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O VSYNCH , CO- SYNCH , P RESYNCH AND K ITCHENSYNCH :

SELECT

INC.
SIRES H OW DID BREEDING COWS GET SO COMPLICATED ?
by Mel DeJarnette, Reproductive Specialist, Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio

I
t is still possible to maintain good results in “bending the rules” with the CL and the inhibitory effects of
reproductive performance in dairy increased numbers of cows being bred progesterone on gonadotropin (FSH
herds without estrus synchroniza- as early as 30 to 40 days after calving. and LH) secretion. However, PGF
tion, but it requires a sound heat detec- These “early” and alone has
tion program. Unfortunately, maintain- often less fertile How do you know if your herd several dis-
ing an efficient heat detection program breedings offset needs a synchronization program? tinct limita-
and quality heat detection personnel the cows that are tions. First,
can be a never-ending challenge in not bred until 100 If your days to first breeding exceeds 80, you PGF is not
today's expanding herds. As the accura- to 120 days in may benefit from a systematic breeding program. effective in
cy and efficiency of estrous detection milk (DIM) animals that
declines, the value of incorporating resulting in what may appear to an do not have a CL. This includes pre-
estrus synchronization into the repro- acceptable “average” DFB. In reality, pubertal heifers, anestrous cows, or
ductive management program increases considerable opportunities may exist to cycling females in the first five to six
proportionately. By grouping cows that improve reproductive performance days of the estrous cycle. Secondly,
calve within a one- or two-week win- through reduced variance in DFB using PGF has no effect on follicular
dow, programmed breeding allows pro- systematic breeding programs. Any waves. Cow-to-cow variation in the
ducers to systematically synchronize herd with cows greater than 100 DFB size of the dominant follicle at the
and A.I. cows for maximum pregnancy presents a considerable opportunity for time of PGF injection results in con-
rates with minimal labor inputs. programmed breeding to demonstrate a siderable variation in the interval to
Although it's easy to get confused by significant return on investment. estrus following PGF injection. Cows
the variety of systems available, this The interval between breedings is with large follicles at PGF injection
variety provides extraordinary flexibili- another good indicator fo the opportu- may display estrus within 36 to 48
ty in developing tailor-made reproduc- nities for programmed breeding to hours, whereas those with small folli-
tive management programs. return on investment in a given herd. cles or in between waves at the time
With timely pregnancy diagnosis at 30 of PGF injection may not respond for
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A to 45 days and prompt reinsemination, four or five days. That’s why fixed-
SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM? very few cows should exceed 50 to 55 time A.I. after PGF alone seldom
The primary measure of reproductive days between breedings. produces acceptable results.
performance that is almost immediately However, the traditional method of However, PGF alone is a very effec-
impacted by synchronization is days to injecting cows with prostaglandin at tive management tool if most cows
first breeding (DFB). With a 60-day open diagnosis typically results in about are cycling and if the heat-detection
voluntary waiting period (VWP), the half of them rebred in three to five program is intense enough to catch
average DFB for a herd with exception- days, while the other half often “slip animals as they respond.
ally good heat detection efficiency through the cracks,” resulting in
(greater than 70 percent) will be the extended intervals to rebreeding. PROSTAGLANDIN-BASED BREEDING PROGRAMS
range of approximately 75 days. If Implementing timed breeding protocols In prostaglandin-based breeding
average DFB in your herd exceeds 80, to open cows at open diagnosis programs, often referred to as Target
you could likely benefit from a system- “ensures” they will be reinseminated in Breeding or Monday Morning
atic breeding program. Even if the aver- a timely fashion. Breeding Programs, groups of cows
age DFB is within an acceptable range, are injected with PGF as they reach
it’s important to consider the variation THE BASICS OF SYNCHRONIZATION - the VWP and are bred to detected
as well. Poor reproductive performance PROSTAGLANDIN F2α α (PGF) estrus for the next three to five days.
