Pharmacological Control of Estrus in Tropical Cattle, an Economical Assessment of Different Synchronization Protocols

Juan J. Molina, Iván Molina, Alejandro Jiménez, Carlos S. Galina, Juan J. Romero

Asesor Laboratorios Intervet Schering Plough, Bogotá, Colombia.
Campus Benjamín Nú?ez, Heredia, Costa Rica.
Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México.
Director Técnico Agropecuaria Las Tinajas S. A., Bogotá, Colombia.

DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2012.23024                

Abstract

To compare the fertility results and to assess the cost-effectiveness of several synchronization protocols applied under the conditions of beef cattle enterprises in Colombia, 1658 multiparous zebu crossbred cows mostly Brahman and Nelore ranging between 2 - 6 parities were used. Five protocols of pharmacological treatments varying in hormones used, dosage and the time of application were tested. All cows were inseminated at 52 h by appointment. Pregnancy diagnosis was undertaken over 45 d after insemination by rectal palpation. The total cost per cow and the total cost per gestation, for each protocol, were calculated. Taking a herd of one-hundred cows as baseline for calculations, it was estimated the cost of the total amount of pregnancies possibly obtained in each protocol; then, the excess between the costs of a pregnant cow and the cost of a treated cow was estimated. Additionally, the costs due to cows empty after four services were calculated. A total of 874 pregnancies were registered (52.7%), with pregnancies per protocol varying between 46.9% and 66.2% (p < 005). The cost per treated cow, varied between $64.08 and $97.47 and the cost per gestation from $126.01 to $177.26, without association between the cost of the treatment and the pregnancy rate. Protocol A was the best cost-effective with the lowest additional costs, the lowest amount of open days (2107.7 to 2231.7 d) and IA straws (average = 134), with an additional costs of $6940.00. Synchronization of estrus using pharmacological products seems to have a place in the management of cattle; however, caution should be called upon a careful assessment both from the part of the farm and the professional in charge of the enterprise to avoid using the technique indiscriminatively thus propitiating the use of a method that might not be cost efficient.

