Field Trials in Fixed Time Sheep A.I. in Ireland

Author(s):  
T F Crosby ◽  
M P Boland ◽  
I Gordon

Studies reported from this laboratory in the mid seventies showed that it was possible to achieve a conception rate of 73% to a single fixed-time insemination in the autumn breeding season in ewes previously treated with intravaginal progestagen and pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). The present work was aimed principally at an examination of the AI technique in commercial flocks when applied over a period of three years (1979–81) and when applied in sheep of different breeds (Galways and Suffolk-cross).In the course of three successive breeding seasons, a total of 2,704 cyclic ewes in 87 farm flocks were bred to Texel or Suffolk rams by A.I. using a sperm dose of 400 million in 0.2 ml volume of a skim milk diluent; only semen samples showing a wave motion rating of 3.5 or higher were used and accepted samples were pooled. A further 525 ewes in 20 farm flocks were bred by natural service (ratio of 1 ram: 10 ewes) in one area covered by the AI work. Control of oestrus and ovulation was achieved by a 12-day treatment using commercially available progestagen sponges (Chronogest, Intervet. Ltd.; Veramix, Upjohn Ltd.); at sponge withdrawal a single intramuscular injection of 500 i.u. PMSG (Intervet. Ltd.) was administered.

1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Smith ◽  
M. P. Boland ◽  
I. Gordon

It is now possible to synchronize the cycle of ewes at all times of the year (Gordon, 1975). Conception rates approaching those obtained following natural service have been reported following double (Colas & Brice, 1970; Colas et al. 1973; Barlow, Pryce-Jones & Reed, 1974; Gordon, 1975) or single (Smith, Boland & Gordon, 1978) set-time inseminations. In France, synchronization of ewes' oestrous cycle is based on the use of a Cronolone pessary (Colas, 1975), while field trials conducted in Britain have used the 60 mg Medroxy progesterone acetate (MAP) sponge (Barlow et al. 1974). Robinson et al. (1967) in an evaluation of different progestagen treatments found MAP to be less predictable than Cronolone. The purpose of the present experiment therefore was to evaluate the use of a 30 mg Cronolone or a 60 mg MAP intravaginal treatment when used in conjunction with fixed-time inseminations. In addition, two dose levels of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were compared.


Author(s):  
Margaret E. King ◽  
Beverly J. Keeling

Artificial insemination of ewes has become commercially available in Britain on a small scale over the last few years. It allows the farmer to benefit from MLC recorded rams which have been selected for growth rate and more recently for carcass quality. However, proximity to an A.I. centre is an important consideration as A.I. of ewes requires the use of fresh semen. Frozen semen has not vet achieved the quality and reliability necessary on a commercial scale. Insemination is carried out at a fixed time after the removal of Intra-vaginal pessaries and an injection of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG). Synchronisation of oestrus using sponges and PMSG adds to the cost of using a commercial A.I. service. If A.I. is not used then one ram per ten ewes is necessary for a synchronised mating which either requires a ram sharing group or considerable financial investment if rams of equivalent quality to those used in A.I. centres are to be purchased.


Author(s):  
Claire L Timlin ◽  
Nicholas W Dias ◽  
Laura Hungerford ◽  
Tracey Redifer ◽  
John F Currin ◽  
...  

Abstract This retrospective study aimed to determine if the number of cows exposed per bull affects pregnancy rates of cows returning to estrus after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Data were compiled over the course of 13 breeding seasons (6 fall and 7 spring seasons) between 2010 and 2017 from the Virginia Department of Corrections herd. Available records contained data from 17 farms and 324 groups of cows (average 47 cows/group). Multiparous cows and heifers (average age per group: 5.11 ± 0.14 years; n = 14,868) were exposed to FTAI. After FTAI, animals were placed on pasture with bulls diagnosed as fertile by a breeding soundness exam for natural service of cows who did not become pregnant to FTAI (n = 7,248; average 22 cows/group). Animals were classified as pregnant to FTAI, to natural service on first return to estrus, or to natural service on second or subsequent estrus determined by fetal aging at pregnancy diagnosis. The bull:cow ratio for the total number of cows exposed ranged from 1:9 to 1:73 with an average of 1:31. The bull:cow ratio considering only open cows exposed after FTAI ranged from 1:2 to 1:44 with an average of 1:14. There was significant negative, small correlation between the bull:cow ratio for total number of cows exposed and return to estrus pregnancy rate in fall breeding seasons (P = 0.01, r 2 = 0.04) but not in spring (P = 0.90). There was a significant negative, small correlation between bull:cow ratio of open cows exposed and pregnancy rates to first return to estrus in fall herds with a single sire (P < 0.001, r 2 = 0.11). There was no correlation in fall herds using multiple sires or spring herds (P ≥ 0.12). Bull:cow ratio accounted for only 1 – 11% of variation in the pregnancy rates, thus we conclude that a decreased bull:cow ratio (up to 1:73) did not affect natural service return to estrus pregnancy rate. Cattlemen may consider a reduced number of bulls needed for natural service breeding after FTAI, which can decrease bull related costs and increase the economic feasibility of adopting FTAI protocols.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 30-31
Author(s):  
Vitor R G Mercadante ◽  
Robin R White ◽  
Heather L Bradford ◽  
Nicholas W Dias ◽  
Claire Timlin ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess how well estrus detection patch readings correlated to successful AI breedings and to characterize the within-cow repeatability of estrus detection patch readings across breeding seasons. Data from the Virginia Department of Corrections beef cattle herds were collated for 7 locations over 7 years, with 2 calving seasons per year. Data from Spring of 2011 were missing. The full dataset contained 19,253 individual animal observations, of which 2,389 observations were omitted for failure to report estrus detection patch data. The relationship between estrus patch reading and pregnancy rate to fixed-time AI and subsequent natural service pregnancy rate was assessed by calculating the sensitivity and specificity of patch readings within each location during each breeding season. A true positive was defined as a patch activating and a cow being confirmed pregnant. A true negative was a patch remaining in the non activated state and a cow being confirmed open. A false positive was defined as a patch activating and a cow being confirmed open. A false negative was a patch failing to activate and a cow being confirmed pregnant. Pregnancy rate to AI sensitivity ranged from 0.2 to 1 with a mean of 0.583. Specificity ranged from 0 to 1 with a mean of 0.525. Subsequent natural service pregnancy rate), ranges in sensitivity (0.197 to 1.00, mean 0.563) and specificity (0 to 1, mean 0.545) were similar. Of the 6,249 animals with usable patch data, 934 never presented with an activated patch and 2,064 presented with an activated patch every breeding season. The remaining 3,251 animals averaged presenting with an activated patch 47% of the time and a non-activated patch 46% of the time. Odds of getting pregnant by AI for cows that always flag with the heat patch were 0.415.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
A. Menchaca ◽  
M. Vilariño ◽  
E. Rubianes

