ISSN: 0852-3681 Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Peternakan 30(1): 10-18

E-ISSN: 2443-0765 Available online at http://jiip.ub.ac.id

Review: Comparative of monitoring estrus cycle in livestock: Hormonal

features and ultrasound
Hasbi Hasbi*1) and S. Gustina2)
1)
Animal Production Department, Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University, Jl.
Perintis Kemerdekaan Km. 10, Makassar, 90245. Indonesia
2)
Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, University of West Sulawesi,
Majene 91412, Indonesia

Submitted: 11 February 2019, Accepted: 28 January 2020

ABSTRACT: The estrus cycle is a period in which a female animal shows the ability to
become pregnant, and this event will continue over some time. The estrus cycle has two
different phases, the follicular phase characterized by the presence of graffian follicles which
are classified as proestrus and estrus stages or periods from regression of the corpus luteum to
ovulation, and luteal phase which is characterized by the presence of the corpus luteum which
is classified as the metestrus and diestrus stage or period of ovulation to the corpus luteum
regression. Proestrus is chained by decreasing the concentration of progesterone, followed by
increasing the concentration of estradiol. Estrus is generally characterized by a very low
concentration of progesterone, an increase in the concentration of LH, and a decrease in the
concentration of estrogen. Metestrus is characterized by a low concentration of progesterone.
Diestrus is characterized by an increase in the concentration of progesterone and an increase
in steroid hormone production along with the maturation of the corpus luteum. The purpose
of this review is to discuss the comparative monitoring of the estrus cycle in buffalo, dairy
cows, sheep and camels related to hormonal features and ultrasonography.

Keywords: estrus cycle; hormonal features; ultrasound

*Corresponding Author: hasbi_fapetunhas@yahoo.com

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INTRODUCTION initiation of estrous behavior, preparing the

The estrus cycle is the period in reproductive tract for the process of
which a female animal shows the ability to fertilization, and initiation of peak
become pregnant, and this event will luteinizing hormone (LH) for ovulation
continue to repeat at a specific period. Each (Ball and Peters 2004).
estrus cycle consists of a short follicular Based on the explanation above, it
phase and a long luteal phase. The shows us that the estrous cycle is controlled
follicular phase is dominated by the by various types of hormones, including
presence of hormone estradiol secreted GnRH, FSH, Estradiol, and Progesterone.
from follicles that develop in the ovary Also, it provides information and
which will cause the female animal to show opportunities for us to monitor and
changes in its reproductive organs and will manipulate the estrous cycle. In this paper,
show the symptoms of estrus which will be we focus on how to monitor estrus cycles
followed by the female animal's willingness both invasive and non-invasive in some
to accept males. While the luteal phase is domestic animals with some hormonal
dominated by the presence of hormone manipulation to start the estrus cycle so that
progesterone which is secreted by the it makes it easier to monitor the estrus
corpus luteum from the ovary which will cycle.
affect the female reproductive organs to Estrus Cycle
prepare for pregnancy and inhibit sexual Estrus is a condition in which female
receptivity. The period of estrus cycle stops animals are willing to accept males for
known as anestrus, where this anestrus can mating, which is usually followed by
be caused by pregnancy, season, lactation, ovulation (Bridges, 2010). While the estrus
stress, and pathology (Senger, 2005). cycle is a period in which a female animal
The estrous cycle begins with the shows the ability to become pregnant, and
release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone this event will continue to repeat at a
(GnRH) from the hypothalamus, which in particular period (Senger, 2005). Nebel et
turn causes the release of stimulating al. (1994) explain that the estrus cycle has
follicle hormone (FSH) from the anterior two distinct phases, the follicular phase
pituitary gland which will stimulate which is characterized by the presence of
follicular growth. The growth of follicles graffian follicles which are classified as the
starts from the recruitment of primary proestrus and estrus stages, or the period of
follicles which will then develop into the regression of the corpus luteum to
antral stage, which have a cavity filled with ovulation and the luteal phase which is
fluid and then will become the dominant characterized by the presence of corpus
follicle which will continue to develop into luteum which is classified as metestrus and
pre-ovulatory follicles. The mechanism diestrus stage or period from ovulation to
governing follicular development and corpus luteum regression (Fig 1).
selection of dominant follicles is controlled Proestrus is characterized by
by the production of inhibin from the regressions of corpus luteum and decreased
dominant follicle which locally will limit concentration of progesterone followed by
the response of other follicles where the the growth of preovulatory follicles and
remaining antral follicles will stop growing increased concentration of estradiol. Estrus
and will experience atression while at the is generally characterized by a very low
level of the pituitary will limit the release concentration of progesterone, an increase
of FSH. The development of pre-ovulation in the concentration of LH, and a decrease
follicles will regulate estrogen production in the concentration of hormone estrogen
by internal theca cells and layers of from a high concentration that is only
granulosa cells from the follicle. The reached before estrus. The estrus period
estrogen hormone has three main functions: lasts from 6 to 30 h with an average of

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20 h. Metestrus is characterized by the presence of corpus luteum, an increase in

development of corpus luteum; the the concentration of progesterone at the
concentration of progesterone is still low, beginning of this period, and an increase in
ovulation occurs about 10 to 15 h after the the production of steroids as the corpus
end of estrus. Metestrus period lasts 3 to luteum matures. The diestrus period lasts
5 d. Diestrus is characterized by the about 12 d (Bridges, 2010).

