Bovine Reproduction -
: Cattle are polyestrous, meaning they cycle continuously throughout the year if not pregnant. The average cycle lasts 21 days and is divided into four distinct phases:
: The cow is in heat and sexually receptive to the bull. Bovine Reproduction
: The corpus luteum actively produces progesterone to maintain a potential pregnancy. : Cattle are polyestrous, meaning they cycle continuously
: Ovulation occurs, and the corpus luteum (CL) begins to form. : Ovulation occurs, and the corpus luteum (CL)
: A cow's pregnancy typically lasts about 283 days (roughly 9 months), fluctuating slightly depending on the specific breed and the sex of the calf.
: The CL regresses if no pregnancy is detected, and the body prepares for a new heat cycle.
To manage and improve herds, producers rely on several heavily researched breeding methods: Bovine Reproduction - Taylor & Francis