17 MANIPULATION OF PROESTRUS PERIOD BY EXOGENOUS GONADOTROPIN AND ESTRADIOL DURING TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROTOCOL IN SUCKLED BEEF COWS

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
P. C. S. F. Pitaluga ◽  
M. F. Sá Filho ◽  
J. N. S. Sales ◽  
P. S. Baruselli ◽  
L. Vincenti

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of eCG or estradiol cypionate (ECP) during the proestrus period on estrus occurrence, ovarian responses, and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in suckled Bos indicus beef cows subjected to timed AI (TAI) protocols. A total of 393 cows in random stages of estrus (Day 0), received an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device (1.9 g of P4; CIDR®, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA) and 2.0 mg of estradiol benzoate IM (EB; Gonadiol®, MDS Animal Health). Eight days later, the P4 devices were removed, and cows were given 0.15 mg of d-cloprostenol (Prostaglandina Tortuga®, Tortuga Companhia Zootécnica Agrária, São Paulo, Brazil). At this time, cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 300 IU of eCG (Group eCG; n = 138), 300 IU of eCG plus 1 mg of ECP IM (Group eCG+ECP; n = 124), or no additional treatment (control; n = 131). Cows were timed inseminated 48 h after P4 device removal and were administrated simultaneously 100 µg of gonadorelin IM (Profertil®, Tortuga Companhia Zootécnica Agrária). A subset of cows (n = 98) were evaluated according to the occurrence of estrus between the P4 device removal and TAI and their ovarian follicles were evaluated by ultrasound at P4 device removal and corpus luteum (5 days after TAI). The data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and differences with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. A greater pregnancy rate (P/AI; P = 0.04) was observed in cows receiving the eCG treatment at P4 device removal [eCG = 42% (58/138) and eCG+ECP = 50.8% (63/124)] than cows from the control group [29.8% (39/131)]. There was no additive effect of ECP supplementation on P/AI. Cows that received ECP [eCG+ECP = 56.3% (18/32)] displayed more estrus (P = 0.002) compared with those receiving eCG [eCG = 23.5% (8/34)] or only GnRH at TAI [control = 15.6% (5/32)]. In addition, regardless of the ECP supplementation, cows receiving the eCG treatment at P4 device removal [eCG = 85.3% (29/34) and eCG+ECP = 90.1% (29/32)] presented a greater ovulation rate than cows from the control group [65.6% (21/32)]. In conclusion, exogenous estradiol administrated at device removal increased the proportion of suckled Bos indicus cows that displayed estrus. Cows receiving eCG treatment (with or without estradiol supplementation) had greater ovulatory and pregnancy responses after the estradiol/P4-based synchronization protocol.

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 224 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Davis ◽  
A. Arteaga ◽  
J. F. Hasler

