Estrous Synchronization
3 important tools for successful
Reproductive Management
Estrous Synchronization
Estrous detection
Artificial Insemination
Definition
A management technique that makes use of hormones to control or
reschedule the estrous cycle, modifying the cycle’s length or inducing
estrus.
It is a process of bringing a group of animals into heat at the same time
through hormonal intervention
Advantages
It allows one to choose the day and the time of the artificial insemination
as well as the calving period.
It helps artificial insemination (AI). Thus we make group of animals
according to available staff.
It helps to decrease the calving interval. More calves are produced by
single cow
Synchronization program improves the reproductive performance of the
herd.
Earlier and more concentrated calving.
Synchronization helps in case of short or silent heat animal
Advantages
It ensures that most of the cows have been covered during the breeding
season.
Synchronization program makes management easy.
Uniform calf crop is achieved.
Animals calve in a short time span allowing better management and also
increased milk yield.
Synchronization program decreases the number of open cows at farm
and hence increases farm profitability.
Milk yield is increased as it is peak in 3rd month so more peak will be
achieved.
Hormones associated with Synchronization
GnRH
Prostaglandin
Progesterone
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
GnRH is produced naturally in the brain and causes release of other
hormones which are important for follicular development and ovulation.
When injected into cattle, GnRH causes either ovulation of the dominant
follicle or formation of luteal tissue within the follicle which will regress when
PG is injected later.
Prostaglandin
Naturally occurring hormone produced by the uterus
Released on Day 17 of cycle when no embryo is present and causes
regression of the CL , Animal returns to heat in 2-5 days
Same thing happens when it is injected into an animal with CL
Progesterone
Produced by the CL between day 5 and 16 of the estrous cycle.
The hormone prevents heat and ovulation.
When used in heat synchronization programs, Progesterone will delay heat
in cattle that undergo natural regression of the CL during the five or seven
day period before a PG injection.
MGA
Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) is an oral progesterone analog use as a
synchronizing agent.
Feed Melongestrol acetate to heifers at a rate of 0.5 mg per head per
day. Mix the MGA with ground corn so that 3 to 5 pounds of the corn-MGA
mix will supply each animal with 0.5 mg of MGA per day. We usually feed
MGA for 14 days .
Feed the heifers at the same time every day. All heifers must get their
share.
Any animal not getting enough MGA will “break-through” and show heat
and not be synchronized with the rest of the group.
CIDR
The CIDR is a T-shaped rubber device that contains progesterone.
Insert the CIDR into the vagina of the heifers using a special applicator.
The lining of the vagina absorbs the progesterone from the CIDR.
Properly disinfect the applicator and CIDR before inserting the CIDR into
the animal.
Take care to clean the vulva and not introduce any manure into the
vagina. The CIDR is usually left in place for seven days, but a few estrus
synchronization systems leave the CIDR in place for 14 days.
Advantages of CIDR
Increase the pregnancy rate
Estrus synchronization
Improved value of the semen because of higher success of the A.I
Exact breeding and calving dates of cows and heifer
More profitable herd/flock
Basis for Synchronization of Estrus
Manipulate life span of CL
Manipulate growth of follicles
Manipulate timing of ovulation
Synchronization Protocol
One shot PGF
Two shot PGF
Ov-synch
Co-synch
Select Synch
OV-synch+CIDR
CO-synch+CIDR
Synchronization Protocol
Select Synch+CIDR
CIDR
MGA
MGA+PGF
MGA+Ovsynch
G6G-OvSynch
Presynch
One Shot Prostaglandin
Check the animals in Diestrous
Make a group and inject Prostaglandin
After 2-5 days animal will come in heat , go for A.I
PG
Animal Those who are in Di-
2-5 days estrous will show heat
Those in Heat are Inseminated.
Two Shot Prostaglandin
PG PG
Those in Heat are Inseminated,
Day 0 Day 11-14
Two Shot Prostaglandin
Shot one (day 0) Second shot (day 11)
Estrous Day 0 of estrous Day 11
MetEstrous Day 2-5 Day 13-16
DiEstrous Day 6-9 of next estrous
ProEstrous Day 17-21 7-13
Ov-Synch
GnRH PG GnRH
Animal will show heat 2-5
days after PG shot
Day 0 Day 7 Day 9
Benefits of Ov-Synch
It can be use at any stage of the estrus cycle.
It ensure the homogenous status of the ovarian follicular at induction of
luteolysis
Result in tight synchroncy of the estrus allowing breeding at appointed
time without the detection of estrus.
Its classical method and can be used both in dairy and beef cows.
