Programs for fixed-time artificial insemination in South American beef cattle.

Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) has been widely applied in South America within the last 20 years for the genetic improvement of commercial beef herds. Most FTAI treatments for beef cattle used in South America are based on the use of progesterone (P4) releasing devices and estradiol to synchronize follicle wave emergence, with pregnancies per AI (P/AI) ranging from 40 to 60%. More recent protocols focusing on extending the interval from device removal to FTAI (i.e. increasing the growing period of the ovulatory follicle) have been reported to improve P/AI in beef cattle. These new protocols and the more traditional FTAI protocols have also been adapted for use with sexed-sorted semen with acceptable P/AI in beef cattle. Finally, color-flow Doppler ultrasonography has been incorporated recently to determine the vascularity of the CL and thereby detect pregnancy as early as Day 22 after the first AI for re- synchronization of ovulation for a second FTAI in non- pregnant animals. In summary, FTAI protocols have facilitated the widespread application of AI in South American beef cattle by allowing for the insemination and re-insemination of herds during a defined breeding season, without the necessity of clean up bulls to achieve high pregnancy rates.

Alternative programs for synchronizing and resynchronizing ovulation in beef cattle.

Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) has been regarded as the most useful method to increase the number of cows inseminated in a given herd. The main treatments for FTAI in beef cattle are based on the use of progesterone-releasing devices and GnRH or estradiol to synchronize follicle wave emergence, with a mean pregnancy per AI (P/AI) around 50%. However, more recent protocols based on GnRH (named 5-day Co-Synch) or estradiol (named J-Synch) that reduce the period of progesterone device insertion and extend the period from device removal to FTAI have been reported to improve P/AI in beef cattle. Furthermore, treatments to resynchronize ovulation for a second FTAI in nonpregnant cows have provided the opportunity to do sequential inseminations and achieve high P/AI in a breeding season, reducing or even eliminating the need for clean-up bulls. In summary, FTAI protocols have facilitated the widespread application of AI in beef cattle, primarily by eliminating the necessity of estrus detection in beef herds.