The use of GnRH or estradiol to facilitate fixed-time insemination in an MGA-based synchronization regimen in beef cattle

Two experiments were conducted to compare pregnancy rates when GnRH or estr adiol were given to synchronize ovarian follicular wave emergence and ovula tion in an MGA-based estrus synchronization program. Crossbred beef cattle were fed melengestrol acetate (MGA, 0.5 mg per day) for 7 days (designated days 0-6, without regard to stage of the estrous cycle) and given cloproste nol (PGF; 500 mug intramuscular (im)) on day 7. In Experiment 1, lactating beef cows (n = 140) and pubertal heifers (n = 40) were randomly allocated t o three groups to receive 100 mug gonadorelin (GnRH), 5 mg estradiol- 17 be ta and 100 mg progesterone (E + P) in canola oil or no treatment (control) on day 0. All cattle were observed for estrus every 12 h from 36 to 96 h af ter PGR Cattle in the GnRH group that were detected in estrus 36 or 48 h af ter PGF were inseminated 12 It later the remainder were given 100 mug GnRH im 72 h after PGF and concurrently inseminated. Cattle in the E + P group w ere randomly assigned to receive either 0.5 or 1.0 mg estradiol benzoate (E B) in 2 ml canola oil im 24 h after PGF and were inseminated 30 h later. Ca ttle in the control group were inseminated 12 h after the first detection o f estrus; if not in estrus by 72 h after PGF, they were given 100 mug GnRH im and concurrently inseminated. In the absence of significant differences, all data for heifers and for cows were combined and the 0.5 and 1.0 mg EB groups were combined into a single estradiol group. Estrus rates were 57.6, 57.4 and 60.0% for the GnRH, E + P and control groups, respectively (P = 0 .95). The mean (+/- SD.) interval from PGF treatment to estrus was shorter (P < 0.001) and less variable (P < 0.001) in the E + P group (49.0 +/- 6.1 h) than in either the GnRH (64.2 +/- 15.9 h) or control (66.3 +/- 13.3 h) g roups. Overall pregnancy rates were higher (P < 0.005) in the GnRH (57.6%) and E + P (55.7%) groups than in the control group (30.0%) as were pregnanc y rates to fixed-time AI (47.5, 55.7 and 28.3%, respectively). In Experimen t 2, 122 crossbred beef heifers were given either 100 mug GnRH or 2 mg EB a nd 50 mg progesterone in oil on day 0 and subsequently received either 100 cg GnRH 36 h after PGF and inseminated 14 h later or I mg EB im 24 h after PGF and inseminated 28 h later in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Pregnancy rates were not significantly different among groups (41.9. 32.2, 33.3 and 36.7% in GnRH/GnRH, GnRH/EB, EB/GnRH and EB/EB groups, respectively). In conclusi on, GnRH or estradiol given to synchronize ovarian follicular wave emergenc e and ovulation in an MGA-based synchronization regimen resulted in accepta ble pregnancy rates to fixed-time insemination. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.