Effect of One-Day Delaying CIDR Administration in 5-Day Cosynch Protocol in Dairy Heifers

• Main Authors: Sükrü Metin Pancarci, Örsan Güngör, Osman Harput, Oguz Calisici
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: pregnancy; TAI; Cosynch; progesterone; follicle development; dairy heifer
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/5/1402

Effect of one-day delaying progesterone administration at the beginning of 5-day Cosynch protocol was investigated in Holstein heifers for the first artificial insemination (AI). Heifers received a synchronized ovulation and timed AI (TAI) with CIDR inserted on day (d) 0 (CIDR-5; <i>n</i> = 206) or d 1 (CIDR-4; <i>n</i> = 192). In both group, GnRH was administered on d 0 followed by a single PGF_2α injection and CIDR removal five days later from GnRH. On d 8, TAI and GnRH administration were concurrently conducted. Heifers detected in estrus up to 24 h prior to TAI were inseminated without GnRH administration. Rates of ovulation, accessory CL formation and new dominant follicle development following initial GnRH injection did not differ between groups. P/AI did not differ between CIDR-4 (44.3%, [85/192]) and CIDR-5 (51.9%, [107/206]) groups, respectively. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.01) declined as heifers’ age (12–13, 14, 15, 16 and17–21 months) proceeded in CIDR-4 group (55.6%, 52.1%, 37.9%, 35.7%, 32.4%) compared to those in CIDR-5 group (60.0%, 50.0%, 53.9%, 51.5%, 46.2%) respectively. In conclusion, there is no benefit for delaying CIDR administration in 5-day Cosynch protocol in dairy heifers. However, higher P/AI in CIDR-5 group in older heifers can be considered for reproductive management.