Preliminary study on oestrus behaviour and progesteronaemia in Azawak zebu cow (Bos indicus) in Niger

Abstract

The ovarian activity was studied with four cycled Azawak zebu cows by radioimmunoassay of plasma progesterone sampled from the jugular vein. According to the first results, this breed exhibits an oestrus behaviour during a period of 8-14 hours. The cycle length varies from 18 to 25 days. The plasma level of progesterone during the cycle showed 3 curves comparable to that of other tropical breeds, the concentrations being, however, much higher during the luteal phase. The authors conclude that the determination of progesterone can be used to study the reproductive characteristics of Azawak cows. In station investigations will be pursued on a larger number of animals for obtaining more accurate information on oestrus and high blood levels of progesterone.