J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1975. 41:1084-1089.
© 1975 American Society of Animal Science
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Changes in Bovine Cervical and Vaginal Mucus during the Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy1

J. J. Noonan2,3,, A. B. Schultze and E. F. Ellington

University of Nebraska4, Lincoln 68503

Abstract

Cervical and/or vaginal mucus samples were collected from cows at intervals during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Variations in the dry matter concentration and crystallization patterns (ferning) of the mucus were studied. During the estrous cycle, the dry matter concentration of vaginal and cervical mucus reached a minimum value on the day of estrus and a maximum value at mideycle. Ferning of the dried vaginal and cervical mucus occurred to a greater extent on the day of estrus than during any other stage of the estrous cycle. The dry matter concentration of vaginal mucus increased from the day of estrus to the 19th day of gestation, while the extent of the ferning decreased during the same period. Inseminated cows that failed to conceive did not show the reduction in dry matter content nor the increase in ferning on the day of estrus to the same extent as did the cows which conceived suggesting that a hormonal imbalance may have occurred at the time of estrus in the cows which failed to conceive. In general, an inverse relationship was found between the extent of ferning and dry matter content of mucus samples. Although the mucus characteristics studied may have some value in reflecting the status of some reproductive activities, they do not appear to hold much promise as a means of precisely determining the time of estrus and ovulation.

Footnotes

1 Published as Paper No. 3872, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station.

2 Present Address: Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99163.

3 The results presented here represent a portion of the M.S. thesis by the senior author.

4 Department of Animal Science.






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Copyright © 1975 by the American Society of Animal Science.