青年奶牛同期发情和同期排卵-定时输精试验

试验旨在研究同期发情和同期排卵-定时输精技术在青年奶牛中的应用。选择1 046头澳大利亚进口荷斯坦青年奶牛,随机分为两组:一组自然发情人工授精配种(对照组);另一组采用前列腺素F2α(PGF2α)诱导母牛发情或按照同期排卵-定时输精程序(Ovsynch或Ovsynch+CIDR法)处理母牛后人工授精配种(试验组),统计同期发情率、不返情率、第一次人工授精妊娠率和21d妊娠率等繁殖指标。结果表明,试验组青年奶牛人工授精后不返情率和第一次人工授精妊娠率与对照组间无显著差异(P0.05),但21d妊娠率显著高于对照组(53.1%和35.3%,P0.05)。试验组中,1次PG法、间隔7d2次PG法和间隔11d2次PG法的同期发情率分别为76.1%、81.7%和84.6%,差异均不显著(P0.05);同期排卵-定时输精组中,Ovsynch法(GPG)和Ovsynch+CIDR法(GPG+CIDR)的不返情率、第一次人工授精妊娠率和21d妊娠率间无显著差异(P0.05)。不同输精人员可显著影响青年奶牛的第一次人工授精妊娠率(P0.05),而不同公牛常规冷冻精液对青年奶牛第一次人工授精妊娠率无显著影响(P0.05)。同期发情及同期排卵-定时输精技术可使青年奶牛集中发情,提高参配率,从而提高21d妊娠率,有效加快青年奶牛人工授精效率,降低饲养成本。     

同期排卵-定时输精对产后难配泌乳奶牛繁殖效率的影响

本试验旨在研究同期排卵-定时输精技术对产后难配泌乳奶牛繁殖效率的影响。选择88头健康、膘情适中、产后不发情或久配不孕(难配)的荷斯坦泌乳奶牛,随机分为3组,分别按照Ovsynch、CIDR+Ovsynch或CIDR+PG+Gn RH程序进行激素处理和定时人工授精,CIDR+Ovsynch或CIDR+PG+Gn RH试验组分别在埋栓、撤栓、第二次注射Gn RH和定时输精时采集10头奶牛血样,测定血清中孕酮(P4)和雌激素(E2)含量。结果表明:3种同期排卵-定时输精程序处理后都可以使一定数量的难配泌乳奶牛配种妊娠,且3种程序对产后难配泌乳奶牛人工授精后的不返情率无显著影响(P0.05);CIDR+Ovsynch试验组泌乳奶牛人工授精后的情期受胎率(46.7%)高于Ovsynch组(28.6%)和CIDR+PG+Gn RH组(26.7%),但差异不显著(P=0.08,P=0.06);CIDR+Ovsynch或CIDR+PG+Gn RH程序处理过程中,泌乳奶牛血清中P4含量的变化趋势一致,E2含量的变化趋势因程序开始处理时奶牛所处的发情周期阶段不同而不同,但两种程序配种妊娠奶牛定时输精时血清中E2含量均极显著高于配种未妊娠奶牛(P0.01)。因此,同期排卵-定时输精技术可用于产后难配泌乳奶牛的配种处理。     

新疆褐牛同期发情和同期排卵—定时输精效果

[目的]新疆褐牛是新疆北疆牧区养牛业主导品种,夏季放牧区新疆褐牛人工授精集中冷配点模式的广泛推广,对新疆褐牛选育提高和新品系培育起到了积极作用,为探索新疆褐牛同期发情和同期排卵—定时输精最佳处理方法。[方法]试验选用2胎以上45头牛,分3组,A组,PG+PG法;B组,PG法;C组,CIDR+PG法,比较3种同期发情处理方法效果,同时选用2胎以上20头牛,分2组,D组,GnRH+PG+GnRH+AI法;E组,CIDR+GnRH+PG+GnRH+AI法,比较2种同期排卵—定时输精方法效果。[结果]结果表明,3种不同同期发情处理方法母牛集中在12～24 h内发情,其中12～24 h内A组和C组处理方法母牛发情率极显著高于B组处理方法(P0.01),C组比A组高出32.3%,B组和C组母牛总发情率差异不显著(P0.05),A、B、C 3组总发情率分别达到86.7%,40.0%,93.3%;发情母牛经人工授精配种后,情期受胎率3组差异不显著(P0.05)。2种同期排卵—定时输精方法中,E组发情牛排卵率显著高于D组,D组和E组总受胎率差异不显著(P0.05)。[结论]综上所述,新疆褐牛同期发情处理应采用B组方法,即2次PG法,即降低了成本,有可取得较好的效果;同期排卵—定时输精宜采用D组方法,成本低,且受胎率较好,适宜在牧区集中人工授精冷配点推广。     

