The potential of volatile organic compound analysis in cervicovaginal mucus to predict estrus and ovulation in estrus-synchronized heifers

Cervicovaginal mucus is a mixture of mucins, ions, salts, and water, the proportions which change during reproductive cycle. It suspected that this emits an important volatile signal indicative state female. The objective study was to identify organic compounds (VOC) in bovine cervicovaginal are modulated estrous cycle could potentially be used as biomarkers estrus ovulation. collected from crossbred beef heifers (n = 8), were synchronized using 8-d controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol onset time ovulation determined by visual observation ultrasonography, respectively. Mucus samples between 0 96 h after CIDR removal (estrus occurred at 49.1 ± 3.3 removal). A validation performed on independent group 15 every 8 40 80 removal. VOC identified gas chromatography-mass spectrometry selected quantified selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry. presence 47 detected with those exhibiting highest abundance including 2-butanone, acetone, 2-pentanone, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 1-(1-methylethoxy)-2-propanone, ethanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, 2-butanol. All peaked 24 (ovulation 26.6 5.6 onset). Two VOC, 2-pentanone exhibited significant increase estrus, whereas concentration 2-butanone increased significantly just onset, indicating these may putative estrus. results our contribute development sensor device based aid detection cattle, particular relevance for dairy industry where majority females bred artificial insemination.