often creates a sense of urgency to The foundation hormone of any Cows not inseminated after the first
breed every cow at every heat for fear synchronization protocol is PGF. As injection are reinjected 14 days later
that she may not be observed at the in the naturally cycling cow, PGF and observed for estrus for another
return estrus if we let her go by. This brings cows into heat by removing five days. A set-up PGF injection 14
may not appear impressive at first,
Figure 1. Prostaglandin-based breeding program. it is important to understand them in
PGF
PGF Second breeding terms of an applied reproductive
PGF Set Up First breeding Injection to management program. Records
Injection Injection non-responders from DHIA processing centers sug-
Heat detect & A.I. Heat detect & A.I. gest that the average dairy producer
only detects 40 percent of the eligi-
46 60 66 74 80 ble heats in the herd and then only
gets a 40 percent conception rate.
days before the first breeding injec- heat response (Wolfenson et al., Thus, in a 21-day period, the effec-
tion will help to improve estrous 1994). tive pregnancy rate in the average
response at this first breeding oppor- Additionally, the GnRH induced dairy herd is only about 16 percent.
tunity. luteinization of dominant follicles In that context, a 30 percent preg-
Prostaglandin-based breeding has will stimulate cyclicity in many ane- nancy rate to a single fixed-time
the advantage of being simple, inex- strous cows (Stevenson et al., 2000). A.I. without heat detection doesn’t
pensive, and easiest to schedule and There are several variations of sound so bad.
implement. Because cows are only GnRH-PGF based breeding programs Although Ovsynch allows for
bred to detected estrus, PGF-based commonly used in dairy herds. Each acceptable pregnancy rates without
breeding provides flexibility if cir- system operates from the same basic heat detection, it does not necessari-
cumstances dictate an injection must framework of GnRH and PGF ly eliminate the need for heat detec-
be moved up or back a day or two. administered at seven-day intervals, tion. Ovsynch-treated animals should
However, disadvantages are that PGF but vary in how animals are handled be observed closely for returns to
is not effective in anestrous cows or for heat detection and A.I. estrus 18 to 24 days later.
cows in the early stage of the estrous Additionally, up to 20 percent of
cycle. In addition, considerable cow- OVSYNCH treated cows will display standing
to-cow variation in the interval to Ovsynch is a fixed-time A.I. syn- estrus between days six and nine of
estrus after PGF is not conducive to chronization protocol that has been the Ovsynch protocol (Geary et al.,
fixed-time A.I. and success is developed, tested and used extensive- 2000; DeJarnette et al., 2001a &
dependent on good heat detection ly in lactating dairy cattle (Pursley et 2001b). Conception rates of these
and high levels of cyclicity. All herds al., 1997 & 1998; Stevenson et al., animals will likely be compromised
using PGF-based breeding programs 1999). The protocol builds on the if bred strictly on a timed-A.I. basis.
should consider more effective basic GnRH-PGF format by adding a
GnRH-PGF based fixed-time A.I. second GnRH injection 48 hours CO-SYNCH
options for cows that were not after the PGF injection. This second CO-Synch is an alternative to
detected in estrus and bred within GnRH injection induces ovulation of Ovsynch that is used more extensive-
two to three weeks of the VWP. the dominant follicle recruited after ly in beef herds (Geary et al., 2001).
the first GnRH injection. Animals are CO-Synch eliminates one animal
GNRH-PGF BASED BREEDING PROGRAMS inseminated at eight to 18 hours after handling by breeding cows “coincid-
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone the second GnRH injection. Cows ing” with the second GnRH injec-
(GnRH) is commonly recognized by expressing estrus early should be tion. Most field trials indicate only a
its brand names of Cystorelin, inseminated like any cow in heat and small reduction in conception rates
Factrel, Fertagyl, and OvaCyst. do not need to be injected with when CO-Synch is compared to
Similar to the natural release of GnRH.