The short-term protocol with progesterone, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), and eCG is used to control follicular dynamics and luteal activity synchronizing the ovulation for fixed-time AI in sheep. The objective of this experiment was to compare the pregnancy rate obtained with short-term protocol (6 d) and long-term protocol (14 d) using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI in sheep. Three hundred fifty-two Merino ewes with a body condition score of 2.9 ± 0.3 (mean ± SD; scale 0 to 5) were used during the breeding season (April, 33S, Uruguay). All the females received a CIDR-G (0.3 g of progesterone, InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand) for 6 d (short-term protocol; n = 178) or 14 d (long-term protocol, n = 174). One imdose of eCG (300 IU, Novormon, Syntex, BA, Argentina) was given at the moment of device withdrawal for the both protocols, and one imdose of PGF2α (10 mg of dinoprost, Lutalyse, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) was given at the end of the short-term protocol to ensure luteolysis. Cervical AI (short-term protocol, n = 85; long-term protocol, n = 104) or intrauterine AI (short-term protocol, n = 93; long-term protocol, n = 70) was performed 48 or 54 h after device withdrawal, using 200 × 106 or 100 × 106 spermatozoa per ewe, respectively. Fresh semen was extended in UHT skim milk (1000 × 106 spermatozoa mL-1) and used within 1 h of collection. Estrus was recorded twice a day for 4 days after device withdrawal using vasectomized males. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal ultrasonography 40 d after AI (5.0 MHz, Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of the treatment (P < 0.05), the AI technique (P < 0.05), and their interaction (P = NS). Pregnancy rate was higher for the short-term than for the long-term protocol, and for intrauterine than for cervical AI (Table 1). The highest pregnancy rate was achieved with short-term protocol using intrauterine AI (54.8%, 51/93), and the lowest response was obtained with long-term protocol using cervical AI (33.7%, 35/104; P < 0.05). These data were not different from data of short-term protocol using cervical AI or long-term protocol using intrauterine AI (42.4%, 36/85; and 44.3% 31/70, respectively). Ewes in estrus/treated ewes was not different among short-term and long-term protocols (83.7%, 149/178; and 82.8%, 144/174, respectively; P = NS). In summary, regardless of insemination technique, short-term protocol of 6 d enhances pregnancy rate in fixed-time AI programs in sheep. Table 1.Main effects of short-term (6 d) v. long-term (14 d) protocol using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI on pregnancy rate in sheep Financially supported by Pfizer, SP, Brazil.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Menchaca ◽  
R. Nuñez-Olivera ◽  
F. Cuadro ◽  
G. Bo