This study examined the superovulatory responses of Bos taurus beef cows maintained in a commercial embryo transfer facility. Donors were superovulated 1 to 3 times each with either a traditional 8 injection FSH protocol (controls, n = 126) or 6 injections of FSH with the seventh or eighth FSH treatments replaced by 2 injections of eCG (treatment, n = 134). During the 5-month study, 132 donors were alternatively assigned to a control or treatment group for a single superovulation and an additional 62 animals were superovulated 2 (n = 58) or 3 times (n = 4) in a crossover design. Although 14 beef breeds were represented in the study, 87% of the cows were Angus, Red Angus, Polled Hereford, or Charolais. All donors were synchronized on Day 0 with a CIDR, 5 mg of oestradiol-17β and 100 mg of progesterone. Starting on Day 4 (p.m.), controls were injected twice daily for 4 days with descending doses of porcine FSH (Folltropin-V®, Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada). Cows received 750 μg of cloprostenol (Estrumate®, Intervet Schering-Plough, Summit, NJ, USA) at the seventh FSH injection and the CIDR was removed at the eighth FSH injection. Based on previous experience with specific, individual animals, total FSH dose per donor ranged from 240 to 400 mg. However, 74% of treatments involved 380 mg for controls and 310 mg for treated donors that received eCG. In addition, donors that were superovulated more than once received the same FSH dose in the crossover, treatment-control design. In the treatment group, 200 IU of eCG (Pregnecol™ 6000, Bioniche Animal Health) was substituted for the seventh and eighth FSH injections. Inseminations were conducted on a timed AI basis, with one unit of semen 32 h and a second 48 h following CIDR removal. Results were analysed by ANOVA as shown in Table 1. Although more ova/embryos and unfertilized ova (UFO) were recovered in the control group, the control and treatment groups did not differ in the number of grade 1, 2, or 3 embryos or in the number of degenerate embryos. Previous superovulation studies in South America using eCG to replace the last 2 injections of FSH resulted in more total ova/embryos in Nelore cows but not heifers and in more embryos in Brangus and Sindhi cows. The mean embryo production for the control cows in this study was high and the addition of eCG in the protocol did not improve embryo production. Failure of eCG to increase the number of embryos for Bos taurus cows in this study compared with previous studies may be due to differences with Bos taurus versus Bos indicus breeds or differences in management factors between Canada and South America. The high response rate in the controls may also have contributed to the failure of any advantage of adding eCG to the treatment protocol. Table 1.Mean numbers (± SEM) of ova and embryos recovered from Bos taurus females superovulated with 2 different protocols


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
M. B. Rabaglino ◽  
C. A. Risco ◽  
M. J. Thatcher ◽  
J. E. P. Santos ◽  
W. W. Thatcher

It is expected that pregnancy per AI with sexed semen would be 70 to 75% of that with conventional semen, and the use of sexed semen with timed AI (TAI) protocols is discouraged (DeJarnette et al. 2009 Theriogenology 71, 49-58). It was hypothesized that the 5-day Co-Synch + CIDR (controlled internal drug-release) protocol with 1 injection of PGF2α would be an acceptable reproductive management program for TAI of dairy heifers with sexed semen. The objectives were to compare pregnancy per TAI (P/TAI) using conventional or sexed semen for the first TAI (experiment 1), and to evaluate P/TAI of a reproductive management program with sexed semen for the first TAI and sexed or conventional semen for the second TAI (experiment 2). A total of 1,000 Holstein heifers between 13 to 14 months of age were synchronized with the 5-day Co-Synch + CIDR protocol, that consisted of an administration of GnRH (100 μg i.m. Cystorelin®, Merial Ltd., Iselin, NJ, USA) and a CIDR insert containing 1.38 g of progesterone inserted at Day 0; on Day 5 the CIDR was removed and one injection of PGF2α (25 mg, i.m. Lutalyse®, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA) administered; on Day 8 a second injection of GnRH was administered concurrent with TAI. In experiment 1, 198 heifers were assigned randomly to be TAI with conventional (n = 98) or sexed (n = 100) semen for the first TAI. Commercial straws with sexed or conventional semen were obtained from 2 sires. In experiment 2, a total of 802 heifers received TAI to the first service with sexed semen. For the resynchronized TAI, nonpregnant heifers at 32 days after the first TAI were resynchronized with the 5-day Co-Synch + CIDR and were TAI with either sexed semen (n = 114) or with conventional semen (n = 373). Pregnancy per TAI to first and second TAI was analyzed by logistic regression using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Version 9.1 for Windows, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) with heifer treated as a random effect. In experiment 1, P/TAI was 51.0% and 42.0% at 45 days for conventional and sexed semen, respectively (P = 0.1). Pregnancy per TAI with sexed semen was 82.3% of conventional semen. In experiment 2, P/TAI at first service with sexed semen was 35.9% at 45 days after TAI. For the second TAI, P/TAI was 40.4% with sexed semen at 45 days and 59.2% with conventional semen at 60 days (P < 0.001). As expected, P/TAI was lower with sexed compared to conventional semen. Nevertheless, the application of the 5-day Co-Synch + CIDR protocol with one injection of PGF2α, as a reproductive management program for TAI of dairy heifers, achieved an acceptable P/TAI with sexed semen. We conclude that sexed semen can be used with TAI to effectively manage reproduction in dairy heifers by removing the challenges of detection of estrus and increase the number of females born.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Carwell ◽  
J. A. Pitchford ◽  
G. T. Gentry Jr ◽  
H. Blackburn ◽  
K. R. Bondioli ◽  
...  