GnRH at initiation of standing estrus, Across large Ovsynch - GnRH 48h after
PGF and fixed-time A.I.
an injection of GnRH (100 µg) caus- numbers of eight to 18 hours later
GnRH PGF
es an LH surge that ovulates or dairy cattle,
luteinizes most large follicles present pregnancy CO-synch - GnRH and
in the ovaries. All cows then start a rates to fixed-time A.I. 48 to 64h
-7 0 after PGF
new follicular wave one to two days Ovsynch typi- Day
later. When GnRH is followed by a cally average Select Synch - Heat detect and
PGF injection seven days later, most in the 30 to 40 A.I. for 72h after PGF, then
Figure 2. Schematic of most fixed-time A.I. non-responders
cows will possess mature dominant percent range. with GnRH at 72 to 80h
popular variants of GnRH-PGF
follicles of similar size at CL regres- Although based breeding programs.
sion, resulting in a more synchronous these numbers
capable of responding RECENT RESEARCH IN “USER-FRIENDLY”
Figure 3. Schematic diagram of Presynch protocol. (Geary et al., 2000; APPLICATIONS
Vasconcelos et al., 1999). A major limitation to many syn-
Presynch Cows that fail to respond chronization protocols is the com-
GnRH to initiate any
{
PGF PGF
GnRH-PGF protocol
outlined in Figure 2
to the first GnRH injection
may come into estrus
plexity and “hassle factor” associated
with implementation. In many herds
14 Days 12 to 14 Days early (36 to 48 hours there is a single time during each day
before the PGF) or will that is most convenient to handle or
have follicles that are “out “lock-up” cows for routine manage-
~32 to 37 ~46 to 51 ~60 to 65 of synch” at the time of ment (injections, reading chalk rubs,
Days in Milk PGF injection. Presynch, A.I., etc.). The eight- to 18-hour
as the name implies, is a interval from second GnRH to A.I.
Ovsynch (Pursley et al., 1998; Geary protocol that “pre-synchronizes” cows means cows must be handled when it
et al., 2001; DeJarnette and Marshall, to the early stage of the estrous cycle may be inconvenient to do so.
2003). As with Ovsynch, pregnancy for optimum response to GnRH, and Recognizing the “hassle factor” as
rates are maximized if early heats (± thereby improves pregnancy rates to a major limitation to successful
24 hours of PGF) are visually detect- Ovsynch (Moreria et al., 2000; El- implementation of programmed
ed and bred using the a.m.-p.m. rule. Zarkouny et al., 2004). Presynch breeding, Dr. Jeff Stevenson of
involves the use of two PGF injec- Kansas State University designed a
SELECT SYNCH tions, given at 14 days apart, with the project to investigate the fertility
Select Synch is a breeding option last injection given 12 to 14 days potential of several “user friendly”
for those herds with good heat detec- before initiation of any GnRH-PGF options. Each protocol evaluated was
tion programs and that prefer to based breeding protocol previously designed to keep the timings of all
breed cows based to standing estrus. described (Figure 3). injections and/or A.I. in multiples of
Cows are either bred to detected When considering a Presynch pro- 24 hours so that a single daily lock-
estrus for three to five days after gram, each herd manager must care- up could be used to administer all
PGF (Option 1; Geary et al., 2000) or fully consider and answer the follow- injections and A.I. The first treatment
bred to estrus for 72 hours after PGF ing question: Am I implementing a was the CO-Synch protocol, wherein
with nonresponders time bred at 72 Presynch program for Ovsynch or a all cows received both GnRH and
hours with a concurrent injection of PGF-based breeding program fol- timed A.I. at 48 hours after PGF. The
GnRH (Option 2; DeJarnette et al., lowed by Ovsynch of all cows not second treatment was a modified
2001a, 2001b; 2003). This approach detected in estrus? With a true Ovsynch that includes a GnRH injec-
allows most cows (50 to 70 percent) Presynch program, the set-up PGF tion at 48 hours after PGF and A.I.
to be bred at standing estrus and gives injections will be given prior to the 24 hours later (72 hours after PGF).
all cows an opportunity to conceive VWP. Breeding cows after these The third treatment was a 72-hour
with the clean-up A.I. at 72 hours. early heats will likely result in com- CO-Synch (GnRH and fixed-time
The Select Synch approach saves promised conception due to incom- A.I. at 72 hours after PGF). All cows
on hormone costs because only those plete uterine involution. Also, preg- also received the Presynch protocol
cows that fail to show estrus receive nancy rates to Ovsynch may be as previouslu described. Across two
the second GnRH injection. Select reduced due to a higher percentage herds with over 200 cows per treat-
Synch also facilitates more efficient on non-responding, problem cows ment, the trends were the same and
use of expensive or genetically valu- remaining eligible for treatment. 72-hour CO-Synch achieved the
able semen by targeting its use in Thus, implementing Presynch, but greatest pregnancy rates (Figure 4).
