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A Study of Vulvar Fluorescence in Dairy Cattle

Department of Dairy Science, University of Illinois, Urbana

ABSTRACT

The phenomenon of vulvar fluorescence has been used in human medicine in diagnosing disorders of menstruation and early pregnancy (1–7). The changes in the luminescent colors elicited from the vulva and perineal region by light in the near ultraviolet range (3660 A.) are claimed to reflect changes in ovarian hormone levels under various conditions.

An attempt was made to utilize this technique of vulvar fluorescence in ultraviolet light for evaluating the stage of the estrous cycle in dairy cattle, which would be of particular value in cases of "silent heat."

In this study, a total of 77 observations was made on 36 cows, with some of the cows being observed from three to four times during an estrous cycle. A microscope spot lamp containing a G.E. AH-4 mercury are bulb was used, with the light passing through 5 mm. of a Corning No. 5860 filter which transmits mainly in the 3660 A. range. The whole lamp was encased in a box to keep incident light from escaping from the sides and bottom.