Artificial insemination has proven to be a valuable asset to the cattle industry. It is assumed that once good quality semen is frozen in liquid nitrogen it should remain viable indefinitely; however, semen viability has not been systematically evaluated after being stored for several decades. In this experiment, frozen semen from 25 purebred Angus bulls processed during 3 time periods (1960-1975 = 5 bulls; 1976-1991 = 11; 1992-2002 = 9 bulls) was used to randomly inseminate purebred lactating Angus cows and heifers and lactating crossbred beef cows. In experiment 1, Angus cows (n = 24) and Angus heifers (n = 16) and in experiment 2, crossbred cattle (n = 88) of 5 breeds (Beefmaster, Romosinuano, Bons Mara, Brangus, Brangus F1) were artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed Angus bulls semen from the 3 time periods. All females were in good body condition and at least 45 days postpartum and were synchronized using the SelectSynch protocol. Briefly, on treatment Day 0, females received an Eazi-Breed CIDR (Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA) implant and were administered GnRH (Factryl, 100 μg im), on Day 7, prostaglandin (Lutalyse, 25 mg im, Pfizer Animal Health) was administered and the CIDR removed. Cattle not responding to synchronization were subjected an additional prostaglandin treatment 8 to 10 days later. Estrus detection was conducted using the HeatWatch™ system for the Angus females and with Estrotect™ patches for the crossbred females. Females fitted with HeatWatch transponders that were successfully mounted 4 times within a 6-h period were considered to be in standing estrus and were inseminated 12 to 14 h later. Females fitted with Estrotect patches were observed twice daily (morning and evening) to identify females whose patch was scratched. Females were inseminated by an experienced technician 12 to 14h after the patch were observed as being scratched a minimum of 50%. Response to synchronization in Angus cows and heifers was 76% (n = 40), whereas in the crossbred cattle the response was 74% (n = 88). Cows and heifers were confirmed pregnant via transrectal ultrasonography 45 days postinsemination. Pregnancy rates confirmed by chi-square analysis were not different for Angus cows and heifers (58% and 43%, respectively). Also, pregnancy rates for the Angus females were not different across time periods 1, 2, and 3 (58, 43, and 53%, respectively). Pregnancy rates for crossbred females were not different across time periods 1, 2, and 3 (35, 60, and 44%, respectively). Overall pregnancy rates (experiments 1 and 2) were 47, 52, and 40% across time periods 1, 2, and 3 respectively. It is concluded from this study that semen units processed and frozen from Angus bulls from time periods 1, 2, and 3 (from the 1960s through to 2002) are still viable and produce similar pregnancy rates in artificially inseminated beef females. Thanks to Jared Pitchfordfor inseminating all of the cattle; Harvey Blackburn for providing the semen to make the project possible; and my advisors Dr. Gentry and Dr. Godkefor assisting throughout the entire project. I also thank all of the graduate students who have helped me throughout the project.