cows at estrus, whereas less expen- actually practicing PGF-based breed- Compared to Ovsynch, the 72-hour
sive semen can be reserved for the ing, may actually decrease rather CO-Synch also eliminates one ani-
timed-A.I. services. than improve reproductive perform- mal-handling event. Although many
ance of the herd. As described previ- cows will display estrus during the
PRESYNCH ously, PGF-based breeding followed 72-hour interval between PGF and
Although the initial GnRH injection by Ovsynch is certainly a cost effec- timed A.I., by design of the experi-
is 90 percent effective at turning over tive program to implement in many ment, these cows were only insemi-
follicles if cows are between days five herds; however, producers must rec- nated at the pre-assigned fixed time.
and 12 of the estrous cycle, only 50 ognize the distinction and appropri- In practice, Select Synch with the 72-
percent of cows between days 13 and ately schedule PGF breeding injec- hour time-breeding option will facili-
17 of the cycle have follicles that are tions to occur after the VWP. tate greater conception rates by
slight improvement in synchrony of
Figure 4. Schematic diagram of treatment protocols and results of fertility comparison of three
“user-friendly” options of implementing a GnRH-PGF based timed A.I. (TAI) protocol. Each pro- response, but will have no impact on
tocol was designed to keep all animal handling events scheduled at 24-hour intervals such that the overall rate of estrus. Research in
a single daily lock-up can be used to implement the protocol. (Adapted from unpublished data beef (Lamb et al., 2003; Stevenson et
provided by Dr. Jeff Stevenson, Kansas State University.)
al., 2003b; Larson et al., 2004) and
48h CO-Synch dairy cattle (Ryan et al., 1995) sug-
GnRH & TAI at 48 hours after PGF gests pregnancy rates, especially
Preg. Rate = 23%
among anestrous cows, may be
PGF PGF GnRH PGF
improved by inserting the CIDR at
Modified Ovsynch
GnRH at 48 hours & TAI at 72 GnRH injection and removing the
hours after PGF CIDR at the LUTALYSE injection of
Preg. Rate = 29%
-35 -21 -7 0 (n=225) the many popular GnRH-PGF proto-
Day cols such Ovsynch, CO-Synch and
72h CO-Synch
GnRH & TAI at 72 hours after PGF
Select Synch.
Preg. Rate = 35%
(n=220) SO YOU SYNCHRONIZED THE FIRST BREEDING,
NOW WHAT?
breeding these early cows to estrus ficial CL in the cow. Progestin stimu- Systematic breeding programs such
and reduces hormone costs by omit- lation helps to induce cyclicity in as those previously described have
ting the second GnRH injection in anestrous cows and advances puberty greatly enhanced dairy producers’
cows detected in estrus. This in beef heifers. abilities to schedule and strategically
approach would be very complimen- Used with an injection of control the interval to first service
tary to implement in herds with a LUTALYSE® on day six or seven and after calving. Reducing days to first
good heat detection or tail-chalk pro- insert removal on day seven (Figure service usually translates into
gram. An important qualifier to this 5), research has shown the CIDR to improved reproductive performance,
study is that all cows were be a very effective means to synchro- as measured by other traits such as
“Presynched,” which will tend to nize estrus in both cycling and non- average days open and calving inter-
reduce the number of cows that dis- cycling cows and heifers. Females val. However, some herds have
play estrus “early” (less than 48 are bred eight to 12 hours after found that despite this improved
hours after PGF). Herds that want to observed estrus for the next three to timeliness and efficiency of first A.I.,
breed cows exclusively to timed A.I. five days or at a single fixed time 48 other barometers of reproductive per-
should not attempt to use the 72-hour to 64 hours after CIDR removal. The formance may not have changed.
