Conception Rate Using the Select-Synch Protocol in Combination with a Lower Dose Progesterone-Releasing Intravaginal Insert (1.38 g) in Swiss Dairy Cows

F. Beuchat, P. Berthold, L. Gerber, R. M. Bruckmaier, A. Steiner, J. Hüsler, Gaby Hirsbrunner

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Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.

DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2013.31002                

Abstract

Background: Synchronization programs have become standard in the dairy industry. In Switzerland, these programs are used but newly. The objective of this study was A) to estimate the pregnancy rate after a Select-Synch protocol including a low dosage of progesterone in CIDR (1.38 g). As a second step B) this pregnancy rate should be compared to cows from another Swiss study that used a Select-Synch protocol with the 1.9 g insert ADDIN EN.CITE ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA (Rudolph et al., 2011). Methods: A) 196 cows were included in the study. Cows received a CIDR 1.38 g and 2.5 ml of buserelin i.m. on d 0. On d 7, the CIDR insert was removed and 5 ml of dinoprost was administered i.m. On d 0 a milk sample for progesterone analysis was taken. Pregnancy was determined at or more than 35 days after artificial insemination. B) The 1.38 g group and the 1.9 g group were compared as to cow and farm factors, number of preceding AI’s, gynecological and uterine pretreatment and treatment itself. A forward selection procedure was used (test result considered significant if p-value < 0.05). Results: A) The pregnancy rate, using the Select-Synch protocol with the CIDR 1.38 g was 44.4%. B) The CIDR 1.9 g Select-Synch group revealed a pregnancy rate of 50.4% ADDIN EN.CITE ADDIN EN.CITE.DATA (Rudolph et al., 2011). Significant differences between the groups were not found. Conclusion: The 1.38 g CIDR-Select-Synch protocol may be recommended for multiparous dairy cows. The pregnancy rate compared to the 1.9 g CIDR-Select-Synch protocol was 8% lower, but this difference was not significant.

Keywords

Cattle; Synchronization; CIDR; 1.38 g; Dairy; Swiss

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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