scholarly journals 14 EFFECT OF TEMPORARY WEANING AND ECG TREATMENT ON PREGNANCY RATES IN POSTPARTUM BOS INDICUS COWS FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH PROGESTERONE VAGINAL DEVICES AND ESTRADIOL BENZOATE

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
L. Cutaia ◽  
E. Balla ◽  
C. Rizzi ◽  
L. Peres ◽  
G.A. Bo

Although treatments with progesterone (P4)-releasing devices and estradiol benzoate (EB) have been extensively used in fixed-time AI (FTAI) programs in beef cattle, pregnancy rates in postpartum Bos indicus cows kept on pasture often have been lower than expected because of poor body condition score (BCS) and a high incidence of anestrus. Temporary weaning and eCG treatment have been shown to increase pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows. Therefore, this experiment was designed to compare the effect of eCG treatment and temporary weaning on pregnancy rates in postpartum cows in fair to poor BCS. Lactating multiparous crossbred Bos indicus cows (n = 393), 60 to 90 d postpartum with a BCS 2.0 (1 to 5 scale) were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups, in a 2 × 2 factorial design. At the beginning of the experiment (Day 0), all cows received a P4 intravaginal device (DIB, Syntex, Argentina) and 2 mg EB i.m. (Syntex). On Day 8, DIB devices were removed and all cows received 150 μg D (+) cloprostenol i.m. (Ciclase, Syntex) and were randomly divided to receive 400 IU eCG (Novormon 5000, Syntex) or no treatment at the same time. Furthermore, half of the cows in each treatment group have their calves weaned temporarily, from the time of DIB removal until the end of the FTAI, whereas the other half remained with their calves all the time. Finally, all cows received 1 mg EB i.m. on Day 9 and were FTAI 52 to 56 h after DIB removal. Cows were examined by ultrasonography 42 d after FTAI to determine pregnancy status. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and the effects of treatment and semen used were considered in the model. Ovarian activity was estimated by rectal palpation on Day 0: there were 72/393 (18.2%) cows with a CL, 140/393 (35.6%) cows with palpable medium size follicles, and 181/393 (46.1%) cows with ovaries containing no detectable structures. There was no effect of ovarian status at the time of treatment (P = 0.91) or semen (P = 0.91) on pregnancy rates. Treatment with eCG tended (P = 0.08) to increase pregnancy rates (94/192, 48.9% and 79/201, 39.3% for cows treated or not treated with eCG, respectively). However, there was no effect of weaning or eCG by weaning interaction (P = 0.98) on pregnancy rates (86/191, 45.1% and 87/202, 43.1% for cows that have their calves weaned or not weaned for 56 h, respectively). Results confirm those of previous studies that demonstrated that the use of eCG in a P4/EB/FTAI program improved pregnancy rates in postpartum Bos indicus crossbred cows that were in fair-to-poor BCS. However, no improvement in pregnancy rates was observed after temporary weaning in the present study. Research was supported by Syntex S.A., Estancia El Mangrullo S.A., and Agencia Cordoba Ciencia S.E.

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
E. Balla ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
C. Rizzi ◽  
L. Peres ◽  
G.A. Bo

