NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
September, 1957] M. P. JOHARI AND S. K. TALAPATRA 87
TABLE II
Influence of the sire on the age at first calving
Average age of the heifers
at first calving from each
bull
Names of farms
Madhurikund
Brand No. of the bull
243
1478.5
±76.0
(8)
359/6
1498.2
±49.6
(7)
19/P6
1447.0
±40.8
(7)
14/104
1515.7
±40.7
(11)
Bharari
Brand No. of the bull
800
1517.4
±24.2
(41)
243
1425.9
±66.9
(9)
154
1592.4
±44.0
(8)
270
1371.8
±42.9
Nilgaon
Brand No. of the bull
737/19
1464.4
±46.9
(12)
379/PI
1665.3
±28.5
(10)
88
SEX MATURITY IN DAIRY CATTLE
[Vol. XXVII, Part III,
(b) Influence of the sire on the age at first calving
In this study, the data on the age at first calving was tabulated according to
the sires of these heifers. Sires which had at least 6 daughters were considered.
The study was limited to 10 bulls at 3 places viz. Madhurikund, Bharari, Nilgaon;
and the total number of animals under this study was 120 heifers.
The average age at first calving with their standard error is given in Table II.
The analysis of variance was made to find out the difference between bulls at
Madhurikund. It was not significant.
At Bharari Farm, the analysis of variance between bulls was significant at 5
per cent level. The bull No. 270 appeared to be different from the bull No. 154
in dropping heifers of varying age at first calving. The bull No. 270 dropped early
calvers, while bull No. 154 dropped late calvers.
The difference between the bulls used at the Farms was not very conspicuous re-
garding this character, as the breeding bulls were not selected with this character in
view. All the bulls used were of average merit and, therefore, did not influence
appreciably the age of the heifers at first calving. The problem could be approached
from another angle. If the age of the mothers (dams) at first calving was known
then the age of the heifers could be compared over the dams, as is done in the case
of progeny testing of bulls for milk yield. It appears that if bulls coming from early
maturing families are selected, it would be possible to reduce the age at first calving.
(c) Heifers which calve either late or early at different farms
In every species there is a physiological age at which the reproductive organs
become active, and simultaneously changes take place in the ovaries, uterus and
mammary glands. The female becomes capable to carry the young. This is called
the age of puberty or the age of maturity. Females, in which this occurs late,
may be considered as pathological cases. In scientific terminology there are cases
of infertility in young animals which cause heavy economic losses to the cattle
breeders.
TABLE III
Incidence of infertility (late maturity) in heifers
Name of the Farm
Mechanised State Farm, Madhuri-
kund
Mechanised State Farm, Bharari
Mechanised State Farm, Babugarh
Mechanised State Farm, Hastina¬
pur
Mechanised State Farm, Nilgaon
District Dairy Demonstration
Farm, Mathura
TOTAL
Total No.
of heifers
considered
95
135
61
26
54
63
434
No. of
heifers
calving
before
3 years
2
..
5
1
..
6
14
No. of
heifers
calving
after
5 years
15
12
..
2
13
12
54
Remarks
September, 1957] M. P. JOHARI AND S. K. TALAPATRA 89
The percentage of early and late calvers works out to be 3.2 and 12.4 respec-
tively. The early calvers indicate that we can possibly reduce the age at first
calving in our farms. The late calvers are cases of infertility where either the
maturity was too much delayed or the animals did not conceive.
(d) The effect of feeding on sex maturity in dairy animal
In these investigations an attempt was made to study the effect of feeding a
cheaper, but otherwise adequate, roughage ration on the maturity in dairy animals
as compared with a costlier ration consisting of wheat bhusa, concentrate mixture
and a little green.
Sixteen comparable female calves of about one-and-a half year old were select-
ed and divided into two groups, eight in each. To start with, the roughage group
was fed a ration consisting of 30 lb. green berseem and 5 lb. wheat bhusa (9.0—0.6—
5.3)*, while the concentrate group 5 lb. wheat bhusa, 3½ lb. balanced concentrate
mixture and 5 lb. of green berseem (8.5—0.62—5.1). The rations in both the groups
were adjusted from time to time according to the requirement of the animals. The
maximum allowance given to the roughage group was 40 lb. green berseem and 6 lb.
wheat bhusa (11.4—0.8—6.8) and concentrate group 6 lb. wheat bhusa, 5 lb. con-
centrate mixture and 5 lb. green berseem (10.7—0.85—6.6). When green berseem
was not available, the ration was balanced by equivalent amount of berseem hay.
