32 USE OF HORMONE WITH ACTION FOLLICLE-STIMULATING IN OVULATION SYNCHRONIZATION OF CROSSBRED HOLSTEIN-GYR COWS

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
V. A. Nascimento ◽  
G. S. Moura ◽  
M. Dias ◽  
F. A. Oliveira ◽  
A. R. Dias ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the administration of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH-p) or equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in protocols of ovulation synchronization. One hundred forty-nine crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows were used in 2 properties in Minas Gerais and 3 treatments: TControl (n = 49 cows), Day 0: insert of a progesterone device (Primer®, Tecnopec, São Paulo, Brazil) + 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (RIC-BE®); Day 8: removal of Primer + 112 mg of D-cloprostenol (Prolise®, ARSA SRL, Buenos Aires, Argentina) + 1 mg of estradiol benzoate and fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) accomplished 44 h after the removal of Primer; TFSH (n = 50 cows), similar to TControl, but on Day 8, 15 mg of FSH-p (Folltropin®, Bioniche Animal Health) was administered; TeCG (n = 50 cows), similar to TControl, with administration on Day 8 of 300 IU of eCG (Novormon®, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Cows that returned to estrus 14 to 28 days after the FTAI were inseminated once again. For all statistical analysis, we used the program SAS 9.0 (2002; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) at 5% probability. Quantitative variables (live weight, days postpartum, follicular average per cow) were analyzed by variance, and body condition score by Friedman test. The pregnancy rates were submitted to logistic analysis considering the effect of local experimental factors and were analyzed by Spearman correlation among the variables studied and the pregnancy rate. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between treatment for pregnancy rate in FTAI protocols (TControl = 40.82%; TFSH = 38.00%; TeCG = 26.00%), in the first insemination after FTAI (TControl = 56.25%; TFSH = 70.59%; TeCG = 68.42%), and in FTAI plus first insemination after FTAI (TControl = 59.18%; TFSH =62.00%; TeCG = 52.00%), as well as for the estrus repetition (TControl = 55.17%; TFSH = 54.84%; TeCG = 51.35%) and the correlation (P > 0.05) among the pregnancy rate and postpartum period, milk production, body weight and body condition. No effect was observed on the pregnancy rate by the addition of the hormones FSH and eCG in the protocol of ovulation synchronization in crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows; however, reinsemination in the period from 14 to 28 days after FTAI increased the pregnancy rate. CNPq; FAPEMIG; TECNOPEC/São Paulo, Brazil.

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Lima ◽  
V. G. Pinheiro ◽  
J. R. Cury ◽  
C. M. Barros

There are reports in the literature indicating that use of eCG improves pregnancy rates in Bos indicus anestrous cows treated with a progesterone-based fixed-time AI (FTAI) protocol. More recently, replacement of eCG by FSH in FTAI protocols was reported to have beneficial effects (Bos indicus) or no effect (Bos taurus) on pregnancy rates. In the present experiment the effects of eCG and FSH on pregnancy rates were compared in an FTAI protocol. Primiparous lactating Nellore cows (40 to 80 days postpartum, n = 421) with a body condition score of 2.5 to 3.0 (on a 1 to 5 scale) were randomly allocated in 3 groups: Control (CTR), eCG, and FSH. In the control group, all animals received a progesterone (P4)-releasing intravaginal device (1.55 g, PRID®, Ceva Sante Animale S.A., Libourne, France) and 2.5 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB, i.m. Estrogin®, Farmavet, São Paulo, Brazil), on Day 0 (D0). Eight days later (D8), at the time of the intravaginal device withdrawal, PGF2α (150 μg, D-cloprostenol, i.m. Prolise®, ARSA S.L.R., Buenos Aires, Argentina) was administered. Twenty-four hours after PRID removal, cows were treated with EB (1.0 mg, i.m.), and FTAI was done 30 to 36 h later. In the eCG and FSH groups, the cows were treated with 20 mg of FSH (Folltropin-V®, i.m. Bioniche, Belleville, Canada) or400IU of eCG (Novormon®, i.m. Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina), respectively, at the time of PGF2α administration. Ovarian ultrasonography (Aloka SSD 500, 7.5-MHz probe, Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) was performed 10 days prior to and at the beginning of FTAI protocol to select the animals in postpartum anestrous (absence of CL in both examinations). The pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography 30 days after FTAI. Data were analyzed by logistic regression (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Cows treated with eCG had a higher pregnancy rate (41.5%, 95/229; P < 0.05) than those treated with FSH (22.7%, 22/97) or in the control group (26.3%, 25/95). Pregnancy rates of animals treated with FSH did not differ (P > 0.05) from those in the control group. These results indicated that, in lactating primiparous anestrous Nellore cows, the use of eCG in a FTAI protocol improves the pregnancy rate, whereas FSH has no beneficial effect. V. G. Pinheiro received a fellowship from FAPESP (São Paulo, Brazil). The authors are grateful to Ceva Animal Health for providing the intravaginal devices (PRID®) used in this experiment.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Züge ◽  
U. Rodacki ◽  
A.T. Grandi ◽  
J.M.J. Aerts ◽  
P.E.J. Bols

