Abstract
Seasonal variations in the frequency of conceptions were analysed from the records of 8,971 beef calves born over a period of ten years (1959–1968) in the Southern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Mean annual and monthly conception rates were 72 and 6%, respectively. Highly significant changes in conception rates were observed: the highest number of conceptions occurred in April (7.3%) and the lowest in October (4.4%). The cubic function of the curve depicting the monthly conception rate was highly significant (p < 0.001) and parallelled the change in photoperiod (r = +0.39, p < 0.01). Conception rate was not related to either temperature or precipitation. The evidence suggests a photoperiodic influence on conception rates.
Zusammenfassung
Saisonale Schwankungen in der Konzeptionsrate von Fleischrindern der Guineasavanne Südnigerias wurden anhand von 8.971 Kalbungen aus zehn Jahren (1959–1968) untersucht. Die durchschnittlichen jährlichen und monatlichen Konzeptionsraten betrugen 72 beziehungsweise 6%; jedoch wurden hochsignifikante Abweichungen (p < 0.001) von dem monatlichen Mittelwert festgestellt: die höchste Konzeptionsrate wurde mit 7,3% für April, die niedrigste mit 4,4% für Oktober errechnet. Die mathematische Funktion der Konzeptionsrate folgt einer Sinuskurve, welche der monatlichen Veränderung der Tageslichtlänge parallel läuft (r = +0,39, p < 0.01). Die Konzeptionsrate war nicht mit der Durchschnittstemperatur oder den Niederschlägen korreliert. Diese Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass die saisonalen Schwankungen in der Konzeptionsrate zumindest teilweise auf photoperiodische Veränderungen zurückzuführen sind.
Resume
Les variations saisonnières du taux de fécondité de bovins de la savanne du sud de la Guinée (Nigéria) ont été étudiées sur la base de 8971 mises bas ayant eu lieu durant une période de 10 ans. Le taux de fécondité moyen fut de 72% pour l'année et de 6% pour chaque mois. On constate pourtant des différences significatives entre les différents mois: le taux le plus élevé se trouve en avril (7,3%) et le plus bas en octobre (4,4%). La fonction du troisième degré du taux de fécondité est hautement significative (p < 0,001). Elle suit une courbe sinusöidale parallèle à celle de la longueur du jour (r = +0,39, p < 0,01). Il n'y a pas de relation entre le nombre de conceptions et la température ou les précipitations. Par conséquent, seul le photopériodisme semble influencer le nombre des conceptions.
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The permission of the Western Nigeria Development Corporation to analyse and publish their breeding records is gratefully acknowledged.
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Steinbach, J., Balogun, A.A. Seasonal variations in the conception rate of beef cattle in the seasonal—equatorial climate of southern nigeria. Int J Biometeorol 15, 71–79 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01804720
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01804720