During the first 3-4 months of the experiment, condition of the animals in both
the groups was more or less similar. Thereafter, the concentrate group showed
accelerated growth so much so that at the end of about 8 months, the animals in
the roughage group looked very much dwarfed in comparison to the concentrate
group.
The total ingestion of phosphorus in the roughage group varied between 5-7
gm. and calcium 50-65 gm., while in the concentrate group, phosphorus 10-15 gm.
and calcium 14-16 gm.
The content of copper in the whole blood of the two groups of animals, as measur-
ed by Eeel's photo-electric colorimeter, was normal, though the concentrate group
invariably showed higher values than the roughage group.
It is obvious from the data shown above that the all-roughage ration, though
otherwise adequate in protein and energy, definitely suffers from a shortage of
phosphorus. This low ingestion of phosphorus coupled with a wide ca/p ratio
(10: 1) is considered inadequate during the active period of growth. The re-
productive failure brought about by a ration of this kind is discussed below.
Reproductive data
In the concentrate group the average age of the heifers when they showed
their first oestrum was 2 years 9 months. Six heifers out of 7 (the best animals
died of snake bite) conceived early.
*The figures in the brackets indicate the level of nutrition in lb. as dry matter, digestible crude
protein and total digestible nutrients respectively.
90
SEX MATURITY IN DAIRY
CATTLE
[VOL. XXVII, PART III,
Fig. 1. Heifer on the left was fed on a ration of wheat bhusa (5 lb.), concentrate mixture (3½ lb.
and a little green berseem (5 lb.). Heifer on the right is of the same age but was fed a ration
of green berseem (30 lb.) and wheat bhusa (5 lb.) and no concentrates
Fig. 2. Back view of the animals shown in Fig. 1 (compare the size)
September, 1957] M. P. JOHARI AND S. K. TALAPATRA 91
Fig. 3. A group of heifers on a balanced diet of roughage and concentrates
Fig. 4. Heifers of the same age and breed on ' all roughage ' otherwise adequate ration (compare the
size of these animals with those shown in Fig. 3)
September, 1957] M. P. JOHART AND S. K. TALAPATRA 93
otherwise adequate ration. It appears that the deficiency of phosphorus in all
roughage ration is the probable cause of delayed maturity in the roughage-fed group.
In the usual village practice, concentrates are not incorporated in the dietary of
cattle. This may be one of the causes of late calving seen in herds kept under
rural conditions.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The work was done under a scheme financed by the Indian Council of Agricul-
tural Research to investigate the problem of infertility in cattle. The authors are
grateful to Shri P. G. Pande, Director of Animal Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh for his
interest in the work, and to Principal Shri C. V. G. Choudary for providing
facilities.
REFERENCES
Gethin (1950). Review article. A. B. A. 18, 133-141
Hartmann, W. (1953). Citation. A. B. A. 22, No. 938
Johansson, I. (1950). Citation. A. B. A. 18, No. 2
Joubert, D. M. (1954). J. Agric. Sci. 44, 5-66
Report of the Milk Marketing Board, England and Wales (1953). Production Division No. 4 Citation
A. B. A. 22, No. 887
Rajgopalan, V. R. (1952). Indian vet. J. 28, 293-306
Sharma, G. P., Vali, K. N. and Suri, K. R. (1951). Res. Bull, East Punjab Univ. Zoology No. 18, 57-68
Citation. A. B. A. 21 No. 1633
18 AR/57
5
THE RELATION OF SOME FACTORS TO THE OCCURRENCE
OF POST-PARTUM OESTRUS IN HARIANA CATTLE
By M. L. KOHLI AND K. R. SURI, Government Livestock Farm, Hissar,
Punjab
[Received for publication on November 3, 1954
Accepted for publication on April 9,
1957]
A knowledge regarding the interval elapsing between parturition and the
occurrence of first oestrus is of value not only for practical breeder but also for
the artificial breeding centres as it helps in efficient and profitable breeding of cattle.
This is important in view of the fact that generally a breeder is unaware of the
average period when he can expect his cow to be in heat after calving.
The present study was undertaken to investigate if the control over the factors
like season, milk yield, age and lactation supposed to influence the period between
parturition and first oestrus of cows could be of value in curtailing the interval
which may prove of economic importance to a breeder.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The study of the literature showed that limited work had been conducted on
this aspect of oestrus in cattle. Guilbert and Mcdonald [1933] reported that 30
per cent of the beef cows came into heat between 20 and 40 days ; 30 per cent between
40 to 60 days and 40 per cent between 60 and 100 days after calving.
