Effect of GnRH on ovulatory response after luteolysis induced by two low doses of PGF2α in lactating dairy cows

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on ovulatory response after complete luteolysis induced by two low doses of prostaglandin (PG)F2α in lactating dairy cows. Cows (n = 18) ranging between 45 and 65 days in milk were recruited for synchronization by a modified Ovsynch-48 protocol (GnRH-7 days-375 μg PGF2α-1 day-250 μg of PGF2α-1 day-GnRH) over a total of 23 estrous cycles. Synchronized cows (n = 16) were randomly assigned to GnRH and Saline groups in stage 1 of the experiment after 9–10 days of ovulation in synchronization. On days 0 and 1 (day 0 = first PGF2α administration), cows were treated with 375 and 250 μg PGF2α, respectively. On day 2, cows in the GnRH and Saline groups were administered 250 μg GnRH or 2.5 mL of 0.9% saline, respectively. Serum progesterone (P4) levels were measured and changes in the corpus luteum (CL) were ultrasonically monitored daily from day 0–3 to assess complete luteolysis. Preovulatory follicle diameter and ovulatory response were evaluated by ultrasonography. In stage 2, cows were treated in a manner converse to that in stage 1. The synchronization rate was 69.6% (16/23). In stages 1 and 2, cows showed complete luteolysis with P4 concentration <1 ng/mL or remaining CL area <50%. Average ovulation time was 29.3 ± 0.5 h, which mostly occurred between 28 and 30 h after GnRH injection. However, all cows in the Saline group ovulated later than 36 h post-injection, with an average time of 52.7 ± 8.6 h. There was no difference in preovulatory follicle diameter between the two groups (16.8 ± 0.5 and 17.3 ± 0.5 mm for GnRH and saline groups, respectively). Although ovulation rate was not correlated with treatment, the rate within 48 h of GnRH injection (93.3%) tended to be higher compared with that in the Saline group (60.0%). Thus, GnRH administration increased ovulation rate following complete luteolysis induced by two low doses of PGF2α. These results indicate that this simple protocol for dairy cows is an effective alternative to timed artificial insemination programs in the field.