Lecture No. 05 (Monday; 21.01.

2019)

Basics and applications of oestrus

synchronization
Suggested Reading:
 Patterson et al. 2005. Review of estrus synchronization systems: MGA®, 1.
Proceedings, Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. Nov. 12-13,
Texas A&M University, College Station

 Islam, R. 2011. Synchronization of Estrus in Cattle: A Review. Veterinary

World, 2011, Vol.4(3):136-141
 Matrix
 Brief revision of Oestrous cycle

 Definition of Oestrus synchronization

 Basis of Oestrus synchronization

 Advantages of Oestrus synchronization

 Methods od Oestrus synchronization

 Phases & Stages of Oestrous Cycle
Pro oestrus, Oestrus, Met oestrus=Non responsive to PG

Oestrus

CA
Pro Oestrus

Met
Oestrus

Di Oestrus
 Oestrus Synchronization

Definition

 Oestrus synchronization is a management technique

that makes use of hormones to control or reschedule the
oestrous cycle in livestock species

 To bring many animals in heat at one time

Basis of Synchronization of Oestrus
 Manipulate life span of CL

 Manipulate growth of follicles and timing of ovulation

 Advantages of Oestrous
Synchronization
 1. Group females for parturition:

a. Reduce time required for oestrus detection

b. Shorter calving season/tighter breeding season

 2. Better management tool for maintaining proper

calving interval (12-13 month)

 3. Facilitate adoption of artificial insemination

 4. Eliminate oestrus detection with timed insemination

 Oestrus Synchronization Methods
Method Trade Name Utilization

Progestin Melengestrol acetate (MGA) Prepubertal heifers

Progesterone CIDR Post partum or
anoestrus heifers
Prostaglandins
Cyclomate Cyclic females
Dalmazine
Lutalyse
GnRH
Dalmarelin Mature Females
Conceptal
Progestins are synthetic progestogens and have similar effects to those of the
natural hormone progesterone.
 Oestrus Synchronization Methods
1. Use of Progesterone
Principle
Provides progesterone

 Simulates a CL
 Prevents ovulation
 Has no effect on the animal’s CL (ie. normal lifespan)
• Does not regress the CL!!!!

Remove after animal’s CL regresses

 Current or next follicular wave will ovulate!!!!
 Oestrus occurs 2 – 5 days latter
 May use PGF2a to regress animal’s CL
 Oestrus Synchronization Methods
1. Use of Progesterone
Protocols

 Protocols include:

 MGA (a progestin) +PGF2a

 CIDR (Controlled internal dug release)
 A. MGA (Melengestrol acetate) and
Prostaglandin (PGF2a)

Synchronized
Oestrus Oestrus
MGA fed @0.5 mg/head/day
PG

MGA (14 days)

1 14 16 20 33 35 38

Treatment days AI

Conception rate 64%

Brown et al., 1988. Theriogenology 30:1; Lamb et Al., 2000.
Theriogenology 53: 691-698
 MGA+Prostaglandins (PGF2a)

Advantages
– Tight synchrony of oestrus

– Comparable pregnancy rates

Disadvantages:
 Development of persistent follicle (Cysts)

 Increase n twinning rate

 B. CIDR Protocol

Insert CIDR
Releases P4 PG Injection
-ve feed back on hypothalamus Causes luteolysis

Ovulation of
dominant follicle
Conception rate 63%

Kojima et al., 2004. J. Anim. Sci. 78: 2186-2191

 Controlled Internal Drug release
(CIDR) 1.38 gm P4

CIDR with Applicator

Insertion of CIDR
 2. Prostaglandin F2α (PG)
Principle

 Regress active corpus luteum

 Only effective on a day 5 - 17 CL

 Not effective on days:
 1 - 4 (CL not responsive)
 18 - 21 (CL already regressed)
 Induction of Ovulation with PGF2a
Progesterone
Follicular Size

PGF2a

Ovulation 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
 Induction of Ovulation with PGF2a
Progesterone
Follicular Size

 Works on CL

 Ovulation time
dependent on status
PGF2a of follicular wave

Ovulation 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
 2. Prostaglandin F2α (PG)
Protocols

 Single Injection scheme

 Detect the CL on ovary and inject PGF2 alpha injection

 Inseminate cows 12 hours after showing oestrus or do
fixed time AI 72 hours and 96 hours after PG injection

 Double Injection scheme

 Give 1st PG injection on day 1 and 2nd PG on day 11

 Do fixed time AI 72 and 96 hours after 2nd PG
A. PGF2a One Injection Protocol

Detect CL & inject PG

Oestrus in 1-5 days

Do AI after oestrus
detection or fixed time
 B. PGF2a Two Injections Protocol

1st PG Injection
2nd PG Injection

Fixed time AI
Conception rates 35%
 3. Use of GnRH
Principle

 Luteinize or Ovulate a dominant follicle

 Terminates the current follicular wave
 Inhibin and Estradiol decrease

 FSH increases to “recruit” a new follicular wave

 No effect on old CL if present

 A dominant follicle must be present
 Generally followed by PGF2a to regress CL formed
or old CL
 Ovsynch Protocol
Progesterone AI
Follicular Size

PGF2a

GnRH
GnRH

Ovulation 7 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
 3. Use of GnRH
Protocols

GnRH
PG GnRH Breed

Ov-synch CR 63%
0 7 9 10

GnRH PG GnRH & Breed

Co-synch CR 61%

0 7 9.5

GnRH PG
Oestrus & Breed
Select-synch CR 45%
0 7 12
Advantages of Ov-Synch & Co-Synch

No need for heat detection

OvSynch can be beneficial in Hot and humid condition

where heat expression is usually low

A tighter synchrony of ovulation

 Oestrus Synchronization in Sheep
1. Use of Progestins
 Use of CIDR
 Put CIDR intravaginally for 12 days, remove at day 12. Sheep
come in heat on day 14, breed them.

 Fertility in the breeding season is good

 Use 1 ram / 10 ewes

 Fixed time insemination at 48-52 hours using laproscopic

technique

 If used during the non-breeding season, induce follicular

growth at time of CIDR removal by giving eCG (400 - 800 IU)
 Oestrus Synchronization in Sheep
2. Use of PGF2 alpha

 Use in breeding season only

 2 injections of Lutalyse (20 mg ) 9 days apart

 No effect if ewe are anoestrus
Thank You