Effects of postpartum energy intake on pregnancy rates in beef cattle subjected to GnRH- or CIDR-based timed artificial insemination protocols

The objectives were to determine the effects of three levels of postpartum metabolisable energy (ME) intake on pregnancy rates in beef cattle subjected to either GnRH-based (OVS) or progestin-based (CIDR) protocols for fixed time artificial insemination (TAI). Hereford cross cows were assigned to ME and TAI treatments (within ME) on the basis of parity and predicted calving date. The postpartum grass-silage-based diet was formulated to provide either Low (93 MJ d-1), Medium (103 MJ d-1) or High (120 MJ d-1)] ME from calving (January to February) to turnout (May 25). Lactating cows [n = 175, 5.7 ± 1.1 mean (± SD) body condition score at calving] were subjected to their assigned TAI protocol; OVS [i.m. treatments of GnRH (100 μg) on day 0, PGF2α (25 mg) on day 7, a second GnRH on day 9 and TAI 16 to 18 h later], or CIDR [i.m. treatment with 1 mg estradiol benzoate and 100 mg progesterone concurrent with CIDR (1.9 g progesterone) insertion on day 0, PGF2α treatment at CIDR removal on day 7, a second estradiol treatment on day 8 and TAI 28 to 30 h later). Cows were 60 ± 13 d post-partum at the time of insemination. Lower ME intakes reduced (P < 0.05) maternal body weight and calf weight gain, but ME intake did not affect (P > 0.05) the proportion cycling (113/175 = 65%, based on serum progesterone concentrations on days -5 and -14), ovulation following TAI, or the TAI pregnancy rates (based on ultrasonography). Timed insemination pregnancy rates were greater for CIDR- than OVS-treatment (63 vs. 45%, respectively, P < 0.05), regardless of ME intake. Key words: Beef cow, estrus synchronization, Ovsynch, CIDR, energy intake, reproduction, calf gains

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23 PREGNANCY RATE IN NELORE COWS AFTER TEMPORARY CALF REMOVAL, AND USE OF HORMONAL PROTOCOLS WITH eCG

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv17n2ab23 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 161

Author(s):

V. Pinheiro ◽

A. Souza ◽

R. Ereno ◽

C. Barros

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Buenos Aires ◽

Post Partum ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Calf Removal ◽

Exogenous Progesterone ◽

Intravaginal Device ◽

Hormonal Treatments

Both temporary calf removal (TCR) and administration of eCG are potentially useful to improve pregnancy rates in animals treated with fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols. In the present work, two experiments were performed to compare the efficiency of eCG and/or TCR in FTAI protocols, with or without exogenous progesterone. In experiment 1, lactating Nelore cows (40 to 70 days post-partum, n = 220) were allocated to two Groups. At a random stage of the estrous cycle (Day 0), animals from Group GPE (GnRH/PGF2α/Estradiol)/eCG were treated with GnRH (50 mg lecireline, i.m.; Gestran Plus®; Tecnopec, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Seven days later (Day 7) they received PGF2α (150 mg D-cloprostenol, i.m.; Prolise®, Tecnopec) and eCG (300 UI, i.m.; Novormon®, Syntex). On Day 8 estradiol benzoate (EB, 1 mg, Estrogin®, Tecnopec) was administered, and 30–36 h later the animals were inseminated (FTAI). In Group DIB (bovine intravaginal device)/eCG an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (1.0 g, DIB®, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Agrentina; Day 0) was inserted into the vagina of cows and EB (2.5 mg, i.m.) was given in parallel. Eight days later (Day 8), eGC (300 UI, i.m.) and D-cloprostenol (150 mg) were administered. Then the DIB was removed. Twenty-four hour after DIB removal, cows were treated with EB (1.0 mg, i.m.), and 30–36 h later the animals were inseminated (FTAI). Ultrasonographic evaluation of ovaries was performed in all experiments 10 days before and at the beginning of the treatments or TCR, in order to detect the presence of CL. Cows from Group DIB/eCG showed higher pregnancy rates than those from Group GPE/eCG (58%, 72/124 vs. 39.5%, 38/96, respectively, P < 0.01). Furthermore, only in Group GPE/eCG were pregnancy rates higher in animals with CL (47.6%, 20/42) when compared to those without CL (33%, 18/54, P < 0.05). In a second experiment, a possibly beneficial effect of TCR on GPE/eCG protocol was tested in lactating Nelore cows (40 to 70 days postpartum, n = 140). Animals of Group GPE/eCG (control) were treated as described above, whereas calves were removed for 48 h from cows in Group RTB/GPE/eCG prior to hormonal treatments. Lactating Nelore cows having their calves removed showed a significant increase in pregnancy rates compared to those without TCR (51.2%, 34/66 v. 28.4%, 21/74, respectively, P < 0.01), in both situations: animals with CL (54.8%, 17/31 v. 33.3%, 11/33, respectively, RTB/GPE/eCG v. GPE/eCG) or without CL (48.5%, 17/35 v. 24.3%, 10/41, respectively, RTB/GPE/eCG v. GPE/eCG). In conclusion, these results indicate that addition of eCG to the GPE protocol was not efficient enough to produce comparable results to those obtained with DIB/eCG protocol. However, calf removal before the GPE/eCG treatment increased pregnancy rates in cycling or anestrous (without CL) lactating Nelore cows.