Keywords

Tropics; Bos Indicus; Cost-Benefit; Estru; Synchronization

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	P. I. Rekwot, E. O. Oyedipe, E. Mukasa-Mugerwa, V. O. Sekoni, O. P. Akinpelumi and A. A. Anyam, “Fertility in Zebu Cattle (Bos Indicus) after Prostaglandin Administration and Artificial Insemination,” Veterinary Journal, Vol. 158, No. 1, 1999, pp. 53-58. doi:10.1053/tvjl.1998.0313
[2]	M. G. Diskin and J. M. Sreenan, “Expression and Detection of Oestrus in Cattle,” Reproduction and Nutrition Development, Vol. 40, No. 5, 2000, pp. 481-491. doi:10.1051/rnd:2000112
[3]	C. S. Galina and A. Orihuela, “The Detection of the Estrus in Cattle Raised under Tropical Conditions: What We Know and What We Need to Know,” Hormones and Behavior, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2007, pp. 32-38. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.03.025
[4]	A. Orihuela, “Some Factors Affecting the Behavioural Manifestation of Oestrus in Cattle: A Review,” Applied Animal Behavior, Science, Vol. 70, No. 1, 2000, pp. 1-16. doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00139-8
[5]	G. A. Bo, P. S. Baruselli and M. F. Martínez, “Pattern and Manipulation of Follicular Development in Bos Indicus Cattle,” Animal Reproduction Science, Vol. 78, No. 3-4, 2003, pp. 307-326. doi:10.1016/S0378-4320(03)00097-6
[6]	O. Gomes-de Sá Filho and J. L. Moraes-Vasconcelos, “Treatments to Optimize the Use of Artificial Insemination and Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cattle under Tropical Environments,” Veterinary Medicine International, Vol. 2011, No. 2011, 2011, Article ID 923053.
[7]	G. A. Bo, L. Cutaia, L. C. Peres, D. Pincinato, D. Mara?a and P. S. Baruselli, “Technologies for Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination and Their Influence on Reproductive Performance of Bos Indicus Cattle,” Society of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement, Vol. 64, 2007, pp. 223-236. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17491150
[8]	K. L. Macmillan, “Recent Advances in the Synchronization of Estrus and Ovulation in Dairy Cows,” Journal of Reproduction Development, Vol. 56, 2010, pp. S42-S47.
[9]	B. A. Tenhagen, M. Drillich, R. Surholt and W. Heuwieser, “Comparison of Timed AI after Synchronized Ovulation to AI at Estrus: Reproductive and Economic Considerations,” Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 87, No. 1, 2004, pp. 85-94. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73145-8
[10]	C. J. H. de Sousa and J. C. Ferrugem-Moraes, “Manual de Sincroniza??o de Cios em Ovinos e Bovinos,” Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 1998.
[11]	P. A. Oltenacu, J. D. Ferguson and A. J. Lednor, “Economic Evaluation of Pregnancy Diagnosis in Dairy Cattle: A Decision Analysis Approach,” Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 73, No. 10, 1990, pp. 2826-2831. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(90)78970-9
[12]	J. R. Pursley, M. C. Wiltbank, J. S. Stevenson, J. S. Ottobre, H. A. Garverick and L. L. Anderson, “Pregnancy Rates per Artificial Insemination for Cows and Heifers Inseminated at a Synchronized Ovulation or Synchronized Estrus,” Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 80, No. 2, 1997, pp. 295-300. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(97)75937-X
[13]	U. Singh, N. K. Khurana and Inderjeet, “Plasma Progesterone Profiles and Fertility Status of Anestrus Zebu Cattle Treated with Norgestomet-Estradiol-eCG Regimen,” Theriogenology, Vol. 50, No. 8, 1998, pp. 1191-1199. doi:10.1016/S0093-691X(98)00219-2
[14]	R. Cortes, J. A. Orihuela and C. S. Galina, “Effect of Sexual Partners on the Oestrus Behaviour Response in Zebu Cattle (Bos Indicus) Following Synchronisation with a Progestagen (Synchromate B),” Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 12, No. 4, 1999, pp. 515-519.
[15]	M. C. Cordoba and P. M. Fricke, “Evaluation of Two Hormonal Protocols for Synchronization of Ovulation and Timed Artificial Insemination in Dairy Cows Managed in Grazing-Based Dairies,” Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 84, No. 12, 2001, pp. 2700-2708. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)74724-8
[16]	M. G. Maquivar, C. S. Galina, J. R. Galindo, S. Estrada, R. Molina and G. D. Mendoza, “Effect of Protein Supplementation on Reproductive and Productive Performance in Bos Indicus X Bos Taurus Heifers Raised in the Humid Tropics of Costa Rica,” Tropical Animal Health and Production, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2010, pp. 555-560. doi:10.1007/s11250-009-9470-0
[17]	S. A. Buttler, P. C. Atkinson, G. B. Boe-Hansen, B. M. Burns, K. Dawson, G. A. Bo and M. R. McGowan, “Pregnancy Rates after Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination of Brahman Heifers Treated to Synchronize Ovulation with Low-Dose Intravaginal Progesterone Releasing Devices, with or without eCG,” Theriogenology, Vol. 76, No. 8, 2011, pp. 1416-1423. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.06.010
[18]	P. S. Baruselli, E. L. Reis, M. O. Marques, L. F. Nasser and G. A. Bó, “The Use of Hormonal Treatments to Improve Reproductive Performance of Anestrous Beef Cattle in Tropical Climates,” Animal Reproduction Science, Vol. 82, 2004, pp. 479-486. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2004.04.025
[19]	C. S. Galina and G. H. Arthur, “Review of Cattle Reproduction in Tropics,” Animal Breeding Abstracts, Vol. 59, No. 9, 1990, pp. 805-813.
[20]	G. S. Díaz, C. S. Galina, C. H. Basurto and G. P. Ochoa, “Efecto de la Progesterona Natural con o sin la Adición de Benzoato de Estradiol Sobre la PresentacióN de Celo, OvulacióN y GestacióN en Animales Tipo Bos Indicus en el TróPico Mexicano,” Archivos de Medicina Veterinaria, Vol. 34, No. 2, 2002, pp. 235-244.
[21]	C. Landivar, C. S. Galina, A. Duchateau and P. Navarro-Fierro, “Fertility Trial in Zebu Cattle after a Natural or Controlled Oestrus with Prostaglandin F2 ? Comparing Natural Mating with Artificial Insemination,” Theriogenology, Vol. 23, No. 3, 1985, pp. 421-429. doi:10.1016/0093-691X(85)90014-7
[22]	G. A. Bo, G. P. Adams, R. A. Pierson, H. E. Tribulo, M. Caccia and R. J. Mapletoft, “Follicular Wave Dynamics after Estradiol-17B Treatment of Heifers with or without a Progestogen Implant,” Theriogenology, Vol. 41, No. 8, 1994, pp. 1555-1569. doi:10.1016/0093-691X(94)90821-Y
[23]	J. E. Jefrisch and C. J. O′Neill, “Calving Rates in a Tropical Beef Herd after Treatment with a Synthetic Progestagen, Norgestomet, or a Protaglandin Analogue, Cloprostenol,” Australian Veterinarian Journal, Vol. 73, No. 3, 1996, pp. 98-102.
[24]	J. R. Baca, E. Pérez and C. S. Galina, “Comportamiento Reproductivo de Vacas Bos Taurus x Bos Indicus Bajo Programas de Inseminación Artificial a Estro Sincronizado y Natural en Condiciones del Trópico Seco de Costa Rica,” Veterinaria México, Vol. 29, No. 1, 1998, pp. 67-73.
[25]	J. N. Sales, J. B. Carvalho, G. A. Crepaldi, R. S. Cipriano, J. O. Jacomini, J. R. Maio, J. C. Souza, G. P. Nogueira and P. S. Baruselli, “Effects of Two Estradiol Esters (Benzoate and Cyprionate) on the Induction of Synchronized Ovulations in Bos Indicus Cows Submitted to a Timed Artificial Insemination Protocol,” Theriogenology, Vol. 78, No. 3, 2012, pp. 510-516. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.02.031
[26]	L. A. Werth, S. M. Azzam, M. K. Nielsen and J. E. Kinder, “Use of a Simulation Model to Evaluate the Influence of Reproductive Performance and Management Decisions on Net Income in Beef Production,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 69, No. 12, 1991, pp. 4710-4721.
[27]	P. A. Bolivar and J. G. Maldonado, “Análisis de Costos de Esquemas de Trasnferencia de Embriones Bovinos Utilizados en Colombia,” Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias, Vol. 21, No. 3, 2008, pp. 351-364.
[28]	M. A. Alarcón, C. S. Galina, M. D. Corro and M. A. Asprón, “Embryo Transfer, a Useful Technique to Be Applied in Small Community Farms?” Tropical Animal Health and Production, Vol. 42, No. 6, 2010, pp. 1135-1141. doi:10.1007/s11250-010-9536-z