同期发情和性控冻精人工输精在育成奶牛上的应用研究

为了加速高产奶牛的繁育和缩短奶牛世代间隔,试验在生产条件下对规模奶牛场的232头荷斯坦育成奶牛进行了同期发情处理.结果表明:2次PG法和CIDR结合PG法处理的同期发情率(91.1%和88.9%)无显著性影响(P>0.05),但2种方法的同期发情率都极显著高于1次PG法的同期发情率(42.9%)(P<0.01);使用宁波产和上海产前列腺素对同期发情率无显著差异(P>0.05);输精时间不同的2次输精及1次输精对妊娠率的影响均无显著差异(P>0.05);体况、膘情上等的参配牛组的妊娠率(49.1%)略高于中等组妊娠率(44.8%),但差异不显著(P>0.05).     

同期发情和性控冻精人工输精在育成奶牛上的应用研究

为了加速高产奶牛的繁育和缩短奶牛世代间隔,试验在生产条件下对规模奶牛场的232头荷斯坦育成奶牛进行了同期发情处理。结果表明:2次PG法和CIDR结合PG法处理的同期发情率(91.1%和88.9%)无显著性影响(P0.05),但2种方法的同期发情率都极显著高于1次PG法的同期发情率(42.9%)(P0.01);使用宁波产和上海产前列腺素对同期发情率无显著差异(P0.05);输精时间不同的2次输精及1次输精对妊娠率的影响均无显著差异(P0.05);体况、膘情上等的参配牛组的妊娠率(49.1%)略高于中等组妊娠率(44.8%),但差异不显著(P0.05)。     

褪黑素对荷斯坦奶牛妊娠率及生殖激素的影响

试验旨在探明皮下注射褪黑素（MT）对荷斯坦奶牛配种妊娠率及血清生殖激素的影响。用计步器法确定自然发情的首次配种荷斯坦奶牛150头，对其中70头进行颈部皮下肌内注射褪黑素30 mg，12 h后进行人工输精；选择170头产后首次配种的荷斯坦奶牛进行同期排卵-定时输精处理，其中90头荷斯坦奶牛最后一次注射促性腺激素释放激素（gonadotropin-releasing hormone，GnRH）的同时进行颈部皮下肌内注射褪黑素30 mg，16 h后进行人工输精。在进行二次配种的荷斯坦奶牛中选择153只进行皮下注射褪黑素。荷斯坦奶牛输精后20~35 d进行妊娠检查，详细记录首次配种妊娠母牛头数、二次配种妊娠母牛头数、产犊数。选取同期排卵-定时输精的荷斯坦奶牛25头，皮下注射褪黑素8 h后用放射免疫法检测其血清中褪黑素、促卵泡素（FSH）、促黄体素（LH）、雌二醇（E₂）的含量及35 d妊检时妊娠母牛血清中孕酮（P₄）含量。结果显示，与自然发情和同期排卵对照组相比，其对应的皮下注射褪黑素组荷斯坦奶牛的妊娠率及产犊率均显著提高（P<0.05）；皮下注射褪黑素组的双犊率显著提高（P<0.05），首次配种妊娠率和产犊率均显著提高（P<0.05），二次配种妊娠率和产犊率均差异不显著（P>0.05）。血清激素检测结果表明，与对照组相比，皮下注射褪黑素组血清中褪黑素、LH、E₂含量均显著增加（P<0.05）；35 d妊检时，皮下注射褪黑素的妊娠母牛P₄含量显著增加（P<0.05）。本试验结果表明，皮下注射褪黑素能够提高荷斯坦奶牛的妊娠率、产犊率及血清中LH、E₂和P₄含量，说明皮下注射褪黑素能够促进卵母细胞成熟和排卵，并提高配种妊娠率。     

