J Vet Sci.  2013 Jun;14(2):161-166. 10.4142/jvs.2013.14.2.161.

Comparison between two progesterone sources and two oestradiol formulations in a Heatsynch protocol for postpartum cycling dairy cows in pasture

• Andringa M
• Van Eerdenburg FJCM
• Fernandez
• Garcia S
• Cavestany

• KMID: 1705517
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2013.14.2.161

Abstract

To compare an injectable progesterone (MAD-4) with an intravaginal device (IPD), and natural O17 with synthetic oestradiol (OB) in a synchronisation protocol, 51 cows were divided into four groups. Each group was treated with one of the two sources of progesterone and one of the two oestradiol formulations. Oestrus behaviour, follicle diameter, and pregnancy rates were evaluated. Oestrus behaviour (p = 0.902), numbers of cows in oestrus (p = 0.917), follicle diameter (p = 0.416), and pregnancy rates (p = 0.873) were similar among the four groups. More cows in the group treated with the IPD and OB scored > 200 oestrus behaviour points compared to the other groups (p = 0.038). A longer interval between the end of treatment and oestrus was observed among cows treated with MAD-4 than cows given the IPD (p = 0.030), but no differences were found between animals receiving the two oestradiol formulations (OB and O17). While the use of MAD-4 requires further testing, similar responses to natural oestradiol observed in the present study could allow the use of this formulation in reproductive protocols because it is not associated with the potential human health risks of OB.

Keyword

dairy cows; oestrus behaviour; synchronisation

MeSH Terms

Administration, Intravaginal
Animals
Cattle
Estradiol/administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives/*pharmacology
Estrus/drug effects
Estrus Synchronization/*methods
Female
Injections, Subcutaneous/veterinary
Ovarian Follicle/drug effects
Postpartum Period/drug effects
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Progesterone/administration & dosage/*pharmacology
Reproduction/drug effects
Estradiol
Progesterone

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Schemes of the oesterus synchronisation protocols. The cows were divided into four groups that received different progesterone sources or oestradiol formulations. OE: oestradiol, FTAI: fixed time artificial insemination.

• 

  Fig. 2 Oestrous behaviour scores for the four treatment groups. The highest 24-h score of each cow is presented. Cows with scores above the 50-point threshold were considered to be in oestrus. Mean scores were 273 ± 282 for group A, 261 ± 350 for group B, 202 ± 372 for group C, and 182 ± 311 for group D. Differences between the groups were insignificant (p = 0.902).

• 

  Fig. 3 Time intervals from the end of treatment to oestrus. Overall differences between the groups were not significant (p = 0.122) but groups treated with MAD-4 (C and D) had longer intervals to oestrus than the groups treated with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device.

• 

  Fig. 4 Relationship between follicle size and oestrus score. No correlation was observed (Pearson correlation = 0.156, p = 0.370). There was no difference in follicle diameter between the groups.

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