294 SUPERSTIMULATION IN THE FIRST FOLLICULAR WAVE, WITHOUT THE USE OF ESTRADIOL IN BONSMARA CATTLE

Abstract

Protocols that control follicular wave emergence and ovulation have had a great impact on the application of commercial on-farm embryo transfer because they permit the initiation of superstimulatory treatments at a self-appointed time. However, the most common approach for the synchronization of follicular wave emergence for superstimulation involves the use of estradiol or its esters that are not commercially available in many countries. Therefore, an experiment was designed to evaluate a protocol in which the superstimulation treatment began at the time of emergence of the first follicular wave without the use of estradiol. Bonsmara donors (29 cows and 41 heifers) were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Donor animals in the experimental group (first wave group) received an intravaginal progesterone releasing device (Cue-Mate, Bioniche Animal Health, ON, Canada) along with PGF (0.150 mg D + cloprostenol, Bioprost-D, Biotay, Argentina) at random stages of the estrous cycle. Cue-Mates were removed 10.5 d later and a second PGF was administered at the same time, followed by GnRH (0.050 mg Lecirelina, Biosin-OV, Biotay, Argentina) 36 h later. Ovulation was expected to occur within 30 h after GnRH (day 0). On day 0 (36 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone) donors received a new Cue-Mate, and superstimulation treatment was initiated with a total dose of 200 to 260 mg (heifers) or 320 mg (cows) NIH-FSH-P1of Folltropin-V in twice daily decreasing doses over 5 d. The PGF was administered with the last two Folltropin-V injections, and Cue-Mate devices were removed with the last Folltropin-V injection. All donors received 12.5 mg pLH (Lutropin-V, Bioniche Animal Health) 24 h after Cue-Mate removal and were AI 12 and 24 h later. Embryos were collected 7 d after pLH treatment. Donors in the Control group received a Cue-Mate and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Bioestradiol, Biotay) and 50 mg of progesterone (Lab. Rio de Janeiro, Argentina), and superstimulation treatments were initiated 4 d later with the same dosages used in the first wave group. The PGF administration, Cue-Mate removal, AI, and embryo collections were done as those in the first wave group. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and results are shown in Table 1. It was not possible to pass the cervix with the collection catheter in two heifers in the control group, and they were excluded from the analysis. There were no significant effects of donor category (cows v. heifers) or treatment on superovulatory response and embryo quality (P > 0.20). In conlusion, superstimulation on a synchronized first follicular wave is as efficacious as superstimulation following synchronization of follicle wave emergence with estradiol benzoate in Bonsmara cattle. Table 1. Superovulatory response (means ± SEM) in Bonsmara cows and heifers treated with Folltropin-V during the first follicular wave or 4 d after estradiol administration Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, ON, Canada.