5种同期排卵-定时输精方案在奶牛场生产中的应用研究

选择新疆石河子地区某规模化牛场300头产后泌乳奶牛,采用5种不同的"同期排卵+定时输精"处理方案,研究其对产后泌乳牛发情率、受胎率及21 d妊娠率的影响。结果表明:5组不同处理方案的产后泌乳奶牛发情率,受胎率及21 d妊娠率均显著高于未经任何处理的对照组(P0.05)。因此,在规模化牛场对奶牛进行同期排卵方案处理时,增加一个孕酮栓装置,可以有效地提高定时输精后的受胎率,较好地提高奶牛场的繁殖效率。     

不同生殖激素对奶牛同期发情效果的研究

为了研究不同激素对奶牛同期发情效果的影响,本实验选择了80头荷斯坦牛,根据直肠检查结果将牛群随机分为对照组和3个实验组,实验组分别采用定时输精法（GnRH）、PMSG法、PG法进行同期发情处理。结果表明：应用定时输精法、PG法和PMSG法的发情率分别为0%、75%和75%,妊娠率分别为60%、50%和55%。从不同繁殖状态分析,青年牛应用PMSG法的同期发情效果最好;从卵巢发育状态分析,以处于卵泡期的牛同期发情效果最好。     

不同处理方法对山羊同期发情繁殖效果对比试验

文章采用CIDR+PG法、CIDR+PMSG法和两次PG法对波尔山羊杂交羊进行了同期发情效果试验,随后又做了人工授精试验。试验结果表明,CIDR+PG法发情效果最好,为93.3%,与两次PG法之间差异显著。受胎和产羔上,三组间没有显著性差异。结合成本考虑,笔者建议,胚胎移植时,供、受体的发情用CIDR+PG法;而在人工授精时的同期发情选用成本较低的两次PG法。     

同期发情和同期排卵-定时输精技术在奶牛繁殖中的应用

人工授精技术在奶牛养殖中的广泛应用,积极推动了优秀种公牛遗传物质在全世界范围内的快速扩散。准确、及时的发情鉴定是奶牛人工授精的基础,然而,由于奶牛产后不发情、发情症状不明显以及发情鉴定工作重视程度不够、发情鉴定方法不科学等,实际生产中母牛发情检出率较低,影响了产后母牛参配率和繁殖力。同期发情和同期排卵-定时输精技术可减少母牛发情鉴定工作量,提高母牛发情检出率,甚至不用发情鉴定而直接定时输精,从而提高母牛参配率和繁殖力。本文综述了奶牛同期排卵-定时输精技术原理,重点介绍了奶牛同期发情和同期排卵-定时输精技术方法及其在生产中的应用,以期为奶牛繁殖和管理技术人员提供参考。     

JSAR Innovative Technology Award. Development of ovulation synchronization and fixed time artificial insemination in dairy cows

Recently, reproductive management has become more difficult as a result of increased herd size. Problems with missing estrous signs and decrease in conception rate by artificial insemination (AI) performed at wrong timing have caused low AI conception rates. In 1995, ovulation synchronization and fixed-time AI (Ovsynch/TAI) was developed in the USA as a new reproductive technology, which was accepted as an useful reproductive management tool in many countries. However, no information on the use of Ovsynch/TAI was available in Japan. It was, therefore, warranted to show the ovulation rate and conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI using gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-A, fertirelin acetate) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-THAM, both were commercially available in this country. The conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI has been known to vary among different herds and individuals. Investigation and analysis of factors affecting the conception rate was also warranted to improve the conception rate. A series of experiments were carried out to establish Ovsynch/TAI using domestically produced GnRH-A and PGF2alpha and to study factors affecting conception rate after Ovsynch protocol. Ovsynch using 100 microg GnRH-A and 25 mg PGF2alpha were observed using ultrasonography. As a result, a high synchronization rate of ovulation at 16 to 20 h after the second GnRH injection was confirmed. The conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI was compared in 87 cows with the conception rate after AI at estrus induced by PGF2alpha (139 cows). Conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI was higher than the figure after AI at induced estrus (59.1% vs 20.9%, P<0.05). The dose of GnRH-A was also studied and a practical dose of GnRH-A was found to be 50 microg per cow. To clarify some factors affecting the conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI, 1,558 cows were investigated for the state of their ovaries, days after calving, parity, season, ovarian cyclicity postpartum and nutritional state at the day of Ovsynch. The overall conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI was 51.5%. Fifty-six cows (3.6%) showed estrus at 6 to 7 d after the first injection of GnRH-A. The conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI was low in cows that were 40 to 60 d postpartum, those in their 5th lactation or more, those bred in July to August, and those recovering ovarian cyclicity later than 56 d postpartum. The conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI was high in cows in which body condition score (BCS) was 3.75 at dry period and 3.0 at the day of Ovsynch. In conclusion, Ovsynch/TAI is an effective tool for the reproductive management of dairy cows. A steady and sufficient conception rate after Ovsynch/TAI could be expected by taking the factors affecting the conception rate into the consideration.     