Chapman and Casida [1935] held, that the average interval between parturition
and first oestrus in Holstein cattle was 59 days with a standard deviation of 30 days.
They concluded that on an average, the period from parturition to first subsequent
heat was too long for early conception ; 50 per cent of these periods were less than
61 days in length, 40 per cent were between 61-120 days and the remaining 10 per
cent were over 120 days in length.
Herman and Edmondson [1950] in a study of 968 normal parturitions in 347
dairy cows concluded that the average length of the interval from parturition to
first oestrus was 57 days with a standard deviation of 28 days.
They reported that there was no relationship between the season of the year,
the average daily milk production for the entire lactation and the average daily
milk production for the period extending from parturition to first subsequent oestrus.
The age of the cow and the lactation number were found to be factors influencing the
interval.
MATERIAL AND METHODS The data used in the study were taken from Hari
purpose' breed (milk and draught), bred and raised at the Government Livestock
Farm, Hissar from 1946 to 1953. In all 538 parturitions in 271 cows with normal
gestation were studied.
95
18 AR/57.
6
96 POST-PARTUM OESTRUS IN CATTLE [Vol. XXVII, Part III,
Teaser bulls were kept in the herd to detect cows in heat. Doubtful cases,
however, were confirmed by rectal palpation and with the aid of vaginal speculum.
The days from calving to the occurrence of first oestrus were calculated for each
parturition from the properly maintained records. The daily average milk yield
was calculated from weekly records for the actual days the cow was in milk. Calves
were allowed to suckle their dams except on the recording days, when they were
used only to 'let down' the milk. The age of the animal was worked out from the
date of birth to date of her first oestrus after calving. The month during which
the animal came in heat was considered for studying the seasonal influence.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Average interval from parturition to first oestrus: In the study of 538 normal
parturitions extending over a period of about 8 years, it was found that the average
interval from parturition to first oestrus was 228.0±3.9 days. There was 7.5 per
cent of cows (Table 1) that came in heat within 89 days after calving ; 22.7 per cent
between 90 to 179 days ; 31.2 per cent between 180 to 269 days ; 28.6 per cent
between 270 to 359 days and 10 per cent over 360 days.
The interval was higher in this herd as compared to the results achieved by
other workers. This may be due to the fact that in the herd the calves were allowed
to suckle their dams during the lactation as already reported by clapp [1933] who
found that the frequency of suckling or handling of teats in milking was the main
cause for the increase in the length of the interval from parturition to first heat.
TABLE I
Average interval between partu
Interval days
Below. 29
30—59
60—89
90—119
120—149
150—179
180—209
210—239
240—269
270—299
300—329
330—359
360—389
390 and above
No. of cases
2
15
23
27
44
51
46
62
60
55
57
42
34
20
Percentage of parturition
0.4
2.8
4.3
5.0
8.2
9.5
8.6
11.5
11.1
10.2
10.6
7.8
6.3
3.7
September, 1957]
M. L.
KOHLI
AND
K.
R.
SURI
97
The data was also analysed to find out if the interval following parturition
differed from cow to cow. Five hundred observations of 165 cows having two or
more lactations which were used for this purpose indicated that the difference was
signincant (Table II).
TABLE II
The effect of the cow on the interval from parturition to first oestrus
Source of variation
Between cows
Within cows
TOTAL
D. F.
164
335
499
Mean S.
14896.9
8808.7
..
F.
1.69**
..
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
Seasonal influence : The influence of the month of the year on the period following
parturition and the occurrence of the first oestrus (Table III) indicated that the
average number of days was more for the months of January to April and less for
the month of June. The distribution of the cases indicated that the number of
cows coming in heat were more during the months of March, April and May and
less during the period from July to October.
The effect of the month of the year on the interval was significant as determined
by analysis of variance (Table IV). Months when combined into different seasons
of the year were found to have a significant effect on the interval from parturition
to first oestrus (Table V). The results presented in bar notation are as follows :
Season
Average interval from parturition to 1st
oestrus (days)
Summer
219.8
Autumn
222.9
Winter
234.4
Spring
255.7
98
POST-PARTUM OESTRUS IN CATTLE
[Vol. XXVII, Part III,
TABLE III
The effect of month on the length of time from parturition to first cestrus
Months
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
No. Observed
49
37
65
65
66
49
29
29
33
27
39
50
Percentage of
total
9.1
6.9
12.1
12.1
12.3
9.1
5.4
5.4
6.1
5.0
7.2
9.3
Average interval from
parturition to first
oestrus (days)
256.3±11.7
249.0±14.l
266.8±11.4
248.4±13.0
236.0±12.5
196.2±13.6
222.4±17.1
230.6±17.3
2l4.6±14.4
222.9±17.2
211.2±13.1
231.1±12.9
TABLE IV
The effect of month on the length of time from parturition to first oestrus
Source of variation
Between months
Within months
TOTAL
D. F.
11
526
537
Mean S.
