Moon cycle influences calving frequency, gestation length and calf weight at birth, but not offspring sex proportion in tropical crossbred cattle.

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown the influence of the moon cycle on biological functions in farm animals, suggesting that predicting calving distribution could enhance survival rates by improving management practices in animal production. This study builds on previous research by examining the impact of the lunar cycle on calving frequency, gestation length, birth weight, and calf sex in artificially inseminated cows. We analyzed 121,276 records from dual-purpose crossbred cows across 36 farms along the western margin of Lake Maracaibo basin, Venezuela. The lunar cycle was divided into 30 periods of 0.984 days each and further categorized into four phases: 1) 1.97 days around the new moon; 2) 12.8 days during the crescent phase; 3) 1.97 days around the full moon; and 4) 12.8 days during the waning phase. Data were analyzed using a logistic regression and the general linear model in SAS, comparing proportions and means with contrast and general linear model tests, respectively. There was no association between the lunar cycle and the sex of calves. However, calvings distribution across the lunar month showed notable peaks 2 days around both the new and full moons, a pattern consistent regardless of the number of calvings or gestation lengths. In addition, significant differences were observed between the days surrounding the new (1) and full (3) moons compared to the other lunar phases (2 and 4). Moon cycle also influenced gestation length and calf birth weight. This study expands previous findings and demonstrates that the lunar cycle consistently affects certain reproductive traits in inseminated dual-purpose cows, including gestation length, calf birth weight, and calving distribution, with practical implications for cattle operations.