NEEDLELESS IMPLANT DELIVERY OF GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE ENHANCES THE CALVING RATE OF BEEF-COWS SYNCHRONIZED WITH NORGESTOMET AND ESTRADIOL VALERATE

One-hundred and six beef cows were included in a study to determine if gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administered via needleless imp lants would enhance calving rate like conventional GnRH administration . All cows were synchronized with the norgestomet and estradiol valera te estrus synchronization procedure and then randomly assigned to one of three groups: no GnRH, GnRH via conventional implants, and GnRH via needleless implants. GnRH was administered 30 hr after norgestomet im plant removal. Although needleless implants were administered while co ws were restrained, they may be administered remotely. GnRH administer ed by both methods equally enhanced (p < 0.05) calving rate and the ne edleless implant caused minimal response by the cows. Therefore, remot e administration of GnRH may accomplish therapeutic efficacy and reduc e the time, labor, stress, and risk of injury associated with providin g conventional animal therapy.