Bulls fail to show preference for estrous females in serving capacity tests.

Abstract

Eighteen sexually experienced Hereford bulls were exposed individually to a pair of restrained hormone-induced estrous and nonestrous females to determine mating preferences in the context of serving capacity testing. No evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that restrained estrous females are more attractive to bulls than restrained nonestrous females. Estrous and nonestrous females received similar numbers of mount intentions, mount attempts, mounts without ejaculations and ejaculations during the 20-min tests. Time spent with estrous and nonestrous females and latencies to leave initially chosen estrous and nonestrous females to investigate the alternative female also were similar. Bulls interacted more with the females that they contacted first, regardless of estrous condition. A female position effect was noted. We conclude that restrained nonestrous females are as effective as restrained estrous females in assessing the serving capacity of Hereford bulls.