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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

29 SHORT-TERM v. LONG-TERM PROGESTERONE PROTOCOL USING CERVICAL OR INTRAUTERINE FIXED-TIME INSEMINATION IN SHEEP

A. Menchaca A , M. Vilariño A and E. Rubianes B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Instituto Reproduccion Animal Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay;

B Facultad Agronomia, Montevideo, Uruguay

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(1) 172-172 https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv22n1Ab29
Published: 8 December 2009

Abstract

The short-term protocol with progesterone, prostaglandin F (PGF), and eCG is used to control follicular dynamics and luteal activity synchronizing the ovulation for fixed-time AI in sheep. The objective of this experiment was to compare the pregnancy rate obtained with short-term protocol (6 d) and long-term protocol (14 d) using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI in sheep. Three hundred fifty-two Merino ewes with a body condition score of 2.9 ± 0.3 (mean ± SD; scale 0 to 5) were used during the breeding season (April, 33S, Uruguay). All the females received a CIDR-G (0.3 g of progesterone, InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand) for 6 d (short-term protocol; n = 178) or 14 d (long-term protocol, n = 174). One imdose of eCG (300 IU, Novormon, Syntex, BA, Argentina) was given at the moment of device withdrawal for the both protocols, and one imdose of PGF (10 mg of dinoprost, Lutalyse, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) was given at the end of the short-term protocol to ensure luteolysis. Cervical AI (short-term protocol, n = 85; long-term protocol, n = 104) or intrauterine AI (short-term protocol, n = 93; long-term protocol, n = 70) was performed 48 or 54 h after device withdrawal, using 200 × 106 or 100 × 106 spermatozoa per ewe, respectively. Fresh semen was extended in UHT skim milk (1000 × 106 spermatozoa mL-1) and used within 1 h of collection. Estrus was recorded twice a day for 4 days after device withdrawal using vasectomized males. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal ultrasonography 40 d after AI (5.0 MHz, Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of the treatment (P < 0.05), the AI technique (P < 0.05), and their interaction (P = NS). Pregnancy rate was higher for the short-term than for the long-term protocol, and for intrauterine than for cervical AI (Table 1). The highest pregnancy rate was achieved with short-term protocol using intrauterine AI (54.8%, 51/93), and the lowest response was obtained with long-term protocol using cervical AI (33.7%, 35/104; P < 0.05). These data were not different from data of short-term protocol using cervical AI or long-term protocol using intrauterine AI (42.4%, 36/85; and 44.3% 31/70, respectively). Ewes in estrus/treated ewes was not different among short-term and long-term protocols (83.7%, 149/178; and 82.8%, 144/174, respectively; P = NS). In summary, regardless of insemination technique, short-term protocol of 6 d enhances pregnancy rate in fixed-time AI programs in sheep.


Table 1.  Main effects of short-term (6 d) v. long-term (14 d) protocol using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI on pregnancy rate in sheep
T1

Financially supported by Pfizer, SP, Brazil.