Information Sheet

Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle and Dews

Puberty and Estrus in Goats

Goats are spontaneously ovulating, seasonally polyestrous animals with peak sexual activity
occurring in the fall when day length is decreasing. Factors that affect onset and length of the
breeding season include geographic location (latitude and climate, specifically), breed, social
structure, and photoperiod. In temperate regions, the natural breeding season is mostly
restricted to the fall and winter to allow for kidding in the spring and summer, when nutritional
conditions are adequate. Under tropical and subtropical conditions, where temperature and
photoperiod are less variable, certain breeds can have an extended breeding period if
appropriate resources are available to allow for kidding year-round. The average duration of
the goat estrous cycle is 21 days but can vary with different breeds or environment. A
relatively high frequency of short cycles is characteristic of goats and tend to occur in young
does, at the onset of the breeding season, and with prostaglandin induction of ovulation.
Longer cycles may be seen later in the season.

The average duration of standing estrus is 36 hr but can range from 24–48 hr depending on
age, breed, season, and presence of a male. Breed-specific estrus duration has been reported for
Mossi (20 hr), Angora (22 hr), Creole (27 hr), French Alpine (31 hr), Boer (37 hr), and Matou
(58 hr) breeds. Estrus detection is based on behavioral signs, bleating, flagging of the tail,
reddened vulva, vaginal discharge (which causes the tail hairs to stick together), and occasional
“riding” by other does, although this last sign is far less common than in cattle. Goats can show
overt signs of estrus while pregnant, and although natural service will not interfere with
pregnancy, these does should not be artificially inseminated. Ovulation can occur anytime from
9–72 hr after the onset of estrus, typically toward the end of standing estrus. The ovulation rate
varies based on breed, season, and nutrition. Angora goats typically have a single ovulation but
may have two if sufficient nutrition is available. The average ovulation rate has been reported
to be 1.7 eggs per doe in Boer goats and 1.5 in Maure goats. "Focused feeding," in which a
nutritional boost is supplied in a short period of time, has enhanced reproductive efficiency in
ruminants without affecting body condition. Also known as both "acute" or "immediate
nutrient" effect, this practice leads to a positive energy balance, which increases leptin and
insulin concentrations, enhances glucose uptake, and is positively associated with increased
folliculogenesis and increased ovulation rate. Supplementation with β-carotene, a vitamin A
and retinoid precursor, at 50 mg/goat/day has been shown to produce this effect in does.
The onset of puberty typically occurs at 6–8 mo of age but varies depending on the season of
birth, breed, nutritional status, and presence of a male. Pygmy goats and does of larger breeds
may reach puberty as early as 3 mo old; however, breeding should be delayed until the animal
has reached at least 60% of its mature body weight to allow for higher conception rates and
safer parturition. Larger goat breeds (eg, Nubian, LaMancha, Boer, and Saanen) can be safely
bred at ~70 lb (32 kg). Angora kids should weigh a minimum of 27 kg and are frequently not
bred until they are 1½–2½ yr old. Puberty in well-grown bucks can be seen as early as 4 mo.

Efficient and profitable reproductive performance of a dairy herd requires routine but
conscientious heat detection and proper timing of artificial insemination. Failure to detect
estrus (heat) is a major factor contributing to low fertility. Approximately half of the heats
are undetected on dairy farms in the United States. In addition, research based on levels of
the hormone progesterone in milk shows that up to 15 percent of the cattle presented for
insemination are not in heat. Failure to detect cows that are in heat and breeding cows not
in heat result in economic loss for the producer because of extended calving intervals and
additional semen expense. If a herd producing 16,000 pounds of milk per year and
maintaining a 12.5 month calving interval is compared with the same herd maintaining a
13.5 month calving interval, the loss in potential milk alone is between $35 and $45 per
cow per year, depending on milk price and feed costs. Therefore, poor heat detection is
costly to the producer and should be considered the critical component of reproductive
management.

Efficient heat detection and timely insemination also are important to beef producers who
use artificial insemination. Failure to detect estrus early in the breeding season or improper
timing of insemination due to heat detection errors results in extended calving intervals and
additional semen expense.

This publication provides information on characteristics of the estrous cycle, signs of heat
and estrous behavior, factors affecting expression of estrus, and management suggestions
for improving heat detection. Various ways to monitor the efficiency of heat detection and
several heat detection aids also are described.