Animal Reproduction 1.3

Oestrous Cycle in Different Animals

• The length of the oestrous cycle in cattle ranges from 19 to 23 days.
• Sheep have an oestrous cycle that lasts between 14 to 19 days.
• Swine, like cattle, have an oestrous cycle that lasts from 19 to 23 days.
• Horses have the most variable oestrous cycle, ranging from 10 to 37 days.
• The oestrous cycle in dogs lasts between 12 to 21 days.
• The length of the oestrous cycle in cats is similar to that in dogs, ranging from 14 to 21 days.

Oestrous Cycle Duration

• Cattle: 19 to 23 days
• Sheep: 14 to 19 days
• Swine: 19 to 23 days
• Horses: 10 to 37 days
• Dog: 12 to 21 days
• Cat: 14 to 21 days

Oestrus Duration

• Cattle: 6 to 27 hours
• Sheep: 24 to 36 hours
• Swine: 48 to 72 hours
• Horses: 3 to 8 days
• Dog: 10 to 14 days
• Cat: 3 to 14 days

Oestrous Cycle Duration

• Cattle: 19 to 23 days
• Sheep: 14 to 19 days
• Swine: 19 to 23 days
• Horses: 10 to 37 days
• Dog: 12 to 21 days
• Cat: 14 to 21 days

Oestrus Duration

• Cattle: 6 to 27 hours
• Sheep: 24 to 36 hours
• Swine: 48 to 72 hours
• Horses: 3 to 8 days
• Dog: 10 to 14 days
• Cat: 3 to 14 days

Oestrous Cycle Duration

• Cattle: 19 to 23 days
• Sheep: 14 to 19 days
• Swine: 19 to 23 days
• Horses: 10 to 37 days
• Dog: 12 to 21 days
• Cat: 14 to 21 days

Oestrus Duration

• Cattle: 6 to 27 hours
• Sheep: 24 to 36 hours
• Swine: 48 to 72 hours
• Horses: 3 to 8 days
• Dog: 10 to 14 days
• Cat: 3 to 14 days

General Signs of Oestrus

• Swelling of the vulva is a visible indicator of oestrus
• Mucous discharge is a common sign of oestrus, often accompanied by changes in vulva appearance
• Restless behavior is a behavioral trait exhibited by females in oestrus, indicating a state of heightened excitement or agitation
• Female receptivity to male is a key characteristic of oestrus, marking a period of sexual receptivity

General Signs of Oestrus

• Swollen vulva is a characteristic sign of oestrus
• Mucous discharge is a common indicator of oestrus
• Restless behavior is a notable sign of oestrus
• Female receptivity to male is a key indicator of oestrus

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Cattle

• Visually active mounting is a distinctive sign of oestrus in cattle
• Cattle are normally mated from September to optimize calving between June to October the next year
• The breeding cycle in cattle is timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Sheep

• Few external signs of oestrus are visible in sheep
• Sheep are usually mated between February to May to ensure lambing occurs between July to November that year
• The breeding cycle in sheep is also timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

General Signs of Oestrus

• Swollen vulva is a characteristic sign of oestrus
• Mucous discharge is a common indicator of oestrus
• Restless behavior is a notable sign of oestrus
• Female receptivity to male is a key indicator of oestrus

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Cattle

• Visually active mounting is a distinctive sign of oestrus in cattle
• Cattle are normally mated from September to optimize calving between June to October the next year
• The breeding cycle in cattle is timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Sheep

• Few external signs of oestrus are visible in sheep
• Sheep are usually mated between February to May to ensure lambing occurs between July to November that year
• The breeding cycle in sheep is also timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

General Signs of Oestrus

• Swollen vulva is a characteristic sign of oestrus
• Mucous discharge is a common indicator of oestrus
• Restless behavior is a notable sign of oestrus
• Female receptivity to male is a key indicator of oestrus

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Cattle

• Visually active mounting is a distinctive sign of oestrus in cattle
• Cattle are normally mated from September to optimize calving between June to October the next year
• The breeding cycle in cattle is timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Sheep

• Few external signs of oestrus are visible in sheep
• Sheep are usually mated between February to May to ensure lambing occurs between July to November that year
• The breeding cycle in sheep is also timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

General Signs of Oestrus

• Swollen vulva is a characteristic sign of oestrus
• Mucous discharge is a common indicator of oestrus
• Restless behavior is a notable sign of oestrus
• Female receptivity to male is a key indicator of oestrus

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Cattle

• Visually active mounting is a distinctive sign of oestrus in cattle
• Cattle are normally mated from September to optimize calving between June to October the next year
• The breeding cycle in cattle is timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

Specific Signs of Oestrus in Sheep

• Few external signs of oestrus are visible in sheep
• Sheep are usually mated between February to May to ensure lambing occurs between July to November that year
• The breeding cycle in sheep is also timed to coincide with the spring flush of grass

Reproductive Behavior in Pigs

• Vulva swelling is a typical sign of heat in pigs
• During oestrus, pigs exhibit riding behavior towards pen mates and seek the boar, but do not mount
• Sows respond to back pressure by becoming immobilized

Reproductive Behavior in Horses

• Teasing with a stallion is a common method to detect oestrus in horses
• During oestrus, horses will often go nose to nose with each other
• The breeding season for horses typically occurs in the spring, when there are 16 hours of daylight
• Pregnancy can be diagnosed in horses using an ultrasound probe and manual palpation

Signs of Heat in Pigs

• Vulva swelling is a typical sign of heat in pigs
• Pigs in heat will ride pen mates and seek out the boar, but will not mount
• Sows will immobilize in response to back pressure during oestrus

Signs of Heat in Horses

• Mares in heat will tease with stallions and go nose to nose with them
• Horses typically come into heat in the spring when days are longer (16 hours of light)
• Pregnancy can be diagnosed in horses using an ultrasound probe or by hand palpation

Proestrus in Horses

• Vulva becomes swollen and a bloody discharge is present
• Female is attracted to the male but will not mate
• Hind quarters are elevated towards males, and the tail is deflected
• Horse becomes nervous, alert, and easily distracted, with increased urination

Oestrus in Horses

• Straw-coloured discharge is present during oestrus

Signs of Heat in Pigs

• Vulva swelling is a typical sign of heat in pigs
• Pigs in heat will ride pen mates and seek out the boar, but will not mount
• Sows will immobilize in response to back pressure during oestrus

Signs of Heat in Horses

• Mares in heat will tease with stallions and go nose to nose with them
• Horses typically come into heat in the spring when days are longer (16 hours of light)
• Pregnancy can be diagnosed in horses using an ultrasound probe or by hand palpation

Proestrus in Horses

• Vulva becomes swollen and a bloody discharge is present
• Female is attracted to the male but will not mate
• Hind quarters are elevated towards males, and the tail is deflected
• Horse becomes nervous, alert, and easily distracted, with increased urination

Oestrus in Horses

• Straw-coloured discharge is present during oestrus