheep and goat decreased day light influences onset of estrus.
• In mares increased total daily hours of light will hasten the onset of estrous cycle
Temperature
• Excessive heat (summer) & cold reduces reproductive efficiency by altering the length of
cycle.
• In cattle under hot conditions length of the estrous cycle is increased to 25 days as compared
to 20-22 days in cool weather.
Age
• In cattle and swine the young female usually has a slightly shorter length of estrous cycle than the
adult animals.
Systemic Diseases
• Severe chronic wasting diseases cause debility and emaciation resulting in cessation of estrous
cycle.
Pathology of Uterus and Cervix
• In cattle, conditions like pyometra, foetal maceration, mummification causes persistence of corpus
luteum and cessation of estrous cycle.
Endocrine Disturbances
• Endocrine disturbances leading to cystic ovaries or pituitary, ovarian and adrenal tumors affect the
length of the estrous cycle.
Miscellaneous Causes
• Pregnancy causes physiological cessation of estrous cycle.
• The presence of males hastens onset of estrus.
• Infusion of iodine compounds into the uterus shortens the estrous cycle.