A homogeneous group of thirty-one crossbred ewes was used to determine the effect of administering a progesterone Controlled Intravaginal Drug Releasing Device (CIDR) on circulating levels of progesterone in the subsequent cycle following CIDR removal. Circulating progesterone levels were determined for each ewe through daily blood collection via jugular venipuncture. Each ewe underwent a pretreatment 25 day sampling period (Period 1), a 12 day treatment period characterized by the presence of the CIDR (Period 2), and another 25 day sampling period following CIDR removal (Period 3). During the initial period of the study, progesterone levels in peripheral circulation changed (P < 0.0001, effect of day) in accordance with stage of the estrous cycle and were elevated during the luteal phase. In the second period of the study, progesterone levels were elevated (P < 0.0001) in ewes due to exogenous progesterone from the CIDR device (Period 1 versus Period 2: 1.3 ± 0.1 ng/ml versus 2.4 ± 0.1 ng/ml, respectively). After withdrawal of the CIDR in the third period of the study, circulating progesterone levels were not (P > 0.10) different from those observed in the initial period of the study (Period 1 versus Period 3: 1.3 ± 0.1 ng/ml versus 1.4 ± 0.1 ng/ml, respectively). Data collected in this study revealed that treatment with exogenous progesterone via CIDR for a 12- day treatment period does not influence circulating levels of progesterone in subsequent estrous cycles.

An estrus synchronization trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of adding an injection of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) at initiation of the controlled intravaginal drug releasing device (CIDR®) progesterone synchronization protocol in heifers. Nulliparous (n=121) beef heifers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. All heifers received a CIDR® implant at the initiation of the breeding season. Half of the heifers (Select Synch) received an injection of GnRH. Heifers in the Select Synch treatment group had a lower numerical response (76.7% versus 88.3%) to treatment (detected in heat) and an overall lower artificial conception rate (46.0% versus 53.3%), but no statistical difference was detected. Days to conception and artificial insemination conception rates for both groups were similar for all heifers inseminated. Three hundred multiparous Hereford, crossbred and composite beef cows were assigned to one of two breeding groups (Early and Late) based on calving date and randomly assigned to receive an injection of GnRH at the time of CIDR® insertion (Select Synch). The addition of GnRH did not impact the percentage of cows detected in estrus or days to conception. Conception rates were not affected by the addition of GnRH (Select Synch), however cows in the early breeding group were more likely to become pregnant (58% versus 45%) by artificial insemination (P<0.02). An experiment evaluated the efficacy of the CIDR® protocol to synchronize estrus in Arizona Holstein dairy cows (n=696). Cows assigned to the CIDR® protocol (n=337) received a CIDR® insert at the end of the voluntary waiting period (55 days). CIDR®s were removed and an injection of prostaglandin was administered seven days after insertion. There was no difference due to CIDR® treatment in number of services per conception or first service conception rate. CIDR® treatment reduced days to first service, days open at first service, and days open (P<0.02). Warm season had a deleterious effect on number of services, days to first service, first service conception rate and days open (P<0.0001). In summary, estrus synchronization improved postpartum reproductive performance; however, thermal stress continues to be a major barrier to reproductive efficiency.

