Estrus synchronization in holstein heifers with estradiol valerate or estradiol 17β and progesterone devices

Abstract

One aim of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of cows and heifers when resynchronizing returns to estrus for a second insemination by treating with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (IVD) for 7 or 8 d when estradiol benzoate (EB) was administered at the start of treatment and again 24 h after device removal. An additional aim was to document the pattern of onset and characteristics of estrus with each resynchrony treatment. Lactating cows in three herds were synchronized for a first estrus and AI by treatment with an IVD for 8 d, starting on Day 0, cloprostenol (0.5 mg im) at device removal and EB at device insertion (2.0 mg im) and 24 h after removal (1.0 mg im). Cows were resynchronized for a second estrus starting on Day 23 by reinsertion of IVDs for 7 (IVD-7-EB; n = 449) or 8 d (IVD-8-EB; n = 445) with EB (1.0 mg im) administered at device insertion and 24 h after removal. Cows were resynchronized for a third estrus by administration of EB (1.0 mg im) on Day 46, but subsequent treatments (no further treatment, reinsertion of CIDR or administration of EB on Day 55) varied among herds as part of separate studies. Maiden heifers (7-Day, n = 68; 8-Day, n = 69) were similarly treated as cows in a separate herd, but doses of EB were always 1.0 mg im at device insertion and 0.75 mg im 24 h after removal. Heifers were not resynchronized for a third estrus. Cattle were inseminated on detection of estrus at each synchronized estrus. Cumulative pregnancy rates 4 week (66.0%, 276/418 versus 59.1%, 247/418) and 7 week (72.7%, 304/418 versus 67.7%, 283/418) after the start of AI were greater (P < 0.05) in the IVD-7-EB cows compared to the IVD-8-EB cows, respectively; this was associated with a 9% increase in conception rates at the second estrus (P = 0.051) in the IVD-7-EB cows. Treatment did not significantly affect reproductive performance in heifers. Characteristics of estrus measured with radiotelemetry did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups, but more cows were detected in estrus 36 h after removal of IVDs in the IVD-8-EB cows compared to the IVD-7-EB cows (P < 0.05). We concluded that reproductive performance in resynchronized dairy cows but not heifers was greater following resynchronization of estrous cycles after AI with an IVD for 7 compared to 8 d when EB was injected at the start of treatment and 24 h after device removal.