20572.62
8532.89
..
F.
2.41**
..
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
September, 1957]
M. L.
KOHLI
AND
K.
R.
SURI
99
TABLE V
The effect of season of occurrence of first oestrus on the length of time from parturition
to first oestrus after partioning the various components of variation
Source of variation
Between seasons
Between months within seasons
Within months within seasons
TOTAL
D. F.
3
8
526
537
M. S.
39904.79
13323.06
8532.89
..
F.
4.68**
1.56
..
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
The effect of the season of calving on the interval (Table VI) indicated that the
average number of days was higher for the months of April and May and less for
the month of September. The effect of different months of calving (Table VII)
and the seasons of the year (Table VIII) were found to have a significant effect on
the interval from parturition to first oestrus. The results presented in bar notation
are as follows :
Season
Average length of period from parturition
to first oestrus (days)
Winter
207.4
Autumn
207.5
Spring
253.0
Summer
253.3
TABLE VI
The effect of month of calving on the interval from parturition to first oestrus
Months
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
No.
observed
56
56
69
62
38
47
48
39
39
25
24
35
Percentage
of total
10.4
10.4
12.8
11.5
7.1
8.7
8.9
7.3
7.3
4.6
4.5
6.5
Average interval from
parturition to first
oestrus (days)
202.9±12.4
247.1±13.4
240.9±11.8
271.8±11.6
263.1±14.l
251.9±12.8
252.4±12.3
217.6±15.3
197.0±13.9
208.0±15.8
201.5±15.6
218.5±14.7
100
POST-PARTUM OESTRUS IN CATTLE
[Vol. XXVII, Part III,
TABLE VII
The effect of month of calving on the length of time from parturition to first oestrus
Source of variation
Between months
Within months
TOTAL
D. F.
11
526
537
Mean S.
30296.52
8329.54
..
F.
3.64**
..
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
TABLE VIII
The effect of season of calving on the length of time from parturition to first oestrus after
partioning the various components of variation
Source of variation
Between seasons
Between months within season
Within months within seasons
TOTAL
D. F.
3
8
526
537
Mean S.
93780.61
6489.98
8329.54
..
F.
11.26**
0.78
..
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
The influence of milk yield
The average daily milk production for the entire lactation was studied (Table IX)
to see if high milk production had any effect in delaying the first oestrus period
following calving. No definite trend was observed in the average milk yields for
different intervals from parturition to first oestrus. It seemed that the periods
from 30 to 59 and 300 to 329 days showing higher level of production than the other
periods was due to chance. There appeared no correlation between the average
daily milk yield and the appearance of the first oestrus and as such did not support
the common belief that the first oestrus occurs later in high yielding-cows than in
the poor producers. These findings were similar to the results obtained by Herman
and Edmondson [1950].
September, 1957]
M.
L.
KOHLI
AND
K.
R.
SURI
101
TABLE IX
Influence of average daily milk yield per lactation on the length of time from parturition
to first oestrus
Interval
(days)
Below 3
30—59
60—89
90—119
120—149
150—179
180—209
210—239
240—269
270—299
300—329
330—359
360—389
390 and above
No. of
cases
2
15
23
28
44
51
46
63
59
55
56
42
34
20
Percentage
of total
parturition
0.4
2.8
4.3
5.2
8.2
9.5
8.5
11.7
11.0
10.2
10.4
7.8
6.3
3.7
Average daily milk
yield (lb.)
2.6±2.20
7.1±1.61
5.7±1.04
5.9±0.51
6.3±0.70
6.4±0.70
6.2±0.84
5.4±1.02
5.9±0.82
5.6±1.02
6.5±0.68
5.9±0.80
5.2±1.38
5.0±0.77
The influence of age : It was observed (Table X) that the interval for cow
between 5-6 years of age was around 270 days, thereafter the interval dropped be-
tween 6 to 12 years of age. Cows from 12 years of age and onwards had a higher
interval.
The interval of about 417 days between the ages of 4-5 years showed an exception
to this trend.
