Effects of Androgenizing Dairy Heifers with Ear Implants Containing Testosterone and Estrogen on Detection of Estrus

¹ Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523

Lactating dairy cows in four lots were observed for sexual behavior for 6 mo. One freemartin heifer in each lot was implanted with testosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate to aid in detection of estrus. Blood samples were obtained from androgenized heifers every other week for determination of serum testosterone. The addition of an androgenized heifer to each lot increased the number of mounts and attempts to mount cows, both overall and within observation periods. Thus, the likelihood of detecting a cow in estrus was increased with the addition of the androgenized heifers. Greatest benefit was seen when one or two cows were simultaneously in estrus in each lot. Observational data and serum progesterone concentration of mounted cows indicated that androgenized heifers were selectively mounting open cows displaying estrus, whereas the remaining nonandrogenized cows were less selective with their mounting activity. Serum testosterone increased after heifers were implanted, but testosterone was not related to the proportion of sexual activity. Duration of sexual activity by the implanted heifers was approximately 90 d.

Key Words: estrus detection • androgenization • testosterone

Submitted on August 24, 1989
Accepted on February 19, 1990