Effect of Timing of Insemination and Synchronization of Estrus Method on Artificial Insemination (AI) Pregnancy Rates in Beef Heifers

Objectives were to evaluate time of insemination relative to estrus and synchronization with melengestrol acetate (MGA) plus prostaglandin (PG) or progesterone insert (CIDR) plus PG on AI pregnancy rate in beef heifers (n = 662) during Fall or Spring. Fall heifers (n = 349) received MGA-PG (MGA for 14 d followed by PG on d 18) or CIDR-PG (CIDR for 7 d, PG administered 1 d before CIDR removal). Estrus was monitored by HeatWatch® (n = 200) or visually (n = 149). Spring heifers (n = 313) underwent CIDR-PG with detection of estrus by HeatWatch®. Heifers not in estrus by 96-100 h after PG were bred AI as non-responsive AI (NRAI). Across seasons, 548 heifers were bred following estrus (EAI). Heifers synchronized during the Fall with MGA received more (P < 0.05) mounts than Fall CIDR heifers (76.8 ± 6.7 and 47.6 ± 7.4, respectively), but duration of estrus was similar. Fall CIDR heifers had greater (P < 0.05) mounting activity and duration of estrus (47.9 ± 5.2 mounts and 15.5 ± 1.1 h) compared to Spring CIDR heifers (34.5 ± 3.1 mounts and 12.7 ± 0.6 h). Heifers grouped in 4 h blocks from 0 to 24 h had no difference (P > 0.05) in pregnancy rates (mean 62.5 %). Treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on EAI pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates across seasons for EAI, NRAI and overall was 61.0 %, 26.3 %, and 54.5%. In conclusion, a 24 h window may exist to successfully AI heifers.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal and Poultry Sciences

Department dc:contributor.department

Animal and Poultry Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Dorsey, Benjamin Reese

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Hall, John B.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Nebel, Raymond L.
• Whittier, William D.
• Wahlberg, Mark L.

• Synchronization of Estrus
• Heifers
• CIDR
• AI

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-06072005-135822

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/42873