ABSTRACT
The objective of this long-term study was to improve the out-of-season breeding rates for ewes by examining effectiveness of dose levels of PG600, a combination of 80-IU/mL pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and 40-IU/mL human chorionic gonadotropin. Each week, during the anestrous season from 1998 through 2016, mature ewes were inserted with 1 of 2 progestogen devices. After 9 to 13 d, at removal of the device, ewes were injected intramuscularly with a specific dose of PG600. A total of 1,402 ewes were treated in this study, with weekly treatment groups ranging from 3 to 12 ewes. Ewes were assigned randomly in equal numbers to 1 of 2 ram pens with one fertile ram in each pen. Rams were fitted with a marking harness. Between 36 and 48 h after removal of the device, rams were switched. Ewes were checked for crayon marks (indicative of estrus) at 36, 48, and 96 h after removal of synchronizing devices. Rams were removed after 1 wk. Pregnancy status was diagnosed at 90 d of gestation using radiography and verified at 120 d or at lambing. To explore the impact of dose level, daylight, and temperature on pregnancy rate, we formulated an ordered multinomial probit model. The model controls statistically for dose level, synchronization device type, device reuse, and natural variation in minimum daily temperature and day of the year (DOY). Predicted pregnancy rate and type of birth at 90 d of gestation were significantly affected by DOY and temperature as well as dose level. Both observed and predicted pregnancy rates were higher for PG600 dose levels between 2.00 and 3.50 mL than for those below 2.00 mL or above 3.99 mL. By giving optimal amounts of PG600 to anestrous ewes, producers will have a greater number of pregnant ewes at lambing during the out-of-season lambing time.
