The influence of high and low nutritional planes on the oestrous cycle and conception rate of heifers

Abstract

1. During the course of investigations on the influence of High- and Low-nutritional planes on the growth, reproduction and production of heifers, sexual activity was studied by recording oestrus data. A total of 239 observations were recorded for fourteen maiden heifers for each nutritional plane; 161 for the High-plane individuals and 78 for those on the Low plane. The investigation included four breeds, viz. Beef Shorthorn, Afrikaner, Friesian and Jersey.2. The average length of the dioestrous cycle was 20·16 days for the High-plane animals, and 20·83 days for their Low-plane counterparts, the difference of 0·67 days not being statistically significant. Breed differences were not very marked, but a tendency was revealed for the Friesians of both planes to have slightly longer cycles on an average than any other breed studied.3. The modal length of the cycle for both groups was found to be 19 days, with 95·6% of the cycles falling within the normal range of 17 to 23 days. Cycles exceeding 33 days in length were, however, excluded from these calculations.4. A tendency was revealed for the initial postpubertal cycles to be longer on an average than what is usually considered the normal length. Although the High-plane heifers settled down to a regular rhythm sooner, observations showed that differences existing between individual animals is probably of greater significance in this regard than any other factor.5. Whereas the majority of the High-plane heifers reached puberty during winter, 85·7% of the Lowplane heifers came on heat for the first time in summer. It is suggested that with the approach of favourable nutritional conditions, animals in a low condition first restore depleted body tissues before the sexual cycle returns to normal activity.6. A slight tendency was noticed for cycle length to vary with the season in the case of the High-plane animals, longer cycles being recorded in summer than in winter. On the Low plane, however, the heifers concerned invariably experienced an anoestrous condition during winter, lasting anything up to 218 days. Only after they regained the losses in live weight, was sexual activity restored as previously pointed out.7. Sexual activity was shown to be greatest in late summer with little variation over the remainder of the year under normal conditions of nutrition and management, while in the Low-plane individuals it fluctuated from complete inactivity in midwinter to a peak in summer.8. Post-partum oestrus was considerably delayed by lactation in the beef animals. The High plane heifers came on heat only after weaning their calves while the Low-plane individuals required nearly a year in addition to regain depleted body reserves before sexual activity was restored. The Low-plane dairy heifers showed a longer post-partum anoestrous period also, the difference between the two groups being 20·77 days.9. The results for the number of services required per conception demonstrated that the Low-nutritional plane caused no detrimental influence on this factor. In fact, the difference existing between the two groups studied was in favour of the Low plane animals. This is in agreement with Asdell's (1952) findings. It was shown that season had no effect on the results obtained.

Calving seasonality at Pool, Orkney during the first millennium AD: an investigation using intra-tooth isotope ratio analysis of cattle molar enamel

“…It is supported by studies of farmed cattle which have demonstrated the influence of nutrition on the oestrous cycling of cows (e.g. Joubert 1954;Durrell 1955;Wiltbank et al 1962;Richards et al 1986;Louw et al 1988). Food energy tends to be prioritised for survival rather than reproductive functions, the order of priority from greatest to lowest being: 1) basal metabolism, 2) activity, 3) growth, 4) basic energy reserves, 5) pregnancy, 6) lactation, 7) additional energy reserves, 8) oestrous cycles and initiation of pregnancy and 9) excess reserves (Short and Adams 1988).…”

Sex Behaviour of Purebred and Crossbred Merino and Blackhead Persian Ewes

“…In cattle, Joubert (1954) reported a tendency for irregularity of immediate post-pubertal cycles, before the anticipated rhythm sets in. In a personal communication in 1953, A. V. Nalbandov referred to a similar tendency in sheep.…”

Prenatal Mortality in Farm Animals

“…Conflicting reports of the effect of the level of nutrition on conception rate in cattle have been noted (Brannang, 1954;Joubert, 1954), the former work being carried out with twins. The effect of full feeding on ovulation in sheep is well known.…”