Conception rate following timed artificial insemination protocols in dairy heifers synchronised by PGF2α and GnRH

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol using PGF2α and GnRH with acceptable pregnancy rate in dairy heifers. Dairy heifers (n=290), aged between 13 and 26 months (mean 16.1 months), were used in this study. Heifers were synchronized with two PGF2α administrations by 14 d intervals. After the second PGF2α , heifers were randomly assigned into two groups. In Group 1 (n=155), GnRH was given at 56h following 2nd PGF2α and TAI was performed at 1618h after the GnRH. In Group 2 (n=135), GnRH was administered at 72h after 2nd PGF2α , at the time of TAI. Ultrasonography was performed at both PGF2α administrations to determine cyclicity, at the time of TAI to measure ovulatory follicle size, 7 d after TAI to determine ovulation, 31 and 62 d post-AI to determine pregnancy. Ovulatory follicle size at the time of TAI was not significantly different between groups (12.8±1.6 mm and 13.2±1.8 mm in group 1 and 2, respectively). Synchronization rate was similar in group 1 (85.2%;132/155) and in group 2 (91.1%;123/135). Conception rate (CR) at 31 d was not different in group 1 (59.8% ;79/132) and in group 2 (55.3%;68/123). Embryonic loss (7.6%; 6/79 and 7.4%; 5/68 in group 1 and 2 respectively) was not different. Gender ratio of the calves was found different between groups. Proportion of the female calves born were higher (P=0.03) in group 1 (63.3%; 38/60) than in group 2 (42.0%; 21/50). In conclusion, both protocols can be used in order to eliminate estrous detection in large dairy herds. Although GnRH administration at the time of TAI was found to be useful to reduce handling of heifers, GnRH can be applied 16-18 h before AI to achive higher female calves ratio in large dairy farms

Keywords

• Dairy heifers
• GnRH
• PGF2α
• timed artificial insemination
• synchronization

PGF2α ve GnRH Kullanılarak Senkronize Edilen Düvelerde Zaman Ayarlı SuniTohumlama SonrasmdaElde Edilen Gebelik Oranları

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı GnRH ve PGF2α kullanılarak senkronize edilen düvelerde, östrüs kontrolleri yapılmadan uygulanan zaman ayarlı suni tohumlama sonrasında istenilen düzeyde gebelik oranı elde etmekti. Çalışmada yaşları 13 ile 24 ay arasında değişen (ortalama 16.1) düveler (n=290) kullanıldı. Düveler 14 gün ara ile uygulanan PGF2α ile senkronize edildi ve ikinci PGF2α uygulaması sonrası rastgele iki gruba ayrıldı. Grup l'e (n=155) ikinci PGF2α uygulamasını takiben 56. saat GnRH ve GnRH uygulamasını taiben 16-18. saat zaman ayarlı suni tohumlama yapıldı. Grup 2'ye ise (n=135) ikinci PGF2α uygulamasını takiben 72. saatte suni tohumlama GnRH ile birlikte uygulandı. Ovaryumların siklik olup olmadığını belirlemek amacıyla her iki PGF2αuygulaması sırasında, ovaryumlarda folliküllerin çapını belirmek amacıyla suni tohumlama ile eş zamanlı olarak, ovulasyon oranını belirlemek amacıyla suni tohumlamayı takiben 7. gün, gebelik oranını belirlemek amacıyla suni tohumlamayı takiben 31 ve 62. günlerde ultrasonografi uygulaması yapıldı. Suni tohumlama ile eş zamanlı olarak belirlenen follikül çaplarında gruplar arasında herhangibir farklılık yoktu (sırasıyla grup 1 ve 2 de 12.8±1.6 mm 13.2±1.8 mm). Senkronizasyon oranları gruplar arasında benzerdi (%85.2; 132/155 grup 1 ve %91.1; 123/135 grup 2). 31. günde belirlenen gebelik oranları değerlendirildiğinde gruplar arasında farklılık yoktu (% 59.8; 79/132 grup 1 ve % 55.3; 68/123 grup 2). Embriyonik kayıp gruplar arasında farklı değildi (sırasıyla grup 1 ve 2 de %7.6; 6/79, %7.4; 5/68). Gruplar arasında cinsiyet oranları farklı belirlendi. Dişi buzağı oranı grup 1 de (%63.3; 38/60) grup 2'ye oranla (%42.0; 21/50) daha yüksek bulundu (P<0.05). Sonuç olarak, her iki protokolünde senkronizasyon amacıyla büyük sürü popülasyonuna sahip kızgınlık kontrolleri yapılmayan süt sığırcılığı işletmelerinde uygulanabileceği görüldü. Suni tohumlama uygulaması ile eş zamanlı olarak yapılan GnRH uygulamasının işletmede işçiliği azaltmasına rağmen, GnRH uygulamasının 16-18 saat önce yapılmasının dişi buzağı oranını arttırdığı belirlendi

Keywords

• Düve
• GnRH
• PGF2α
• senkronizasyon
• suni tohumlama

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