Comparison of controlled internal drug release device and melengesterol acetate as progestin sources in an estrous synchronization protocol for beef heifers

The objectives of this experiment were to compare estrous synchronization responses and AI pregnancy rates of beef heifers using protocols that included either CIDR or MGA as the progestin source. The hypotheses tested were that: (1) estrous synchronization responses after (a) progestin removal, and (b) PGF2α; and, (2) AI pregnancy rates, do not differ between heifers synchronized with either progestin source. At the start of the experiment (Day 0) in both years, heifers were assigned randomly to receive, MGA supplement for 14 days (MGA-treated; n = 79) or CIDR for 14 days (CIDR-treated; n = 77). On Day 14 progestin was removed and heifers were observed for estrus up to and after PGF2α on Days 31 and 33 for CIDR-treated and MGA-treated heifers, respectively. Heifers that exhibited estrus within 60 h after PGF2α were inseminated by AI 12 h later; the remaining heifers were inseminated at 72 h after PGF2α and given GnRH (100 μg). More (P < 0.05) CIDR-treated heifers exhibited estrus within 120 h after progestin removal than MGA-treated heifers. Intervals to estrus after progestin removal were shorter (P < 0.05) for CIDR-treated heifers than MGA-treated heifers. More (P < 0.05) CIDR-treated heifers exhibited estrus and were inseminated within 60 h after PGF2α than MGA-treated heifers. Pregnancy rates did not differ (P > 0.10) between MGA-treated (66%) and CIDR-treated (62%) heifers. In conclusion, the use of CIDR as a progestin source in a 14-day progestin, PGF2α, and timed AI and GnRH estrous synchronization protocol was as effective as the use of MGA to synchronize estrus and generate AI pregnancies in beef heifers.