Objectives were to 1) evaluate the use of the CO-Synch + CIDR (COS-C) protocol for synchronization of ovulation and timed AI (TAI) in Bos indicus-influenced cattle, 2) compare cumulative pregnancy rates after COS-C synchronization and TAI to those in a traditional management (TM) scheme, and 3) evaluate specific ovarian, hormonal, and estrual events associated with COS-C. The COS-C regimen included insertion of a controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) containing progesterone and injection of GnRH (GnRH-1) on day 0, removal of the CIDR and injection of prostaglandin F2a (PGF on d 7, and injection of GnRH (GnRH-2) and TAI 48 h later. In experiment 1 (Exp. 1), 335 females were stratified by BCS, parity and d postpartum before random assignment to COS-C or TM. An additional 96 females in which TM controls were not available for comparison also received COS-C. Conception rates to TAI averaged 39% (n = 266). Cumulative pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.05) after 30 and 60 d of the breeding season in COS-C than in TM (n = 170 and 165 females respectively). In experiment 2 (Exp. 2), 100 postpartum (F1) females were stratified as in Exp. 1 within four replicates (25 each) and assigned randomly to receive either COSC or COS (no CIDR) treatment. No differences were observed between treatments and all data were pooled. Percentages of cows ovulating after GnRH-1, developing a synchronized follicular wave, exhibiting luteal regression to PGF, and ovulating to GnRH-2 were 40, 60, 93, and 72%, respectively. In experiment 3 (Exp. 3), primiparous (F1) heifers (n = 32) and pluriparous cows (n = 18) received the Select Synch + CIDR synchronization regimen (no GnRH-2 or TAI). Mean intervals from CIDR removal to estrus and ovulation, and from estrus to ovulation were 70 ± 2.9, 99 ± 2.8, and 29 ± 2.2 h, respectively. Relatively low TAI conception rates (< 50%) were attributed to failure of 40% of cattle to develop a synchronized follicular wave after GnRH-1 and to inappropriate timing of TAI/GnRH-2. It may be possible to improve TAI conception rates by delaying TAI/GnRH-2 to between 66 and 72 h, and by developing methods to increase the number of ovulations after GnRH-1.

Observing cows in estrus and inseminating them at the optimal time are necessary steps for effective reproductive management of a dairy herd. However, increasing herd sizes can lead to reproductive inefficiency resulting in decreased profits on dairy herds. Synchronization of estrus, through pharmacological control, has been used to improve reproductive efficiency. Systematic breeding programs provide an organized approach for administering artificial insemination (AI) at first service. Moreover, reproductive management is based on a methodical approach for the entire herd rather than for the individual cow. Seven-hundred and thirty four Holstein cows from 16 commercial dairy herds were used to conduct this study evaluating three systematic breeding protocols; 14-d PGF2a, timed AI (TAI), and GnRH-PGF2α, in comparison with an untreated control group. Eight herds relied on visual observation as their primary method for detection of estrus, and 8 herds utilized the HeatWatch® (DDx, Inc., Denver, CO) electronic estrus detection system. The average days to first postpartum AI were longer for untreated control cows when compared to the other breeding protocols. First AI conception rates did not differ among control, 14-d PGF2a, or GnRH-PGF2a protocols, but were higher than the TAI protocol. However, first AI pregnancy rates were higher for untreated controls versus hormonally treated cows. Estrus characteristics associated with each protocol were also evaluated and no difference was detected across treatments. An economic analysis determining cost per pregnancy for each protocol when considering drug costs, and pregnancy rates, resulted in the highest cost per pregnancy for TAI followed by GnRH-PGF2a and 14-d PGF2a. These programs should be considered as tools for convenience and efficiency of estrus detection; however, reduced labor costs from less time spent on estrus detection may be offset by the cost of the drug protocols. Cost effectiveness must be calculated on an individual herd basis when deciding whether a systematic breeding program is the appropriate choice. / Master of Science

The objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of varying the interval from follicular wave emergence to progestin removal on follicular dynamics and the synchrony of estrus. The experimental design was a 2x2x2 factorial with GnRH or estradiol-17 beta (E2) + progesterone (P4), controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR) treatment duration, and PG or saline treatment as main effects. Cycling, Angus cows (n=49), on d 6 to 8 of the estrous cycle, were randomly assigned to receive a CIDR treatment for 7 or 9 d. Approximately half of the cows from each CIDR group received either GnRH (100 mcg) or E2+P4 (1 mg E2 + 100 mg P4) at CIDR insertion. Cows in GnRH or E2+P4 groups were further divided into those that received PG (37.5 mg) or saline at CIDR insertion. All cows received PG (25 mg) 1 d prior to CIDR removal. The interval from follicular wave emergence to CIDR removal was longer for cows treated with GnRH (6.6 d) or a CIDR for 9 d (6.5 d) compared to those treated with E2+P4 (4.7 d) or a 7-d CIDR (4.8 d) (P < 0.05). Cows treated with PG or GnRH at CIDR insertion or a 9-d CIDR had a larger dominant follicle (DF) at CIDR removal than those treated with saline, E2+P4, or a 7-d CIDR. (P < 0.07). Altering the interval from wave emergence to progestin removal created differences in size of the DF at CIDR removal but did not affect the synchrony of estrus. / Master of Science

