Preliminary findings on vaginal epithelial cells and body temperature changes during oestrous cycle in Bororo zebu cow

Abstract

A study was carried out on 18 Bororo zebu cows in Yagoua within the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon, in order to assess vaginal cytology and body temperature variations during oestrous cycle. Swabbing was done daily in the vagina, and vaginal smears were stained according to Romanowski method. Rectal temperature of each cow was monitored once daily at 06:00. Data were collected for 28 consecutive days. Before oestrous period, intermediate and parabasal cells rates were similar (Z = 0.47), but higher than superficial (Z = 2.19) and keratinized (Z = 2.61) cells rates. In general, percentage of basal and parabasal cells
evolved as a pyramid with a minimum on days 7 and 2 respectively before oestrous. During oestrous period, superficial cells percentage was significantly higher than that of intermediate (Z = 3.39), parabasal (Z = 4.42), basal (Z = 5.70) and keratinized (Z = 5.58) cells. In post-oestrous, parabasal cells percentage was higher than superficial (Z = 2.13), intermediate (Z = 3.01) and basal (Z = 2.88) cells rates, but similar to keratinized cells rate (Z = 0.40). Body temperature during oestrous was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in pro-oestrous and post-oestrous.

Key words: heat detection, vaginal cytology, Bororo zebu cattle.