Author(s):  
Luiz Francisco Machado Pfeifer ◽  
Reuben John Mapletoft ◽  
Dinesh Dardawal ◽  
Jaswant Singh

The effect of injectable progesterone was evaluated along with estradiol benzoate (EB) on the fate of the dominant follicle (DF) present in the ovary at the beginning of low progesterone-based TAI protocol. All cattle were given 500 µg cloprostenol im (PGF; Schering-Plough Animal Health for Estrumate, Pointe-Claire, QC, Canada) twice, 11 d apart, and allocated into two groups: Estradiol group (E group, n = 11) and Estradiol-Progesterone group (EP group, n = 11). Ten days after the second PGF (Day 0), all cattle were given an intravaginal progesterone device with half progesterone concentration (Cue-Mate with a single pod containing 0.78 g progesterone). Concurrently, all cattle were given 1.5 mg im of estradiol benzoate in 3 mL of canola oil and PGF im on Day 0 of the protocol in a crossover design, in which each cow received both treatments. Cows in the EP group also received 100 mg im progesterone (Sigma) in 2 mL of canola oil. On Day 8, progesterone devices were removed and all cattle were given PGF im. All statistical analyses were performed with SAS 9.0. The DF present on Day 0 ovulated in 76% (16/21) of cows from E group and 28.6% (6/21) of cows from EP group (P = 0.002). After progesterone device removal, the size of ovulatory follicle did not differ between groups (E group, 15.5 ± 0.43 mm vs EP group, 15.8 ± 0.98 mm; P = 0.82). These follicles ovulated in 81.3 ± 3.1 h in E group and 71.0 ± 6.1 h in EP group (P = 0.13). In conclusion, injectable progesterone reduced the proportion of cows that ovulate the dominant follicle present in the ovary at the beginning of estradiol-progesterone-based protocols. However, no difference was detected on time of ovulation after progesterone device removal between groups.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.A. Bo ◽  
E. Balla ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
L. Peres ◽  
P.S. Baruselli ◽  
...  

Although treatments with progesterone (P4) releasing devices, estradiol benzoate (EB) and eCG have been shown to result in acceptable pregnancy rates after embryo transfer, the treatment requires that the cows be run through the chute at least four times for treatments. An experiment was designed to compare pregnancy rates in cows treated with P4 releasing devices plus EB and eCG, and induced to ovulate with EB given at device removal or 24 h later. Non-lactating Bos taurus × Bos indicus crossbred beef cows (n = 165), with a body condition score between 2.5 to 3.5 (1 to 5 scale), were treated with a P4-device (DIB, Syntex, Argentina) and 2 mg EB i.m. (Syntex), on Day 0 and 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon, Syntex) plus 150 μg D(+)cloprostenol i.m. (Ciclase, Syntex) on Day 5. On Day 8, DIB devices were removed and cows were randomly divided into two groups to receive either 1 mg EB i.m. at the time of DIB removal (EB0) or 24 h later (Day 9; EB24). Recipients were observed for signs of estrus for 48 h after DIB removal. On Day 16, all recipients observed in estrus and with >1 CL or a single CL with an area >256 mm2 were selected to receive fresh embryos on Day 16 (EB0) or Day 17 (EB24). Furthermore, 20 recipients not observed in estrus but with a CL >256 mm2 were randomly selected and transferred. The embryos used were 28 Grade 1, 40 Grade 2, and 24 Grade 3. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed on Day 0, to determine ovarian status (only cows with a CL or a follicle >10 mm and uterine tone were used), on Day 16 to measure CL area, and 60 days after embryo transfer to determine pregnancy status. Quantitative data were analyzed by Student's t-test and qualitative data were analyzed by logistic regression. There were no differences between groups in the mean (± SEM) CL area on Day 16 (EB0: 300.3 ± 12.0 mm2 and EB24: 324.9 ± 11.7 mm2; P = 0.14), the proportion of recipients in estrus (EB0: 38/82, 46.3%, and EB24: 34/83, 41.0%; P = 0.49), the number of recipients with >1 CL or a CL >256 mm2 (EB0: 68/82, 82.9%, and EB24: 72/83, 86.7%; P = 0.49) and the number of recipients pregnant/transferred (EB0: 31/49, 63.4%, and 20/43, 46.5%; P = 0.23). Furthermore, there were no significant effects of embryo quality (P = 0.31) or technician (P = 0.12) on pregnancy rates. The mean interval from DIB removal to estrus was shorter (P = 0.001) for recipients in the EB0 group (22.7 ± 1.0 h) than for those in the EB24 group (37.4 ± 1.2 h). Nevertheless, pregnancy rates did not differ (P = 0.14) between recipients seen in estrus (EB0: 21/38, 55.3%, and EB 24: 16/34, 47.1%) and those not seen in estrus but with a CL >256 mm2 on Day 16 (EB0: 10/11, 90.9%, and EB24 4/9, 44.4%). It was concluded that the two treatments evaluated are equally efficacious for synchronizing Bos taurus × Bos indicus recipients. Furthermore, the use of EB at device removal could reduce the number of trips through the chute without affecting pregnancy rates. Research was supported by Syntex S.A., Estancia El Mangrullo S.A., and Agencia Cordoba Ciencia S.E.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Small ◽  
M. G. Colazo ◽  
J. P. Kastelic ◽  
D. R. Ward ◽  
O. Dochi ◽  
...  

