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- Title
Comparison of long-term progestin-based estrus synchronization protocols in beef heifers.
- Authors
Mallory, D. A.; Wilson, D. J.; Busch, D. C.; Ellersieck, M. R.; Smith, M. F.; Patterson, D. J.
- Abstract
Two experiments evaluated long-term progestin-based estrus-synchronization programs on the basis of potential for use in facilitating fixed-time AT in estrous cycling and prepubertal beef heifers. In Exp. 1, heifers were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments by age, BW, and estrous cyclicity status. Heifers assigned to the me- lengestrol acetate-PGF2α protocol (MGA-PG; n = 50) received MGA (0.5 mg·animal-1·d-1) in a 1.0-kg carrier from d 0 to 13 and were administered PGF2α (25 mg, intramuscularly) 19 d after MGA withdrawal (d 32). Heifers assigned to the Show-Me-Synch protocol (n = 49) received a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert (1.38 g of progesterone) from d 2 to 16 followed by PGF2α administration 16 d after CIDR removal (d 32). All heifers were fitted with HeatWatch estrus-detection transmitters at the time of progestin removal for continuous estrus detection through the synchronized period after PGF2α. In Exp. 2, heifers (n = 396) were assigned to the same 2 treatments described in Exp. 1 by age, BW, and reproductive tract score. Heifers in Exp. 2, however, were fitted with HeatWatch estrus-detection transmitters at PGF2α to characterize estrus-distribution patterns during the synchronized period after PGF2α. Heifers in both experiments were inseminated approximately 12 h after the onset of estrus. In Exp. 1, estrous response after PGF2α and mean interval to estrus after PGF2α did not differ between MGA-PG and Show-Me-Synch treatments (P = 0.97). The variance for interval to estrus after PGF2α tended (P = 0.06) to be reduced among MGA-PG-treated heifers compared with Show-Me-Synch-treated heifers. Conception to Al, AT pregnancy, and final pregnancy rates did not differ (P > 0.1) between treatments. In Exp. 2, estrous response after PGF2α was greater (P = 0.01) among Show-Me-Synch-treated heifers (92%) compared with MGA-PG-treated heifers (85%); however, mean interval to estrus after PGF2α did not differ (P = 0.74) between MGA-PG (57.4 ± 2.5 h) and Show-Me-Synch (56.2 + 2.5 h) treatments. The variance for interval to estrus after PGF2α was reduced (P < 0.01) among Show-Me-Synch-treated vs. MGA-PG-treated heifers. Conception to AT, AT pregnancy, and final pregnancy rates did not differ (P > 0.1) between treatments. In summary, the Show-Me-Synch protocol compared favorably with the MGA-PG protocol on the basis of estrous response, synchrony of estrus, and resulting fertility after treatment administration.
- Subjects
ARTIFICIAL insemination of cattle; HEIFERS; ESTRUS; PROGESTATIONAL hormones; PROGESTERONE; ANIMAL infertility; ANIMAL breeding
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2010, Vol 88, Issue 11, p3568
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2527/jas.2010-3084