HEAT DETECTION IN DAIRY ANIMALS
(1Adarsh Bhambri,2 Priyanka Syal,3 Gitesh Saini &4B.K. Bansal)
14th professional year student BVSc. & A.H,
2Assistant Professor Dept. of Veterinary Pathology
3Assistant Professor dept. VGO
4 Dean College Of Veterinary Science,Rampura Phul
(College of Veterinary Science, Rampura Phul, GADVASU,Ludhiana.Punjab)
*Email: dradarshbhambri@gmail.com (Corresponding Author)
Abstract
Heat detection or estrus detection is considered as a primary reproductive management. The process of heat detection is very crucial and critical. If dairy animals identified in or too late for estrus increases the chances of not only becoming pregnant as there are the chances that they may not be fertile during time of artificial insemination.
To better understand or identify the heat in dairy animals one should know about oestrous cycle which is 21 day long cycle in cattle. The duration and intensity of estrus, varies between and within the breed of cattle. To have 17 days shorter cycle to 24 days long cycle is quite common and normal and matter of not much concerned for the farmers. Duration of estrus phase varies from 12-18 hrs and after estrus the onset of ovulation occur 24-32 hrs later which is the suitable and considered time to pursue with artificial insemination in the animal.
Keywords
Dairy animals, Estrus, Heat detection Dairy animals
Introduction
The serious concern from last few decades in dairy sector of the country has been shifted to the failure of A.I technology due to decrease in awareness regarding heat detection or onset of estrus amongst the farmers and the lack of management and knowledge while practising in dairy farm for the better yield and source of income. Heat detection is a key to success of an effective breeding programme. This can be achieved by closed observation, timed A.I and record keeping. [1] Lacunae in the system of heat detection at any ultimate level can create a loss to a dairy farm [2]
Various signs and symptoms along with the preceding ovulation can be well identified through the methodology of heat detection which may help farmers or herdsmen for precise and accurate timing of artificial insemination which even nurtures the basic need of improvement of genetic potential in dairy animals.
The procedure of heat detection can be practised by performing the various methodologies. Some of these are as follows:-
- Heat detection by visual observation
- Heat detection by checking fern pattern of the cervical mucus
- Heat detection by teaser bull method
- Pedometer and Accelometer
- Vaginal pH method
- Vaginal smear method
- Measurement of vaginal conductivity by using a probe
- Endometrial Biopsy
- Uterine Tone
- Tail painting method
- Chin ball devices
Heat detection by visual observation
This is the most common and highly accepted method to identify animals in heat by the herdsmen and farmers.
Frequent Bellowing, Hyperaemic Mucus membrane of vulva and vagina, viscous and transparent mucous hanging from vulva is some of the symptoms majorly witnessed under this vary category of heat detection.
Licking and smelling other animals is one of the most noticeable behavioural changes which can be easily noticed by farmers during his examination while following SOPs of Visual observation method of heat detection.
Animals commonly tend to show mounting behaviour. Cows stand still during heat so that they can be mounted by males whereas such behavioural change is absent in case of buffaloes. Buffaloes are prominent in showing symptoms like switching of tails, frequent micturition. Drop in milk, restlessness are also considerable signs of the dairy animals in heat.
Vaginal pH
pH is one of the finest indicators of animal in estrus. pH falls from 7.0 to 6.72 a day prior to estrus which further decreases to 6.45 immediately after ovulation.
Vaginal Smear
Differential staining properties make it different from urinary sediments due to visible cytoplasmic lipids in the vaginal smear than the one containing urinary sediments.[3]
Fern Pattern of Cervical Mucous discharge
Cow suspected of heat can be checked through this vary heat detection after the clinician or technician collect cervical mucous. Than the mucous obtained is smeared on the grease-free slide and dried naturally in air. If the fern patterns appears in the prepared slide the animal is proven to be in estrus.[4] This pattern appears 84 hrs prior estrus and starts declining before ovulation. If fern pattern shows more branching, it shows appropriate and suitable timing to pursue with the procedure of Artificial Insemination.
Endometrial Biopsy
This is very scientific procedure which is performed by well experienced and trained clinicians and in results if the animal is in heat rise of phosphate activity is witnessed and therefore confirming that animal is in heat.
Uterine Tone
On the day of estrus, maximum tone in uterine horns is observed. The conception is directly proportional to degree to tonicity of uterus. It is one of the most reliable methods of indication. Although it requires an experience of expert and skilful hand e to get the accurate results for this procedure.
Tail painting
It is the one of the easiest methods of heat detection.[3] It is even known as chalking method which is commonly performed with the combination of visual observation. Fluorescent paint is usually applied that too in night when visual observation is to be performed in morning and vice versa for the heat detection in the animal. A detection rate of 94% is shown possible with this method.
Chin Bull Device
This device is placed under the chin of the bull, causes paint to smear on back of cow if mounting takes place. It works on the principle of “Ball-point” pen i.e., if chin is pressed on the rump will mark or highlight the animal in estrus.
Pedometer & Accelometer
This is being noted and presented by various researchers under their research on the animal behaviour that the cows in heat are more prone to be mobile and walk 2-4 times more as compared to the non estrus animal.[3] To note these changes an activity meter is being placed either on the neck or on the leg of the cow and can be read by the receiver and passed to the computer for the retrieval. Some of these pedometers emit signals in the form of light when cows showcased increased activity. This method though required a careful observation along with, so that false positive ratings can be ignored. ALT (Activity, Lying time & Temperature) pedometer is a time watch which is used for measuring time interval for activity rise.
This method is least accepted due to initial cost & expense of replacing lost devices. Efficiency is 90-96% by using this method.
Teaser Bull Method of Heat Detection
Vasectomised Bull, teaser bull can be used for detecting heat in dairy farms. The vasectomised bull, still shows sexual urge/libido which can be aided as the method to alert the owner about the animal in heat. The teaser bull is allowed to parade around animals. The animal in heat will stand still and allow the bull to mount. It is usually done twice in a day i.e. in evening and morning.
Conclusion(s)
The more accuracy in heat detection will result in lesser wasted in insemination. It saves time and helps farmer economically as well. It also improves the submission rate and leads to more accurate timing of A.I. which ultimately elevates the profit of the farmers. The synchronisation and heat detection aids can greatly shorten the time spent in heat but not benefit in non-cycling herds. The management interventions are required to maintain the cyclic herd. For this high grade nutrition needs to be provided and also exceptional cow comfort including hoof health, body condition along with non-slippery surface.
References
- Roelofs, J., Lopez-Gatius, F., Hunter, R. H. F., Van using specific sensor [44]. Eerdenburg, F. J. C. M. and Hanzen, C. (2010) When is a cow in estrus? Clinical and practical aspects. Theriogenology .(PP 327-344).
- Roberts, S. J. (2001) Veterinary Obstetrics and Genital, diseases, 2nd Ed., CBS Publisher & Distributors, New Delhi
- Heat detection techniques in cattle and buffalo Thakur Krishna Shankar Rao, Niranjan Kumar, Pankaj Kumar , Shailendra Chaurasia and Navin B. Patel (doi:10.5455/vetworld.2013.363-369)
- Methods of Estrus Detection in Buffaloes Manisha Sethi1*, Nadeem Shah2 , Dileep Kumar Yadav2 and Mohsin Ahmad Parray t: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353332402
- Walker, S. L., Smith, R. F., Routly, J. E., Jones, D. N., Morris, M. J. and Dobson, H. (2008) Lameness activity time-budgetandestrusexpressionindairycattle.J.DairySci.91,(PP4552-4559)