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the addition of a progestin, equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), or both, in a GnRH-based protocol for timed AI (TAI) or timed embryo transfer (TET). In both experiments, Angus, Gelbvieh, and Simmental cross-bred cows were randomized by breed and postpartum interval [50 � 10 days (mean � SD); range, 27 to 89] into 4 groups in a 2 � 2 factorial design. All injections were given IM. In Experiment 1, 288 cows (89.6% cycling) were given 25 mg dinoprost (PGF; Lutalyse�; Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) on Day –11; on Day 0, they were given 100 �g GnRH (Cystorelin�; Merial Canada, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada), with or without concomitant insertion of a CIDR (1.9 g progesterone; Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). On Day 7, CIDR inserts were removed and cows were given PGF, with or without concomitant injection of 400 IU of eCG (Pregnecol�; Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada). On Day 9 (54-56 h after PGF), TAI was done, with concomitant injection of 100 �g GnRH. Ultrasonographic examination of 147 cows on Day 7 revealed that 62.4% had ovulated in response to the first GnRH. Pregnancy rates (ultrasonographic examination) on Day 38 did not differ between cows with or without a CIDR (52.9 and 51.4%, rspectively; P ≥ 0.64), with or without eCG treatment (53.5 and 50.7%, respectively; P ≥ 0.28), in cycling vs. anestrous cows (51.6 vs 56.7%, respectively; P ≥ 0.76), and in cows that had ovulated (58.1%) or did not ovulate (50.0%) after the first GnRH treatment (P ≥ 0.58). In Experiment 2, 151 cows were given 500 �g cloprostenol (PGF; Estrumate�; Schering–Plough Animal Health, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada) on Day –12, 100 �g GnRH on Day 0, with or without concomitant insertion of a CIDR. On Day 3, half of the cows were given 400 IU eCG. On Day 7, CIDRs were removed and cows were given PGF; on Day 9 (54–56 h after PGF), all cows were given 100 �g GnRH. On Day 15, ultrasonography was done to select suitable recipients for transfer of frozen–thawed embryos on Day 16 (part of another experiment, balanced across synchronization groups). Recipient selection rates did not differ whether cows received or did not receive a CIDR (93.4% vs 85.5%, respectively; P ≥ 0.27) or eCG (91.0 vs 87.8%, respectively; P ≥ 0.67). In addition, pregnancy rates on Day 43 did not differ whether cows received or did not receive a CIDR (32.3 vs 32.4%, respectively; P ≥ 0.52) or eCG (35.2 and 29.2%, respectively; P ≥ 0.21). In summary, the addition of a CIDR or eCG to a GnRH-based synchronization protocol initiated after PGF presynchronization in lactating beef cattle yielded no improvement in pregnancy rates following TAI, or recipient selection and pregnancy rates following TET.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
A. V. Cedeño ◽  
G. A. Bó

