Comparison of two alternate PGF2 products in two estrus synchronization protocols in beef heifers. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a high concentrate, s.c. PGF2 compared with a conventionally concentrated, i.m. PGF2 in estrus synchronization protocols for heifers. In Exp. 1, 869 Angus-based beef heifers were enrolled at 8 locations. All heifers were exposed to the 7-d CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) estrus synchronization protocol. On day 7 of the protocol heifers received 100 g of GnRH i.m., and a CIDR insert for 7 d. On day 0, at CIDR removal, estrous detection patches were applied to heifers and, within location, heifers randomly received 1 of 2 PGF2 treatments: 5 mL of Lutalyse i.m. (CONTROL; n = 434) or a 2 mL of Lutalyse HighCon s.c. (HiCON; n = 435). A second GnRH injection was administered at 54 2 h and heifers were fixed-time AI (TAI). Heifers were evaluated for estrous activity at TAI by determining the activation of estrous detection patches. Pregnancy rates to AI (PR/AI) were diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography between 35 and 55 d after TAI. The percentage of heifers exhibiting estrus between day 0 and TAI did not differ (P = 0.68) between CONTROL and HiCON treatments (47 vs. 46 4%, respectively). Additionally, PR/AI were similar (P = 0.65) between CONTROL and HiCON treatments (46 vs. 45 3%). In Exp. 2, 190 Angus-based beef heifers were enrolled at 2 locations. Heifers were exposed to the melengestrol acetate (MGA)-PGF2 protocol where they were offered 0.5 mg MGA per day from days 1 to 14. On day 33, heifers were randomly assigned to receive CONTROL (n = 95) or HiCON (n = 95) treatment, and estrous detection aids were applied. Heifers were exposed to AI 12 h after detection of estrus. Heifers not detected in estrus at location 1 received a second PGF2 injection 6 d after the initial PGF2 injection and were placed with fertile bulls. Heifers at location 2 that did not express estrus were administered 100 g of GnRH i.m. and exposed to TAI 96 h after the initial PGF2 injection. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to diagnose PR/AI between 51 and 57 d after the initial PGF2 injection. The percentage of heifers exhibiting estrus during the estrus detection period was similar (P = 0.40) between CONTROL and HiCON treatments (82 vs. 87 4%). Furthermore, PR/AI were similar (P = 0.62) between CONTROL and HiCON treatments (60 vs. 65 5%). In summary, the 2 concentrations and corresponding routes of administration of PGF2 were similar in efficacy at synchronizing estrus in beef heifers.

published proceedings

  • J Anim Sci

author list (cited authors)

  • Oosthuizen, N., Lansford, A. C., Canal, L. B., Fontes, P., Sanford, C. D., Dahlen, C. R., ... Lamb, G. C.

citation count

  • 0

complete list of authors

  • Oosthuizen, Nicola||Lansford, Alicia C||Canal, Luara B||Fontes, Pedro LP||Sanford, Carla D||Dahlen, Carl R||DiLorenzo, Nicolas||Funston, Rick N||Lamb, G Cliff

publication date

  • April 2018