Previous studies have shown that the use of eCG given at the time of removal of a progesterone (P4) releasing device improved pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI (FTAI) in postpartum Bos indicus cows (Bo GA et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 127). Suckling restriction with the placement of nose tags in calves has also been shown to induce cyclicity and increase pregnancy rates in postpartum Bos indicus cows (Stahringer RC 2003 Taurus 18, 21–23). An experiment was designed to compare the effect of eCG treatment and restricted suckling on pregnancy rates in postpartum cows in fair to poor body condition score (BCS). A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of restricted suckling on weaning weights. Lactating primiparous crossbred Bos indicus cows (n = 399), 60 to 90 days postpartum with a BCS 2.0 (1 to 5 scale), were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups, in a 2 × 2 factorial design. On Day 0, all cows received a P4 intravaginal device (DIB, Syntex, Argentina) and 2 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) i.m. (Syntex). On Day 8, DIB devices were removed and all cows received 150 μg D(+)cloprostenol i.m. (Ciclase, Syntex) and were randomly divided to receive 400 IU eCG (Novormon, Syntex) or no treatment at the same time. On Day 9, all cows received 1 mg EB i.m. and were FTAI 52 to 56 h after DIB removal. Nose tags were placed in half of the calves from Day 0 to the time of FTAI, whereas the other half of the calves remained untreated. All cows were examined by ultrasonography 30 d after FTAI to determine pregnancy status. Pregnancy data were analyzed by logistic regression, and birth and weaning weights were analyzed by Student's t-test. Ovarian activity was estimated by rectal palpation on Day 0: there were 57/399 (14.3%) cows with a CL, 203/399 (50.8%) cows with palpable medium size follicles, and 139/399 (34.8%) cows with ovaries containing no detectable structures. There was no effect of ovarian status at the time of treatment (P = 0.52) or semen (P = 0.89) on pregnancy rates. Suckling restriction increased (P = 0.03) pregnancy rates (91/195, 46.6% and 81/204, 39.7% for cows not suckled or suckled during the treatment, respectively). However, there was no effect of eCG or eCG by weaning interaction (P = 0.82) on pregnancy rates (82/192, 42.7% and 90/207, 43.4% for cows treated or not treated with eCG, respectively). Although mean (±SEM) birth weights were not different (29.4 ± 0.4 vs. 29.1 ± 0.4; P = 0.6), weaning weights were significantly affected (P = 0.001) by the suckling restriction (190.1 ± 1.9 vs. 200.4 ± 2.1 for calves treated or not treated with the nose tags, respectively). Although restricting suckling, by placement of a nose tag from Day 0 to FTAI, may increase pregnancy rates in primiparous Bos indicus cows in fair to poor BCS, the adverse effect of this treatment on weaning weights of the calves has to be considered. Furthermore, eCG did not increase pregnancy rates in the present study, as it has been previously reported. Research was supported by Syntex S.A., Estancia El Mangrullo S.A., and Agencia Cordoba Ciencia S.E.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.A Bo ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
P. Chesta ◽  
D. Moreno

Treatments with progesterone (P4) releasing devices and estradiol benzoate (EB) have been extensively used in fixed-time AI (FTAI) programs in beef cattle. However, pregnancy rates in postpartum cows kept on pasture often have been lower than expected because of poor body condition score (BCS) and a high incidence of anestrous. A recent study (Cutaia L et al., 2003 Theriogenology 59, 216) suggested that the addition of eCG to a P4/EB FTAI program may improve pregnancy rates in cows with fair to poor BCS, but results were not conclusive. Therefore, this experiment was designed to further investigate the effect of eCG treatment on pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows in those conditions. The experiment was performed at 2 locations with lactating Angus cows (n=93), 60 to 90d postpartum with a BCS 1.9 (1 to 5 scale; Location 1), and crossbred Zebu cows (n=290), 60 to 90d postpartum with a BCS 2.0 (Location 2). In each Location, cows were randomly allocated to 1 of the following treatment groups: Control, eCG Day6, or eCG Day8. All cows received a P4 intravaginal device (DIB, Syntex, Argentina) and 2mg EB i.m. (Syntex) on Day0, 500mg cloprostenol (Estroplan, Syntex) at the time of DIB removal (Day8), 1mg EB i.m. on Day9 and FTAI 52 to 56h after DIB removal. Cows in the Control group received no further treatment, whereas cows in the eCG-treated groups received 400 IU eCG (Novormon 5000, Syntex) on Day6 or Day8. Cows were examined on Day0 by rectal palpation (Location 1) or by ultrasonography (US; Location 2) and were classified as those with a CL or without a CL, with either large (>8mm) or small (<8mm)small follicles. Pregnancy was determined by US 45d after FTAI. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and the effects of location, treatment, ovarian status, AI technician and semen were considered in the model. There was no effect of location (P=0.3), AI technician (P=0.2) or semen (P=0.8) on pregnancy rates. However, there was an effect of treatment (P=0.02), attributed to higher pregnancy rates in the eCG Groups than in the Control Group (Table). Furthermore, cows with a CL or without a CL but with large follicles on Day 0 had higher pregnancy rates than those with small follicles (P=0.04). It was concluded that the use of eCG in a P4/EB FTAI program improved pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows that were in fair topoor BCS.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Cutaia ◽  
M. Ramos ◽  
P. Chesta ◽  
G. A. Bó