The most important barrier to the increase of buffalo productivity is an overall poor reproductive efficiency, characterized by late sexual maturity, seasonal anestrus and long periods of postpartum ovarian inactivity resulting in extended calving intervals and poor expression of estrus behavior (Singh J et al., 2000, Anim. Reprod. Sci. 60–61, 593–604). Buffaloes are seasonal breeders with the highest reproductive activities during winter (short day lengths) and a high frequency of anestrus during the summer months (Singh G et al. 1985, Ind. J. Anim. Res. 19, 57–60). Recent research demonstrated that a combination of progesterone, estradiol benzoate and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was effective for estrus induction and synchronization in buffalo heifers under Mediterranean conditions (Barile et al. 2001, Livestock Prod. Sci. 68, 283–287). The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of an estrus synchronization protocol on reproductive efficiency of water buffalo during out of the normal breeding season. A total of six heifers (21 to 23 months of age) and three cows (5, 6 and 18 years of age) were enrolled in an estrus synchronization protocol lasting for 12 days. All animals were kept under tropical conditions in the coastal part of Paraná (Antonina), about 450km south of São Paulo. The experiment was performed in December, 2002, during the Brazilian summer season, when reproductive efficiency of buffaloes is greatly reduced. On the first day of the protocol (Day 0), animals were implanted with an intravaginal device containing 1g of progesterone (DIB, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and injected with 10mg estradiol benzoate (Estrogin, Famavet, São Paulo, Brazil). On Day 9, the DIB implant was removed and the animals received 150μg (i.m.) of cloprostenol (Prolise, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and 2500 IU of eCG (Novormon, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina). On Day 11, all animals received 1500 IU of hCG (Vetecor, Lab. Calier, Spain). Artificial insemination (AI) was performed on Day 12 using frozen-thawed semen from a bull of proven fertility. Only one AI was performed per heifer/cow. Pregnancies were determined by ultrasound examination at 53 days following AI and confirmed by rectal palpation at 90 days post AI. The use of this estrus synchronization protocol, followed by fixed-time insemination, resulted in four pregnant heifers (66%) and three pregnant cows (100%). Our results demonstrate that buffalo reproduction can be successful during out-of-breeding season when adequate hormonal treatment is used. Additional experiments should be done to validate the protocol.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
J. Almeida ◽  
O. A. Resende ◽  
D. L. Silveira