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is commonly given to female cattle intramuscularly (IM) for the synchronization of estrus. A novel site for administration of PGF2α that improves beef quality assurance is the ischiorectal fossa (IRF). The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of PGF2α in the IRF results in a similar physiologic response to administration of PGF2α given IM. Yearling angus-cross heifers (n=112) were blocked by weight and randomly assigned within blocks to be injected with 5 mL PGF2α either IM in the neck or in the IRF. Blood samples were taken at 0, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48 h post-injection. Serum samples were analyzed for progesterone concentration using a radioimmunoassay. Progesterone concentration curves for each heifer were plotted to determine luteolysis. The median times to luteolysis for neck and IRF injections were 18.1 hrs and 20.0 hrs, respectively (p=0.06). Angus cross commercial beef cows (n=1471) at least 30 days post-partum were blocked by age and randomly assigned to be injected with 5 mL PGF2α either IM in the neck muscle or in IRF as part of a 7-Day CO-Synch + CIDR ovulation protocol. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via ultrasound at 60 days post insemination. Results were analyzed with Proc Glimmix (SAS). Pregnancy rates for neck and IRF injections were 52.6% and 57.2%, respectively (p=0.06). In summary, injection of PGF2α in the IRF for estrus synchronization and lysis of the corpus luteum did not differ from injection in the neck muscle. Utilizing the ischiorectal fossa as an injection site for PGF2α may be considered as an alternative that more closely aligns with beef quality assurance objectives. / Master of Science

Objectives were to determine: 1) whether estradiol benzoate (EB) provides a superior alternative to GnRH for synchronizing emergence, growth and maturation of a new follicular wave for fixed timed AI (TAI) in Bos indicus-influenced cattle using CIDR-based protocols, 2) the effect of 48 h calf removal at CIDR removal on the rate of maturational synchrony of the dominant follicle and 3) the effect of varying the magnitude of peak plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations following CIDR insertion on the suppression of FSH and LH secretion in a CIDR-based protocol using EB. In experiment 1, sixty-four Braford (F-1) females were stratified by BCS, parity and days postpartum and assigned randomly to one of four groups in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) Select-Synch + CIDR, 2) Select-Synch + CIDR with 48 h calf removal, 3) E-Synch + CIDR or 4) E-Synch + CIDR with 48 h calf removal. A greater number of cattle in the EB treated group exhibited NFWE compared to the GnRH group, 29 vs 17 cows for EB and GnRH respectively, (P<0.0006). Intervals to NFWE were also greater in EB treated cattle than in GnRH treated cattle, 4.2 vs 2.7 d for EB and GnRH treated cattle respectively, (P<0.0001). Proportions of GnRH- and EB-treated cows ovulating after CIDR removal did not differ. Post-CIDR suckling status did not affect ovulation frequency or interval to ovulation. In experiment 2, eight pubertal (F-1) heifers were used in a Latin Square design with four treatment levels of P4: 1) EB only, 2) EB and new CIDR, 3) EB and new autoclaved CIDR, 4) EB, new autoclaved CIDR and P4 injection at CIDR insertion. Treatments 2 through 4 increased (P < 0.01) mean plasma P4 concentrations compared to treatment 1, with treatment 4 creating the greatest increase in P4 with the longest duration. Suppression of plasma FSH was greatest in group 4 (P<0.08), with mean 60 h concentrations less than in all other groups. Mean concentrations of LH were lesser in group 4 than groups 1 and 2. Frequencies of occurrence of NFWE and ovulation and intervals to NFWE did not differ among treatments. Results indicate that the use of EB and CIDR to synchronize Brahman x Hereford females may provide better synchronization for TAI compared to GnRH and CIDR based protocols.