An experiment was designed to test the following hypotheses: (1) the administration of 400IU of eCG (Novormón, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) 14 days after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) increases pregnancy rates in cross-breed Zebu × Bonsmara suckled cows synchronized with progesterone releasing devices (DIB 0.5, 0.5 g of progesterone, Syntex SA); and (2) pregnancy rates in cows treated with estradiol or GnRH, combined with a DIB device, are not different. Primiparous suckled cows (n = 260), between 60 and 120 days postpartum (DPP) and with a body condition score between 2.0 and 2.5 (1 to 5 scale) were used. At the beginning of the experiment (Day 0), all cows were examined by rectal palpation (only 11% had a CL), received a DIB device, and were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Cows in the E2 group received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) intramuscularly (i.m.) at DIB insertion and those in the two GnRH groups received 100 μg of gonadorelin (GDR Gonasyn, Syntex SA) at the same time. On Day 7, DIB devices were removed and all cows received 500 μg of cloprostenol (Ciclase DL, Syntex SA) plus 400 IU of eCG (i.m.). Cows in the E2 group received 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP, Cipiosyn, Syntex SA) and underwent FTAI administered by one technician, using semen from 1 of 2 bulls between 52 and 56 h later. Cows in the GnRH groups received a dose of 100 μg of gonadorelin (full GnRH group) or 50 μg of gonadorelin (1/2 GnRH group) at the time of the FTAI (52 to 56 h after DIB removal). Fourteen days after FTAI cows in the 3 groups were further subdivided (3 × 2 factorial) to receive or not 400 IU of eCG i.m. Pregnancy was determined 30 days after FTAI using real-time ultrasonography. Data were analyzed by logistic regression, taking into account the effect of the synchronization treatment, eCG or noteCG, 14 days after FTAI and sire used. No differences in pregnancy rates were found (P = 0.16) among treatment groups (E2: 39/87, 43.7%, full GnRH: 38/92, 41.3%, and 1/2 GnRH: 25/81, 30.9%). However, there was a significant (P = 0.02) effect of eCG treatment 14 days after FTAI (eCG: 60/127, 47.2% v. no eCG: 41/133, 30.8%). Furthermore, bull A (77/155, 47.1%) resulted in higher pregnancy rate (P = 0.009) than bull B (28/107, 26.2%), but there were no significant interactions between bull and synchronization treatment or eCG administration 14 days after FTAI (P > 0.1). We conclude that the application of 400 IU of eCG 14 days after FTAI increases pregnancy rates in suckled Bos taurus × Bos indicus primiparous cows with fair to poor body condition score synchronized with progesterone releasing devices. Furthermore, the use of estradiol ester or GnRH at DIB insertion and removal did not affect pregnancy rates.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ramos ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
P. Chesta ◽  
G. A. Bó

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of the timing of fixed-time AI (FTAI) in relation to the removal of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (1 g of progesterone, DIB, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) on pregnancy rates in Bos indicus × Bos taurus cross-bred heifers. In experiment 1, 285 Bonsmara × zebu cross-bred heifers, between 18 and 24 months of age and with a body condition score (BCS) between 3.0 and 3.5 (1-5 scale) were used. On the day of initiation of treatment (Day 0), the heifers’ ovaries were palpated (92% of them had a CL) and they received a new DIB plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Syntex SA) and 250 μg of cloprostenol (Ciclase DL, Syntex SA). On Day 8, DIB devices were removed and all heifers received 250 μg of Ciclase plus 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP; Cipiosyn, Syntex SA). At that time the heifers were randomly divided to receive FTAI between 48 to 49 h, 53 to 54 h, or 58 to 59 h after DIB removal. The heifers underwent FTAI with semen from 4 bulls by 2 inseminators. In experiment 2, 260 heifers from the same group as those used in experiment 1 (87% with a CL) were treated exactly as those in experiment 1, except that previously used DIB was inserted on Day 0. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days post-fixed-time AI by ultrasonography. The data were analyzed by logistic regression, taking into account the effect of time of FTAI, semen, and inseminator on pregnancy rates. In experiment 1, pregnancy rates were lower (P = 0.04) in the heifers undergoing FTAI between 48 and 49 h after DIB removal (46/95, 48.4%) than those undergoing FTAI 53 to 54 h (61/99, 61.6%) or 58 to 60 h (57/91, 62.6%) after DIB removal. However, no differences in pregnancy rates were found (P = 0.72) in experiment 2 between the 3 treatment groups, with 39/91 (42.9%) for the 48 to 49 h group, 45/89 (50.6%) for the 53 to 54 h group, and 35/89 (43.8%) for the 58 to 59 h group. There was no effect of the semen or inseminator (P > 0.2) in either experiment. We conclude that when Bos indicus × Bos taurus beef heifers are synchronized with new DIB devices and ECP, higher pregnancy rates are obtained in heifers undergoing FTAI late (between 53 to 60 h after DIB removal) than in those undergoing FTAI early (48 to 49 h after DIB removal). However, time of insemination does not apparently affect pregnancy rates when Bos indicus × Bos taurus beef heifers are synchronized with previously used DIB devices and ECP.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Tribulo ◽  
E. Balla ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
G.A. Bo ◽  
P.S. Baruselli ◽  
...  