With the goal of optimizing protocols, fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) was performed under field conditions in a study to evaluate conception rates in Girolando (5/8) heifers (18 to 24 months of age) treated with estradiol benzoate (BE) to induce ovulation. Forty heifers were allocated to 2 groups with 20 animals each: GI-sexed semen (2 million spermatozoa/dose) and GII-nonsexed semen (20 million spermatozoa/dose), with body condition score (BCS) of 3.0 ± 0.14 (scale of 1 to 5), middleweight of 335 ± 38 kg, so that it was made for reutilization of progesterone device. On Day 0 (morning), the animals received 2.0 mg of BE (RIC-BE®,Tecnopec, São Paulo, Brazil), 0.075 mg of D-cloprostenol (Prolise®, ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), and an intravaginal device of 1 g of progesterone (Primer®, Tecnopec). On Day 8 (morning) the device was removed and 0.075 mg of D-cloprostenol was managed in the GI animals, then these animals received 1.0 mg of BE 24 h after device removal. The insemination was in the late afternoon of Day 10 with a 6-hour delay (4 to 6 pm). The GII animals received Primer previously used for 8 days (being used in the GI animals under the same protocol). After pregnancy diagnosis at 60 days, a third group was created (GIII) using the not-pregnant animals of GI and GII. In GIII, Primer from third use [disinfected in solution Kilol®-L 1:250 (Quinabra, São Paulo, Brazil) and rinsed with water, dried, and packed in plastic sacks and kept for 60 days] was used following the GI protocol with sexed semen. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the conception rates of 40, 58, and 65% among groups GI (8/20), GII (11/20), and GIII (13/20). These results indicate very good conception rates for heifers, contrary to recommendations of commercial companies of sexed semen that alert for the conception rate for mated animals to be lower when using FTAI and mating protocols in mass, compared with that of AI after estrus observation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
J. R. V. Pimentel ◽  
P. H. P. Miguez ◽  
A. Kehrle ◽  
E. H. Madureira ◽  
F. A. Braga ◽  
...  

Progestagen-releasing devices are commonly used for fixed-time artificial insemination and fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new progesterone-releasing intravaginal device made of poly(3-hydroxy)butyrate-valerate copolymer (PHB-V) and poly-ϵ-caprolactone (PCL; Progestar®, Innovare, São Paulo, Brazil) to synchronize crossbredcows and heifers for FTET by determining ovulation, conception, and pregnancy rates. A total of 205 recipients ranging in age from 2 to 8 years (heifers, n = 77; non-suckled cows, n = 69; suckled cows, n = 59) were used on 3 different farms during February, March, and April 2008. The experimental design was a generalized block design (cyclicity, body condition score, postpartum interval, and animal category, i.e. heifers, suckled, or non-suckled cows), with 2 different synchronization treatments for FTET (Progestar® v. Crestar®). Cows were assigned to either Crestar® (norgestomet ear implants; Intervet Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ, USA; n = 103) or Progestar® (PHB-V; n = 102) treatments. All groups were treated with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. (Innovare) and received the intravaginal or auricular device according to their group (Day 0). Together with P4 device withdrawal (Day 8), all animals received 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon®, Schering-Plough) and 500 μg i.m. of PGF2α, (Sincrocio®, Ouro Fino, Brasil). On Day 9, all cows were treated with 1 mg of estradiol benzoate (Innovare) and the innovulation was performed on Day 17. Embryos were maintained at 37°C during the innovulation period. The percentage of usable recipients (AR) based on the presence of a functional CL on the day of embryo transfer, conception rate (numbers of pregnant recipients of the total number transferred; CR), and pregnancy rate (numbers of pregnant recipients of the total number synchronized; PR) were determined by ultrasonography 23 days after embryo transfer. Data were submitted to ANOVA (PROC GLM, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and significant differences were considered to have a P-value of <0.05. None of the interactions were significant and there was no effect of treatment on AR (72.8% v. 83.3%), CR (47.9% v. 42.7%), and PR (34.7% v. 35.0%) for Progestar® v. Crestar® groups, respectively. This experiment showed that Progestar® was as efficacious as Crestar® to synchronize crossbred cows and heifers for FTET. FAPESP-Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and CNPq-Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
F. A. Braga ◽  
F. J. D. Pardo ◽  
P. H. Miguez ◽  
A. Kehrle ◽  
J. R. V. Pimentel ◽  
...  