CO-Synch approach without also extra animal handling to give This is often a symptom of a com-
implementing Presynch. LUTALYSE on day six versus day mon misconception that systematic
seven may reduce the average inter- breeding programs eliminate the need
THE NEWEST SYNCHRONIZATION TOOL TO THE val to estrus by about 12 hours with a for estrus detection. Although strate-
U.S. MARKET
The EAZI-BREED™ CIDR® or as Figure 5. Schematic diagram of synchronization applications using the EAZI-BREED CIDR.
it’s most commonly called, “CIDR,” is
the newest synchronization product to
the U.S. market (Lucy et al., 2001). Optional: LUTALYSE:
GnRH at
The CIDR is a T-shaped vaginal insert insertion Day 6 or 7
that delivers the natural hormone prog-
esterone over a seven-day implant Heat detect and A.I.
period. During the normal estrous next three to five days
cycle, progesterone is produced by the CIDR
corpus luteum (CL) on the ovary and Fixed-time A.I. 48 to 64
has two primary functions. In cycling 0 Day hours after CIDR removal
7
cows, it prevents them from coming
into estrus, whereas in pregnant cows,
progesterone is the primary hormone
Insert Remove
responsible for pregnancy mainte- CIDR CIDR
nance. Any use of the CIDR could be
considered similar to placing an arti-
shorter than open cows bred
GnRH to all cows to be Pregnancy Diagnosis only to observed estrus fol-
presented at next Ultrasound: 26 to 35 days lowing PGF at open diagno-
pregnancy diagnosis Palpation: 30 to 40 days
A.I. sis (Stevenson et al., 2003a).
Alternatively, opens cows
-7 days
can be treated with Ovsynch
Pregnant cows:
No further treatment
or any of the time-breeding
programs previously
A.I. returns to estrus described. These open cows
can be treated immediately as
Open cows: a separate group or simply
Inject with PGF and continue
with any GnRH-PGF protocol included with the next group
Figure 6. Strategic use of GnRH-PGF protocols for timely “re- outlined in Figure 2. of cows scheduled for first
synchronization” of cows that failed to conceive at previous A.I. service, synchronized breed-
ing. This ensures 100 percent
of the open cows will be re-
gic and systematic use of these pro- resynchronization application, cows inseminated ten days from initiation
grams ensures that 100 percent of the should not be injected with of treatment. A downside to this
herd receives the first A.I. within a Lutalyse, or any other approach is the accumulating cost
reasonable amount of time after calv- prostaglandin, as this would cause of days during the re-synchroniza-
ing and usually results in a 30 to 35 pregnant cows to abort. Although tion period. Using a typical value of
percent pregnancy rate at first A.I., several trials indicate improvement $3 per day for cost of day open,
65 to 70 percent of the herd is still in various measures of reproductive your open cows may cost you $30
open! What happens to these cows efficiency, economic analysis of the each in unrealized income during
now becomes the limiting factor to return on investment from use of the 10-day treatment interval to
improved reproductive performance the CIDR in this manner are not rebreeding. These costs may be
in the herd. Many producers are available and will likely vary great- reduced by initiating the GnRH
beginning to recognize tremendous ly from herd to herd depending on injection of the rebreeding protocol
opportunities for return on invest- conception rates at initial A.I. and seven days prior to the pregnancy
ment from adoption of systematic disparity in efficiency of detection diagnosis (Chebel et al., 2003;
“rebreeding programs.” of returns to estrus with or without Fricke et al., 2003; Figure 6). At
The quickest and most economi- CIDR resynchronization. pregnancy diagnosis, pregnant cows
cal method to rebreed open cows is With conventional reproductive receive no further treatment, where-
to take advantage of the synchrony management, detection and re- as open cows continue with the
created at first A.I. to strategically insemination of open cows is rebreeding protocol and are rebred
implement a targeted heat detection accomplished by pregnancy diagno- three days later. Although this