Influence of a controlled internal drug release after fixed-time artificial insemination on pregnancy rates and returns to estrus of nonpregnant cows

We determined whether an ovulatory estrus could be resynchronized in previously synchronized, AI nonpregnant cows without compromising pregnancy from the previous synchronized ovulation or to those inseminated at the resynchronized estrus. Ovulation was synchronized in 937 suckled beef cows at 6 locations using a CO-Synch + progesterone insert (controlled internal drug release; CIDR) protocol [a 100-microg injection of GnRH at the time of progesterone insert, followed in 7 d by a 25-mg injection of PGF(2alpha) at insert removal; at 60 h after PGF(2alpha), cows received a fixed-time AI (TAI) plus a second injection of GnRH]. After initial TAI, the cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) untreated (control; n = 237); 2) progesterone insert at 5 d after TAI and removed 14 d after TAI (CIDR5-14; n = 234); 3) progesterone insert placed at 14 d after TAI and removed 21 d after TAI (CIDR14-21; n = 232); or 4) progesterone insert at 5 d after TAI and removed 14 d after TAI and then a new CIDR inserted at 14 d and removed 21 d after TAI (CIDR5-21; n = 234). After TAI, cows were observed twice daily until 25 d after TAI for estrus and inseminated according to the AM-PM rule. Pregnancy was determined at 30 and 60 d after TAI to determine conception to the first and second AI. Pregnancy rates to TAI were similar for control (55%), CIDR5-14 (53%), CIDR14-21 (48%), and CIDR5-21 (53%). A greater (P < 0.05) proportion of nonpregnant cows was detected in estrus in the CIDR5-21 (76/110, 69%) and CIDR14-21 (77/120, 64%) treatments than in controls (44/106, 42%) and CIDR5-14 (39/109, 36%) cows. Although overall pregnancy rates after second AI service were similar, combined conception rates of treatments without a CIDR from d 14 to 21 [68.7% (57/83); control and CIDR5-14 treatments] were greater (P = 0.03) than those with a CIDR during that same interval [53.5% (82/153); CIDR5-21 and CIDR14-21 treatments]. We conclude that placement of a progesterone insert 5 d after a TAI did not compromise or enhance pregnancy rates to TAI; however, conception rates of nonpregnant cows inseminated after a detected estrus were compromised when resynchronized with a CIDR from d 5 or 14 until 21 d after TAI.     

Synchronization of estrus in suckled beef cows for detected estrus and artificial insemination and timed artificial insemination using gonadotropin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F2alpha, and progesterone

We determined whether a fixed-time AI (TAI) protocol could yield pregnancy rates similar to a protocol requiring detection of estrus, or estrous detection plus TAI, and whether adding a controlled internal device release (CIDR) to GnRH-based protocols would enhance fertility. Estrus was synchronized in 2,598 suckled beef cows at 14 locations, and AI was preceded by 1 of 5 treatments: 1) a CIDR for 7 d with 25 mg of PG F(2alpha) (PGF) at CIDR removal, followed by detection of estrus and AI during the 84 h after PGF; cows not detected in estrus by 84 h received 100 mug of GnRH and TAI at 84 h (control; n = 506); 2) GnRH administration, followed in 7 d with PGF, followed in 60 h by a second injection of GnRH and TAI (CO-Synch; n = 548); 3) CO-Synch plus a CIDR during the 7 d between the first injection of GnRH and PGF (CO-Synch + CIDR; n = 539); 4) GnRH administration, followed in 7 d with PGF, followed by detection of estrus and AI during the 84 h after PGF; cows not detected in estrus by 84 h received GnRH and TAI at 84 h (Select Synch & TAI; n = 507); and 5) Select Synch & TAI plus a CIDR during the 7 d between the first injection of GnRH and PGF (Select Synch + CIDR & TAI; n = 498). Blood samples were collected (d -17 and -7, relative to PGF) to determine estrous cycle status. For the control, Select Synch & TAI, and Select Synch + CIDR & TAI treatments, a minimum of twice daily observations for estrus began on d 0 and continued for at least 72 h. Inseminations were performed using the AM/PM rule. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography. Percentage of cows cycling at the initiation of treatments was 66%. Pregnancy rates (proportion of cows pregnant to AI of all cows synchronized during the synchronization period) among locations across treatments ranged from 37% to 67%. Pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.05) for the Select Synch + CIDR & TAI (58%), CO-Synch + CIDR (54%), Select Synch & TAI (53%), or control (53%) treatments than the CO-Synch (44%) treatment. Among the 3 protocols in which estrus was detected, conception rates (proportion of cows that became pregnant to AI of those exhibiting estrus during the synchronization period) were greater (P < 0.05) for Select Synch & TAI (70%; 217 of 309) and Select Synch + CIDR & TAI (67%; 230 of 345) cows than for control cows (61%; 197 of 325). We conclude that the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol yielded similar pregnancy rates to estrous detection protocols and is a reliable TAI protocol that eliminates detection of estrus when inseminating beef cows.     