Figure 1. Scheme of estrus cycle stage (two cycles and the beginning of the third cycle).
Luteinizing hormone (LH), corpus luteum (CL)
(Source: Sahatpure and Patil, 2008)
Monitoring Of Ovarium Activity In increasing follicular size, ie 2.4 ±
Buffalo 0.16 ng/mL, 2.8 ± 0.29 ng/mL, and 3.5 ±
Ovarian acyclicity is a significant 0.41 ng/mL respectively for the small,
problem in reproduction and is also one of medium and large follicles. Hafez,
the main causes of infertility in water Jainudeen, and Rosnina (2000) reported
buffalo (Das and Khan, 2010; Zicarelli, that the hormone estradiol is main hormone
2010; Khan et al., 2012). This condition is that responsible for the appearance of signs
the main cause of buffalo anestrus, of estrus in domestic animals including
especially during the summer in the tropics buffalo. In addition, progesterone
and subtropics area. This can cause concentrations were also higher in acyclic
substantial economic losses both to farmers buffaloes (24.3 ± 2.61 ng/mL) compared to
and industry (Nanda, Brar, and Prabhakar, cyclic (7.6 ± 0.79 ng/mL).
2003). Estrogen, progesterone and insulin The high concentration of follicular
are known to be hormones that play a role fluid progesterone in acyclic buffalo is
in the ovarian activity. It was further thought to be caused by the reduced
reported that the concentrations of these conversion of progesterone to androgens or
hormones in cyclic and non-cyclic water aromatization of androgens to estradiol
buffalo correlated with the magnitude of (Das and Khan 2010). It was further
the corpus luteum, as presented in Fig. 2. explained that the acyclic buffalo showed
Figure 2 showed that the that insulin concentration was lower in the
concentration of estradiol in follicular fluid follicular fluid than in the cyclic buffalo
is lower in the acyclic buffalo (1.4 ± (15.2 ± 1.55 IU/mL vs. 25.9 ± 2.78 IU/mL,
0.09 ng/mL) compared to the cyclic (3.3 ± respectively). Insulin is a regulator that
0.18 ng/mL). This is in line with was stimulates the production of insulin-like
previously reported by Eissa (1996) that the growth factor-I (IGF-I) in granulosa cells
concentration of estradiol in cyclic (Matamoros, Cox, and Moore, 1991).
buffaloes was higher than that of acyclic. Insulin-like growth factor-I is produced in
Whereas the estradiol concentrations in follicles (Coleman et al. 2007) and corpus
both cyclic or acyclic higher increase with luteum (Woad et al. 2000) which is shown

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by the expression of IGF-I receptors on progressively increase during follicular

cumulus cells, granulosa cells, theca cells, growth to reach the dominant follicle until
and corpus luteum. IGF-I concentrations ovulation (Mao et al. 2004).

A B

Figure 2. The concentration of (mean ± SEM) estradiol (A), Concentration of (mean ± SEM)
progesterone (B), and concentration of (mean ± SEM) insulin (ng/mL) (B) at
different follicular sizes of buffalo which are cyclic and acyclic. Effect of a group
(G), follicular size (S), and group interaction with follicle size (GS) (Source: Khan
et al., 2012)

Monitoring Of Ovarium Activity In that of non-lactating on the 8th d to the

Dairy Cow 14th d (25.4 ± 1.8 mm vs. 23.5 ± 1.5 mm).
The length of the estrous cycle did Besides, there was a difference in the
not differ between lactating and non- maximum diameter of the corpus luteum of
lactating dairy cows (22.6 ± 2.5 d vs. 21.3 lactating dairy cows which was greater than
± 0.8 d) (Endo et al., 2012). While the that of non-lactating (26.3 ± 2.5 mm vs.
change in size/diameter of corpus luteum 23.9 ± 1.5 mm) and the maximum volume
and the concentration of progesterone in of the corpus luteum (9239.0 ±
blood plasma from d 0 to d 14 is presented 2084.0 mm3 vs. 7182.7 ± 1319.2.7 mm3).
in Fig 3. Endo et al. (2012) reported that by While the average concentration of
using ultrasonography, the development of progesterone in plasma samples collected
corpus luteum (diameter of corpus luteum) from d 0 to d seven did not differ between
in lactating dairy cows was greater than lactating cows and those who were not

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lactating (1.6 ± 1.2 ng/mL vs. 1.5 ± vs. 12.4 ± 4.1 pg/mL). Based on Fig 3, the
1.1 ng/mL). However, the mean concentration of progesterone is positively
concentration of progesterone in plasma correlated with the results of ultrasound
samples collected from the 8th d to the 14th size/diameter of corpus luteum both in
d in lactating dairy cows was higher than lactation animals or not. The same thing
that of non-lactating (4.6 ± 1.0 ng/mL vs. was reported earlier by Luttgenau et al.
3.9 ± 0.9 ng/mL). It was further reported (2011) that there is a positive relationship
that peak concentrations of estradiol during between the concentration of progesterone
ovulation did not differ between lactating in plasma with the size of corpus luteum in
and non-lactating cows (10.9 ± 3.7 pg/mL the mid luteal phase in dairy cows.

