title: Factors associated with fertility outcomes in cows treated with protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation in seasonal-calving, pasture-based dairy production systems.
abstract: Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with fertility outcomes in cows treated with protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation. Lactating dairy cows (n=1,538) were enrolled in a completely randomized block design study to evaluate synchronization treatments. Within each herd (n=8), cows were divided into 3 calving groups: early [≥ 42 d in milk (DIM) at mating start date (MSD); n=1,244], mid (21 to 41 DIM at MSD; n=179), and late (0 to 20 DIM at MSD; n=115), based on DIM at MSD. Cows in the early-, mid-, and late-calving groups were synchronized to facilitate estrus or timed artificial insemination (TAI) at MSD (planned breeding 1; PB1), 21 d (PB2), and 42 d (PB3) after MSD, respectively. For each PB, cows in the relevant calving group were stratified by parity and calving date and randomly assigned to (1) d -10 GnRH (10 μg i.m. of buserelin) and CIDR [controlled internal drug release insert, 1.38 g of progesterone (P4)]; d -3 PGF(2α) (25mg i.m. of dinoprost); d -2 CIDR out and AI at observed estrus (CIDR_OBS); (2) same as CIDR_OBS, but GnRH 36 h after CIDR out and TAI 18 h later (CIDR_TAI); (3) same as CIDR_TAI, but no CIDR (i.e., Ovsynch); or (4) untreated controls (CTRL). Use of a CIDR-based ovulation synchronization protocol (i.e., CIDR_TAI) increased synchronization rates in anovular cows. Both CIDR_OBS and CIDR_TAI animals without a corpus luteum (CL) had increased likelihood of conception at first service compared with Ovsynch animals without a CL. Animals with low body condition score (BCS) treated with CIDR_OBS had an increased likelihood of conceiving at first service compared with low-BCS animals treated with CIDR_TAI, Ovsynch, or CTRL. Animals <60 d in milk (DIM) treated with CIDR_OBS and CIDR_TAI had increased likelihood of conceiving at first service compared with animals treated with Ovsynch. Treatment with CIDR_TAI increased synchronization rate in cows categorized as low BCS, anovulatory, and <60 DIM compared with both CIDR_OBS and Ovsynch, and increased submission rate compared with CIDR_OBS. Conception rate in cows within these categories, however, was greatest for CIDR_OBS, resulting in minimal differences in actual pregnancy rates between CIDR_OBS and CIDR_TAI treatments, both of which were superior to Ovsynch. Treatment differences in the response variables investigated were minimal in cows categorized as medium or high BCS, ovulatory, and >60 DIM, indicating that CIDR-based protocols could be targeted at particular cows, and all other cows could be synchronized using Ovsynch.
authors: Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Herlihy
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Crowe
authors: D P
authors: DP
authors: Berry
authors: M G
authors: MG
authors: Diskin
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Butler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods; D004973:Estrus Synchronization; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000662:veterinary*; D012621:Seasons