Although several studies have investigated the relationship between circulating progesterone and pregnancy rates in cattle, the beneficial effect of treatments that increase progesterone concentrations, by insertion of a progesterone (P4) releasing device or induction of an accessory CL with hCG, GnRH, or LH treatment, has resulted in inconsistent effects on pregnancy rates in embryo recipients. An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of hCG or GnRH treatment, given at the time of embryo transfer without estrus detection, on pregnancy rates in recipients treated with intrauterine P4-releasing devices, estradiol benzoate (EB), and eCG. The experiment was performed in two replicates; non-lactating Bos taurus × Bos indicus crossbred beef cows with a body condition score between 2.5 to 3.5 (1-to-5 scale) were used (replicate 1, n = 180; replicate 2, n = 140). All cows received 1 g of P4 via a P4-releasing device (DIB, Syntex, Argentina) and 2 mg EB i.m. (Syntex) on Day 0, and 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon 5000, Syntex) plus 150 μg d(+)cloprostenol i.m. (Ciclase, Syntex) on Day 5. DIBs were removed on Day 8 and all cows received 1 mg EB i.m. on Day 9. Recipients were not observed for signs of estrus, and those >1 CL, or a single CL with an area >256 mm2, received 195 Grade 1 and 46 Grade 2 frozen/thawed “direct transfer” embryos on Day 17. At the time of embryo transfer, recipients were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups to receive 1500 IU hCG (Ovusyn, Syntex), 50 μg Lecirelina (GnRH, Gonasyn, Syntex), or no treatment (control) at that time. 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 17 to measure CL area, and 40 days after embryo transfer to determine pregnancy status. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and the effects of replication, technician, treatment, and embryo quality were considered in the model. From the 320 recipients treated with a DIB plus EB and eCG, 241 (75.3%) were selected to receive an embryo. Nine (3.7%) and 1 (0.4%) of the selected recipients had 2 and 3 CL, respectively. Pregnancy rates did not differ between replicates (replicate 1: 80/140, 57.1%; and replicate 2: 57/101, 56.4%; P = 0.84), technicians (technician 1: 65/118, 55.1%; and technician 2: 72/123, 58.5%; P = 0.64), or treatments (hCG: 43/80, 53.8%; GnRH: 45/83, 54.2%; and control: 49/78, 62.8% P = 0.99). However, pregnancy rates were higher (P = 0.001) in recipients receiving Grade 1 embryos (121/195, 62.1%) than in those receiving Grade 2 embryos (16/46, 34.8%). GnRH or hCG treatment at the time of embryo transfer did not increase pregnancy rates in recipients synchronized with P4 releasing devices, EB, and eCG. Research was supported by Syntex S.A., Estancia El Mangrullo S.A., and Agencia Cordoba Ciencia S.E.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
L. Cutaia ◽  
M. Aviles ◽  
F. Feresin ◽  
A. Franzoni ◽  
L. Peres ◽  
...  