Artificial insemination results can be improved using fixed-timed AI (FTAI). Currently, progesterone release devices, indispensable in FTAI procedures, such as DIB® (Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ, USA), are made of silicone, a nonbiodegradable biocompatible polymer. Recently, biodegradable progesterone (P4)-releasing devices made of poly(3-hydroxy)butyrate-valerate copolymer (PHB-V) and poly-ϵ-caprolactona (PCL) have been developed. To investigate the efficiency on pregnancy rate of FTAI programs using a new intravaginal device made of PHB-V (Progestar®, Innovare, São Paulo, Brazil), 240 Nellore (Bos indicus) cows, between 3 and 8 years of age, were randomly assigned to 2 experiments. In experiment 1, new P4 devices DIB (control group, DIB1; n = 60) were compared with PHB-V (Progestar1; n = 76); in experiment 2, previously used DIB (DIB2; n = 52) and PHB-V (Progestar2; n = 52) devices were compared. All groups were treated with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. (Innovare) and received the intravaginal device according to group (Day 0). Together with P4 device withdrawal (Day 8) all animals received 300IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon®, Schering-Plough) and 150 μg i.m. of D-cloprostenol (Croniben®, Biogenesis-Bagó, Buenos Aires, Argentina). On Day 9, all cows were treated with 1 mg of estradiol benzoate and the FTAI was performed 30 h later. The data were submitted to ANOVA (PROC GLM of SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA), separating as causes of variance the effect of treatment, postpartum period (PPP1-45 until 70 days and PPP2-71 until 90 days), body condition score (BCS4, BCS5, and BCS6 using a 1 to 9 scale), cyclicity (cycling and noncycling) and clean-up bulls (5 bulls nominated with numbers 1 to 5). Significant differences were considered to have P < 0.05. In experiment 1, interactions were not significant, there was no effect of treatment on FTAI (DIB1: 66.7% v. Progestar1: 65.8%) or breeding season pregnancy rates (BSPR; DIB1: 95.0% v. Progestar1: 94.7%) and no effect of other variables on FTAI pregnancy rates (FTAIPR) and BSPR. In experiment 2 there was no effect of treatment on FTAIPR (DIB2: 61.6% v. Progestar2: 55.8%) and BSPR (DIB2: 94.2% v. Progestar2: 88.5%). As ANOVA indicated a significant effect of clean-up bulls on BSPR, Tukey test was used to split it up. A bull of the Progestar2 group had lower performance (41.7%) causing the difference (albeit nonsignificant) on BSPR. This experiment showed that Progestar and DIB had the same efficiency on pregnancy rate and both treatments have the potential to produce FTAIPR >50% and BSPR >90%. Fapesp-Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo. CNPq-Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Martins ◽  
M. I. S. Silva ◽  
G. A. Crepaldi ◽  
W. O. Melo ◽  
J. R. S. Torres-Júnior

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reutilization of intravaginal progesterone devices on pregnancy rate of lactating and nonlactating Nelore cows submitted to fixed-time AI (FTAI). The study used 684 lactating cows (50 to 70 days postpartum) and 361 nonlactating cows (210 to 240 days postpartum). At random stages of the estrous cycle (Day 0), all animals received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (Estrogin®, Farmavet, São Paulo, Brazil) and the animals of each category (lactating or nonlactating) were allocated in 1 of 2 treatments (new or used). Thus, the 4 groups consisted of lactating/new, lactating/used, nonlactating/new and nonlactating/used. The animals of lactating/new and nonlactating/new groups received a new intravaginal progesterone device (1 g of P4, DIB®, Intervet/Schering-Plough, São Paulo, Brazil) and the cows of lactating/used and nonlactating/used groups received a similar device that had previously been used for 8 days. At the time of P4 device removal (Day 8), the cows were treated with 150 μg of cloprostenol (Preloban®, Intervet/Schering-Plough), 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP®, Pfizer, São Paulo, Brazil), and 300 IU of eCG (Folligon®, Intervet/Schering-Plough). The cows were FTAI on Day 10 (48 to 52 h after device removal). To evaluate the pregnancy rate, an ultrasonographic examination (CHISON 500VET, USP Brasil Eletromedicina, São Paulo, Brazil) was performed 30 days after the FTAI. Data were analyzed using the GENMOD procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA).There was no interaction between treatment and BCS, AI bull, or technician. The pregnancy rates for the groups were 155/300 (51.7%a for lactating/new, 200/384 (52.1%a for lactating/used, 52/154 (33.8%b for nonlactating/new, and 96/207 (46.2%a for nonlactating/used (P = 0.0007). A reduction in pregnancy rate for nonlactating cows occurred when the intravaginal progesterone device was new. Although serum progesterone was not measured in the current trial, it is very likely that this finding might be explained by the high cyclicity rates in beef cows after weaning (210 days postpartum) and by the presence of CL producing additional support of progesterone besides the high P4 from the new device (Baruselli et al. 2004 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 82, 479-486). Many researchers found that greater circulating progesterone concentrations during progesterone implant treatment reduced LH pulsatility, LH follicular receptors, and follicular growth (Ireland and Roche, 1982 J. Reprod. Fertil. 64, 295-302). Furthermore, it seems likely that the presence of smaller-sized ovulatory follicles might contribute to ovulation failures, delayed ovulation, smaller CL area, and decrease in the pregnancy rate (Carvalho et al. 2008 Theriogenology 69, 167-175). In conclusion, lactating cows can be fixed-time inseminated using a new or a previously used DIB® as progesterone source. However, for nonlactating cows, a previously used device may increase pregnancy rates. USP Brasil Eletromedicina, ABS Pecplan and Fazendas Reunidas Rio Bravo.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Barros ◽  
A. C. Z. Barcelos ◽  
L. M. Gouvêa ◽  
M. Meneghel ◽  
D. S. Barcelos ◽  
...  

