Comparison of short-term progestin-based protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation in postpartum beef cows.

Two experiments evaluated short-term controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert-based protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation and compare differences in their potential to facilitate fixed-time AI (FTAI) in postpartum beef cows. Experiment 1 was designed to compare the 7- and 5-d Select Synch + CIDR protocols on the basis of timing and synchrony of estrus after treatment. Cows assigned to the 7-d protocol (n = 59) received GnRH [100 microg intramuscularly (i.m.)] and CIDR inserts (1.38 g of progesterone) on d 0 and PGF(2alpha) (25 mg i.m.) and CIDR removal on d 7. Cows assigned to the 5-d protocol (n = 58) received GnRH and CIDR inserts on d 2, PGF(2alpha) and CIDR removal on d 7, and a second injection of PGF(2alpha) 12 h after CIDR removal. Estrus detection and AI were performed for cows assigned to each protocol during the 144-h synchronized period. There was no difference in estrous response (P = 0.85), interval to estrus (P = 0.09), or variance for interval to estrus (P = 0.75) between treatments, nor were there differences in synchronized conception or pregnancy rates resulting from AI (P = 0.85, P = 0.91, respectively). Experiment 2 was designed to compare pregnancy rates resulting from FTAI after administration of the 7- and 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocols. Both treatments were administered the same as in Exp. 1; however, cows assigned to the 7-d protocol were inseminated 66 h after PGF(2alpha) and CIDR removal, and cows assigned to the 5-d protocol were inseminated 72 h after the first PGF(2alpha) injection. Cows assigned to both protocols were administered GnRH (100 microg i.m.) at AI. There was no effect of treatment (P = 0.85), technician (P = 0.20), or sire (P = 0.25) on pregnancy rates resulting from FTAI. Given these observations, the 5-d protocol provides an effective alternative to the 7-d protocol for use in facilitating FTAI; however, beef producers must carefully consider the increased labor and treatment costs associated with the 5-d protocol.

Timing of artificial insemination in postpartum beef cows following administration of the CO-Synch + controlled internal drug-release protocol.

This experiment was designed to compare pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows resulting from fixed-time AI (FTAI) at 54 or 66 h after administration of the CO-Synch + controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) protocol. Cows (n = 851) at 2 locations over 2 yr (yr 1, n = 218 and 206; and yr 2, n = 199 and 228 at the 2 locations, respectively) were stratified by age, BCS, and days postpartum to 1 of 2 FTAI intervals. Cows were administered GnRH (100 mug, i.m.) and were equipped with a CIDR insert (1.38 g of progesterone) on d 0. Controlled internal drug-release inserts were removed 7 d later at the time PGF(2alpha) (25 mg, i.m.) was administered (d 7). Continuous estrus detection was performed at location 2 by using the HeatWatch Estrus Detection System; the transmitters were fitted at the time of PGF(2alpha) and removed at the time of AI. Artificial insemination was performed at predetermined fixed times [54 h (FTAI 54; n = 424) or 66 h (FTAI 66; n = 427) after PGF(2alpha)] and all cows were administered GnRH (100 mug, i.m.) at AI. Two blood samples were collected on d -10 or -8 and immediately before treatment initiation to determine the pretreatment estrous cyclicity status of cows [progesterone >/=0.5 ng/mL (FTAI 54, 288/424 = 68%; FTAI 66, 312/427 = 73%; P = 0.07)]. Pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.01) among cows that exhibited estrus than among those that did not (123/163 = 76% and 150/270 = 56%, respectively). There were no treatment x location interactions within year (P > 0.10) for age, days postpartum, or BCS; thus, the results were pooled for the respective treatments. Pregnancy rates were greater for FTAI 66 than FTAI 54 (P = 0.05; 286/426 = 67% vs. 257/424 = 61%, respectively). Pregnancy rates resulting from FTAI did not differ between year (P = 0.09), farm (P = 0.80), AI sire (P = 0.11), or technician (P = 0.64). There was no difference between pregnancy rates resulting from FTAI based on pretreatment cyclicity status (P = 0.30), and there was no difference between treatments in final pregnancy rates (P = 0.77). In summary, pregnancy rates resulting from FTAI following CO-Synch + CIDR at 66 h were greater than those resulting from FTAI at 54 h.