program to identify cows for breed- sis at 30 to 40 days after A.I. and resynchronization approach requires
ing as they return to estrus. The injecting open cows with PGF. This some GnRH to be “wasted” in preg-
efficiency of such a program is is a least-cost approach that works nant cows, the cost is usually easily
greatly enhanced by estrus-detec- fine if the heat detection program is offset by the seven-day reduction in
tion aids such as tail chalk, tail sufficiently intense to detect cows the interval to repeat insemination for
paint, KAMARs® or the new Estrus as they respond to PGF. open cows (approximately $21 sav-
Alert® patches. Additionally, the Unfortunately, despite best efforts ings per open cow). The timeliness of
EAZI-BREED CIDR is the only in many herds, a high percentage of all re-breeding protocols can be fur-
product approved for synchroniza- these open cows are not detected ther optimized by use of ultrasound
tion of the returns to estrus in lac- and rebred by three to five days to diagnose pregnancy as early 25 or
tating dairy cows (Chenault et al., after PGF which often results in 26 days after breeding. Regardless of
2003). In this application, the CIDR extended intervals to rebreeding and the re-synchronization option chosen,
is inserted 14 ± 1 days after A.I. excessive days open. A recent study it is extremely important to keep and
and is removed seven days later indicates open cows bred to estrus use accurate records and procedures
(day 21 ± 1 of the estrous cycle). for 72 hours after PGF followed by to ensure pregnant cows are not inad-
Many of the open cows will have a fixed-time A.I. at 72 to 80 hours vertently injected with prostaglandin
synchronous return to estrus over had an interval from calving to con- and/or re-inseminated as either will
the next three or four days. In the ception that was more than 20 days result in an abortion.
DECIDING WHAT’S BEST lowing synchronization of estrus using GnRH and PGF. J. Pursley, JR, RW Silcox and MC Wiltbank. 1998. Effect of
Although systematic breeding pro- Anim. Sci. 79:1675-1682. time of artificial insemination on pregnancy rates, calving
rates, pregnancy loss, and gender ratio after synchroniza-
tocols can be somewhat complicated DeJarnette, JM, RB House, WH Ayars, RA Wallace, and CE tion of ovualtion in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci.
and cumbersome to implement, they Marshall. 2004. Synchronization of estrus in postpartum 81:2139-2144.
have proven time and again to be an beef cows and virgin heifers using combinations of
melengestrol acetate, GnRH, and PGF J. Anim. Sci. Ryan, DP, S Snijders, H Yaakub, and KJ O'Farrell. 1995.
effective means to manage and control 82:867-877. An evaluation of estrus synchronization programs in
the intervals to first and repeat service. reproductive management of dairy herds. J. Anim. Sci.
The argument that systematic breeding DeJarnette, JM, and CE Marshall. 2003. Effects of pre- 73:3687-3695.
synchronization using combinations
is “too expensive” seldom “holds PGF2a and (or) GnRH on pregnancy rates of Ovsynch- Stevenson, JS, Y Kobayashi, KE Thompson. 1999.
water” because the alternative usually and Cosynch-treated lactating Holstein cows. Anim. Reproductive performance of dairy cows in various pro-
means even greater losses in unrealized Reprod. Sci. 77:51-60. grammed breeding systems including OvSynch and com-
binations of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and
income as a function of poor heat DeJarnette, JM, RR Salverson, and CE Marshall. 2001b. Prostaglandin F J. Dairy Sci. 82:506-515.
detection and excessive days open. Few Incidence of premature estrus in lactating dairy cows and
herds would not benefit from imple- conception rates to standing estrus or fixed-time insemi- Stevenson, JS, JA Cartmill, BA Hensley, and El-Zarkouny.
nations after synchronization using GnRH and PGF. Anim. 2003a. Conception rates of dairy cows following not-
mentation of some form of systematic Reprod. Sci. 67:27-35. pregnant diagnosis by ultrasonography and subsequent
breeding. Which system is best for your treatments with shortened Ovsynch protocol.
herd depends on numerous factors El-Zarkouny, SZ, JA Cartmill, BA Hensley, and JS Stevenson. Theriogenology 60:475-483.