An oestradiol-based protocol (named J-Synch) has been developed recently with the aim of providing for a longer proestrus, enhancing the development of the dominant follicle before ovulation, and increasing pregnancy rates following fixed-time AI (FTAI) in heifers (de la Matta and Bo 2012 Taurus 55, 17–23). Two experiments were performed in Uruguay with 1953 Angus × Hereford crossbred heifers to compare pregnancy rates obtained with the J-Synch protocol with the conventional 7-day oestradiol-based protocol. A secondary objective was to determine the effects of the time of FTAI and the addition of eCG at the time progestin device removal on pregnancy rates. In Experiment 1, 966 heifers received a DIB device (0.5 g of progesterone, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina) plus 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate IM (Syntex) on Day 0. Heifers in the conventional treatment group (n = 485) received cloprostenol (500 μg, Ciclase DL, Syntex) and oestradiol cypionate (0.5 mg, Cipiosyn, Syntex) IM and had their DIB removed on Day 7 a.m. Heifers in this group were then subdivided to be FTAI on Day 9 a.m. or p.m. (i.e. 48 or 56 h after DIB removal). Heifers in the J-Synch treatment group (n = 481) received cloprostenol IM and DIB removal on Day 6 p.m. and received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (100 μg gonadorelin acetate, Gonasyn Gdr, Syntex) on Day 9 a.m.; heifers were then FTAI on Day 9 a.m. or p.m. (i.e. 60 or 72 h after DIB removal). All heifers in this experiment were also treated with 300 IU of eCG (Novormon, Syntex) at DIB removal. In Experiment 2, 987 heifers were treated with the J-Synch protocol as described in Experiment 1. At device removal (Day 6 p.m.), heifers were divided to receive (n = 488) or not (n = 499) 300 IU of eCG IM at that time and were further subdivided to receive gonadotropin-releasing hormone and FTAI on Day 9 a.m. or p.m. (i.e. 60 or 72 h after DIB removal). Pregnancy rates were determined by ultrasonography 30 days after FTAI. Data were analysed using logistic regression, and results are shown in Table 1. J-Synch-treated heifers tended (P < 0.1) to have higher pregnancy rates following FTAI, whereas time of FTAI only affected pregnancy rates following the conventional 7-day treatment (P < 0.05). However, removal of eCG from the J-Synch protocol in Experiment 2 resulted in reduced pregnancy rates when inseminations were done on Day 9 p.m. (P < 0.05). In summary, the addition of eCG to the J-Synch protocol provided for a wider window of insemination times facilitating FTAI in large groups of beef heifers. Table 1.Effect of length of progestin insertion, time of insemination and eCG treatment on pregnancy rates in beef heifers


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 548-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Santagostino ◽  
Christine Voigt ◽  
Denise Wolko ◽  
Grace Cole ◽  
Yanyan Li ◽  
...  

Abstract A fusion protein genetically linking recombinant human coagulation FIX with recombinant human albumin (rIX-FP) has been developed with an improved PK profile, thus improving hemophilia B treatment by allowing less frequent dosing. Two Phase 3 studies (CSL654-3001 and CSL654-3002) were completed. CSL654-3001 study evaluated safety and efficacy of rIX-FP for prophylaxis treatment (PT) of every 7-, 10- and 14-day and on-demand (ODT) of bleeding episodes in 63 previously treated patients (PTP), 12-61 years of age with hemophilia B (FIX ≤ 2%). Subjects in the on-demand arm received only ODT for 6 months and then switched to every 7-day PT. Subjects in the prophylaxis arm received every 7-day PT, and eligible subjects switched to every 10- or 14-day PT for approximately 12-18 months. Annualized spontaneous bleeding rates (AsBR) were compared between ODT and PT periods (in on-demand arm), and between 7-day PT and 10- or 14-day PT (in prophylaxis arm). CSL654-3002 study evaluated safety and efficacy of rIX-FP for weekly prophylaxis regimen in 27 previously treated patients younger than 12 years with hemophilia B (FIX ≤ 2%) for approximately 12 months. Annualized spontaneous bleeding rates (AsBR) were calculated. The median annualized spontaneous bleeding rate were all 0.00 for all treatment interval (7-day, 10-day or 14-day) and in both studies age groups (1-11 years and 12-65 years) during the two completed phase 3 studies. Seventy-six subjects from both studies continued their prophylaxis regimen in the on-going extension study. In addition, subjects (including children), switched to longer treatment intervals of 10-day, 3 times per month or 14-day or lowered their weekly prophylaxis dose. Nine subjects switched to 21-day treatment interval with 100 IU/kg rIX-FP. As of 28 July 2015, at least 50 subjects (PTP) had achieved 100 EDs without developing an inhibitor to FIX or antibodies to rIX-FP. The long term safety and efficacy of rIX-FP will be presented. This presentation includes the new information regarding the change to longer than 7-day treatment regimens in the extension study, among those subjects (1-61 years of age) that previously participated in the lead in studies. Conclusion: The Prolong - 9FP clinical programdemonstrated the clinical efficacy of rIX-FP for routine prophylaxis every 7-, 10- and 14-day treatment intervals. Routine prophylaxis once every 21 days may be effective in preventing bleeding episodes in a selected patient population. In addition, rIX-FP demonstrated favorable long-term safety and tolerability. Disclosures Santagostino: Novo Nordisk: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; CSL Behring: Speakers Bureau; Baxter/Baxalta: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Biogen/Sobi: Speakers Bureau; Biotest: Speakers Bureau; Kedrion: Speakers Bureau; Octapharma: Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau. Voigt:CSL Behring: Employment. Wolko:CSL Behring: Employment. Cole:CSL Behring: Employment. Li:CSL Behring: Employment. Jacobs:CSL Behring: Employment.


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