In the present study, the superstimulatory protocol coined P-36 (Nogueira et al. 2007 Theriogenology 67, 655–660) was modified in order to test if replacement of pFSH by eCG in the last day of superstimulatory treatment would improve follicular growth, ovulation rate, and embryo yield. Nelore cows (n = 20) were randomly allocated to two groups: P-36/LH48 and P-36/LH48/eCG. Each female received both treatments in a cross-over design; the first experimental period was in October (Spring 2006, both groups) and the second in February (Summer 2007, both groups). At a random stage of the estrous cycle (D0), animals received a progesterone intravaginal device (DIB�, 1.0 g; Syntex S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina) plus estradiol benzoate (EB, Estrogin�, 2.5 mg IM; Farmavet, Sao Paulo, Brazil). The animals were superstimulated with pFSH (Folltropin-V�, Bioniche Animal Health, Ontario, Canada), administered twice daily in decreasing doses of 53.2, 39.9, 26.6, and 13.3 mg (total dose = 133 mg), from Day 5 to Day 8, except the P-36/LH48/eCG group, where the last two doses of pFSH were replaced by two doses (200 IU) of eCG (Novormon�, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina). All cows were treated with D-cloprostenol (150 µg IM;Veteglan�, Calier, Barcelona, Spain) on Day 7 at 7:00 h, and DIBs� were removed 36 h after PGF2alpha administration. On Day 9, ovulation was induced by pLH administration (Lutropin�, 12.5 mg IM; Bioniche Animal Health) at 7:00 h. The animals were inseminated at 12 and 24 h after pLH administration, without estrus detection. Embryos were recovered on Day 16 or 17. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (Proc Mixed, SAS; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA), and the difference was considered significant when P < 0.05 or not significant (NS). Results for animals from groups P-36/LH48 and P-36/LH48/eCG were compared and are reported in this order. The number of follicles with diameter larger than 6 mm at the time of pLH administration (15.25 � 2.06 and 21.05 � 2.76; P < 0.01), the ovulation rate observed up to 48 h after pLH administration (77.7 � 5.6 and 83.9 � 2.6; NS), the total number of oocytes/embryos recovered (6.65 � 1.18 and 10.0 � 1.48; P < 0.03), the number of embryos recovered (6.05 � 1.24 and 8.35 � 1.30; NS), and the number of viable embryos (5.10 � 1.10 and 7.30 � 1.20; NS) are reported. The embryo quality (excellent, good, fair, and poor) was NS among groups P-36/LH48 and P-36/LH48/eCG. It is concluded that replacement of pFSH by eCG, on the last day of the superstimulatory protocol P-36, was beneficial since there was a significant increase in the number of follicles (>6 mm at the time of pLH administration) and the total number of structures recovered. Experiments are in progress to confirm these beneficial effects of eCG on the P-36 protocol. This work was supported by FAPESP (Sao Paulo, Brazil). A. C. Z. Barcelos received a fellowship from CAPES (Brazil).


