Induction of parturition in Zebu-cross recipients carrying in vitro-produced Bos indicus embryos

Induction of parturition has been used as a management tool in cattle in several countries, but not commonly in Zebu breeds in tropical production systems. When timed according to the stage of gestation, most induction protocols employing a combination of PGF2alpha and a potent, short-acting corticosteroid, resulted in a predictable interval from induction to calving, with no detrimental effects on calf viability; however, the incidence of placental retention was usually elevated. Pretreatment with a long-acting corticosteroid induced placental maturation and greatly reduced the incidence of placental retention following induction with PGF2alpha and a short-acting corticosteroid. Recently, Brazilian cattle breeders have faced a new challenge with a large number of in vitro-produced embryos. Without a reliable method of cryopreservation, large numbers of embryos have been transferred fresh, creating a new demand for protocols for synchronizing recipients and managing their calving. A parturition-induction protocol, efficacious in Bos taurus cattle, was modified for use in Bos indicus cattle (which generally have a longer gestation than B. taurus cattle). Zebu-cross recipients carrying Nelore in vitro-produced embryos were pretreated with 1 mg/60 kg triamcinolone acetonide on Day 280 of gestation, followed by treatment with 500 microg of cloprostenol and 25 mg of dexamethasone on Day 287. The interval from treatment to calving was predictable and the incidence of retained placenta was low, similar to that described previously for B. taurus cattle, demonstrating that this treatment protocol could be used for induction of parturition in Zebu cattle in Brazil.