Title
Ability of CIDRs or Melengestrol Acetate to Initiate Estrous Cycles in Early Postpartum Beef Cows
Document Type
Report
Report Number
2004-15
Publication Date
2004
Summary
Postpartum anestrous interval in beef cows is a major factor contributing to reproductive failure during a defined breeding season. Our objectives were to determine the ability of a controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR), or melengestrol acetate (MGA) to induce ovulation and to eliminate short estrous cycles. Multiparous beef cows (n = 75) were equally assigned by age, days postpartum, body condition, and body weight to one of three treatments: CIDR, MGA, or control. All cows were fed carrier (2 lbs•cow-1•day-1) with MGA (0.25 mg/lb) or without MGA for 7 days (day -6 to 0). On day -6, CIDR were inserted and were removed on d 0. Estrous behavior was monitored continuously from day -6 until 29 using HeatWatch electronic mount detectors. Blood was collected three times weekly from day -6 to 29. Treatment influenced (P = 0.03) the percentage of cows that were detected in standing estrus. Beginning on d 2, more CIDR-treated cows had exhibited standing estrus compared to control cows, but CIDR- and MGA-treated cows did not differ. The percentage of CIDR-treated cows that had ovulated was greater (P < 0.05) than the percentage of MGA-, or control-treated cows beginning on day 4. The percentage of cows that exhibited standing estrus before the first postpartum ovulation (CIDR = 65%, MGA = 57%, control = 30%) did not differ (P = 0.09) among treatments. Luteal lifespan following the first ovulation postpartum and the percentage of cows with a normal luteal lifespan (progesterone > 1 ng/mL for ≥ 10 d) was greater (P < 0.01) in CIDR-treated cows (14.0 ± 0.8 days; 20/20, 100%) compared with MGA- (6.2 ± 1.0 days; 3/13, 23%), or control-treated cows (6.1 ± 0.9 days; 4/17, 24%). In the present study, treatment of early postpartum suckled beef cows with CIDR-induced ovulation and initiated estrous cycles with a normal luteal lifespan in more cows than treatment with MGA, and treatment with MGA did not induce ovulation earlier than control cows.
Number of Pages
7
Format
application/pdf
Language
en
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © 2004 South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Perry, G. A. and Geary, T. W., "Ability of CIDRs or Melengestrol Acetate to Initiate Estrous Cycles in Early Postpartum Beef Cows" (2004). South Dakota Beef Report, 2004. 16.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/sd_beefreport_2004/16