Effects of progestagen exposure duration on estrus synchronization and conception rates of crossbreed ewes undergoing fixed time artificial insemination

Synchronization of estrus and ovulation are of paramount importance in modern livestock improvement programs. These methods are critical for assisted reproduction technologies, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer, that can increase productivity. In the current study, subcutaneous implants containing norgestomet were placed for long (14 days), medium (9 days), and short (5 days) periods of time in 70 crossbred ewes undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination. The resulting effects on estrus synchronization and conception rates were subsequently evaluated. Among the synchronized ewes, 85.7% (60/70) underwent estrus over a period of 72 h after progestagen treatment ceased. The shortest mean interval between withdrawal of the device and onset of estrus (34.2 +/- 8.9 h) was observed in the G14 days of P4 group (p < 0.05). The conception rate of the G14 days of P4 group was statistically higher than that of the other groups (83.3% vs. 60.9% vs. 47.8%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, 14 days of norgestomet treatment produced higher conception rates and a greater number of pregnancies at the beginning of the breeding season.

Avaliação da reutilização de implantes contendo progestágenos na taxa de prenhez em vacas de corte / Evaluation of used progestagen implants on pregnancy rate in beef cows

Duzentos e vinte e uma vacas (78 paridas com bezerros entre 40 e 90 dias de idade e as demais secas vazias) Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) e mestiças Charolês (Bos taurus taurus) foram utilizadas para avaliar a reutilização de implantes auriculares de silicone impregnados com progestágenos para controle farmacológico do ciclo estral e ovulação sobre a taxa de prenhez. Os tratamentos experimentais consistiram de três protocolos para sincronização do cio e inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF). No tratamento 1 (T1; n=73) as vacas receberam um implante auricular de Crestar® (3 mg de norgestomet); no tratamento 2 (T2; n= 75) as vacas receberam um implante auricular de Crestar® já utilizado previamente; e no tratamento 3 (T3; n=73) as vacas receberam dois implantes auriculares de Crestar® também utilizados previamente. Além dos implantes, as vacas receberam aplicação intramuscular (i.m) 2 mL de progesterona (25 mg/mL) + 2 mL de benzoato de estradiol i.m (1 mg/mL) no momento da colocação dos implantes. Os implantes foram removidos após 8 dias junto a uma aplicação de 2,0 mL de Preloban® i.m (150 g de D-cloprostenol). Após 24 h da remoção do implante, aplicou-se 1 mL de Estrogin® i.m (1 mg de benzoato de estradiol). A IATF foi realizada 54-56 h após a retirada dos implantes. Não houve diferença na taxa de prenhez das vacas, sendo 39,72%, 34,21% e 36,98% para os tratamentos T1, T2 e T3, respectivamente. A reutilização de implantes com progestágeno (Crestar®) não alterou a taxa de prenhez de vacas aptas à reprodução.

Two-hundred and twenty-one (78 suckling - 40 to 90 days and 143 not suckling ) Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) and crossbred Charolais (Bos taurus taurus) cows were used to evaluate the reutilization of progestagen implants to pharmacological control of the estrus cycle and ovulation on pregnancy rate. Cows were randomly assigned to one of three protocols for estrous synchronization and pre-fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) was performed. In treatment 1 (T1; n=73) cows were implanted with Crestar® (3 mg de norgestomet); in treatment 2 (T2; n= 75) cows were implanted with already used Crestar®, and in treatment 3 (T3; n=73) cows received two Crestar® implants, also both previously used. All cows were injected with 2 mL of progesterone (25mg/mL) + 1 mL estradiol benzoate (1 mg/mL i.m.) at the time of implants insertion, intramuscular (i.m). Implants were removed after 8 days and 2 mL of Preloban® (150 g de D-cloprostenol) were administered i.m. Twenty-four hours after implants removal, cows were injected with 1 mL (i.m.) of Estrogin® (1mg of estradiol benzoate). The FTAI was performed 54-56 h after implants removal. There was no difference (P>0.05) on cow’s pregnancy rate among treatments. Pregnancy rates were 39.72, 34.21 and 36.98% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Progestagen implants reutilization (Crestar®) did not affected pregnancy rate in beef cows ready for reproduction.

Efeito do eCG ou benzoato de estradiol associado ao norgestomet na taxa de concepção de vacas de corte submetidas à IATF no pós-parto / Effect of eCG or estradiol benzoate associated with norgestomet on the conception rate of beef cows submitted to FTAI in the postpartum

Este estudo objetivou comparar as taxas de concepção, em vacas de corte no período pós-parto (PPP), tratadas com Gonadotrofina Coriônica Eqüina (eCG) ou Benzoato de Estradiol (BE), após o uso de Norgestomet submetidas à inseminação artificial em tempo fixo(IATF). A hipótese é que a administração de eCG ou BE aumenta as taxas de concepção. Vacas Nelore (n=138) e Brangus (n=63), lactantes,entre 26 e 118 dias do PPP, foram divididas em três grupos homogêneos e dentro de cada grupo subdivididas em dois blocos, um com um PPP < 45 dias (PPP1; n=107) e outro > 45 dias (PPP2;n=94). Todas as fêmeas receberam um implante auricular contendo 3mg de Norgestomet (Crestar®), seguido pela administração de 5mg de Valerato de Estradiol. Os implantes auriculares foram mantidos durante 10 dias. Na retirada dos implantes, as fêmeas receberam 1mL de solução fisiológica (n=68; Grupo Controle) ou 500 UI de eCG (Folligon®; n=67; Grupo eCG) ou 1mg de Benzoato de Estradiol (Index; n=66; Grupo BE) 24 horas após a retirada do implante. AIATF foi realizada 54 horas após a retirada do implante. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por ultra- sonografia 30 dias após a IATF. Houve interação entre os tratamentos e o PPP. No PPP1, a taxa de concepção foi maior no grupo eCG comparado ao BE (47,22% vs.15,38%; P<0,01). No PPP2, as taxas de concepção dos grupos eCG eBE foram maiores que no grupo controle (41,93%, 44,44% vs.22,22%; P<0,01). Conclui-se que vacas, com até 45 dias do PPP, o eCG associado ao Norgestomet aumenta as taxas de concepção.

This study aimed to compare conception rates at the post partum period (PPP) in beef cows which were administered either Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (eCG) or Estradiol Benzoate (EB) after Norgestomet and submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination(FTAI). The hypothesis was that the administration of eCG or E Benhances the conception rate. Lactating Nelore cows (n=138) and Brangus (n = 63), between 26 and 118 days of post partum period(PPP) were divided into three homogeneous groups, and subdividedin two blocks, inside each group one of them with a PPP d” 45 days (PPP1; n=107) and another with a PPP > 45 days (PPP2; n=94). Allcows received an auricular implant containing 3mg Norgestomet(Crestar®), followed by the administration of 5mg Estradiol Valerate.The auricular implants were kept during 10 days. Cows received 1mL saline solution (n=68, Control Group) or 500IU eCG (Folligon®;n=67; eCG Group) or 1mg Estradiol Benzoate (Index, n=66; EB Group) 24 hours after the removal of the implant. FTAI was made 54 hours after the implant removal. The pregnancy diagnosis was carried through ultrasonography 30 days after FTAI. There was an interaction between treatments and PPP. In the PPP1, the conception rate was higher in the eCG Group than in the EB Group (47.22% vs.15.38%; Pd”0.01). In the PPP2, the conception rates of the eCG and EB Groups were higher than in the Control Group (41.93%, 44.44%vs. 22.22%: Pd”0.01). It was concluded that in cows up to 45 days of PPP, the eCG associated with Norgestomet enhances the conception rates.