Three experiments were conducted to compare pregnancy rates in cows and heifers treated with intravaginal progesterone (P4)-releasing devices impregnated with either 0.5 or 1.0 g of P4 and inseminated at a fixed time (FTAI). In Experiment 1, 102 postpartum beef cows (Hereford and Angus crossbred with Tuli, 60 to 90 d postpartum) with a body condition score (BCS) of 2.5 to 3.0 (1 to 5 scale) were used. On Day 0, all cows received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Syntex, Argentina) i.m. and were randomly assigned to receive an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device with 0.5 g of P4 (DIB 0.5 g; Syntex) or 1.0 g of P4 (DIB 1.0 g; Syntex). On Day 7, DIB devices were removed and all cows received 150 µg D(+)cloprostenol (Ciclase; Syntex) i.m. On Day 8, all cows received 1 mg EB and were FTAI 52 to 56 h after DIB removal. In Experiment 2, 93 Holstein cows that were 90 to 110 days in milk (DIM), producing on average 5000 kg of milk per lactation and with a BCS of 2.5 to 3.0 received the same treatments as those in Experiment 1. In Experiment 3, 100 Holstein heifers, 20 to 22 months old, with a BCS of 2.5 to 3.0, also received the same treatments as those in Experiment 1. Pregnancy rates in all experiments were determined by ultrasonography 35 days after FTAI and compared by chi-square test. No differences in pregnancy rates were detected between lactating beef cows, dairy cows, or dairy heifers treated with DIB devices impregnated with 0.5 or 1.0 g of P4 (Table 1). It was concluded that vaginal P4 releasing devices impregnated with 0.5 g or 1.0 g of P4 results in comparable pregnancy rates in FTAI protocols in beef and dairy cattle. Table 1. Pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows, Holstein cows, and Holstein heifers treated with DIB devices impregnated with 0.5 or 1.0 g of P4 and subjected to FTAI


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
A. Cedeño ◽  
R. Maingón ◽  
J. P. Cedeño ◽  
C. Guadalupe ◽  
L. Morales ◽  
...  

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the length of insertion of a progesterone (P4)-releasing device on follicular and luteal characteristics and pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI (P/FTAI) in Bos indicus cows treated with oestradiol/P4-based treatments with a prolonged pro-oestrus. Multiparous Bos indicus suckled beef cows (n=659), 60-90 days postpartum, with a corpus luteum (CL) or at least one follicle ≥8mm in diameter and with a body condition score between 2 and 3.5 (1-to-5 scale) were synchronised using three treatments. On Day 0, all cows received 2mg of oestradiol benzoate (Sincrodiol, Ourofino) and an intravaginal device with 1g of P4 (Sincrogest, Ourofino). The P4 device was removed on Day 6 in cows in the J-Synch 6 group (n=195) and on Day 7 in cows in the J-Synch 7 group (n=262) and conventional group (n=202). All cows received 500μg of cloprostenol (Sincrocio, Ourofino) and 400IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (SincroeCG 6000UI, Ourofino) at the time of P4 device removal. Cows in the conventional treatment group also received 0.5mg of oestradiol cypionate (SincroCP, Ourofino) at the same time. In addition, all cows were tail-painted for oestrous detection (CeloTest, Biotay). Cows that had lost ≥50% of the tail paint 62-66h (J-Synch groups) or 48-52h (conventional group) after device removal were FTAI at that time. Cows not showing oestrus by 62-66h (J-Synch groups) or 48-52h (conventional group) received 10μg of GnRH (Sincroforte, Ourofino) at the same time and were FTAI 8h later. A subset of 20 cows per group was also examined using ultrasonography (Mindray DP50 Vet) every 12h from the time of device removal to determine the time of ovulation, 6 days after ovulation to determine CL diameter, and 30 days after FTAI to determine P/AI. Data were analysed using the GLM Mixed procedure (InfoStat). The results are shown in Table 1. The diameter of the dominant preovulatory follicle was larger and the interval from device removal to ovulation was longer in cows in the J-Synch groups compared with those in the conventional group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the diameter of the CL was larger and P/FTAI was higher in cows in the J-Synch 7 group compared with those in the J-Synch 6 and conventional groups. In conclusion, delaying the removal of the P4 device by 1 day (i.e. Day 7 vs. Day 6) in the J-Synch groups and prolonging the pro-oestrus period by not giving oestradiol cypionate at P4 device removal (i.e. J-Synch 7 vs. conventional) resulted in a larger preovulatory follicle and CL and higher P/FTAI in Bos indicus suckled cows. Table 1.Mean (±s.e.m.) diameter of the preovulatory follicle (P/Foll) and corpus luteum (CL), interval from progesterone (P4) device removal to ovulation, and pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI (P/FTAI) in Bos indicus suckled cows Treatment P/Foll diameter, mm CL diameter, mm Interval to ovulation, h P/FTAI,% (n) J-Synch 6 15.5±0.3a 18.7±0.8a 83.0±4.0b 41.0 (80/195)a J-Synch 7 16.4±0.2b 21.9±0.8b 86.0±3.0b 52.0 (136/262)b Conventional 13.8±0.2a 16.8±0.9a 64.0±3.0a 37.1 (75/202)a a,bDifferent superscripts denote differences between means or P/FTAI.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
G. A. Bo ◽  
L. C. Peres ◽  
D. Pincinato ◽  
M. de la Rey ◽  
R. Tribulo

