Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Aug 23;25(17):5245.
doi: 10.3390/s25175245.

Estrus Detection and Optimal Insemination Timing in Holstein Cattle Using a Neck-Mounted Accelerometer Sensor System

Jacobo Álvarez  1 , Antía Acción  1 , Elio López  2 , Carlota Antelo  2 , Renato Barrionuevo  1 , Juan José Becerra  1   3 , Ana Isabel Peña  1 , Pedro García Herradón  1   3 , Luis Ángel Quintela  1   3 , Uxía Yáñez  1
Affiliations

Estrus Detection and Optimal Insemination Timing in Holstein Cattle Using a Neck-Mounted Accelerometer Sensor System

Jacobo Álvarez et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the accelerometer-equipped collar RUMI to detect estrus in dairy cows, establish a recommendation for the optimal timing for artificial insemination (AI) when using this device, and characterize the blood flow of the dominant follicle (F) and the corpus luteum (CL) as ovulation approaches. Forty-seven cycling cows were monitored following synchronization with a modified G6G protocol, allowing for spontaneous ovulation. Ultrasound examinations were conducted every 12 h, starting 48 h after the second PGF2α dose, to monitor uterine and ovarian changes. Blood samples were also collected to determine serum progesterone (P4) levels. Each cow was fitted with a RUMI collar, which continuously monitored behavioral changes to identify the onset, offset, and peak of activity of estrus. One-way ANOVA assessed the relationship between physiological parameters and time before ovulation. Results showed that the RUMI collar demonstrated high specificity (100%), sensitivity (90.90%), and accuracy (93.62%) for estrus detection. The optimal AI window was identified as between 11.4 and 15.5 h after heat onset. Increased blood flow to the F and reduced luteal activity were observed in the 48 h prior to ovulation. Further research is needed to assess the influence of this AI window on conception rates, and if it should be modified considering external factors.

Keywords: dairy cattle; heat detection; precision livestock farming; reproductive performance; ultrasonography.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors E.L. and C.A. work for Innogando (Galicia, Spain). The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schedule of the study design, including hormone administrations following the modified synchronization protocol, G6G, with 2 (above) or 3 (below) prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) administrations, and the ultrasound examinations until ovulation. GnRH: gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of Holstein cows according to the interval between the second administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and ovulation time for the two modified synchronization protocols used in the study: G6G with 2 (G6G1PG) or 3 (G6G2PG) PGF2α administrations.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of Holsteins cows according to the time before ovulation when the serum progesterone levels (ng/mL) were lower than 1 ng/mL. The arrow indicates the median.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Distribution of 33 Holstein cows according to the heat onset–ovulation and heat offset–ovulation intervals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Dalton J.C., Nadir S., Bame J.H., Noftsinger M., Nebel R.L., Saacke R.G. Effect of Time of Insemination on Number of Accessory Sperm, Fertilization Rate, and Embryo Quality in Nonlactating Dairy Cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 2001;84:2413–2418. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)74690-5. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Lopez H., Satter L.D., Wiltbank M.C. Relationship between Level of Milk Production and Estrous Behavior of Lactating Dairy Cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 2004;81:209–223. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2003.10.009. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Munthe-Kaas M., Sveberg G., Holmøy I.H., Kommisrud E., Haadem C.S., Martin A.D. Pilot Study Investigating Estrus Length and Estrus Behavior in Norwegian Red Cattle on a Commercial Dairy Farm. Front. Vet. Sci. 2023;10:1219001. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1219001. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Burnett T.A., Polsky L., Kaur M., Cerri R.L.A. Effect of Estrous Expression on Timing and Failure of Ovulation of Holstein Dairy Cows Using Automated Activity Monitors. J. Dairy Sci. 2018;101:11310–11320. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-15151. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rajput A.S., Mishra B., Rajawat D., Bhakat M. Early Prediction of Oestrus for Herd Fertility Management in Cattle and Buffaloes–a Review. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 2024;59:e14597. doi: 10.1111/rda.14597. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources