Possible Induction by Estrous Cows of Pheromone Production in Penmates

Overview

Journal J Chem Ecol

Publisher Springer

Specialties Chemistry
Environmental Health

Date 2013 Nov 26

PMID 24271907

Authors

P Hradecky

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The primary attractive odors of estrous cows apparently induced production of secondary attractive odors in penmates. Presence of both odors was reflected by the bull's olfactory behavior. The inducing effect was strongest on the day of estrus and the day before. The information content of the primary and secondary odors was different since a sexually experienced bull was able to distinguish olfactorily between estrous and nonestrous cows. The secondary odors attracted at least transient bull's interest, resulting in sniffing, urine tasting, and flehmen reactions, but not mounting attempts. The induced production of attractive odors and lack of precise smell discrimination in penmates may lead to erroneous detection of estrus in cows and heifers that show false estrous signs without corresponding changes in their reproductive organs. Similar factors may be involved in triggering mounting among feedlot steers (buller steer syndrome).

References

HART G, MEAD S, REGAN W . Stimulating the sex drive of bovine males in artificial insemination. Endocrinology. 2010; 39:221-3. DOI: 10.1210/endo-39-3-221. View

Izard M, Vandenbergh J . Priming pheromones from oestrous cows increase synchronization of oestrus in dairy heifers after PGF-2 alpha injection. J Reprod Fertil. 1982; 66(1):189-96. DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0660189. View

Ruiz de Elvira M, Herndon J, Collins D . Effect of estradiol-treated females on all-female groups of rhesus monkeys during the transition between the nonbreeding and breeding seasons. Folia Primatol (Basel). 1983; 41(3-4):191-203. DOI: 10.1159/000156131. View

Sambraus H . [The urine tasting of cattle]. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr (1946). 1969; 76(10):258-9. View

McClintock M . Estrous synchrony: modulation of ovarian cycle length by female pheromones. Physiol Behav. 1984; 32(5):701-5. DOI: 10.1016/0031-9384(84)90181-1. View

Kiddy C, Mitchell D, Hawk H . Estrus-related odors in body fluids of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 1984; 67(2):388-91. DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(84)81313-2. View

Ladewig J, Hart B . Demonstration of estrus-related odors in cow urine by operant conditioning of rats. Biol Reprod. 1981; 24(5):1165-9. View

Hillyer G . An investigation using a synthetic porcine pheromone and the effect on days from weaning to conception. Vet Rec. 1976; 98(5):93-4. DOI: 10.1136/vr.98.5.93. View

Donovan C . Some clinical observations on sexual attraction and deterrence in dogs and cattle. Vet Med Small Anim Clin. 1967; 62(11):1047-51. View

10.

Odde K, Ward H, Kiracofe G, McKee R, Kittok R . Short estrous cycles and associated serum progesterone levels in beef cows. Theriogenology. 1980; 14(2):105-12. DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(80)90097-7. View

11.

Sambraus H . [The genital control of cattle]. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr (1946). 1969; 76(44):165-8. View

12.

Kiddy C, Mitchell D, Bolt D, Hawk H . Detection of estrus-related odors in cows by trained dogs. Biol Reprod. 1978; 19(2):389-95. DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod19.2.389. View

13.

Pierson R, Jensen R, Braddy P, Horton D, Christie R . Bulling among yearling feedlot steers. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1976; 169(5):521-3. View

14.

Preti G, Cutler W, Garcia C, Huggins G, Lawley H . Human axillary secretions influence women's menstrual cycles: the role of donor extract of females. Horm Behav. 1986; 20(4):474-82. DOI: 10.1016/0018-506x(86)90009-7. View

15.

Bronson F . The reproductive ecology of the house mouse. Q Rev Biol. 1979; 54(3):265-99. DOI: 10.1086/411295. View

16.

Aron C . Mechanisms of control of the reproductive function by olfactory stimuli in female mammals. Physiol Rev. 1979; 59(2):229-84. DOI: 10.1152/physrev.1979.59.2.229. View

17.

Zalesky D, Day M, Garcia-Winder M, Imakawa K, Kittok R, Docchio M . Influence of exposure to bulls on resumption of estrous cycles following parturition in beef cows. J Anim Sci. 1984; 59(5):1135-9. DOI: 10.2527/jas1984.5951135x. View

18.

Kiddy C, Mitchell D . Estrus-related odors in cows: time of occurrence. J Dairy Sci. 1981; 64(2):267-71. DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(81)82563-5. View

19.

McClintock M . Menstrual synchorony and suppression. Nature. 1971; 229(5282):244-5. DOI: 10.1038/229244a0. View

20.

Hawk H, Conley H, Kiddy C . Estrus-related odors in milk detected by trained dogs. J Dairy Sci. 1984; 67(2):392-7. DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(84)81314-4. View