Efficacy of intravaginal progesterone administration as an additional treatment on two types of timed AI protocols in a commercial herd of Holstein heifers

Reproductive performance of two types of timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols with or without intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR) was investigated in a commercial herd of Holstein heifers. A total of seventy-four heifers with 14.4 months of age were allocated to two groups; Ovsynch (n=44) and estradiol benzoate (EB) used Heatsynch (EB-Heatsynch, n=30), and each group was additionally divided into two subgroups with CIDR insertion from day 0 to 7 (n=36) and without CIDR group (n=38). Blood was collected for progesterone (P4) analysis and ovarian finding was monitored with ultrasonography. Heifers in CIDR-treated group resulted in higher pregnancy rate as compared to No-CIDR-treated group (63.9% vs 21.1%, P<0.01). Heifers with functional corpus luteum (CL) on day 0 resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rate in CIDR-treated group than No-CIDR-treated group (day 0: 67.9% vs 13.0%, P<0.01). CIDR insertion suppressed the intermediate ovulation during the first 7 days and the period from the second GnRH or EB administration to TAI as compared to No-CIDR-treated group (first 7 days: 33.3% vs. 52.6%; P<0.05, before TAI: 11.1% vs. 37.0%; P<0.05). In conclusion, the selected TAI protocols with CIDR provided acceptable pregnancy rate and contributed to the economical improvement by shortening the average age of first calving approximately for 2.5 months as compared to the previous management without TAI protocols.     

Synchronization of estrus and artificial insemination in replacement beef heifers using gonadotropin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F2alpha, and progesterone

We evaluated whether a fixed-time AI (TAI) protocol could yield pregnancy rates similar to a protocol requiring detection of estrus, or detection of estrus and AI plus a clean-up TAI for heifers not detected in estrus, and whether adding an injection of GnRH at controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insertion would enhance fertility in CIDR-based protocols. Estrus in 2,075 replacement beef heifers at 12 locations was synchronized, and AI was preceded by 1 of 4 treatments arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial design: 1) Estrus detection + TAI (ETAI) (n = 516): CIDR for 7 d plus 25 mg of prostaglandin F2alpha (PG) at CIDR insert removal, followed by detection of estrus for 72 h and AI for 84 h after PG (heifers not detected in estrus by 84 h received 100 microg of GnRH and TAI); 2) G+ETAI (n = 503): ETAI plus 100 microg GnRH at CIDR insertion; 3) Fixed-time AI (FTAI) (n = 525): CIDR for 7 d plus 25 mg of PG at CIDR removal, followed in 60 h by a second injection of GnRH and TAI; 4) G+FTAI (n = 531): FTAI plus 100 microg of GnRH at CIDR insertion. Blood samples were collected (d -17 and -7, relative to PG) to determine ovarian status. For heifers in ETAI and G+ETAI treatments, a minimum of twice daily observations for estrus began on d 0 and continued for at least 72 h. Inseminations were performed according to the a.m.-p.m. rule. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography. The percentage of heifers exhibiting ovarian cyclic activity at the initiation of treatments was 89%. Pregnancy rates among locations across treatments ranged from 38 to 74%. Pregnancy rates were 54.7, 57.5, 49.3, and 53.1% for ETAI, G+ETAI, FTAI, and G+FTAI treatments, respectively. Although pregnancy rates were similar among treatments, a tendency (P = 0.065) occurred for pregnancy rates in the G+ETAI treatment to be greater than in the FTAI treatment. We concluded that the G+FTAI protocol yielded pregnancy rates similar to protocols that combine estrus detection and TAI. Further, the G+FTAI protocol produced the most consistent pregnancy rates among locations and eliminated the necessity for detection of estrus when inseminating replacement beef heifers.     