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
V. G. Pinheiro ◽  
R. A. Satrapa ◽  
R. A. L. Simões ◽  
F. S. Rosa ◽  
C. M. Barros

There are reports in the literature indicating that the presence of calf, body condition score, number of births (multiparous v. primiparous), and breed are factors that influence the duration of postpartum anestrus in beef cows. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate, during early postpartum, the time of the reestablishment of LH stocks, measured by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis responsiveness to exogenous administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or estradiol benzoate (EB). Primiparous lactating Nellore cows (n = 38, body condition score 2.5 to 3.5, on a 0 to 5 scale) were kept in a Brachiaria brizantha pasture. The animals were randomly allocated into 2 groups, according to hormone treatment: EB group (1 mg EB, i.m., Estrogin®, Farmavet, Sao Paulo, Brazil; n = 20) and GnRH group (100 μg, licerelina, i.m, Gestran Plus®, ARSA S.L.R., Buenos Aires, Argentina; n = 18). In each group, half of the animals were supplemented with a balanced diet based on cotton meal and ground corn. The drugs were administered from 7 days postpartum (±4 days), at intervals of 7 days, until the occurrence of the first ovulation that was observed by weekly ultrasonography (US, Aloka 900, Tokyo, Japan; 7.5-MHz transrectal probe). The data were analyzed by ANOVA (Proc GLM, SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Within the GnRH and EB groups, the first ovulation occurred 15 and 33 days postpartum, respectively, whereas the group averages (± SD) occurred earlier in cows treated with GnRH compared with those treated with EB (43.0 ± 3.8. v. 75.1 ± 8.7 days postpartum, respectively; P < 0.01). In the EB group, 4 animals did not ovulate until Day 140 postpartum. There was no interaction of treatment (GnRH, EB) × nutrition (supplemented, nonsupplemented). When data from the EB and GnRH groups were combined, there was a significant difference between supplemented and nonsupplemented animals (44.4 ± 6.2 v. 68.9 ± 7.3 days, respectively; P < 0.02). The results indicate that GnRH induces ovulation from Day 15 postpartum, suggesting the presence of sufficient LH in the pituitary to induce the first ovulation at this time. However, EB administration did not induce ovulation in this period, possibly because of the sensitivity of the hypothalamus to negative feedback of estrogens, inhibiting the preovulatory LH surge. These results also indicate that nutritional supplementation anticipates the first postpartum ovulation induced by GnRH or EB. Support by FAPESP(Sao Paulo, Brazil); fellowship from FAPESPA; fellowship from CAPESB.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
J. R. S. Torres-Júnior ◽  
J. A. T. Souza ◽  
M. I. S. Silva ◽  
J. S. Costa ◽  
G. S. Lima ◽  
...  

The duration of spermatic viability in the female reproductive system in cattle is 18 to 24 hours. Therefore, the time required for sperm capacitation in different bulls demonstrated to be highly variable and may affect the adequate amount of capacitated sperm within an optimal window of time for fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the conception rate in Nelore cows inseminated with semen from a single bull compared with semen from a pool of 3 bulls (Fertility Plus®, ABS Pecplan, Minas Gerais, Brazil). On a random day of the estrous cycle (Day 0), 400 Nelore multiparous cows received a progesterone intravaginal device (1 g of P4, DIB®, Intervet/Schering-Plough, Cotia, Brazil) plus 2mg of estradiol benzoate (i.m. Estrogin®, Farmavet, São Paulo, Brazil). At the time of P4 device withdrawal (Day 8), 150 (ig of d-cloprostenol (i.m. Preloban®, Intervet/Schering-Plough), 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (i.m. ECP®, Pfizer, Brazil), and 300IU of eCG (i.m. Folligon®, Intervet/Schering-Plough) were administered. At 48 to 52 h after implant removal, all cows were fixed-time inseminated (FTAI). Then, cows were homogeneously distributed based on the semen used for FTAI in 4 groups: CONV1 (conventional dose of semen from bull 1), CONV2 (conventional dose of semen from bull 2), CONV3 (conventional dose of semen from bull 3), FERT (pool of semen from bulls 1, 2 and 3 homogeneously mixed in a single dose). Both conventional and Fertility Plus batches of semen contained a total dose of 30 × 106 spermatozoa. For pregnancy diagnosis, an ultrasonographic (CHISON 500VET, USP Brasil Eletromedicina, São Paulo, Brazil) examination was performed 30 days after the FTAI. Data were analyzed using the GENMOD procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). There was no interaction between treatment and body condition score [using a 1 (very thin) to 5 (very fat) point scale] or AI technician. The conception rates for CONV1, CONV2, CONV3, and FERT were, respectively, 40/101 (39.6%)b, 50/99 (50.5%)ab, 46/99 (46.5%)ab, 54/101 (53.5%)a; P < 0.05. In addition, the mean of conventional v. Fertility Plus treatments presented conception rates of 136/299 (45.5%) v. 54/101 (53.5%), respectively (P = 0.14). No significant statistical differences were observed between treatments. However, this trial showed that the utilization of the new Fertility Plus technology increased the overall conception rate by 8.0%. This probably implicates a complementary effect among semen samples and provides a greater time of sperm viability in oviduct. Also it provides evidence of the individual variation in capacitation time of bulls used for composition of the pool. Pooled semen of multiple sires may improve the reproductive performance at AI in cattle and increase the potential of the beef industry to produce pregnancies and born calves.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
J. B. S. Borges ◽  
D. S. V. Luiz ◽  
P. R. L. Aguiar ◽  
C. G. B. Berlitz ◽  
G. S. Velho ◽  
...  