Comparison of progestin-based estrus synchronization protocols before fixed-time artificial insemination on pregnancy rate in beef heifers.

The objective of the experiment was to compare pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time AI after administration of either 1 of 2 controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based protocols. Heifers at 3 locations (location 1, n = 78; location 2, n = 61; and location 3, n = 78) were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments within reproductive tract scores (1 = immature to 5 = cycling) by age and BW. Heifers assigned to CIDR Select received a CIDR insert (1.38 g of progesterone) from d 0 to 14 followed by GnRH (100 mug, i.m.) 9 d after CIDR removal (d 23) and PGF2alpha (PG, 25 mg, i.m.) 7 d after GnRH treatment (d 30). Heifers assigned to CO-Synch + CIDR were administered GnRH and received a CIDR insert on d 23 and PG and CIDR removal on d 30. Heifers at location 1 were fitted with a HeatWatch estrus detection system transmitter from the time of PG until 24 d after fixed-time AI to allow for continuous estrus detection. Artificial insemination was performed at predetermined fixed times for heifers in both treatments at 72 or 54 h after PG for the CIDR Select and CO-Synch + CIDR groups, respectively. All heifers were administered GnRH at the time of AI. Blood samples were collected 10 d before and immediately before treatment initiation (d 0) to determine pretreatment estrous cyclicity (progesterone > or = 0.5 ng/mL). At location 1, the estrous response during the synchronized period was greater (P = 0.06; 87 vs. 69%, respectively), and the variance for interval to estrus after PG was reduced among CIDR Select- (P < 0.01) compared with CO-Synch + CIDR-treated heifers. Fixed-time AI pregnancy rates were significantly greater (P = 0.02) after the CIDR Select protocol (62%) compared with the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol (47%). In summary, the CIDR Select protocol resulted in a greater and more synchronous estrous response and significantly greater fixed-time AI pregnancy rates compared with the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol.

Comparison of progestin-based protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation before fixed-time artificial insemination in postpartum beef cows.

This experiment was designed to compare pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows resulting from fixed-time AI (FTAI) after treatment with 1 of 2 protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation. Cross-bred, suckled beef cows (n = 650) at 4 locations (n = 210; n = 158; n = 88; and n = 194) were assigned within a location to 1 of 2 protocols within age group by days postpartum and BCS. Cows assigned to the melengestrol acetate (MGA) Select treatment (MGA Select; n = 327) were fed MGA (0.5 mg x head(-1) x d(-1)) for 14 d, GnRH (100 microg of Cystorelin i.m.) was injected on d 26, and prostaglandin F2alpha (PG; 25 mg of Lutalyse i.m.) was injected on d 33. Cows assigned to the CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol (CO-Synch + CIDR; n = 323) were fed a carrier for 14 d, were injected with GnRH and equipped with an EAZI-BREED CIDR insert (1.38 g of progesterone, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY) 12 d after carrier removal, and PG (25 mg of Lutalyse i.m.) was injected and the CIDR were removed on d 33. Fixed-time AI was performed at 72 or 66 h after PG for the MGA Select or CO-Synch + CIDR groups, respectively. All cows were injected with GnRH (100 microg of Cystorelin i.m.) at the time of insemination. Blood samples were collected 8 and 1 d before the beginning of MGA or carrier to determine estrous cyclicity status of the cows (estrous cycling vs. anestrus) before treatment [progesterone > or = 0.5 ng/mL (MGA Select, 185/327, 57%; CO-Synch + CIDR, 177/323, 55%); P = 0.65]. There was no difference (P = 0.20) in pregnancy rate to FTAI between treatments (MGA Select, 201/327, 61%; CO-Synch + CIDR, 214/323, 66%). There was also no difference (P = 0.25) between treatments in final pregnancy rate at the end of the breeding period (MGA Select, 305/327, 93%; CO-Synch + CIDR, 308/323, 95%). These data indicate that pregnancy rates to FTAI were comparable after administration of the MGA Select or CO-Synch + CIDR protocols. Both protocols provide opportunities for beef producers to utilize AI and potentially eliminate the need to detect estrus.