115 The use of an electronic cloud-based estrus detection device to determine estrus in Girolando cross-bred recipients

The ability to successfully detect estrus is essential when applying reproductive technologies such as synchronization, AI, or embryo transfer (ET). The inability to determine the estrous cycle status of cattle in assisted reproduction programs can result in significant financial losses over time. This study was performed at a commercial farm and designed with the following objectives: (1) to compare the estrus detection of the TattleTale^TM device with visual observation, (2) determine the effectiveness of TattleTale with ET, and (3) to analyze the methods and factors influencing results. The TattleTale is an electronic estrus detection device attached to the tail head that is activated by a 3-s standing mount. An improved prototype of TattleTale was tested in the present experiment. Instead of mounting data being collected by hand, the data were sent via an onsite gateway to an internet server. The cloud-based datasheet contained the exact date, time, and number of standing heat events for each recipient. These improvements reduced the amount of labor necessary to obtain estrus data, making industry use more practical. Cattle only needed to be handled for application, malfunction, and reset. Visual observation was performed three times per day (morning, midday, and evening) for the control group. Observation of a standing mount and time were noted. The experiment consisted of 70 1/2 blood Girolando recipient cows 3–4 years of age (n = 35 per group). Synchronization and embryo transfer procedures were the same for both groups. The TattleTale device was affixed to the tailhead of the recipients at CIDR out on Day 7 after placement. Two milliters of GnRH (Factrel^TM, Zoetis) was administered at CIDR in and 5 mL of Lutalyze^TM (Zoetis) was administered at CIDR out. Fresh IVF embryos were transferred 10 days after CIDR out to all recipients showing estrus. The association between treatment and pregnancy was analyzed using the PROC FREQ procedure in SAS, yielding a P-value of 0.4679, indicating no significant difference in pregnancy rates between the control and TattleTale groups. However, the association between treatment and heat detection was significant, with a P-value of 0.0125. The control group had a mean heat detection rate of 48.6% (±0.0845, while the TattleTale group had a mean rate of 77.1% (±0.0710), reflecting a significant 28.5% increase. Despite the lack of statistical significance in pregnancy rates, the TattleTale group showed a trend toward improved outcomes, with only one pregnancy without heat detection (12.5%) compared with six in the control group (33.3%). Additionally, the TattleTale device detected more estrus events outside the expected synchronization timing. These results suggest potential benefits for the TattleTale device in improving heat detection, but further research with larger sample sizes is needed to fully assess its impact on pregnancy rates.