Reproductive performance of fixed-time artificial insemination in heifers supplemented with a homeopathic complex

Abstract

For this study, ½ blood nelore × aberdeen angus heifers (n = 40; 14 months) were divided into two groups: control (n=20; 310 kg) and pró-cio (n=20; 304 kg). for pró-cio group, 20g of homeopathic product (pró-cio®, real h, campo grande, brazil) was supplied together with corn eighteen days prior (d-18) to the beginning of the fixed-time artificial insemination protocol (ftai). on d0, all females received an intravaginal p4 device and 2 mg be. on d5, the afc was assessed by ultrasound and blood was collected for amh dosage. on d8, p4 device was removed; 300 iu ecg, 0.530 mg of cloprostenol sodium and 0.5 mg of ec were administered; an estrus-identifying adhesive was fixed at the tail insertion and the diameter of the dominant follicle (df) was measured. on d10, all heifers were inseminated, estrus manifestation was assessed and the preovulatory follicle (pof) was measured. on d20, the cl area was measured and blood flow was assessed using doppler ultrasound. data were analyzed by student, mann-whitney or friedman test. the rates of heat expression, ovulation, and blood flow score with doppler were analyzed using fisher’s exact test and pregnancy rate by binary logistic regression model (p ≤ 0.05). there was no difference in afc or amh dosage (p > 0.05). pró-cio group had greater diameters of the df (9.94 ± 0.42 mm) and pof (11.61 ± 0.56 mm) than the controls (df: 7.72 ± 0.34 mm and pof: 9.91 ± 0.37 mm), as well a larger cl area (3.26 ± 0.26 versus 2.35 ± 0.16 cm2) and a higher mean cl vascularization score (3.06 versus 2.26; p < 0.05). there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between estrus manifestation or conception rate for control and pró-cio groups. heifers supplemented with the homeopathic product showed larger follicular diameters at the end of the ftai protocol and cl with better blood flow scores compared to the control group.