Use of prostaglandin F2 alpha as ovulatory stimulus for synchronizing dairy cattle

摘要

The aim of this study was to evaluate if prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) can be used to induce ovulation in a GnRH-progesterone based protocol. In Experiment 1 crossbred dairy cows (n = 32) were synchronized with a progesterone-GnRH based protocol for seven days, where the luteolytic dose of 150 mu g PGF was given 24 h prior progesterone device removal (CIDR). On Day 8 cows were separated into two groups to receive: 1) 2 mL of Saline (Control Group, n = 15) or 2) 150 mu g of PGF (PGF Group, n = 17). Ovulation rate was higher in the PGF than Control group (100% vs 53.3%, P = 0.001, Odds ratio = 30.88). The percentage of cows that ovulated synchronously tended to be higher in the PGF than Control group (P = 0.1, Odds ratio = 9.6). Experiment 2 was performed in a cross-over (3 x 3) design. Crossbred dairy cows (n = 25) received a CIDR for seven days and GnRH on Day 0. Seven days later 150 mu g of PGF was given and the progesterone device was removed, and 24 h later cows were distributed into three groups to receive: 1) 2 mL of Saline (Control Group, n = 25), 2) 150 mu g of PGF (PGF Group, n = 25) or 3) 1 mg of ECP (ECP Group, n = 23). Diameter of ovulatory follicle was larger in the PGF and Control than ECP Group (P = 0.002, Effect size & 4.0). Synchronized ovulation rate (between 72 and 96 h after CIDR removal) tended to be higher in PGF group in Control group (P = 0.1, Odds ratio = 0.35). Results suggest that PGF is equally efficient to ECP to induce synchronized ovulation in dairy cows subjected to progesterone-GnRH based protocols.