Three experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of the length of insertion of a intravaginal progesterone (P4) device on follicular and corpus luteum (CL) diameter, time of ovulation, and pregnancy rates following fixed-time AI (P/FTAI) in Bos indicus cows treated with an oestradiol/P4-based treatment with a lengthened proestrus, named J-Synch. Multiparous suckled Bos indicus beef cows that were 35 to 60 days postpartum were used in Experiments 1 and 2, whereas non-lactating cows were used in Experiment 3. All cows had a CL or a follicle of at least 8mm in diameter and a body condition score between 2.5 and 4 (1 to 5 scale) at the time of treatment. On Day 0, all cows received 2mg of oestradiol benzoate (EB; Sincrodiol, Ourofino, Brazil) and a previously used intravaginal device (1g of P4; Sincrogest, Ourofino). The P4 device was removed on Day 6 in the J-Synch 6-day group and on Day 7 in the J-Synch 7-day and Control groups. All cows received 500µg of cloprostenol (Sincrocio, Ourofino) and 400IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (SincroeCG, Ourofino) at the time of P4 device removal, and cows in the Control group also received 0.5mg of oestradiol cypionate (ECP, SincroCP, Ourofino) at the same time. In Experiment 1, cows (n=20 per group) were examined every 12h, from P4 device removal to determine the time of ovulation and 7 days after ovulation to measure the CL. In Experiment 2, all cows (n=200 per group) were tail-painted for oestrous detection. Cows with=50% of the tail-paint rubbed-off by 72h (J-Synch groups) or 48h (Control group) after P4 device removal, were FTAI at that time. Cows not designated as showing oestrus at that time received 10µg Buserelin (GnRH, Sincroforte, Ourofino) and were FTAI 8h later. In Experiment 3, P/FTAI was compared in cows that received the J-Synch 7-day treatment (n=265) or the 7-day Control treatment (n=250). Data were analysed using the GLM mixed procedure (InfoStat). In Experiment 1, the diameter of the ovulatory follicle was larger (P&lt;0.05) and the interval to ovulation was longer (P&lt;0.05) in the J-Synch groups (J-Synch 7 d: 16.4±0.2mm and 86.0±3.0 h; J-Synch 6 d:15.5±0.3mm and 83.0±4.0h) than in the Control group (13.8±0.2mm and 64.0±3.0h). Furthermore, CL diameter was greater (P&lt;0.05) in the J-Synch 7-day group (21.9±0.8mm) than in the J-Synch 6-day (18.7±0.8mm) and Control (16.8±0.9mm) groups. In Experiment 2, P/FTAI was higher (P&lt;0.05) in the J-Synch 7-day group (116/200; 58.0%) than in the J-Synch 6-day (93/200; 46.5%) and Control (98/200; 49.0%) groups. In Experiment 3, P/FTAI was higher (P&lt;0.05) in the J-Synch 7-day group (161/265; 60.7%) than in the Control group (124/250; 49.6%). In conclusion, delaying the removal of the P4 device by 1 day (i.e. Day 7 vs. Day 6) in the J-Synch protocol and lengthening the proestrous period (i.e. J-Synch 7-day vs. 7-day Control) resulted in higher P/FTAI in Bos indicus cows.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 145-145
Author(s):  
Lacey M Dysart ◽  
Caleb O Lemley ◽  
Riley Messman ◽  
Jamie E Larson