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the interval between thawing to deposition of the embryo into the uterine horn on pregnancy rates of in vivo-produced frozen–thawed embryos in 1.5 M ethylene glycol (direct transfer). Data were collected from 1122 embryo transfers performed in the same farm (Estancia El Mangrullo, Lavalle, Santiago del Estero, Argentina) during the spring and summer of 2004/05 and 2005/06 (6 replicates, ambient temperature between 20 and 40�C). Recipients used in all replicates were non-lactating, cycling, multiparous Bos taurus � Bos indicus crossbred cows with body condition score between 3 and 4 (1 to 5 scale) that were synchronized using fixed-time embryo transfer protocols. Briefly, the synchronization treatments consisted of the insertion of a Crestar ear implant (Intervet, Sao Paulo, Brazil) or a progesterone-releasing device (DIB; Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina), plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Syntex) intramuscularly (IM) on Day 0, and 400 IU of eCG (Folligon 5000; Intervet, or Novormon 5000; Syntex) IM plus 150 �g d-cloprostenol IM (Preloban; Intervet, or Ciclase; Syntex) on Day 5. Progestin devices were removed on Day 8 and all cows received 1 mg of EB IM on Day 9. All cows were examined by ultrasonography on Day 16 and those with a luteal area >76 mm2 (by calculating the area of the CL minus the area of the cavity) received, on Day 17, frozen–thawed embryos by nonsurgical transfer. All embryos were Grade 1, and all were frozen in 1.5 M ethylene glycol at the Embryo Plus Laboratory (Brits, South Africa). After being stored in liquid nitrogen, the embryos were plunged directly (no air thawing) in a 30�C water bath for 30 s, and then transferred to the recipient cows by either one of two technicians. Based on the interval between thawing and transfer, the transfers were classified as being in one of 3 groups: Group 1: <3 min; Group 2: 3 to 6 min; and Group 3: 6 to 16 min. The main reason for delayed transfers beyond 6 min was the replacement of one recipient for another because of difficulty in threading the cervix (1% of the total transfers) or a recipient falling down into the chute or with very bad disposition and behavior. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography 28 to 35 days after fixed-time embryo transfer, and data were analyzed by logistic regression. There were no effects of replicate, technician, CL area, recipient body condition score, embryo stage, and time from thawing to transfer on pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates in the 3 thawing to transfer intervals were: Group 1: 215/385, 55.8%; Group 2: 372/655, 56.8%; Group 3: 42/82, 51.2%; P > 0.6. These results may be interpreted to suggest that there is no significant effect of time from thawing to transfer (up to 16 min) in direct transfer embryos using Bos taurus � Bos indicus recipients transferred at a fixed time.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Bó ◽  
A. Cedeño ◽  
A. Tribulo ◽  
S. Andrada ◽  
R. Tribulo ◽  
...  

We have previously shown that expression of oestrus significantly influences the time of ovulation and pregnancy rates to timed-AI (P/TAI) in beef cattle synchronized with progesterone devices and oestradiol (Bó et al. 2016 Theriogenology 86, 388–396). Furthermore, delaying TAI from 48 h to 54–58 h after device removal improved P/TAI of those animals not showing oestrus by 48 h. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the administration of GnRH to those animals not showing oestrus by 48 h after device removal had an impact on P/TAI. Non-lactating and suckled beef cows and heifers (Bonsmara, Brangus, and Braford; n = 868), with a corpus luteum (CL) or a follicle ≥8 mm in diameter detected by ultrasonography (Mindray DP 30 Vet, 7.5 MHz, China) and body condition score 2 to 4 (1 to 5 scale) were synchronized in 3 replicates. On Day 0, animals received a progesterone device (DIB 0.5 g, Zoetis, Argentina) and 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate (Von Franken, Argentina). On Day 8, DIB were removed and cows received 0.150 mg of D+cloprostenol (Río de Janeiro, Argentina) plus 0.5 mg oestradiol cypionate (Cipiosyn, Zoetis). In addition, all cows were tail-painted on the sacrococcygeal area (CeloTest, Biotay, Argentina) at DIB removal and were observed to determine the expression of oestrus, according to the percentage of paint loss (PL) 48 h later. The animals that showed oestrus (PL > 30%) were recorded and TAI at that time while those with PL ≤ 30% (not in oestrus) were randomly allocated to receive 100 μg of gonadorelin (GnRH; Gonasyn, Zoetis) or no treatment and TAI between 54 to 58 h after DIB removal. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 45 days after TAI, and data were analysed by logistic regression. There were no significant differences among replicates, inseminators, semen source or animal class (dry cows, suckled cows or heifers; P > 0.11). However, animals showing oestrus by 48 h after DIB removal had higher P/TAI (371/666; 55.7; P < 0.04) than those that did not show oestrus (96/202; 47.5%). Within animals not showing oestrus at 48 h, those that were in oestrus by the TAI at 54 to 58 h had higher P/TAI (71/124, 57.3%; P < 0.01) than those that did not show oestrus within that period (27/78; 34.6%). In addition, P/TAI was higher (P < 0.01) in animals that received GnRH (66/113; 58.4%) than in those that did not receive GnRH (30/89; 33.7%). In conclusion, the expression of oestrus significantly affected P/TAI in beef cattle synchronized with progesterone devices and oestradiol. Furthermore, treatment of animals not showing oestrus by 48 h after DIB removal with GnRH resulted in improved P/TAI performed 6 to 10 h later.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Re ◽  
J. J. de la Mata ◽  
G. A. Bo

