115 Presynchronization and reutilization of progesterone devices during a 6-day CO-Synch protocol for fixed-time artificial insemination in beef heifers

Abstract

Ovulatory response to the initial gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) of the CO-Synch protocol is affected by circulating progesterone (P4) and follicle size. In addition, heifers that ovulate to initial GnRH treatment have greater fertility after AI. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of (1) presynchronization (Presynch) before a 6-day CO-Synch protocol and (2) P4 device reuse (new vs. second use) on ovulatory response, oestrous expression, and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in beef heifers. Yearling beef heifers (n = 233) were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design to the following treatments: (1) Treatment (Presynch): (1a) Presynch + 6-day CO-Synch with new P4 device; (1b) Presynch + 6-days CO-Synch with a once-used P4 device; (2) Control (no Presynch): (2a) 6-day CO-Synch with new P4 device; (2b) 6-day CO-synch with once-used P4 device. Presynch consisted of insertion of a new P4 intravaginal device (CIDR, 1.38 g of P4; Zoetis) on Day −17 and removal of the CIDR on Day −11 concurrently with 500 µg of cloprostenol sodium. On Day −9, all heifers received either a new or once-used (used) CIDR and 100 µg of gonadorelin acetate (GnRH, Parnell Inc.). Six days later (Day −3) CIDRs were removed, 1000 µg of PGF was administered, and an oestrous detection patch applied (Estrotect, Rockway Inc.). At 72 h after CIDR removal, 100 µg of GnRH and AI using 3 different sires was performed. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography 31 days after AI. A subset of heifers (n = 151) were examined on Day −9 and Day −3 by ultrasonography to assess ovulation to Day −9 GnRH. Data were analysed using GLIMMIX (SAS 9.4; SAS Institute Inc.). Presynch heifers had larger follicle diameter on Day −9 (12.7 ± 0.3 vs. 10.4 ± 0.3 mm; P < 0.0001), greater ovulatory response (84.6%; 66/78 vs. 52.05%; 38/73; P < 0.0001), greater oestrus expression (90.6%; 106/117 vs. 78.4%; 91/116; P = 0.03), and expressed oestrus earlier (49.8 ± 1.0 vs. 53.1 ± 1.1 h; P = 0.01) compared with controls. There was an interaction for treatment and CIDR on oestrous expression, whereas a lesser (P = 0.003) percentage of control heifers with new CIDR showed oestrus compared with all other groups (Table 1). Heifers treated with a used P4 device tended (P = 0.08) to have greater P/AI (52.1%; 61/117) than those with a new CIDR (40.5%; 47/116). In conclusion, presynchronization before initiation of a 6-day CO-Synch increased follicle diameter, ovulatory response, and oestrous expression, but did not affect fertility. The earlier onset of oestrus in Presynch heifers warrants further study on timing of AI.

Table 1.  Oestrous expression and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in beef heifers with or without presynchronization and treated with a new or used CIDR