Abstract Ovulation prompted by exogenous GnRH may cause the release of sub-mature oocytes and lead to decreased pregnancy rates. Inclusion of estradiol benzoate (EB) has improved pregnancy rates. The objective was to determine if EB affects blood perfusion of follicles, CL, or uterus, concentrations of estradiol, or incidence of standing estrus. Forty-seven suckled beef cows were synchronized (GnRH+CIDR on d -9, PGF2a+CIDR removal on d -2, expected estrus=d 0). On d -1, 24 of 47 cows received an injection of EB (1mg/2mL) while the other 23 remained as a control group. Ovaries were evaluated via Doppler ultrasonography on d -1, 0, 6, 14, and 21. A laser Doppler probe was used to measure blood perfusion of the uterus on d -1, 0, and 6. Only cows that exhibited estrus (n = 29) were evaluated on d 14 and 21. Images were analyzed via ImageJ software to determine mean area of perfusion. Blood samples were collected on d -1 and 0 and analyzed for concentrations of estradiol using RIA. Using SAS, MIXED and FREQ were used to determine the influence of treatment on blood perfusion and estradiol, and incidence of standing estrus, respectively. Treatment with EB increased (P &lt; 0.001) the number of cows exhibiting standing estrus compared to control (21/24 vs 8/23, respectively). Treatment of EB did not (P &gt; 0.10) alter blood perfusion of the follicles or uterus on any day or perfusion of the CL on d 6. However, EB increased (P &lt; 0.036) the size of the CL on d 14 (25.06±1.7 vs 6.06±3.7) and tended (P &lt; 0.097) to increase the size of the CL on d 21. Treatment of EB increased (P &lt; 0.003) concentrations of estradiol on d 0 compared to control (21.35±4.49 vs 9.44±4.61 pg/mL). In conclusion, treatment with EB may play a role in changing the CL after ovulation.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
H. Davis ◽  
M. Colazo ◽  
M. Rutledge ◽  
J. Small ◽  
J. Kastelic ◽  
...  

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations on LH release and ovulation in beef heifers and lactating beef cows given gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Previously autoclaved, once-used CIDR inserts (Colazo et al. 2004 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 81, 25-34) were used for experimental purposes to induce differential plasma progesterone concentrations. In Experiment 1, postpubertal heifers received 25 mg of dinoprost i.m. (prostaglandin F (PGF); Lutalyse; Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). On Day 4 (estrus = Day 0), heifers were randomly assigned (10/group) to receive no treatment (control) or 1 or 2 autoclaved once-used CIDR (Pfizer Animal Health) inserts (1CIDR and 2CIDR, respectively). On Day 5, heifers in the 1CIDR group were given PGF twice 12 h apart. On Day 6, all heifers received 100 �g of GnRH i.m. (Cystorelin; Merial Canada, Inc., Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada). Once daily on Days 4 to 9, a blood sample was collected and ultrasonography was performed. On Day 6, heifers in the control (3.0 � 0.4 ng/mL; mean � SD) and 1CIDR groups (3.0 � 0.3 ng/mL) had lower (P < 0.01) plasma progesterone concentrations than those in the 2CIDR group (5.7 � 0.4 ng/mL). However, the diameter of the dominant follicle was larger (P < 0.001) in heifers in the control and 1CIDR groups than in the 2CIDR group (12.1 � 1.0, 11.5 � 0.7, and 10.1 � 0.7 mm, respectively). More (P < 0.01) heifers ovulated in response to GnRH in the control and 1CIDR groups than in the 2CIDR group (10/10, 9/10, and 3/10, respectively). In Experiment 2, ultrasound-guided follicular ablation (FA) was performed (to synchronize ovarian follicular wave emergence) 4 to 6 days after estrus in 20 postpubertal heifers and 20 mature lactating cows. Cattle were randomly and equally assigned to receive an autoclaved, once-used CIDR, either with no further treatment (High-P4) or with two PGF treatments 12 h apart (Low-P4) given after FA. All cattle received 100 �g of GnRH either 6 days after FA or the day after the dominant follicle reached 9 mm in diameter. Ultrasonography was performed daily (from 4 days after FA to ovulation or to 3 days after GnRH treatment). In three cows and three heifers per group, blood samples were collected every 30 min for 12 h after GnRH. The dominant follicle at GnRH treatment was larger in cows than heifers (11.0 � 1.1 vs. 10.3 � 0.9 mm, respectively; P = 0.05) and tended to be smaller in the High-P4 group vs. the Low-P4 group (10.3 � 1.0 vs. 11.0 � 1.0 mm; P = 0.06). Ovulatory response was not different (P = 0.9) between heifers (77.7%) and cows (78.9%), but combined for heifers and cows, was lower in High-P4 vs. Low-P4 cattle (61.1 vs. 94.7; P < 0.01). The GnRH-induced LH surge did not differ (P = 0.23) between cows and heifers, but it was lower and of shorter duration (P < 0.001) in the High-P4 group than in the Low-P4 group. In summary, higher plasma P4 concentrations resulted in decreased LH release and the proportion of cattle ovulating in response to GnRH treatment. There was no significant difference between heifers and cows in LH release or ovulatory response.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
L. D. P. Sinedino ◽  
B. T. Gerhardt ◽  
A. P. Dourado ◽  
L. A. G. Nogueira