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17 INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF PROGESTERONE DURING FIXED-TIME ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROTOCOLS ON OVULATION AND PREGNANCY RATES IN NELORE HEIFERS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv20n1ab17 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 89

Author(s):

M. F. Pegorer ◽

R. L. Ereno ◽

C. M. Barros

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Prostaglandin F2α ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

High Concentration ◽

Serum Progesterone ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Intravaginal Device

Previous reports indicate that a high concentration of serum progesterone (P4) decreases LH pulse frequency (Burke et al. 1996 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 45, 13–28) and, consequently, follicular growth. This may reduce the efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols that utilize P4 in Bos indicus heifers (Marques et al. 2005 Acta Sci. Vet.). The objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of different P4 concentrations on the ovulation and pregnancy rates of zebu heifers subjected to hormonal protocols for FTAI. Four hormonal protocols with different P4 concentrations were used to induce synchronization of ovulation in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers (n = 292). Before the beginning of the treatments, the animals were subjected to ovary evaluations by ultrasonography (Aloka SSD 500, 5-MHz probe; Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) twice in an interval of 10 days. Only heifers with a corpus luteum (CL) in at least one of the ultrasonographic evaluations were utilized. At a random stage of the estrous cycle, the selected heifers received an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device containing 0.558 g of P4 [Triu�, Biogenesis, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Treatment 1 (T1); n = 76], or 1 g of P4 [Cronipress�, Biogenesis; Treatment 2 (T2); n = 70], or 0.558 g of P4 and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) [150 �g d-cloprostenol, IM, Croniben�, Biogenesis; Treatment 3 (T3), n = 75], or 1 g of P4 and PGF2α [Treatment 4 (T4), n = 71]. At the time of intravaginal device insertion (Day 0 = D0), all animals received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB, Bioestrogen�, IM, Biogenesis), and PGF2α was administered only in animals from groups T3 and T4. Eight days later (D8), PGF2α (0.150 g d-cloprostenol) was administered to all heifers and the P4 source was removed. Twenty-four h after removal of the intravaginal device, the heifers were treated with EB (1 mg, IM), and 30 to 36 h later all animals were fixed-time inseminated (FTAI, D10), without estrus detection. In a subset of heifers from each group (T1 = 28; T2 = 34; T3 = 33; T4 = 31), ovarian ultrasonography was performed on D9 (at 8:00 A.M.) and D11 (at 14:00 P.M.) in order to determine ovulation rate after each treatment. The data were analyzed by logistic regression (GENPROC, SAS; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Ovulation rates after treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4, were, respectively, 71.4% (20/28), 76.5% (26/34), 84.9% (28/33), and 70.9% (22/31), and there was no significant difference among groups (P > 0.05). Pregnancy rates, ascertained by ultrasonography 40 days after AI, were 30.2% (23/76), 25.7% (18/70), 33.3% (25/75), and 28.2% (20/71), respectively, for T1, T2, T3, and T4, and likewise there was no significant difference among groups (P > 0.05). It is concluded that reduction of progesterone concentration in the intravaginal device (1 g v. 0.558 g) associated or not with administration of PGF2α at the beginning of treatments did not significantly influence ovulation and pregnancy rates in Nelore heifers submitted to a FTAI protocol. Additional experiments are underway to confirm or not the present results. This work was supported by FAPESP (Brazil) and BIOGENESIS (Argentina).