Double Ov-Synch
GnRH PG GnRH GnRH PG GnRH
Heat after 2-5 day
Day Day
Day 0 Day 7 Day 9 Day 23 25
16
Benefits of Double Ov-Synch
40-45% of the cows will be in standing heat at the time of A.I
Its ability to initiate first ovulation in anovulatory cows in response to either
GnrH1/GnRH 2 shot
One draw back is its costly than others protocol
Co-Synch
GnRH PG GnRH+ T.A.I
Day 0 Day 7 Day 9
Select-Synch
GnRH PG
Those in Heat are Inseminated,
Rest GnRH+A.I
5 days
Day 0 Day 7
CIDR + Ov-Synch
GnRH PG GnRH
C.I.D.R
Heat after 2-5 day
Day 0 Day 7 Day 9
Use of CIDR+Ovsynch
Use in the cows showing inefficient heat
In acyclic cows with poor response to other breeding programs
In acyclic heifers even old enough to come in estrus
Co-Synch
GnRH PG GnRH+ F.T.A.I
C.I.D.R
Day 0 Day 7 Day 9
Select-Synch
GnRH PG
Those in Heat are Inseminated,
C.I.D.R Rest GnRH+A.I
5 days
Day 0 Day 7
CIDR
PG
Those in Heat are Inseminated
C.I.D.R
5 days
Day 0 Day 6 Day 7
MGA
Those in Heat are Inseminated
MGA
2 days
Day 0 Day 14 Day 16
MGA+ PG
PG
Heat but missed Heat+
MGA A.I
2 days 2-5 days
Day Day Day Day
0 14 16 27
MGA+ Ov-Synch
GnRh PG GnRh
Heat but missed Heat+
MGA A.I
2 days 2-5 days
Day Day Day Day Day Day
0 14 16 23 30 32
Benefits of MGA+PG
PG better act on the CL which is old in age like 15-17 days than the early
CL 5-7 days of the age
Increased conception rate
G6G-OvSynch
PG GnRH GnRH PG GnRh
Heat+
A.I
2-5 days
Day Day Day Day Day
0 3 9 16 18
Economics
Hormone Preparation Dose/animal Price
GnRH Conceptal 2.5 ml 390
Dermaline 2ml 550
PGF2α Synchromate 3 ml 300
cychromate 1ml 100
Progesterone CIDR 1 device 1500
Cost of Each protocol
Protocoal Sequence of each shot Total Cost
PGF2α single shot 300 300
PGF2α double shot 300+300 600
Ov-synch 390+300+390 1080
Co-synch 390+300+390 1080
Select-synch 390+300 690/1080
Ovsynch+CIDR 390+1500+300+390 2580
Cosynch+CIDR 390+1500+300+390 2580
Selectsynch+CIDR 390+1500+300 2190/2580
CIDR 1500+300 1800
Double ovsynch 390+300+390+390+300+3 2460
00+390
G6G 300+390+390+300+300+ 2070
390
MANAGEMENT CRITERIA FOR
SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS
Nutrition: Cows that are fed less than the amount needed to maintain
energy levels and hence, lose weight over winter are plagued with
delayed onset of post calving estrous, resulting anestrus at the beginning
of the breeding
season. Also inadequate post calving energy intake results in low first
service conception rates, The best conditions are when the days are long
enough (12 to 14 day light) and when the average temperatures are in a
comfortable range for the animals.
Heifers: The best results are obtained if heifers are 14-15 months of age and
have reached at least 65% of expected adult weight (Holstein breed). To
achieve this, the farmer should feed properly the heifer between birth and
6 month of age. Any growth delay at 6 months could result in fertility
problem later on.
Postpartum interval: Cows less than 50 days postpartum should be
excluded from synchronization programs. First and second calf heifers
usually require a post-partum interval longer than cows (i.e. 60-70 days).
Calving: The hygiene of the calving area as well as the farmer and
veterinarian hygiene affects the results. Thus difficult calving are often
associated with retained placenta which might gives accumulation in the
uterus and metritis Herd health: The general health of the herd should be
evaluated before starting an estrous synchronization program.
AI technicians and semen: Adequate and sufficient AI technology should
be ensure, especially if large number of cows are to be bred over a short
period of time. Facilities should be adequate and include protection from
sun and wind. The quality of the semen should be checked
Stress: Stress can have an effect when it occurs in luteal phase. Indeed it
inhibits the LH hormone secretion thus the ovulation and increases the
embryonic mortality. Consequently during 3 weeks before and after AI, it is
advised not to vaccine, de-horned, change the food or de-worm the
animals.