The objective of this paper was to compare 3 bovine AI protocols, evaluating the cost of each treatment and the pregnancy rates obtained, to demonstrate the importance of routine utilization of estrus synchronization techniques. The experiment was conducted in the Farm School of Cachoeiras de Macacu of the Federal Fluminense University, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, during the period from 2006 to 2007 (August to June). One hundred sixteen crossbred female Holstein-Zebu dairy cows in cycle, with body condition between 2.5 to 4 (on a scale from 1 to 5), were selected and divided randomly in 3 groups (G). Animals in G1 [n = 60; 21 heifers (H), 13 primiparous (P), and 26 multiparous (M)], with palpable corpus luteum, received 25 mg of prostaglandin F2 intravulvar, and AI was done 12 h after estrus detection. For animals in G2 (n = 30; 11 H, 6 P, and 13 M) an intravaginal progesterone device (CIDR®, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA) was inserted and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) was administered i.m. on Day 0. On Day 8 the device was removed and 25 mg of prostaglandin was administered i.m. on Day 9, 2 mg of EB was administered, and 30 h later, timed AI of all animals was performed. For G3 (n = 26; 9 H, 5 P, and 12 M), the protocol used was similar to that for G2, except that on Day 8 400 IU of eCG was administered (in addition to the removal of the device) and on Day 9 the dose of EB was reduced to 1 mg and timed AI was done 27 h later. AI was done with semen from 2 sires with proven fertility, by the same technician. The pregnancy diagnoses were done on Day 45 by palpation per rectum and transrectal ultrasonography. The cost-benefit relation was calculated according to the cost of pharmaceuticals multiplied by the number of animals in each experimental group divided by the number of pregnancies obtained in each one, without considering the manual labor costs in all the groups and considering 3 uses of the CIDR. The statistical analyses were done using chi-square test. The pregnancy rate obtained in G2 (60%, 18/30) was superior to that in G1 (30%, 18/60) (P < 0.05), demonstrating the efficiency of the treatment that utilized progesterone. G3 (53.85%, 14/26) was similar (P > 0.05) to G2, despite the fact that the eCG was added in this group. In reference to cost-benefit, considering only the pharmaceuticals costs and the value for pregnancy obtained in each group, the costs found, respectively, were G1 U$7.02 and U$23.66; G2 U$28.57 and U$47.59; and G3 U$47.96 and U$89.05. The lowest cost in the estrus synchronization was based on the use of prostaglandins alone; the use of progesterone increased the synchronization cost, but also increased the pregnancy rate and eliminated the need for estrus observation. The addition of eCG in cows that are cycling does not necessarily demand a increase in pregnancy rate. Failure in estrus detection, using prostaglandin alone, increased the interval from calving, causing a daily loss in milk production, which justified the investment in protocols of estrus and ovulation synchronization, contributing to increase the reproductive efficiency of a dairy cow herd.


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