Effect of estrus synchronization protocols on plasma progesterone profile and fertility in postpartum anestrous Kankrej cows

The study was aimed at induction/synchronization of estrus in postpartum anestrous Kankrej cows of zebu cattle maintained at an organized farm. The study included use of different hormone protocols, viz., Ovsynch, CIDR (controlled internal drug release), Ovsynch plus CIDR, and Heatsynch with estimation of plasma progesterone on days 0, 7, 9/11 (artificial insemination--AI) and on day 20 post-AI following fixed time insemination. Thirty selected anestrous animals were divided into five equal groups (four treatment and one control), and the findings were compared with the normal cyclic control group of six cows. All the protocols were initiated in cows with postpartum anestrous period of more than 4 months, considering the day of first GnRH injection or CIDR insertion as day 0. The animals were bred by fixed time artificial insemination. Pregnancy was confirmed per rectum on day 60 post-AI in non-return cases. The conception rates at induced/first heat in Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, and Heatsynch protocols were 33.33, 66.66, 50.00 and 16.67%, respectively. The corresponding overall conception rates of three cycles post-treatment were 50.00% (3/6), 100.00% (6/6), 66.66% (4/6), and 50.00% (3/6). In normal cyclic and anestrous control groups, the pooled pregnancy rates were 83.33% (5/6) and 16.67% (1/6), respectively. The pooled mean plasma progesterone (nanograms per milliliter) concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher on day 7 in Ovsynch (5.727 ± 1.26), CIDR (4.37 ± 0.66), Ovsynch plus CIDR (3.55 ± 0.34), and Heatsynch (5.92 ± 1.11) protocols as compared with their corresponding values obtained on days 0, 9/11 (AI), and on day 20 post-AI. In anestrous control group, the mean progesterone concentration at the beginning of experiment was 0.67 ± 0.33 ng/ml, which was at par with values of all other groups. The overall plasma progesterone levels on the day of initiating treatment were low in all groups, with smooth small inactive ovaries palpated per rectum twice at 10 days interval, suggesting that most of the animals used in the study were in anestrous phase. Mean (± SE) values of plasma progesterone (nanograms per milliliter) on day 20 post-AI were higher in conceived cows than the non-conceived cows of all the groups, but differed significantly (P < 0.05) only in normal cyclic group. These results suggest that use of different hormone protocols particularly Ovsynch, CIDR, and Ovsynch + CIDR may serve as an excellent tool for induction and synchronization of estrus and improvement of conception rate in postpartum anestrous Kankrej cows.     

Ovarian, hormonal, and reproductive events associated with synchronization of ovulation and timed appointment breeding of Bos indicus-influenced cattle using intravaginal progesterone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and prostaglandin F2alpha

The objectives of this study were to 1) compare cumulative pregnancy rates in a traditional management (TM) scheme with those using a synchronization of ovulation protocol (CO-Synch + CIDR) for timed AI (TAI) in Bos indicus-influenced cattle; 2) evaluate ovarian and hormonal events associated with CO-Synch + CIDR and CO-Synch without CIDR; and 3) determine estrual and ovulatory distributions in cattle synchronized with Select-Synch + CIDR. The CO-Synch + CIDR regimen included insertion of a controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR) and an injection of GnRH (GnRH-1) on d 0, removal of the CIDR and injection of PGF2alpha (PGF) on d 7, and injection of GnRH (GnRH-2) and TAI 48 h later. For Exp. 1, predominantly Brahman x Hereford (F1) and Brangus females (n = 335) were stratified by BCS, parity, and day postpartum (parous females) before random assignment to CO-Synch + CIDR or TM. To maximize the number of observations related to TAI conception rate (n = 266), an additional 96 females in which TM controls were not available for comparison also received CO-Synch + CIDR. Conception rates to TAI averaged 39 +/- 3% and were not affected by location, year, parity, AI sire, or AI technician. Cumulative pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.05) at 30 and 60 d of the breeding season in CO-Synch + CIDR (74.1 and 95.9%) compared with TM (61.8 and 89.7%). In Exp. 2, postpartum Brahman x Hereford (F1) cows (n = 100) were stratified as in Exp. 1 and divided into 4 replicates of 25. Within each replicate, approximately one-half (12 to 13) received CO-Synch + CIDR, and the other half received CO-Synch only (no CIDR). No differences were observed between treatments, and the data were pooled. Percentages of cows ovulating to GnRH-1, developing a synchronized follicular wave, exhibiting luteal regression to PGF, and ovulating to GnRH-2 were 40 +/- 5, 60 +/- 5, 93 +/- 2, and 72 +/- 4%, respectively. In Exp. 3, primiparous Brahman x Hereford, (F1) heifers (n = 32) and pluriparous cows (n = 18) received the Select Synch + CIDR synchronization regimen (no GnRH-2 or TAI). Mean intervals from CIDR removal to estrus and ovulation, and from estrus to ovulation were 70 +/- 2.9, 99 +/- 2.8, and 29 +/- 2.2 h, respectively. These results indicate that the relatively low TAI conception rate observed with CO-Synch + CIDR in these studies was attributable primarily to failure of 40% of the cattle to develop a synchronized follicular wave after GnRH-1 and also to inappropriate timing of TAI/GnRH-2.     

