title: Ovarian traits after gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced ovulation and subsequent delay of induced luteolysis in an Ovsynch protocol.
abstract: Our objective was to determine whether delaying the PGF2alpha injection by 24 or 48 h after the first GnRH injection in an Ovsynch protocol (from a standard 7 d) altered ovarian characteristics in lactating dairy cows. Beginning 9 d after removal of a progesterone-releasing controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert and injection of PGF2alpha (d 6.4 of the estrous cycle), 36 Holsteins (average body weight = 707 +/- 12 kg and body condition score = 2.3 +/- 0.1) were administered 100 microg of GnRH (81 +/- 2 d in milk) and assigned randomly to receive a treatment injection of PGF2alpha 7, 8, or 9 d later. Timed artificial insemination was performed at 48 h after PGF2alpha at which time a second injection of GnRH was administered. Ovarian structures were mapped by ultrasonography on d 0 (first GnRH injection); on d 2 to determine responses to the first GnRH injection; at PGF2alpha injection; and daily thereafter through 72 h after PGF2alpha to monitor ovulation of preovulatory follicles. Blood was collected on d 0, 2, at PGF2alpha injection, and at 24 and 48 h after PGF2alpha to monitor serum changes in estradiol-17beta (E2-17beta) and progesterone (P4). Based on serum P4 and ovarian exams, 2 cows were eliminated because of anestrus and their failure to ovulate a follicle in response to the first GnRH injection. Two other cows in which luteolysis failed to occur after PGF2alpha treatment also were eliminated. Final numbers of cows per treatment were: 7 d (n = 13), 8 d (n = 9), and 9 d (n = 10). Twenty-nine of 32 cows ovulated (90.6%) in response to the first GnRH injection. Of those cows not ovulating in response to the first GnRH injection, 2 had 1 original corpus luteum and 1 had 2 original corpora lutea. Despite a 24- or 48-h delay between first GnRH and PGF2alpha injections, the diameter (mm) and volume (mm3) of the ovulatory follicle did not differ among treatments: 14.3 +/- 0.6 and 1,526 +/- 62 at 7 d; 14.1 +/- 0.8 and 1,479 +/- 97 at 8 d; and 15.3 +/- 0.9 and 1,490 +/- 69 at 9 d. In all 32 cows, at least 1 follicle ovulated after treatment, but ovulation rates did not differ: 1.2 +/- 0.1, 1.1 +/- 0.1, and 1.3 +/- 0.2, respectively, for the 7-, 8-, and 9-d treatments. Serum concentrations of E2-17beta did not differ among treatments. Four cows in the 7-d treatment were inseminated 24 h late and were excluded before assessing conception rates, which were 5/9 (55.6%), 5/9 (55.6%), and 1/10 (10%), respectively. We conclude that delaying PGF2alpha injection by 24 h had no effect on outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-0201, USA. jss@k-state.edu
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Portaluppi
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Tenhouse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004973:Estrus Synchronization / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D003341:Luteolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D015237:Dinoprost