10 Effect of 1 or 2 doses of prostaglandin in a resynchronization protocol for timed artificial insemination in beef cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 1 and 2 prostaglandin doses in a timed AI (TAI) resynchronization protocol on the pregnancy rate. This study was performed during the 2017-2018 breeding season on 10 commercial farms located in the central and southwest region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 2347 Bos taurus beef cows (Angus, Hereford) with a body condition score 2.90 ± 0.15 (1 = thin, 5 = obese) and 40 ± 5.1 days postpartum were used. In the beginning of first synchronization TAI protocol, on Day −11, the animals received 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate IM (Gonadiol®, Zoetis Saúde Animal, São Paulo, SP, Brazil) and a progesterone (P4) intravaginal device (CIDR®, Zoetis). On Day −4, the cows received 12.5 mg of dinoprost tromethamine IM (PGF, Lutalyse®, Zoetis). On Day −2, the animals received 1.0 mg of oestradiol cypionate IM (ECP®, Zoetis) associated with the treatment with 300 IU of eCG IM (Novormon®, Zoetis) and the P4 device was removed. The TAI was done on Day 0 (48 h after P4 device removal). The resynchronization protocol was started on Day 23 without pregnancy or oestrus detection; all cows were randomly assigned to receive a new, once-used, or twice-used P4 device (CIDR®) and given 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate. On Day 30, pregnancy diagnosis was performed with transrectal ultrasonography. Pregnant cows (n = 1021) had the P4 device withdrawn and received no further treatment. Nonpregnant cows (n = 1326) were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The 1PGF group (n = 674) received a single dose of PGF on Day 30, and the 2PGF group (n = 652) received PGF on Days 30 and 32. On Day 32, all cows received eCG and ECP, and the P4 device was removed. In both groups the TAI was performed 48 h after the P4 device removal (Day 34). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound 30 days after TAI (Day 64 of the breeding season). Data were analysed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The pregnancy rate obtained in the first synchronization protocol was 43.5% (1021/2347). The pregnancy rate in the resynchronization protocol was similar (P = 0.49) between PGF doses [1PGF = 39.5% (266/674); 2PGF = 40.6% (265/652). No interactions were observed between P4 device use and PGF dose (P = 0.38). The pregnancy rates were similar when comparing 1PGF and 2PGF using a new P4 device [1PGF = 43.2% (35/81); 2PGF = 56% (93/166); P = 0.67], once-used P4 device [1PGF = 39% (163/418); 2PGF = 40.6% (140/345); P = 0.64], or twice-used P4 device [1PGF = 38.9% (68/175); 2PGF = 22.7% (32/141); P = 0.14]. In conclusion, a second dose of prostaglandin in the resynchronization protocol was not necessary to achieve high resynchronization pregnancy rates with TAI in Bos taurus beef cows.