Synchronization of Estrus and Pregnancy Risk in Anestrous Dairy Cows After Treatment with a Progesterone-Releasing Intravaginal Device

Abstract

Lactating Holstein cows (located in 4 dairy herds) that had failed to display estrus as defined by increased pedometer activity by 63 +/- 3 d in milk, were enrolled to investigate the effect of a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID, n = 268) relative to a placebo intravaginal device (PID, control, n = 266) on days from device removal to artificial insemination (AI), the probability of pregnancy at first AI, and days from device removal to pregnancy. Cows were assigned randomly to receive a PRID or PID for 7 d and an injection of PGF2alpha at device removal. Upon device removal, a vaginitis score was assigned and AI occurred at observed estrus. Cows failing to display estrus within 14 d of device removal were subjected to a subsequent reproductive exam and were treated with PGF2alpha. Two percent of PRID-treated cows and 11% of control cows displayed estrus during the 7-d exposure period. Among the remaining cows, 93% of the devices were present at the scheduled removal. Cows treated with the PRID were 60% less likely to have purulent debris on the device than control cows. Vaginal reaction, however, was not associated with any of the reproductive outcomes. Investigation of the reproductive outcomes revealed a treatment x parity interaction. Progesterone-treated primiparous cows were inseminated 17 d earlier, with no significant change in the probability of pregnancy at first AI (30.3 vs. 42.0%), and no difference in median time from device removal to pregnancy (52 vs. 53 d) relative to control primiparous cows. Conversely, PRID-treated multiparous cows were inseminated 8 d earlier, with no change in probability of pregnancy at first AI (24.6 vs. 18.8%); however, median time from device removal to pregnancy was reduced by 20 d (67 vs. 87 d). These results support the efficacy of a PRID to induce estrus in previously anestrous cows. The reason, however, for the variable response between primiparous and multiparous cows was not clear.

Effect of CIDR® on 4-day-service-rate, pregnancy rate and vaginal irritation in dairy heifers

“…PGF 2α , however, will not regress a developing CL that is present on the ovary during the first 5 days of the estrus cycle (3,8). In this situation one method to improve estrus synchronization in comparison to a single treatment with PGF 2α is to give progesterone (P 4 ) for 7 days before the administration of PGF 2α (9,12,13). This approach ensures a CL responsive to PGF 2α because the CL is at least 7 days old (9).…”

Synchronization of Estrus and Ovulation Using CIDR and Prostaglandin for Improving Pregnancy Rate of Repeat Breeder Egyptian Buffaloes

“…The potential beneficial effects of exogenous P4 supplementation on fertility have been acknowledged for a long time (Lonergan et al, 2013). Improvements in reproductive performance in cycling cows treated with different P4 devices were reported by many authors (Walsh et al, 2007;Chebel et al, 2010). Many authors have been used Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR), GnRH, estrogen and prostaglandin to treat infertile buffaloes (Singh et al, 2003;Metwelly, 2006;Azawi et al, 2012).…”

Evaluation of three hormonal protocols for anovulatory lactating cows under regulations restricting the use of estrogenic compounds

“…; Walsh et al . ). However, administration of EB has been banned in the European Union (EU) member states, New Zealand and Australia (Lane et al .…”

“…In published research (Walsh et al . ; Yu & Maeda ), anestrous cows are classified as ovulatory cows (silent estrus or quiet ovulation) and anovulatory cows (ovarian quiescence).…”