Metestrus 1: Metestral hemorrhage in bedding.

Keywords:  metestrus, bovine, management, cow, estrous, cycle, detection, hemorrhage

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This is seen in about 50 to 60% of cows and 75 to 85% of heifers.  It is usually seen in the first 48 hours after ovulation but because the vagina may slope downward at its cranial end (especially in older animals) vaginal mucus and metestral hemorrhage may be retained in the vagina for several days, being discharged several days after estrus. If metestrus is suspected, one should look at the rump of the animal and her dung and bedding where there is often evidence of hemorrhage.

Careful observation is warranted because hemorrhage may be difficult to spot:

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Metestrus 2: Metestral hemorrhage on the tail

Keywords:  metestrus, bovine, management, cow, estrous, cycle, detection, hemorrhage

Image size: 1584 x 2816px

This is seen in about 50 to 60% of cows and 75 to 85% of heifers.  It is usually seen in the first 48 hours after ovulation but because the vagina may slope downward at its cranial end (especially in older animals) vaginal mucus and metestral hemorrhage may be retained in the vagina for several days, being discharged several days after estrus. If metestrus is suspected, one should look at the rump of the animal and her dung and bedding where there is often evidence of hemorrhage.

Metestrus 3: Metestral hemorrhage on the tail 

Typical metestral hemorrhage; seen on the tail of a cow.

Image size: 1584 x 2816px

This is seen in about 50 to 60% of cows and 75 to 85% of heifers.  It is usually seen in the first 48 hours after ovulation but because the vagina may slope downward at its cranial end (especially in older animals) vaginal mucus and metestral hemorrhage may be retained in the vagina for several days, being discharged several days after estrus. If metestrus is suspected, one should look at the rump of the animal and her dung and bedding where there is often evidence of hemorrhage.

Metestrus 4. Hemorrhage seen in bedding 

Typical metestral hemorrhage; seen on the bedding of a cow.

This is seen in about 50 to 60% of cows and 75 to 85% of heifers.  It is usually seen in the first 48 hours after ovulation but because the vagina may slope downward at its cranial end (especially in older animals) vaginal mucus and metestral hemorrhage may be retained in the vagina for several days, being discharged several days after estrus. If metestrus is suspected, one should look at the rump of the animal and her dung and bedding where there is often evidence of hemorrhage.

Metestrus 5. Hemorrhage seen in bedding

Keywords:  metestrus, bovine, management, cow, estrous, cycle, detection, hemorrhage

Image size:1164 x 774px

This is seen in about 50 to 60% of cows and 75 to 85% of heifers.  It is usually seen in the first 48 hours after ovulation but because the vagina may slope downward at its cranial end (especially in older animals) vaginal mucus and metestral hemorrhage may be retained in the vagina for several days, being discharged several days after estrus. If metestrus is suspected, one should look at the rump of the animal and her dung and bedding where there is often evidence of hemorrhage.

Metestrus 6. Hemorrhage seen in the uterus

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This image shows a remarkable example of hemorrhage into the lumen after ovulation; an effect on the permeability of endometrial capillaries due to estrogen withdrawal. A similar phenomenon is seen in humans shortly after ovulation but is seldom noteworthy. Note the CH on the left ovary from a recent ovulation and the CA from the previous cycle on the right.

Metestrus 7. Hemorrhage on the rump of a cow.

Keywords:  metestrus, bovine, management, cow, estrous, cycle, detection, hemorrhage

Image size:1584 x 2816px

Typical metestral hemorrhage; seen on the rump of a cow that was recently in heat. This is seen in about 50 to 60% of cows and 75 to 85% of heifers.  Metestral hemorrhage is usually seen in the first 48 hours after ovulation but because the vagina may slope downward at its cranial end (especially in older animals) vaginal mucus and metestral hemorrhage may be retained in the vagina for several days, being discharged several days after estrus. If metestrus is suspected, one should look at the rump of the animal and her dung and bedding where there is often evidence of hemorrhage.

Cattle are the only domestic animals that show hemorrhage as a result of estrogen withdrawal.