Objectives were to determine: 1) whether estradiol benzoate (EB) provides a superior alternative to GnRH for synchronizing emergence, growth and maturation of a new follicular wave for fixed timed AI (TAI) in Bos indicus-influenced cattle using CIDR-based protocols, 2) the effect of 48 h calf removal at CIDR removal on the rate of maturational synchrony of the dominant follicle and 3) the effect of varying the magnitude of peak plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations following CIDR insertion on the suppression of FSH and LH secretion in a CIDR-based protocol using EB. In experiment 1, sixty-four Braford (F-1) females were stratified by BCS, parity and days postpartum and assigned randomly to one of four groups in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: 1) Select-Synch + CIDR, 2) Select-Synch + CIDR with 48 h calf removal, 3) E-Synch + CIDR or 4) E-Synch + CIDR with 48 h calf removal. A greater number of cattle in the EB treated group exhibited NFWE compared to the GnRH group, 29 vs 17 cows for EB and GnRH respectively, (P<0.0006). Intervals to NFWE were also greater in EB treated cattle than in GnRH treated cattle, 4.2 vs 2.7 d for EB and GnRH treated cattle respectively, (P<0.0001). Proportions of GnRH- and EB-treated cows ovulating after CIDR removal did not differ. Post-CIDR suckling status did not affect ovulation frequency or interval to ovulation. In experiment 2, eight pubertal (F-1) heifers were used in a Latin Square design with four treatment levels of P4: 1) EB only, 2) EB and new CIDR, 3) EB and new autoclaved CIDR, 4) EB, new autoclaved CIDR and P4 injection at CIDR insertion. Treatments 2 through 4 increased (P < 0.01) mean plasma P4 concentrations compared to treatment 1, with treatment 4 creating the greatest increase in P4 with the longest duration. Suppression of plasma FSH was greatest in group 4 (P<0.08), with mean 60 h concentrations less than in all other groups. Mean concentrations of LH were lesser in group 4 than groups 1 and 2. Frequencies of occurrence of NFWE and ovulation and intervals to NFWE did not differ among treatments. Results indicate that the use of EB and CIDR to synchronize Brahman x Hereford females may provide better synchronization for TAI compared to GnRH and CIDR based protocols.

The U.S. hog industry's shift to vertically-integrated, intensively-managed operations brought about a variety of management systems for breeding herds, including batch farrowing. In this system, groups of sows are weaned in 2- to 5- week intervals, making estrus synchronization of new gilts and sows critical to maintaining reproductive efficiency in the herd. The use of commercially available hormones to synchronize estrus in this system has not been extensively studied. This experiment was conducted to determine whether the use of commercially available hormones (MATRIX® and P.G. 600®; Merck Animal Health, De Sota, KS) in a 5-week batch management system had a positive impact on reproductive efficiency in gilts and sows over the course of 3 parities. Gilts were allocated to an Entry Group (A, B, or D) and then assigned to a treatment, Hormone-Assisted (HA) (5 mL P.G. 600 injection 5 days and/or fed 15 mg/day of MATRIX for 14 consecutive days prior to the breeding week) or Control (no exogenous hormones). Gilts and sows were checked daily for estrus with a mature boar, and a group was bred using AI during a 7-day breeding period every 5 weeks and allowed to farrow up to 3 parities. Among groups, there was a tendency (P = 0.08) for more HA than control gilts to display estrus and be mated on schedule. For gilts within Group A, more (P < 0.01) HA than control females displayed estrus and were mated. Body weight at first service for gilts in Groups A and B were higher than Group D (P < 0.01). Overall, there was no effect of treatment on (P = 0.20) non-productive days. There was a strong tendency for HA sows to have a greater (P = 0.07) number of parities completed than control sows; Total pigs born (P < 0.05) and total pigs born alive (P < 0.05) were greater for HA sows than control sows. In Parity 1, Group D sows had a lesser number of pigs born (P < 0.01) and pigs born alive (P < 0.02) than Groups A and B; The number of pigs weaned differed between entry groups (P < 0.05) (Group B > Group A > Group D); Control sows weaned more pigs (P < 0.02) and had a greater litter weaning weight (P < 0.01) than HA sows; HA sows had a lower (P < 0.05) wean-to-estrus interval than control sows. No significant effects of group or treatment were observed in Parities 2 and 3. The use of exogenous hormones to synchronize estrus had a positive impact on reproductive efficiency in HA gilts/sows in a 5-week batch management system. / Master of Science

