Feromoninnehållande substansers inverkan på hjärtfrekvensen hos tjur
FeromonerTjurNötKoDoftBrunstöstrusBrunstsynkroniseringSynkroniseringFlehmenHjärtfrekvensBrunstcykelBrunstslemPulsUtskaftning
During the last 50 years the production of milk per cow has increased. This has, however, been followed by a decreased reproductive performance. Shorter and more indistinct signs of oestrus make it harder for the Swedish farmers to discover when the cows are in oestrus. There is a need for ways to control reproduction. The use of pheromones could possibly provide means to satisfy this need. However, this requires a fast and simple in vivo-method for identification of substances containing pheromones.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether a change in the heart rate of bulls is possible to use as an indicator, a so-called bioassay, for fast identification of pheromones in body fluids.
Two bulls were exposed to the following substances; oestrus mucus and -urine, luteal phase urine, bull urine and water, during intervals of ten minutes. During the exposures each bull had a cassette containing a tampon, with the substance in question, attached to their nose rings. Between every exposure a blank cassette containing only a tampon without substance was attached to the nose rings. During the exposures the heart rates of the bulls were recorded and registered every fifth second. Meanwhile the behaviour of the bulls, with regard to flehmen, erection, secretion and urination, was continuously recorded.
The substance oestrus mucus showed, in comparison with the rest of the substances as a whole, an increased standard deviation in heart rate (p