BIOSTIMULATION IN CATTLE: STIMULATION PATHWAYS AND MECHANISMS OF RESPONSE

Abstract

The stimulatory effects of males on female cyclic activity through genital stimulation, pheromones or other less defined external cues, is known as biostimulation. In cattle, biostimulation may be provoked with vasectomized bulls, testosterone-treated cows, or testosterone-treated steers. Several studies reported that exposure of cows to bulls decreases postpartum anestrous interval in cows, and advances puberty in heifers. Moreover, male exposure before the breeding period or estrous synchronization treatment, can improve breeding performance. However, stimulation pathways and mechanisms of response to male effect in cattle are not fully understood. The objective of this review is to summarize and discuss the principal advances in our understanding of biostimulation in cattle.