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Effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin on pregnancy rates of Nellore cows resynchronized with the use of new DIB and third use, and inseminated at fixed-time

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v4i1.4304 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 356-362

Author(s):

Josemara Silva Santos ◽

Tania Cavalcante ◽

Francisca Elda Ferreira Dias ◽

Domenica Palomaris Mariano de Souza ◽

Alencariano J.S. Falcão ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Linear Models ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin ◽

Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽

Rectal Palpation ◽

Intravaginal Device

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatropin (rbST), and the reuse of the progesterone (P4) releasing devices in resynchronization, on the pregnancy rates of Nellore cows submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination. A group of 123 multiparae Nellore cows, was submitted to a resynchronization protocol: on day 0 a Bovine Intravaginal Device (DIB® ) with 1,0g of P4 was implanted, associated with intramuscular administration of 2,0mg of estradiol benzoate (IM); on day 8 DIB was removed; and 1,0mg of estradiol cypionate, 0,15mg of prostaglandin F2? and 300 UI of equine chorionic gonadotropin were administered; on day 10, fixed-time artificial insemination was conducted (FTAI). The cows were randomized into G1 (n=12) – without rbST / with used Bovine Intravaginal Device, G2 (n=50) – without rbST / with new DIB, G3 (n=11) - with rbST / with used DIB and G4 (n=50) – with rbST/ with new DIB. rbST was introduced on the eighth day of the protocol. Sixty days after TAI, pregnancy diagnoses were conducted, via rectal palpation. Blood samples were taken on day 0, 8 and 10 of the protocol, in order to assess P4 plasma concentrations. Pregnancy rates were statistically evaluated through Generalized Linear Models Theory and their significance was tested with Analysis of Deviance. Pregnancy rates were 58%, 40%, 81% and 48% for G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively, with significant statistical difference for G3. Plasma concentrations of P4 were not statistically different among groups, or collections. In view of the results obtained, we concluded that the administration of rbST in association with P4 DIB, used for the third time, improves pregnancy rates. Estrus resynchronization and re-insemination positively impacted pregnancy rates.

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Parenteral Copper Administration at the Beginning of a Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination Protocol in Beef Cattle: Effect on Ovarian Function and Pregnancy Rates

Biological Trace Element Research ◽

10.1007/s12011-021-02795-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juan Patricio Anchordoquy ◽

Santiago Nicolás Lorenti ◽

Gustavo Sebastián Polero ◽

Nicolás Agustín Farnetano ◽

Diana Esther Rosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Ovarian Function ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Pregnancy Rates

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Response of beef heifers and non-suckling beef cows to different oestrous synchronization protocols

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s135772980005270x ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 547-552 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

D. Cavestany ◽

N. Negrin ◽

R. Negrin ◽

J. F. Groth

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Gnrh Analogue ◽

Beef Heifers

AbstractThe objective was to evaluate different oestrous synchronization schemes in beef cattle under range conditions. In experiment 1, 202 heifers averaging 26 months of age were assigned randomly to three treatments: (a) GnRH-PG. (no. = 44) day 0 (D0): injection of GnRH; D7: injection of PGF2α; D0 to D25 oestrous detection (OD) and artificial insemination (AI); (b) OD-PG. (no. = 45) D0 to D4; OD + AI; D5: injection of PGF2α; D5 to D25 OD + AI; and (c)Ovsynch. (no. = 113) D0: injection of GnRH; D7: injection of PGF2α; D9: injection of GnRH and 16 h later AI at fixed time. In experiment 2, 318 non-suckling cows were assigned randomly to three treatments: (a) GnRH-PG. (no. = 106) D0: injection of GnRH; D7: injection of PGF2α; D0 to D25 OD + AI; (b) GnRH-MAP-PG. (no. = 106) D0: injection of a GnRH analogue and insertion of an intravaginal sponge impregnated with 250 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate; D7: injection of PGF2α and sponge withdrawal; D0 to D25 OD + AI; (c) controls. (no. = 106) OD and AI. The experimental period lasted 25 days and, with exception of the Ovsynch treatment, oestrous detection was carried out twice a day (a.m./p.m.) and inseminations performed 12 h later. The pregnancy rates assessed by ultrasonography 30 days after AI were: experiment 1: (a) 30·0%; (b) 28·6% and (c) 62·3% (P < 0·05); experiment 2: (a) 60·2%; (b) 57·8% and (c) 45·5% (P < 0·05). It is concluded that in heifers and non-suckling cows, oestrous synchronization treatments result in higher pregnancy rates. In non-suckling cows, the addition of a progestagen did not improve the response.

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Cooled semen for fixed-time artificial insemination in beef cattle

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd14185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (7) ◽

pp. 1004 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Juliana C. Borges-Silva ◽

Márcio R. Silva ◽

Daniel B. Marinho ◽

Eriklis Nogueira ◽

Deiler C. Sampaio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Sperm Abnormalities ◽