102
POST-PARTUM OESTRUS IN CATTLE
[Vol. XXVII, Part III,
TABLE X
The influence of age on the interval from parturition to first oestrus
Age
(months)
Below 47
48—59
60—71
72—83
84—95
96—107
108—119
120—131
132—143
144—155
156—167
168 and above
TOTAL
No.
observed
1
47
100
118
84
62
48
36
24
11
5
2
538
Percentage
of total
0.2
8.7
18.6
21.9
15.6
11.6
8.9
6.7
4.5
2.1
0.9
0.4
Average interval from
parturition to first
oestrus (days)
291.0
173.5±13.2
269.8± 9.0
245.5± 8.3
204.6± 9.8
232.0±11.4
238.1±13.0
230.5±15.0
237.2±18.4
280.5±27.2
270.2±36.6
330.0±55.0
One cow below 4 years and two above 14 years were excluded from the study of
analysis of variance. The analysis of variance (Table XI) showed that the age had
a significant influence on the interval from parturition to first oestrus in cattle.
TABLE XI
The effect of age on the length of time from parturition to first oestrus
Source of variation
Between ages
Within ages
TOTAL
D. F.
9
525
534
Mean S.
46710.90
8127.44
..
F.
5.75**
..
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
The influence of lactation number : The data (Table XII) showed that the first
calved heifers had higher interval and afterwards with the increase in the number
of lactations there was a definite trend towards a shorter interval up to the fifth
September, 1957]
M.
L.
KOHLI
AND
K.
R.
SURI
103
lactation and then an increase was observed in the succeeding lactation. The
sudden fall for the 7th lactation and particularly for the 8th lactation and above
was found to be affected by a regular breeding cow which came in heat after 41,
114, 204 and 139 days during her 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th lactations respectively.
TABLE XII
The influence of lactation number on the length of time from parcuition to first vestrus
Lactation No.
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th and above
TOTAL
No of
cases
146
135
103
74
47
17
11
5
538
Percentage
of total
cases
27.1
25.1
19.2
13.8
8.7
3.2
2.0
0.9
Average interval from
parturition to first
oestrus (days)
264.3± 7.6
236.7± 7.9
223.3± 9.1
218.6± 10.7
203.7±13.4
231.9± 22.4
204.8±27.8
196.0±30.8
Analysis of variance (Table XIII) showed that there was significant difference
for the intervals between the various lactations. Analysis was limited to the 7th
lactation as there were five cases of the lactation ; No. 8 and above and three out of
these belonged to a single cow.
The results obtained followed almost a similar pattern to that observed by
Hermon and Edmondson [1950]. These findings indicated that the number of the
lactation in cattle was closely associated with her age and that both of these factors
had a similar effect on the interval from parturition to first oestrus.
It may be concluded that the reproductive efficiency of the cow is at the prime
between the 3rd and 5th lactations and from 7 to 12 years of age.
TABLE XIII
The effect of lactation number on the interval from parturition to first oestrus
Source of variation
Between lactations
Within lactations
TOTAL
D. F.
6
526
532
Mean 8.
35967.98
8502.26
F.
4.23**
..
**Significant at 1 per cent level.
18 AR/57
7
104
POST-PARTUM OESTRUS IN CATTLE
[Vol. XXVII, Part III
SUMMARY
A study of 538 parturitions in 271 Hariana cows of the experimental herd at
the Government Livestock Farm, Hissar showed that:
The average length of interval from parturition to the first oestrus was found
to be 228.0±3.9 days.
The months and season of the year seemed to affect the length of the post-
partum interval to first oestrus. The season of calving also affected the interval.
There appeared no relationship between the average daily milk yield and the
interval between calving and first oestrus.
The age of the cow and lactation number were observed to influence the interval
from calving to first oestrus.
REFERENCES
Chapman, A.B. and Casida, L.E. (1935). Length of service period in relation to productivity
and reproductive efficiency in dairy cows. Proc. Am. Soc. Animal Prod. 28th Annual Meeting
P. 66
Clapp, H. (1937). A factor in breeding efficiency of dairy cattle. Proc. Am. Soc. Animal
Prod. 30th Annual Meeting. P. 259
Guilbert, H. R. and Alox Mc.Donald (1933). Weight records on pure bred beef cattle during
growth, gestation and lactations, together with data on reproduction, Proc. Am. Soc. Animal
Prod. 26th Annual Meeting, P. 252
Hammond, J. and Sanders, H. G. (1923). Some factors affecting the milk yield : J. Agric.
Sci. 13 : 74
Hermon, H.A. and Edmonson J.H. (1950). Factors affecting the interval between parturi-
tion and first oestrus in dairy cattle. Res. Bull. 462.