12 THE EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE CONTENT IN A VAGINAL INSERT ON PREGNANCY RATES IN BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE INSEMINATED AT FIXED TIME

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
J. P. Detomini ◽  
R. R. Tirloni ◽  
C. V. Araujo ◽  
L. R. Martins

The aim of this study was to establish a comparison between heterospermic and monospermic semen on the pregnancy rate of fixed-time AI Bos indicus cows. The experiment was conducted in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, during December 2010 and February 2011. Multiparous (n = 173) and primiparous (n = 204) Nelore cows, 45 ± 15 days postpartum, were evaluated on body condition score (BCS; score 1 to 9), and those that presented BCS between 5 and 8 were selected. Two protocols of estrous cycle synchronization were performed (PeCG and Pshang). Synchronization of the estrous cycle was achieved with the aid of the following protocol: on Day 0, all animals were treated with a progesterone vaginal implant with 1.9 g of progesterone combined with an IM injection of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate. On Day 7, an IM injection of 12.5 mg of dinoprost was administered. On Day 9, implants were withdrawn and the animals received an IM injection of 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate. On Day 9, part of the animals (n = 222) received an IM injection of 300 IU mg of eCG (PeCG) and the other part (n = 155) had their calves removed for 48 hours (Pshang). All animals were inseminated 46 to 52 h after the end of the protocol. Cows were allocated randomly in 4 groups according to the donor male sample in the semen straw and groups were designated as MA (monospermic straw from bull A; n = 110), MB (monospermic straw from bull B; n = 102), MC (monospermic straw from bull C; n = 108), and HT (heterospermic sample from bulls A, B, and C; n = 57). Commercially available semen straws from Aberdeen Angus donors were used (ABS Pecplan, Brazil). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 35 days after AI using real-time ultrasonography. Results are summarized in Table 1. There was no statistical difference between MA, MB, MC, and HT in any group according to the chi-square test (P > 0.05). However, there was a remarkable difference in pregnancy rates among the 3 bulls tested considering both protocols, probably due to the variation in the ovulation moment. Table 1.Pregnancy rates of Nelore cows submitted to FTAI protocol inseminated with monospermic (bull A, B, or C) or heterospermic (HT) semen


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.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Maraña ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
L. Peres ◽  
D. Pincinato ◽  
L. F. K. Borges ◽  
...  

Two experiments were designed to compare the effects of eCG treatment and temporary weaning on ovulation and pregnancy rates in postpartum cows. In Experiment 1, 39 lactating multiparous crossbred Bos indicus cows, 60 to 80 d postpartum with a body condition score (BCS) between 2.0 to 2.5 out of 5 were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups in a 2 � 2 factorial design. On Day 0, all cows received a progesterone (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 �g D(+)cloprostenol i.m. (Ciclase; Syntex) and were randomly divided to receive 400 IU eCG i.m. (Novormon 5000; Syntex) at the same time or no treatment. In addition, half of the cows in each group had their calves weaned temporarily (TW) for 56 h at the time of DIB removal; the other half remained with their calves. All cows received 1 mg EB i.m. on Day 9 and were examined every 8 h by ultrasonography from the time of DIB removal until ovulation. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and chi-square test. The diameter of the dominant follicle on Day 8 (eCG: 7.8 � 0.5 mm vs. no eCG: 8.2 � 0.4 mm, and TW: 7.6 � 0.4 mm vs. no TW 8.4 � 0.5 mm), the proportion of cows that ovulated (eCG: 12/20, 60% vs. no eCG: 9/19, 47%; and TW: 13/20, 65% vs. no TW: 8/19, 42%, and the interval to ovulation (eCG: 72.0 � 1.4 h vs. no eCG: 75.6 � 2.0 h, and TW: 73.8 � 1.6 h vs. no TW: 73.0 � 1.8 h) did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). Although there was no effect of eCG treatment or eCG by TW interaction (P > 0.3) on the size of the preovulatory follicle (eCG: 11.1 � 0.4 mm vs. no eCG: 10.1 � 0.6 mm), it was smaller in cows TW (9.9 � 04 mm), compared to those not TW (11.8 � 0.3 mm; P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the growth rate of the ovulatory follicle was greater (P < 0.02) in cows treated with eCG (1.1 � 0.1 mm/day) than in those not treated with eCG (0.6 � 0.1 mm/day). In Experiment 2 769 lactating multiparous crossbred Bos indicus cows received the same treatments as those in Experiment 1 and were fixed-time inseminated (FTAI) 52 to 56 h after DIB removal. Cows were examined by ultrasonography on Day 0 (22.5% with corpora lutea (CL), 30.0% with follicles >8 mm, and 47.5% with follicles <8 mm) and 42 d after FTAI to determine pregnancy. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. Pregnancy rates were not affected (P > 0.7) by TW (TW: 141/397, 37.2% vs. no TW: 141/390, 36.1%) or the TW by eCG interaction (P > 0.7). However, pregnancy rates were higher (P < 0.05) in cows treated with eCG (154/377, 40.8%) than in those not treated with eCG (128/392, 32.6%). The use of eCG but not TW improved pregnancy rates following FTAI in postpartum Bos indicus cows. Results also suggest that the eCG-related increase in pregnancy rates may be due to the final growth rate of the ovulatory follicle.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 453-453
Author(s):  
Jesus Mendoza-Carreola ◽  
Juan M Guillén-Muñoz

Abstract In Mexico, the feeding of goat herds kept in pasture is defined by a dry season and a rainy season, the above, coupled with zero complementation at the beginning of their reproductive cycle, directly affects their productivity. The effect of a feed complementation with Cucumis melo upon ovulatory, embrionary and pregnancy rate was evaluated in goats under grazing conditions in rangelands of northern Mexico. Thirty-two multi-racial anovulatory goats, homogeneous regarding body weight (39.05±0.9) and body condition score (2.5±0.3; 1–5 scale) were divided into 2 groups (n = 16). The first group (treated: GT) received a treatment of a complementation of 200g of grounded melon per animal during 14 days, while the second group (control: GC) did not receive any feed complementation. Both groups were grazed during 8 h per day (from 09:00 to 17:00 h). At day 7 of the feed complementation, the goats were synchronized (progesterone + hCG) and artificially inseminated with fresh semen. The ovulatory, embrionary and pregnancy rates were determined by trans-rectal ultrasound at 10, 28 and 45 days, respectively. The ovulatory percentage, embrionary rate and pregnancy were compared using a chi-square test. All statistical analyses were performed using the statistical package MYSTAT 12. The results of the present research show that there were no statistical differences in any of the three evaluated variables, even though the ovulatory percentage was numerically higher for the treated (P &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, the complementation with melon is not an efficient alternative for grazing goats of northern Mexico, as it does not improve the reproductive response.


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