Beef heifers that conceive early during their first breeding season calve earlier, wean heavier calves, and tend to continue doing so throughout the rest of their reproductive lives. Otherwise, under extensively managed systems in Southern Brazil, only a variable proportion of 2-year-old beef heifers reach puberty before the start of the breeding season. The aim of this study was to evaluate a protocol to induce puberty in peripubertal beef heifers using injectable progesterone (P4) and oestradiol cypionate (EC) to improve pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in fixed-time AI (FTAI) programs. A total of 311 Angus heifers, 24±3 months of age, 3.1±0.3 body condition score (1=emaciated; 5=obese), and 328±41kg of body weight (BW), were examined before FTAI protocol (Day −24) by transrectal ultrasonography to determine reproductive tract score (RTS; 1=prepubertal; 5=pubertal). Prepubertal heifers (RTS 1; 12.8%, 40/311) were excluded from the study. Heifers with RTS=2 (n=271) were assigned to 2 groups: P4 (RTS 2 or 3, n=100) and cyclic (RTS 4 and 5, n=171). Peripubertal heifers were treated on Day −24 with 150mg of injectable P4 IM (Sincrogest® injectable, Ourofino Animal Health, Cravinhos, Brazil) and on Day −12 received 1mg of EC IM (Sincro CP®, Ourofino Animal Health). Cyclic heifers received no hormonal treatment before FTAI protocol. On Day 0, heifers in the P4 group were evaluated again to determine RTS, body condition score, and BW. Induction of puberty was defined by the presence of a follicle &gt;8.5mm (RTS=4) or a corpus luteum (RTS=5). All heifers received an FTAI protocol consisting of 2mg of oestradiol benzoate IM (Sincrodiol®, Ourofino Animal Health) and an intravaginal progesterone implant (1 g; Sincrogest®, Ourofino Animal Health). On Day 8, heifers had implants removed and were injected with 1mg of EC and 500µg of sodium cloprostenol IM (Sincrocio®, Ourofino Animal Health). After 48h, all heifers received an FTAI. Thirty days after AI, the diagnosis of gestation was performed by ultrasonography. Statistics included chi-square and linear regression with coefficients analysed as independent variables, considering a significant P-value of 0.05. On Day 0, percentages of RTS 5, 4, and 3 in the P4 heifers were 37, 27, and 36%, respectively, resulting in 64% of puberty induction. The P/AI was similar (P=0.14) in P4-treated and cyclic heifers (59v. 50.3%, respectively). The regression analysis presented a linear and positive effect of BW on P/AI (P&lt;0.001) in cyclic heifers and a positive influence of BW on RTS (P=0.05) and RTS on P/AI (P=0.008) in P4-treated heifers. The application of RTS system associated with P4 treatment of peripubertal heifers before FTAI protocol improved ovarian activity and might have contributed to higher P/AI, comparable with that achieved in cyclic heifers.


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