PSII-29 Effects of delayed injection of prostaglandin F2α and TAI in the 14-d CIDR-PG & TAI protocol in replacement beef heifers. (30th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oosthuizen, Nicky; Melo, Gabriela; Stewart, Lawton; Seidel, George; Lamb, Graham Cliff; Fontes, Pedro
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 98(2020)Supplement 4
• Page Start: 375
• Page End: 376
• Publication Date: 2020-11-30
• Subjects: beef heifers -- estrus synchronization -- fixed-time artificial insemination; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa278.660
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: To determine the effects of delaying the injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) and fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) in the 14-d CIDR-PG & TAI protocol, 911 Angus heifers at 5 locations were enrolled in a completely randomized design. Within location heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: 1) PG16 (n = 452), heifers received a CIDR insert on d 0 for 14 d, a 25-mg injection of PGF 16 d after CIDR removal [d 30], and a 100-µg injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone concurrently with TAI 66 ± 2 h later; or 2) PG17 (n = 459), heifers were treated the same as PG16, however, PGF was administered 17 d after CIDR removal [d 31], and heifers were TAI 66 ± 2 h later. Estrus detection patches were applied to heifers at the time of PGF administration and were examined for activation at TAI. Dominant follicle diameter was determined via transrectal ultrasonography at PGF administration and TAI in a subset of heifers (n = 171). Furthermore, transrectal ultrasonography was performed to determine pregnancy rates to TAI (PR/AI) between 30 and 45 d after TAI. Estrus expression prior to TAI was similar (P = 0.50) between treatments (48.9 vs. 52.0%, respectively). Moreover, dominant follicle diameter at PGF and TAI was similar (P ≥ 0.43) between PG16 and PG17 heifers. Pregnancy rates to TAI did not differ (P = 0.48) between treatment groups (46.4 vs. 48.9%, respectively). The results of this experiment indicate that delaying the injection of PGF from d 30 to d 31 along with TAI in the 14-day CIDR-PG & TAI protocol had no effects on fertility parameters in beef heifers. In conclusion, the PGF injection and TAI in the 14-d CIDR-PG & TAI protocol may be delayed, providing more flexibility in scheduling without negatively affecting fertility.