Ovsynch plus CIDR protocol for timed embryo transfer in suckled postpartum Japanese Black beef cows

We compared synchronization and pregnancy rates, and the increase in blood progesterone concentrations during luteal development, between (1) Ovsynch plus an intravaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device protocol followed by timed embryo transfer (timed ET), and (2) a conventional estrus synchronization method using PGF(2 alpha) and ET in suckled postpartum Japanese Black beef cows. Cows in the PGF group (n=18) received a PGF(2 alpha) analogue when a CL was first palpated per rectum at 10-d intervals after 1 to 2 month postpartum. Cows (n=11), which showed estrus (Day 0) within 5 d of the PGF(2 alpha), and had a CL on Day 7, received ET. Cows in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (n=19) underwent the Ovsynch protocol plus a CIDR for 7 d (GnRH analogue and CIDR on Day-9, PGF(2alpha) analogue with CIDR removal on Day-2, and GnRH analogue on Day 0), with ET on Day 7. The ovulation synchronization (100%) and embryo transfer (100%) rates in the Ovsynch+CIDR group were greater (P<0.01) than the estrus synchronization (66.7%) and the embryo transfer (61.1%) rates in the PGF group. The postpartum interval at ET in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (62.5 +/- 2.5 d) was shorter (P<0.01) than in the PGF group (74.9 +/- 3.9 d). The pregnancy rate in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (57.9%) did not differ significantly from that in the PGF group (50.0%). Plasma progesterone concentrations were not significantly different in the two groups on Days 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, 14 and 21. In summary, higher synchronization and transfer rates, and shorter postpartum interval to ET, can be achieved with timed ET following the Ovsynch plus CIDR protocol than after estrus with the single PGF(2 alpha) treatment followed by ET in suckled postpartum recipient beef cows. Pregnancy rates were similar. Also, the increase in blood progesterone concentrations during luteal development following ovulation synchronized by the Ovsynch plus CIDR protocol was similar to that after estrus induced by the PGF(2 alpha) treatment.     

Methods to reduce or eliminate detection of estrus in a melengestrol acetate-PGF2alpha protocol for synchronization of estrus in beef heifers

