Behavior of lactating Holstein-Friesian cows during spontaneous cycles of estrus

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to describe, in detail, behavior associated with standing estrus (STE) in lactating dairy cows and behavioral changes during complete estrous cycles. Estrus signs were monitored by continuous video recording of 20 Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows housed on an outdoor wood-chip pad during 1 estrous cycle (22 d). Other social behavior was recorded during STE and, for comparison, during 1 selected day when none of the cows were in estrus. Standing stationary when mounted was defined as the primary estrus sign. Anogenital sniff, chin rest, attempt to mount, and mount were defined as secondary estrus signs. Ovarian cyclicity was confirmed by progesterone measurements. This study reports short mean duration of STE (7.1 ± 1.44 h) and estrus (mount period; 12.9 ± 1.84 h) of the 13 cows expressing these signs. All mounting activities involved at least one cow in, or within 4 h of, STE. The most frequent sign during STE was anogenital sniff initiated, followed by chin rest received, chin rest initiated, chase up initiated, anogenital sniff received, mount initiated, head butt, mount received, attempt to mount initiated, push away received, play rub, attempt to mount received, follow initiated, threat received, flehmen, avoid, bellow, and social lick received. Standing and mounting activity in HF cows was inconsistent during estrus, indicating that other signs could be of greater use. The frequency of secondary estrus signs initiated and received increased gradually during the last 12 h before STE, revealing significant differences between periods from 4 to 6 and 1 to 3 h before STE. A considerable increase in receptive behavior (secondary estrus signs received) was identified between 1 to 3 h prior to STE and STE. Both frequent initiated and received behaviors were associated with STE. A significant decrease in the frequency of secondary estrus signs initiated and received occurred 3 h after STE. Cows in STE simultaneously predominantly chose the other standing cow as mate and expressed secondary estrus signs more frequently. Based on the results of this study, we suggest that chase up could be regarded as a reliable indicator of estrus and that the changes in proceptive (initiated) and receptive (received) behavior could be used as predictors of different stages in estrus. Knowledge of these behavioral signs may improve heat detection rates and the ability to predict the optimum breeding time for dairy cows.

A longitudinal study of oestrous characteristics and conception in tie-stalled and loose-housed Swedish dairy cows

“…Earlier studies have reported shorter pre-and post-receptive durations than found in the present study. Sveberg et al (2011) found that the mean duration of the standing oestrus is 8-13 h in Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows, with a 9 h gradual increase in oestrous symptoms before standing oestrus. This leads us to the assumption that the pre-receptive phase lasted, on average, 17-22 h.…”

“…The characteristics of the pre-and post-receptive phases have been given very little attention in recent studies despite their practical importance for oestrus detection. However, there is a growing opinion that more attention must be paid to secondary and local oestrous symptoms in the absence of primary symptoms (Kerbrat & Disenhaus, 2004;Yoshida & Nakao, 2005;Sveberg et al, 2011). Metoestrous bleeding, which occurs approximately 48 h after standing oestrus, is an indication of a recent oestrus, and is detected in approximately 50% of oestruses (Hansel & Asdell, 1952).…”

Risk factors for postpartum anestrus in crossbred cows in Bangladesh

“…Prevalence of postpartum anestrus was higher in farms with fewer cows and this is explained by the fact that mounting activity and the duration of estrus are minimal when only one animal is in estrus and it is easily overlooked (28). Experimental examples of this social influence have also been reported, demonstrating the effect of synergy in the expression of estrus due to the presence of companion cows (14).…”

“…Therefore, large groups of animals and concentrated calving patterns would increase the likelihood of natural synchronization of estrus and improve the probability of accurate estrus detection. Increased duration of estrus observation decreased risks of postpartum anestrus as the accuracy and efficiency of direct observation are affected by the frequency, duration, and timing of the observation periods (28). Additionally, with the duration of estrus being reported to be as low as 4 h (19), a short estrus period could be missed between observational periods.…”

Herd monitoring to optimise fertility in the dairy cow: making the most of herd records, metabolic profiling and ultrasonography (research into practice)

“…Secondary behaviours displayed at oestrus are well characterised and observation for them can increase the rate of detection of oestrus, but animals served that only exhibit them have a lower pregnancy rates than those showing standing oestrus (Garcia et al, 2011). The ability of animals to join a sexually active 'bulling group' may also influence accuracy of detection of oestrus as the size of the active group influences the duration of activity (Sveberg et al, 2011). Recording of oestrus observed before the ESD or VWP allows focused observation for signs of oestrus 18 to 24 days later.…”