Estrus synchronization with an oral progestogen prior to superovulation of postpartum beef cows

Ovarian follicular dynamics and steroid secretion patterns were monitored in postpartum beef cows that were synchronized for estrus with melengestrol acetate (MGA) or prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF) prior to superovulation. Twenty-four multiparous Angus cows were stratified by number of days postpartum to an MGA or PGF treatment prior to superovulation. Cows in the MGA group were fed 0.5 mg MGA/d for 14 d in a grain carrier. Superstitnulatory treatments began 14 d after withdrawal of MGA from feed or 11 d after administering a single injection of 500 μg cloprostenol (PGF). Supersthnulatory treatments (FSH) were administered twice daily in decreasing doses (7.5, 5, 5, 2.5 mg) over 4 d. Sixty and 72 h after initiating the superstimulatory treatments, all cows were treated with 750 μg and 500 μg PGF, respectively. Cows were inseminated at 0, 12, and 24 h from the onset of standing estrus with semen from 2 proven sires. Cows within treatment were inseminated with 1, 2 and 1 (single) or 2, 4 and 2 units (double) of semen at the designated insemination times. Blood sampling and transrectal ultrasonography of ovaries were performed daily beginning 2 d prior to the initiation of FSH treatment and were continued through embryo recovery. Ovaries were examined daily to determine the number and size of follicles. Plasma samples were analyzed for progesterone and estradiol. Follicles were counted and categorized based on a 5 to 9 mm range or ≤ 10 mm. At the end of superovulatory treatment there were more (P ≤ 0.01) follicles ≤ 10 mm among cows that were estrus synchronized with MGA (7.5 ± 1.2) than with PGF (3.9 ± 1.2). These differences were reflected in higher (P ≤ 0.05) subsequent concentrations of plasma progesterone, suggestive of differences in ovulation rate between treatments (MGA = 8.5 ng/ml; PGF = 5.6 ng/ml). There were no significant differences between treatments in concentrations of estradiol, total number of ova (MGA=11; PGF=9), fertilized embryos (MGA=9; PGF=7), or transferable embryos recovered (MGA=8; PGF=6). Furthermore, double insemination offered no significant improvement in the number of recovered fertilized ova. These data identify differences in follicular and endocrine response when cows were estrus synchronized with MGA versus PGF prior to superovulation.