Combined use of Ovsynch and progesterone supplementation after artificial insemination in dairy cattle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different Ovsynch protocols combined with progesterone (P4) supplementation after artificial insemination (AI) of Holstein-Friesian cows. Cows were randomly synchronized at 52 to 63 d after parturition with either the classical Ovsynch protocol (GnRH on d 0, PGF2α on d 7, GnRH 48h after PGF2α) or with a modified Ovsynch protocol (second GnRH 60h after PGF2α). On d 4 after timed AI (TAI), the cows were blocked by parity and randomly divided into 2 groups. Half of the cows were supplemented with P4 (P4+) by applying a P4-releasing intravaginal device intravaginally for 14 d, whereas the other half remained untreated (P4−). In 50% of randomly chosen cows, plasma P4 was measured on d 4, 5, and 18 after TAI. Sonographic pregnancy diagnosis was performed on d 33 after TAI in a total of 398 cows. Health status and body condition score (BCS) of all cows were examined at several stages of the study. Cows in the modified Ovsynch protocol tended to have higher P4 values on d 4 after TAI than cows in the classical Ovsynch protocol (2.1±0.2 vs. 1.6±0.2ng/mL), but no difference in pregnancy per AI (P/AI) was observed between the 2 Ovsynch protocols (38.4% vs. 44.1%). Independent of the Ovsynch protocols, P4+ cows tended to have higher P/AI compared with P4− cows (44.4% vs. 38.1%). The retention of fetal membranes and BCS at the time of insemination affected P/AI. Moreover, an interaction between BCS at the time of insemination and P4 supplementation was apparent; that is, the difference in P/AI between P4+ and P4− cows was significant in cows with BCS ≥3.25. Progesterone-supplemented cows showed higher P4 values on d 5 (4.9±0.2 vs. 2.6±0.2) and d 18 (7.8±0.2 vs. 6.3±0.2) after TAI, respectively. In conclusion, the elongation of the time interval between the injections of PGF2α and the second GnRH from 48 to 60h had no effect on P/AI. Progesterone supplementation after insemination improved the P/AI of the Ovsynch protocols, but this effect was more apparent in cows with BCS ≥3.25.