Intensity of the biostimulatory effect of bulls on resumption of ovulatory activity in primiparous, suckled, beef cows

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate postpartum resumption of ovulatory cycles in primiparous, suckled beef cows exposed to close physical contact or limited, fenceline contact with mature bulls. The hypotheses tested were that proportions of cows cycling and intervals from the start of exposure to resumption of ovulatory cycles did not differ among cows exposed to close physical contact; exposed to limited, fenceline contact; or not exposed to bulls. Angus x Hereford cows were assigned randomly to be exposed to close physical contact (experiment 1 (Exp. 1), BE; n = 14); limited, fenceline contact (Exp. 2, BEFL; n = 22); or not exposed (Exps. 1 and 2, NE; n = 37) to mature bulls beginning 59 days (Exp. 1) and 68 days (Exp. 2) after calving (day 0 in each experiment, respectively). In Exps. 1 and 2, anovular cows were exposed or not exposed to biostimulatory stimuli of bulls for 35 and 42 days, respectively. An increase in progesterone concentrations that exceeded 1.0 ng/mL in three consecutive samples was used as evidence of resumption of luteal function in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, the presence of a corpus luteum in an ovary, assessed by ultrasonography, was used as evidence of resumption of luteal function. Percentage of cows that resumed luteal activity by the end of the Exp. 1 was greater (P < 0.05) for BE cows than for NE cows, whereas proportions of BEFL cows did not differ (P > 0.10) between BE or NE cows in Exp. 2. Interval from the start of the exposure period to resumption of luteal activity was shorter (P < 0.05) for BE and BEFL cows than for NE cows in Exps. 1 and 2, respectively. More (P < 0.05) BE than NE cows resumed luteal activity by 7 days after exposure and this difference was maintained throughout the exposure period in Exp. 1. However, in Exp. 2 proportions of BEFL cows that resumed luteal activity were greater (P < 0.05) than those of NE cows on days 14, 21, and 28 after exposure. By days 35 and 42, the proportion of BEFL cows that had resumed luteal activity did not differ (P > 0.10) from that NE cows. We conclude that the response of anovular, primiparous cows to the biostimulatory effect of bulls may depend on the intensity of exposure (frequency of exposure, duration of exposure, and quantity of stimuli) of pheromonal stimuli produced by bulls.