B
A

Laktasi
Tidak Laktasi

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
D after ovulation D after ovulation
Figure 3. The concentration of progesterone in plasma (A) and the change in diameter of
corpus luteum (B). The average of the corpus luteum diameter and the
concentration of progesterone in plasma were highly significantly different
(**P<0.01)
(Source: Endo et al., 2012)

Monitoring Of Ovarium Activity In corpus luteum luteolysis. Corpus luteum

Sheep regression is generally achieved from 6 to
Prostaglandin F2α and its synthesis 24 h after PG injection (Wiley, Cárdenas,
(PG) are luteolytic agents that can cause and Pope, 1997). While the concentration
rapid regression of corpus luteum, which of estradiol from d -2 to -1 increased from
are usually followed by estrus and 7 to 8 pmol/L in the control group and 8.5
ovulation. However, the use of to 11 pmol/L in the treatment group and
prostaglandin F2α can cause contamination tended to be constant on d -1 to 0 (Fierro et
by the presence of residues (Viñoles et al., al., 2013). This showed that the
2011). Therefore, the use of PG is an concentration of estradiol is positively
alternative method because PG can be correlated with the growth of ovulatory
rapidly metabolized in the lungs and does follicles, it is seen that with the growth of
not accumulate in tissues (Fierro et al., ovulatory follicles, the concentration of
2013). The use of PG to control the estrous estradiol hormone tends to increase. Liu et
cycle in sheep is presented in Fig 4. Fig 4 al. (2006) reported that increasing the
showed that the injection of PG on d -2 concentration of estradiol after luteolysis
causes a decrease in the concentration of can stimulate changes in endogenous FSH
progesterone. Cárdenas, Wiley, and Pope patterns that will affect the follicle
(2004) reported that the decrease in recruitment process and accelerate
progesterone concentration occurred after ovulatory follicle rupture.

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Figure 4. Concentration of progesterone ( ) from d -6 to 6, ovulatory follicle growth (---),

and concentration of plasma estradiol 48 h before insemination (d 0). Treatment
group ( ), control group ( ). Progesterone concentration from d -6 to 1 and
ovulatory follicular growth on d -2 and -1 were significantly different (P<0.05)
(Source: Fierro et al., 2013).

Monitoring Of Ovarium Activity In Unta luteum (diameter) and the concentration of

Camels are generally known as progesterone is presented in Fig 5b. Based
animals with low reproductive efficiency. on Fig 5a and 5b showed that an increase in
One contributing factor is the inability to the size of corpus luteum (diameter) was
detect estrus accurately and efficiently. The followed by an increase in the progesterone
estrous signs in camels do not always concentration from d 1 to 7 after ovulation.
correlate with follicular status in the ovary. Whereas after the 7th d after ovulation, the
Therefore, estrous behavior cannot be used size of corpus luteum decreased and was
as a basis for determining the right time to followed by decreasing of progesterone
mating in camel (Skidmore, Billah, and concentration until the 10th d (Manjunatha
Allen, 1996). et al., 2012).
Transrectal ultrasonography is one This indicates that the concentration
technique that can be used to monitor of progesterone is positively correlated
follicular growth and determine the with the size of the corpus luteum. The
optimum time to mate when a dominant same thing has been reported previously by
follicle reaches a diameter of 13-18 mm Nagy, Juhasz, and Wernery (2005) that
(Manjunatha et al., 2012). Monitoring there is a relationship between the diameter
follicular growth and corpus luteum of corpus luteum with the concentration of
formation is presented in Fig 5a, while the progesterone in serum after ovulation
correlation between the size of corpus induction.

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Figure 5a. Ultrasound images of the corpus luteum on camels. Dominant follicles (diameter
17 mm) (A), Ovulation follicles on d 0 (B), corpus luteum growth on d 3 (C), and
corpus luteum (diameter 25 mm) on d 7
(Source: Manjunatha et al., 2012).

Figure 5b. Correlation between the size of the corpus luteum (diameter) and the
concentration of progesterone in Camels
(Source: Manjunatha et al., 2012).

CONCLUSION ultrasonography (follicular diameter,

Monitoring of the estrous cycle in follicular area, corpus luteum area, and
cyclic and non-cyclic buffaloes, lactating corpus luteum diameter).
and non-lactating dairy cows, sheep
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