Hypoosmotic Swelling Test ◽

Interesting Approach

This study evaluated the use of cooled semen in a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) program compared with frozen–thawed semen to improve pregnancy rates in beef cattle. Ejaculates of three bulls were collected and divided into two treatments: (1) frozen–thawed semen and (2) cooled semen. Egg-yolk extender without glycerol was used for the cooled semen treatment. Straws (25 × 106 spermatozoa) were submitted to cooling for preservation at 5°C for 24 h, after which FTAI was performed. Nelore cows (n = 838) submitted to FTAI were randomly inseminated using frozen–thawed semen or cooled semen. There was a 20% increase in the pregnancy per AI (P AI–1) using cooled semen compared with frozen–thawed semen (59.9 ± 4.7 vs 49.4 ± 5.0%; P < 0.005). There was no difference in P AI–1 among the bulls (P = 0.40). The frozen–thawed semen had fewer functional spermatozoa than did the cooled semen when evaluated by sperm motility (61.7 vs 81.0%), slow thermoresistance test (41.7 vs 66.7%) and hypoosmotic swelling test (38.3 vs 53.7%; P < 0.05). The percentage of sperm abnormalities did not differ between the freeze–thawing and cooling processes (18.6 vs 22.1%; P > 0.05). Because there was less damage to spermatozoa and improvement in P AI–1, the use of cooled semen instead of frozen–thawed semen is an interesting approach to increase reproductive efficiency in cattle submitted to a FTAI protocol.

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116 PREGNANCY RATES AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF EQUINE CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (eCG) AT PROGESTERONE INTRAVAGINAL DEVICE REMOVAL AND 14 DAYS AFTER FIXED-TIME AI IN BEEF CATTLE

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv23n1ab116 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 163 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R. Núñez ◽

T. de Castro ◽

L. Cutaia ◽

G. Bó ◽

A. Menchaca

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Fetal Loss ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Control Group ◽

Device Removal ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Intravaginal Device

An important proportion of embryonic deaths in cattle occur during the critical period of embryo development and maternal recognition of pregnancy. High serum progesterone concentrations during this period are associated to higher embryo survival, and the use of eCG could enhance luteal activity. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of administering eCG at the time of removal of a progesterone-releasing device and 14 days after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in beef cattle. Multiparous suckled cows between 60 and 90 days postpartum (n = 297; Exp. 1), and two-year old prepuberal heifers (n = 689; Exp. 2) with a body condition score (BCS) between 3.5 and 5 (1 to 8 scale) were used. At the beginning of the experiments, none of females used had a corpus luteum detected by ultrasonography. Females received an intravaginal device containing 0.5 g progesterone (DIB 0.5, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and 2 mg oestradiol benzoate i.m. (Benzoato de Oestradiol, Syntex). Eight days later, 500 μg of cloprostenol (Ciclase DL, Syntex) and 0.5 mg oestradiol cypionate (Cipiosyn, Syntex) were given i.m. and devices were removed; FTAI was performed 52 to 56 h after DIB removal. At the time of device removal, the animals were randomly allocated to 4 groups, to receive 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon, Syntex) or placebo at device removal and/or 14 days after FTAI, in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Control group did not receive eCG. In Exp. 1, nose plates were placed on calves on the day of DIB insertion and left for 10 days in order to prevent suckling. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography at 30 and 60 days after FTAI. Data were analysed by logistic regression. Pregnancy rate at 30 days after FTAI was affected by treatment (P < 0.05; Table 1). Late embryonic/fetal loss rates (non-pregnant females at 60 days after FTAI over those pregnant at 30 days) were 1.6% (3/182) for cows in Exp. 1 and 4.8% (14/292) for heifers in Exp. 2; no differences were detected among groups. In conclusion, administration of 400 IU of eCG at device removal increases pregnancy rate, both in anestrus cows and heifers. However, the administration of a second dose of eCG 14 days after FTAI suggests a possible effect on embryo survival within the first 30 days of pregnancy in cows but not in heifers. Further studies are required to confirm these results. Table 1.Pregnancy rates after administration of eCG at time of progesterone device removal and/or 14 days after insemination in beef cattle Supported by Syntex.

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39 EFFECT OF TIME OF FIXED-TIME AI ON PREGNANCY RATES IN ZEBU CROSS-BRED BEEF HEIFERS TREATED WITH PROGESTERONE RELEASING DEVICES AND ESTRADIOL CYPIONATE

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv22n1ab39 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 177 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Ramos ◽

L. Cutaia ◽

P. Chesta ◽

G. A. Bó

Keyword(s):

Bos Taurus ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Condition Score ◽

To Receive

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.

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7 INFLUENCE OF ESTRUS EXPRESSION AND TREATMENT WITH GnRH ON PREGNANCY RATES IN BEEF CATTLE SYNCHRONIZED WITH PROGESTERONE DEVICES AND ESTRADIOL AND INSEMINATED AT A FIXED-TIME

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv29n1ab7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. A. Bó ◽

A. Cedeño ◽

A. Tribulo ◽

S. Andrada ◽

R. Tribulo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Device Removal ◽

Oestradiol Benzoate ◽

Condition Score ◽

To Receive

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.

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