Injectable progesterone in timed artificial insemination programs in beef cows

The aims of this study were I) to compare the follicular diameter, corpus luteum diameter and serum progesterone (P4) concentrations in cows treated with conventional protocol vs. injectable P4 protocol; II) to determine the serum P4 profile in ovariectomized heifers; and III) to compare pregnancy rate between protocols. In experiment I, multiparous cows received a protocol for ovulation synchronization with an intravaginal P4 device (n = 38; device + EB day 0; device removal + PGF2α + eCG + EC day 8) or injectable P4 (n = 38; injection + EB day 0; PGF2α + eCG + EC day 8). In experiment II, ovariectomized heifers (n = 8) were treated with injectable P4 and blood samples were collected to determine the serum P4 profile. In experiment III, multiparous cows were timed AI with two different P4 approaches, intravaginal P4 device (n = 48) or injectable P4 (n = 47). In the first experiment, cows treated with P4 device had higher (P < 0.05) diameter of dominant follicle after ovulation induction (11.6 ± 1.8 vs.10.3 ± 1.8 mm) and ovulation rate (97%, 37/38 vs. 47.3%, 18/38) than cows treated with injectable P4. But, the follicular growth daily was higher (P < 0.05) in cows treated with injectable P4 than intravaginal device (1.3 ± 0.4 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3 mm/day, respectively). In experiment II, the P4 concentration peak occurred within 48 hours (6.54 ng/mL) and decreased after 96 hours (P < 0.05) after P4 injection. In experiment III, cows with P4 device had higher (P < 0.05) pregnancy rate than the injectable P4 group (60.4 vs. 34.0%, respectively). These results demonstrate that although the intravaginal P4 devices showed a higher pregnancy rate, a protocol with injectable P4 represents an easier method and a promising alternative for TAI in cattle.