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate methods to decrease or eliminate the detection of estrus inherent to a melengestrol acetate (MGA)-PGF2alpha (PGF) protocol for synchronization of estrus in heifers. In each experiment, all heifers received 0.5 mg of MGA x animal(-1) x d(-1) for 14 d (d -32 to -19) and PGF (25 mg, i.m.; d 0, 0 h) 19 d after the last feeding of MGA (MGA-PGF protocol). In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 709) were assigned to each of the following protocols: 1) the MGA-PGF protocol with AI 6 to 12 h after detection of estrus (estrus AI; MGA-PGF); 2) MGA-PGF plus 100 microg, i.m. of GnRH on d -7 (1x GnRH) and estrus AI; or 3) MGA-PGF, GnRH on d -7, and GnRH (100 microg, i.m.) at 48 h after PGF, coincident with insemination (2x GnRH-TB48). In Exp. 2, heifers (n = 559) received the MGA-PGF protocol and were inseminated by either estrus AI or fixed-time AI (TAI) at 60 h, coincident with an injection of GnRH (GnRH-TB60). In Exp. 3, all heifers (n = 460) received the MGA-PGF protocol and were inseminated by estrus AI when detected up to 73 h. Heifers not observed in estrus by 73 h received TAI between 76 and 80 h. Half the heifers inseminated by TAI received no further treatment (TB80), and the remaining half was injected with GnRH at insemination (GnRH-TB80). Variance associated with the interval to estrus and the proportion in estrus from d 0 to 5 was similar for 1x GnRH and MGA-PGF treatments in Exp. 1. Pregnancy rate (d 0 to 5) did not differ for the MGA-PGF and 1x GnRH treatments (62.5 and 60.4%, respectively), and both were greater (P < 0.05) than TAI pregnancy rate in the 2x GnRH-TB48 treatment (42.3%). In Exp. 2, the peak estrous response occurred 60 h after PGF. Pregnancy rate during the synchrony period was greater (P < 0.05) for the MGA-PGF (255/401; 63.6%) than the GnRH-TB60 (74/158; 46.6%) treatment. In Exp. 3, 75.7% of heifers (348/460) were detected in estrus by 73 h and were inseminated, with a conception rate of 74.4%. Pregnancy rates after TAI did not differ between TB80 and GnRH-TB80 (14/56 = 25% and 19/ 56 = 33.9%, respectively). Total pregnancy rate was 63.5% for heifers inseminated after detected estrus and by TAI. Collectively, these data indicate that the exclusive use of TAI for heifers treated with the MGA-PGF protocol resulted in lower pregnancy rates than when AI was performed after detection of estrus. However, estrus AI for 3 d and TAI at the end of d 3 could result in pregnancy rates similar to those achieved after a 5-d period of detecting estrus.     

Factors affecting pregnancy rate to estrous synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination in beef cattle

Application of AI in extensive beef cattle production would be facilitated by protocols that effectively synchronize ovarian follicular development and ovulation to enable fixed-time AI (TAI). The objectives were to determine whether use of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device to administer progesterone in a GnRH-based estrous synchronization protocol would optimize blood progesterone concentrations, improve synchronization of follicular development and estrus, and increase pregnancy rates to TAI in beef cows. Beef cows (n = 1,240) in 6 locations within the US Meat Animal Research Center received 1 of 2 treatments: 1)?an injection of GnRH [100 μg intramuscularly (i.m.)] followed by PGF(2α) (PGF; 25 mg i.m.) 7 d later (CO-Synch), or 2) CO-Synch plus a CIDR during the 7 d between GnRH and PGF injections (CO-Synch + CIDR). Cows received TAI and GnRH (100 μg i.m.) at 60 h after PGF. Progesterone was measured by RIA in blood samples collected 2 wk before and at initiation of treatment (d 0) and at PGF injection (d 7). Estrous behavior was monitored by Estrotect Heat Detectors. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography 72 to 77 d after TAI. Plasma progesterone concentrations did not differ (P > 0.10) between synchronization protocols at first GnRH injection (d 0), but progesterone was greater (P < 0.01) at PGF injection (d 7) in cows receiving CO-Synch + CIDR vs. CO-Synch as a result of fewer CIDR-treated cows having progesterone ≤1 ng/mL at PGF (10.7 vs. 29.6%, respectively). A greater (P < 0.01) proportion of CO-Synch + CIDR vs. CO-Synch cows were detected in estrus within 60 h after PGF (66.7 vs. 57.8 ± 2.6%, respectively) and a greater (P < 0.01) proportion were pregnant to TAI (54.6 vs. 44.3 ± 2.6%, respectively). For both synchronization protocols, cows expressing estrus within 60 h before TAI had a greater pregnancy rate than cows without estrus. For cows with plasma progesterone ≤1 ng/mL at PGF injection, CO-Synch + CIDR increased pregnancy rate (65.2 ± 5.9 vs. 30.8 ± 3.4% with vs. without CIDR), whereas pregnancy rates did not differ (P > 0.10) between protocols (52.1 ± 2.1 vs. 50.0 ± 2.4%, respectively) when progesterone was >1 ng/mL (treatment × progesterone; P < 0.01). Inclusion of a CIDR in the synchronization protocol increased plasma progesterone concentration, proportion of cows detected in estrus, and pregnancy rate; however, the increase in pregnancy rate from inclusion of the CIDR was primarily in cows with decreasing or low endogenous progesterone secretion during treatment.