13 EFFECTS OF PRESYNCHRONIZATION WITH A USED CIDR, AND TREATMENT WITH eCG ON FERTILITY IN LACTATING COWS SUBJECTED TO A COSYNCH PROTOCOL

Abstract

The objectives were to investigate the effects of pretreatment with a used CIDR on follicle size and ovulation rate in cows after an injection of GnRH, and treatment with eCG at the time of PGF on preovulatory follicle size and fertility in cows subjected to a Cosynch protocol. Lactating crossbred beef cows (n = 292), 2 to 12 years of age were allocated to two groups to receive either a used CIDR (Bioniche Animal Health; Belleville, Ontario, Canada) for 15 days or no treatment (Control). At CIDR removal (Day 0), all cows received 100 μg of GnRH i.m. (Cystorelin, Merial Canada Inc., Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada). On Day 7, all cows received 500 μg of cloprostenol i.m. (PGF; Estrumate, Schering-Plough Animal Health, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada) and were further allocated to receive either 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Pregnacol; Bioniche Animal Health) or no treatment (2 × 2 factorial design; n = 73 per group). On Day 9 (54 h after PGF), cows were given 100 μg of GnRH i.m., concurrent with timed AI (TAI). Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations were done on a subset of approximately 40 cows in each group on Days −15, 0, 7, and 9 to assess ovarian structures, and on all cows on Day 37 to confirm pregnancy. Data were analyzed by SAS CATMOD and ANOVA. Overall, 53% of cows had a CL present on Day −15 (P = 0.23). At first GnRH (Day 0), fewer CIDR-treated cows than Control cows had a CL (15.2 vs. 85.0%, respectively; P < 0.001), while mean (± SEM) diameters of the dominant follicle were larger in CIDR-treated cows (18.2 ± 0.4 vs. 13.8 ± 0.4 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). Moreover, the proportion of cows that ovulated following the first GnRH was higher (P < 0.001) in CIDR-treated (75.0%) than Control (48.7%) cows. Eight (10.0%) cows presynchronized with a CIDR did not ovulate and had a luteinized follicle (31.7 ± 1.9 mm) at the time of PGF. Although CIDR-treated cows had larger (P < 0.002) dominant follicles than Control cows on Day 9 (16.6 ± 0.3 vs. 15.2 ± 0.3 mm), presynchronization did not affect fertility (53.4 vs. 54.1%, respectively). However, diameter of the dominant follicle at TAI in cows that became pregnant was smaller in CIDR-treated vs. Control cows (15.3 ± 0.3 vs. 16.6 ± 0.3; P < 0.005). Treatment with eCG on Day 7 did not affect (P = 0.17) the diameter of the dominant follicle at TAI, but tended (P = 0.06) to increase pregnancy rate (58.9 vs. 48.6%). Furthermore, pregnancy rate tended to be higher (P = 0.08) in Control cows given eCG (47/73, 64.4%) than in the Control- (32/73, 43.8%), CIDR- (39/73, 53.4%) or CIDR/eCG- (39/73, 53.4%) treated cows. In addition, pregnancy rate was affected by parity; 2-yr-old cows had a lower (P < 0.04) pregnancy rate than older cows (42.9, 58.7, and 58.2% for 2, 3–4, and >5 years, respectively). Treatment with eCG increased pregnancy rate by 33% (P < 0.03) in 2-yr-old Control cows. In summary, presynchronization with a used CIDR prior to a Cosynch protocol increased the proportion of cows responding to the first GnRH. Although CIDR-treated cows had a smaller dominant follicle at TAI, pregnancy rate was not affected. Treatment with eCG increased fertility in Control cows; eCG may be useful in GnRH-based protocols in lactating beef cows.