Evaluation of Three Estrous Synchronization Protocols in Beef Heifers1

Objectives of this study were to evaluate synchronization, conception, and pregnancy rates of heifers synchronized with melengestrol acetate (MGA)-prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α,), Select Synch, or Select Synch preceded by MGA (MGA-Select Synch). Heifers in the MGA-PGF2α group (n = 209; BW = 378 kg) received MGA (0.5 mg/ d per heifer) for 14 d and PGF2α (25 mg) 19 d later. Select Synch heifers (n = 213; BW = 374 kg) received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; 100 μg) followed by PGF2α (25 mg) 7 d later. The MGA-Select Synch heifers (n = 210; BW = 373 kg) were fed MGA (0.5 mg/d per heifer) for 7 d, GnRH (100 μg) the day following the last MGA feeding, and PGF2α (25 mg) 7 d after GnRH. More (P<0.01) heifers were in estrus 1 to 4 d before PGF2α administration in both 1A contribution of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division, Lincoln, NE 68583. Journal Series No. 14495. Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2To whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected] the Select Synch (20%) and MGA-Select Synch (24%) groups than in the MGA-PGF2α (4%) group. Pregnancy rates for heifers in estrus early (d 1 to 4 before PGF2α) were greater (P<0.05) for both Select Synch (55%) and MGA-Select Synch (63%) compared with MGA-PGF2α heifers (18%). Synchronization rate (detected after PGF2α) was greater (P<0.01) for MGA-PGF2α heifers (86%) compared with Select Synch (66%) and MGA-Select Synch (68%) heifers; however, conception rate did not differ (P=0.13) and averaged 72, 63, and 62% for MGA-PGF2α, Select Synch, and MGASelect Synch heifers, respectively. Select Synch (52%), MGA-Select Synch (58%), and MGA-PGF2α protocols (61%) provided similar (P=0.18) overall AI pregnancy rates; however, more heifers were in estrus before PGF2α administration in protocols using GnRH. (