Several studies, performed mainly in North America, have shown that the 5-day co-synch timed-AI (TAI) protocol results in similar or higher pregnancy rates than conventional 7-day co-synch protocols in beef cows and beef and dairy heifers. It is hypothesised that the 5-day co-synch protocol reduces the incidence of persistent follicles and provides for a longer proestrus, with increasing oestradiol concentrations due to continuous gonadotropin support for the dominant follicle (Bridges et al. 2008 Theriogenology 69, 843–851). Similar findings have been reported recently following the use of a shortened oestradiol-based protocol that also provides for a longer proestrus (named J-synch; de la Matta and Bo 2012 Taurus 55, 17–23). A study was designed to compare these 2 treatment protocols for synchronization of ovulation that allow for a prolonged proestrus with the conventional oestradiol-based protocol currently used for TAI in South America for heifers. Cycling Holstein heifers that were, on average, 17 months of age, weighting 350 to 380 kg, and with a body condition score of 2.5 to 3.5 (scale of 1 to 5), were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Heifers in the 7-day estradiol benzoate (EB) group received a progesterone device (DIB 1 g of progesterone; Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and 2 mg EB (oestradiol benzoate, Syntex SA) on Day 0, 500 μg of cloprostenol (prostaglandin F2α; Sincronil, Proagro SA, Argentina) and DIB removal on Day 7, 1 mg of EB on Day 8, and TAI 30 h later (54 h after DIB removal). Heifers in the J-synch group received a DIB and 2 mg of EB on Day 0, PGF and DIB removal on Day 6, and 10 μg of buserelin acetate [gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH); Receptal, Intervet, Millsboro, MD, USA] and TAI on Day 8 (72 h later). Heifers in the 5-day co-synch group received a DIB and GnRH on Day 0, DIB removal and prostaglandin F2α (twice, 12 h apart) on Day 5, and GnRH along with TAI on Day 8 (72 h later). Treatments were coordinated so that DIB were removed in all groups at the same time to decrease a possible time effect of follicle parameters and pregnancy rates. Two experiments were conducted; the first evaluated follicular dynamics and ovulation rates by twice daily ultrasonography (Honda 101 V, 5.0 MHz) in 20 heifers per group and the second determined pregnancy rates to TAI in 172 heifers. The mean (± standard error of the mean) interval from DIB removal to ovulation was shorter in the 7-day EB group (82.7 ± 3.1 h) than in the J-synch (103.8 ± 3.3 h) and 5-day co-synch (96.8 ± 3.3 h) groups (P = 0.01). However, the mean diameter of the dominant preovulatory follicle was smaller (P = 0.01) in the 7-day EB (12.8 ± 0.5 mm) and the J-synch (13.1 ± 0.6 mm) groups than in the 5-day co-synch group (14.9 ± 0.6 mm). Although pregnancy rates in the second experiment were numerically lower in the 7-day EB group (31/58; 53.4%) and 5-day co-synch group (30/55; 54.5%) than in the J-synch group (37/59; 62.7%), differences were not significant (P > 0.3). Preliminary results indicate that the 3 protocols evaluated result in comparable pregnancy rates to TAI in dairy heifers.


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