Analysis of Estrous Status in Beef Cows Through Ferning Tests, Vaginal Swabs, and Vulvar Morphology Appearance

This study aimed to determine the estrous status of beef cows through ferning tests, evaluation of vaginal epithelial cell profiles, and physical appearance of the vulva. Eleven beef cows were used in this study and divided into two groups: the first consisted of three cows for standard procedure testing, and the second group consisted of eight for field assessment. The parameters for the ferning test included the presence of fern-like crystals in saliva; the vaginal swab method identified cellular differences within one estrous cycle; and the physical appearance of the vulva was assessed for swelling, redness, and mucus. The results showed that beef cows in estrus exhibited fern-like crystal patterns in the ferning test, swelling and redness in the vulva, and dominance of superficial cells in the vaginal cytology profile. The methods used were complementary to assess the estrus status of beef cows.