The length of the oestrous cycle observed in 20 ewe lambs and 424 ewes of the Awassi breed gave mean values of 16·4 (s.d. 1·31) days for ewe lambs and 17·4 (s.d. 1·84) days for ewes. Plane of nutrition did not affect cycle length in ewe lambs and age of ewe (from 2 to 5 years) did not affect oestrous cycle length in ewes (P > 0·05). Of 40 ewes treated with progesterone intravaginal sponges 33 (83%) showed oestrus and 28 (70%) ovulated at the first (synchronized) and 31 (78%) and 30 (75%) at the repeat oestrus. Mean duration of oestrus was 40·0 (s.d. 16·37) h (range 8 to 72) for the first and 34·7 (s.d. 11·19) h (range 16 to 54) for the repeat oestrus. Ovulation rate, measured in the same ewes, gave mean values of 1·18 (s.d. 0·460) for the first and 1·223 (s.d. 0·440) for the repeat oestrus.

The objective of the present study was to determine whether short-term calf removal (SCR) and/or bull exposure (BE) could improve post-partum reproductive performance. The trial was conducted during the spring and early summer when forage availability was optimum. Sixty-four Angus multiparous cows in good body condition were allotted according to a 2 × 2 factorial design involving SCR and BE. At 33 days post partum calves were removed for 72 h from the SCR and SCR + BE groups, and a vasectomized bull was introduced to the BE and SCR + BE groups and remained with the cows until the end of the experiment. Oestrous detection was performed daily based only on the homosexual behaviour of the cows. Cows were bred by natural service by two fertile bulls. Blood samples for progesterone analysis were collected alternatively every 3 and 4 days from 26 to 120 days post partum. There were no significant differences (P > 0·05) among groups in the ovulation, oestrus, and pregnancy rates during the breeding period, in conception rates, nor in the intervals from calving to first ovulation, to first oestrus, and to conception. Under the conditions of this experiment 72 h calf removal and/or bull exposure did not improve post-partum reproductive performance.