including: estrus-detection efficiency, 2004. Presynchronization of estrous cycles before Ovsynch
and progesterone in dairy cows: Ovulation, pregnancy Stevenson, JS, GC Lamb, SK Johnson, MA Medina-Britos,
conception rates, herd cyclicity, and rates, and embryo survival. J. Dairy Sci. 87:In press. DM Grieger, KR Harmoney, JA Cartmill, SZ El-Zarkouny,
competency of employees and manage- CR Dahlen, and TJ Marple. 2003b. Supplemental
ment to implement program require- Fricke, PM, DZ Caraviello, KA Weigel, andML Welle. norgestomet, progesterone, or melengestrol acetate
2003. Fertility of dairys cows afer resynchronization of increases pregnancy rates in suckled beef cows after
ments. However, complacency or lack ovulation and three intervals following first timed insemi- timed inseminations. J. Anim. Sci. 81:571-586.
of commitment to comply with proto- nation. J Dairy Sci. 86:3941-3950.
col specifications will usually result in Stevenson, JS, KE Thompson, WL Forbes, GC Lamb, DM
Geary, TW, ER Downing, JE Bruemmer and JC Whittier. Grieger and LR Corah. 2000. Synchronizing estrus
increased breeding cost with little or no 2000. Ovarian and estrous response of suckled beef cows and(or) ovulation in beef cows after combinations of
improvement in reproductive perform- to Select Synch estrous synchronization protocol. Prof. GnRH, norgestomet and prostaglandin F with or without
ance. Thus, the question each dairy pro- Anim. Sci. 16:1-5. timed insemination. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1747-1758.
ducer must ask is not “Which system Geary, TW, JC Whittier, DM Hallford, and MD MacNeil. Vasconcelos, JLM, RW Silcox, GJM Rosa, JR Pursley, and
works best?” but rather, “Which system 2001. Calf removal improves conception rates to the MC Wiltbank. 1999. Synchronization rate, size of the
can my herd management implement Ovsynch or CO-Synch protocols. J. Anim Sci. 79:1-4. ovulatory follicle, and pregnancy rate after synchroniza-
tion of ovulation beginning on different days of the
most efficiently?” Lamb, GC, JS Stevenson, DJ Kesler, HA Garverick, DR estrous cycle in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology
Deciding what’s best means working Brown, and BE Salfen. 2001. Inclusion of an intravaginal 52:1067-1078.
past the point of thinking of estrus-syn- progesterone insert plus GnRH and prostaglandin F2a for
ovulation control in postpartum suckled beef cows. J. Wolfenson, D, WW Thatcher, JD Savio, L Badinga, and
chronization protocols as being too Anim. Sci. 79:2253-2259. MC Lucy. 1994. The effect of a GnRH analogue on the
many or too complicated, but instead, dynamics of follicular development and synchronization
simply tools in your reproductive tool- Larson, JE, GC Lamb, JS Stevenson, SK Johnson, ML Day, of estrus in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology
TW Geary, DJ Kesler, JM DeJarnette, FN Schrick, and JD 42:633-644.
box. Work with your veterinarian and Areseneau. 2004. Synchronization of estrus in suckled
reproductive management team to beef cows using GnRH, prostaglandin F2a (PG), and prog- ®
CIDR is a registered trademark of InterAg, Hamilton, New
determine which tool is most likely to esterone (CIDR): A multi-location study. J. Anim. Sci. Zealand. Estrus Alert is a registered trademark of Western
82(Suppl. 1): In press (Abstr.). Point Inc., Apple Valley, Minn. KAMAR is a registered trade-
optimize reproductive performance and mark of Kamar Inc., Steamboat Springs, Colo. LUTALYSE is a
profitability in your herd. Lucy, MC, HJ Billings, WR Butler, LR Ehnis, MJ Fields, DJ registered trademark of Pfizer Animal Health. TMEAZI-BREED
Kesler, JE Kinder, RC Mattos, RE Short, WW Thatcher, RP is a trademark of InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand. Products
listed are merely distributed by Select Sires, and manufac-
Wettemen, JV Yelich, and HD Hafs. 2001. Efficacy of an tured or processed by the company indicated. All claims,
REFERENCES intravaginal progesterone insert and an injection of
Chebel RC, JE Santos, RL Cerri, KN Galvao, SO Juchem, representations and warranties, expressed or implied, are
PGF2a for synchronizing estrus and shortening the inter- made only by the manufacturer and not by Select Sires Inc.
and WW Thatcher. 2003. Effect of resynchronization with val to pregnancy in postpartum beef cows, peripubertal
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