Compararam-se as taxas de prenhez (TP) em vacas Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) utilizando implantes de norgestomet novos ou reutilizados associados ao valerato de estradiol (VE) e benzoato de estradiol (BE). Duzentos e quarenta e uma vacas Nelore amamentando foram separadas em dois grupos, e receberam implante auricular contendo 3 mg de norgestomet (n=122) ou implante de norgestomet (n=119) que já havia sido previamente utilizado por 10 dias. Os animais que receberam implante novo ou reutilizado, foram sub-divididos, e um lote recebeu uma injeção (IM) de 3 mg de norgestomet associados a 5 mg de valerato de estradiol e o outro, uma injeção (IM) de 50 mg de progesterona associados a 2 mg de benzoato de estradiol. No momento da retirada do implante todos os animais receberam 1 aplicação de análogo de PGF2&alpha; (IM) para assegurar a luteólise e 24 h após uma injeção de 1,0 mg de BE (IM). A inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) ocorreu 54-56 h após a retirada do implante. Não houve interação entre tipo de implante e tipo de éster de estradiol para TP IATF nem TP Final. As TP IATF não diferiram entre animais que receberam implante novo ou reutilizado (48,3 vs 48,7%) nem entre os que receberam VE ou BE (49,5 vs 47,5%). O mesmo ocorreu para TP Final segundo tipo de implante, novo ou reutilizado (85,2 vs 86,5%) e segundo tipo de éster de estradiol, VE ou BE (86,5 vs 85,2%). Conclui-se que vacas Nelore amamentando podem apresentar adequadas TP IATF e TP Final quando tratadas por implantes de norgestomet novos ou reutilizados associados indistintamente ao valerato ou benzoato de estradiol. / Pregnacy rates (PR) were compared in Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus) using new or used norgestomet implants associated to estradiol valerate (EV) and estradiol benzoate (EB). Two hundred forty one Nelore cows were synchronized and divided in two groups, they received auricular implants with 3 mg of norgestomet (n=122) or used norgestomet implants (n=119) previously used for 10 days. The animals that received new or used implants were sub-divided and received an administration (im) of 3 mg of norgestomet plus 5 mg of EV and another group received an administration of 50 mg of progesterone plus 2 mg of EB. When the implant was removed a dose of PGF2&alpha; analogous was given for all animals to assure luteolysis and 24 h later they received (im) of 1,0 mg of EB. The fixed-timed artificial insemination (AIFT) occurred 54-56 h after implant withdrawal. There was no difference between the two implants as well as no diffrence to EV or EB, neither PR AITF nor PR Finish. The PR AIFT did not differ among animals that received that received new or used implants (48,3 vs 48,7%) neither EV nor EB (49,5 vs 47,5%). The same happened to PR Finish either new or used (85,2 vs 86,5%) when EV or EB (86,5 vs 85,2%) were used. In this present study, it was concluded that Nelore suckling cows can show a regulated PR AIFT and PR Finish after treatments with new or used norgestomet implants associated to EV or EB.