Practical Field Class in the Department of Animal Production
Within the curriculum of the Department of Animal Production, the Assistant Professor, Dr. Maad Hassani, conducted a complete dissection of the female reproductive system in cows for fourth-year students during practical class. Doctor Hassani explained the estrous cycle, a distinctive feature of female animals. The estrous cycle is defined as the time between two estrus periods. Although the estrous cycle is similar for all farm animals, the length varies, with a 17-day cycle in ewes, 21 days in cows and water buffaloes, and approximately 22 days in mares and 20 days in sows. Individual variations can be observed in all species.
The estrous cycle can be divided into two phases:
-Follicular Phase, which includes Estrus and Proestrus.
-Luteal Phase, which includes Diestrus and Metestrus.
The estrous cycle can be further divided into periods:
-Estrus (heat) period.
-Metestrus (post-estrus) period.
-Diestrus (after heat) period.
-Proestrus (before heat) period.
These periods occur periodically and sequentially, except during periods of anestrus, sexual inactivity, or reproductive quiescence in seasonal breeding species such as ewes, female goats, and mares. The estrous cycle also ceases during pregnancy and post-fetal death stages.