Anoestrus in Dairy Cows

When a cow is not observed in estrus or heat, the condition is known as anoestrus. The cow may not come into estrus (not cycling) or the cow has normal estrus but is not observed in estrus due to weak or absent estrus behaviour or insufficient observation. If estrus has not been observed in a dairy cow by 60 days post partum the condition is defined as post partum anoestrus.

Mainly two forms of anoestrus are seen in animals. These are true anoestrus and apparent anoestrus.

True Anoestrus

It is a period of sexual quietude in which there is complete abscess of sexual cycle with no heat

manifestation. It may be due to absence of any structure on the ovaries (follicles etc.).

Apparent Anoestrus

It is a pathological anoestrus associated with retention of corpus luteum (CL) and cystic condition.

In heifers the anoestrus may result from conditions such as (i) free martinism, (ii) white heifer disease, (iii) bilateral hypoplasia of ovaries, (iv) congenital abnormalities, (v) infantile genetalia, (vi) hypo functioning of ovaries, (vii) under feeding, faulty feeding, parasitism, climatic and nutritional factors, faulty management etc., (viii) sub-optimal hormones or endocrinal disorders (sub-optimal functioning of hypothalamus hypophysio gonadal axis and consequent low circulating hormones), (ix) bilateral smooth and quiescent ovaries, ovarian inactivity, (x) thermal stress, (xi) protein and vitamin deficiency, (xii) mineral deficiency (especially low level of potassium, and (xiii) senility, lack of exercise, suckling, obesity etc.

Treatment and Control

Ayurvedic Heat Inducer

Prajana capsule (Indian Herbs) or Sajani capsule (Zydus Sarabhai) 3 caps daily for 2 days; to be repeated on 11th and 12th day if heat is not manifested. HIT-O-GEN one bolus in the morning and one bolus in the evening orally with soft jaggery, Ovatone (Legend) capsule BD for a week. Janova (Dabur Ayurvet) 2 cap BID for 2 days and Generin Powder (Vetmed) – 25-50 g, to be repeated after 7 days orally BID till heat appears. Gestafort bolus (TTK) – 2 boli daily for 7 days.

Conventional Treatment

1. Iodine Tamponing – Tamponing with Lugol’s iodine.
2. Gentle massaging of ovary and genitalia.
3. Phosphorus administration by I/M route.
4. Vitamin A by I/M route.
5. Trace mineral supplementation.
6. Improved feeding and management practices to be followed.
7. Hormone injection like GnRH, LH and progesterone are recommended for treating anoestrus.
8. Natural PGF2a or its analogue is indicated in cases where anoestrus is caused by retained corpus luteum (CL).
9. Deworming is must for treating anoestrus if there is worm load in the animals.

Mineral Supplementation

The following mineral mixtures may be used orally once daily or at least on alternate day. Chelated Agrimin Fort (GSK) 25 g, Minfa (Intas) 30-50 g, Rannix (Vetnex) 25 g, Supplivite – M (Zydus Sarabhai) 25 g, Concimin (Concept) 25 g, C Min forte Plus (C-Care) 30 g, Gromin (S arabhai Zydus) 25 g, Encalmin Fort (Enlag Lab) – 25-30 g, Gynomin (Enlag) 10 g.

Trace mineral bolus may be used.

Bioplex High Five (Vetnex) 1-2 bolus daily.

Cyclomin – 7 bolus (Concept) 1 bolus at 3 days interval.

Flomin-C bolus 1 bolus BD.

Minotas bolus (Intas) Cattle and buffalo 2 boli daily for 2 weeks.

Cu-Co tablets 2 tablets BID.

Vets cuco tabs 2 tablets BID.

Cofecu tabs 2 tablets BID for 10-15 days.

Cocu plus – Cattle 2 tablets BID, Sheep and goat ½ tablet BID for 20 days.

Aloes compound – 5 to 10 tablets BID for 10-15 days.

Gestaforte bolus – 4 boli daily for 5 days.

Vitamin Supplementation

Inj. Vitamin A (Legend) 6 lakh I.U. by IM route at 3-5 days interval.

Inj. ADE Vet (Vets Farma), Inj. Vitacept (Concept), Inj. Vet ADE (Sarabhai Zydus),

Inj. Intavita (Intas), Inj. Intavita-H (Intas), Inj. Brivit (Brihans)

Cattle and buffalo – 6-10 ml by deep IM route.

Small animals – 2-3 ml by deep IM route.