Luteal function and estrus in peripubertal beef heifers treated with an intravaginal progesterone releasing device with or without a subsequent injection of estradiol

Abstract

The objectives of this experiment were to determine if treatment of beef heifers with progesterone (P 4) using an intravaginal device alone or in combination with estradiol benzoate (EB) would induce estrus and cause development of corpora lutea (CL) with a typical life span. Peripubertal heifers (n=311) were used when about 40% of the heifers had a functional CL. The heifers were assigned to receive one of the following treatments on Day 0: 1) a sham device for 7 d (C, n=108); 2) an intravaginal device containing P 4 for 7 d (P, n=102); or 3) an intravaginal device containing P 4 for 7 d plus an injection of 1 mg EB 24 to 30 h after device removal (PE, n=101). Serum concentrations of P 4 were determined on Days −7, 0, 8, 15 and 22. Weight and age of the heifers at the start of the trial averaged 292 ± 45 kg and 365 ± 38 d, respectively. A greater (P < 0.0001) proportion of the heifers from the PE than P group was in standing estrus (81 vs 37%) and formed normal CL (68 vs 44%) after device removal. Of the heifers exhibiting estrus, a greater (P < 0.05) proportion of PE (94%) than P (80%) heifers was active 1 to 3 d after implant removal. Short-term progesterone treatment increased the proportion of heifers in estrus and those forming normal CL, and adding EB to the progesterone treatment further enhanced these responses.