05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals

05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronization

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To understand what the different parts of the estrous cycle are.
To understand the hormonal changes of the estrous cycle.
To understand how the estrous cycle coordinates the events of female
reproduction so it can be
successful.

Anestrus
Proestrus

Tertiary follicle(s) and oocytes undergo final maturation.

Estrogen levels

Female becomes receptive

Estrogen prepares uterus and oviducts for sperm transport and fertilization

Estrogen initiates uterine changes for later embryo development

Estrus
Female in heat

High estrogens cause LH surge

LH surge causes ovulation

LH surge initiates corpus luteum fomation

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Metestrus

Estrogen levels have decreased

Corpus luteum is forming

Progesterone levels start to

Progesterone begins preparing the uterus for the embryo

Embryo partially develops in the oviduct and moves into the uterus

Diestrus
Maximum coprus luteum size

High progesterone levels inhibit final follicular development, ovulation

and estrus

Embryo continues to develop in the uterus

Embryo signals the uterus it is present - no CL regression

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

If embryo is not present - uterus releases PFG2a

to cause CL regression

If CL regresses, progesterone in blood decreases and Graafian follicle(s)

begin final development that
occurs in proestrus for ovulation at estrus.

Cow and Mare Estrous Cycles

Phases of the Estrous Cycle

Follicular
Luteal

Species Variation in Estrous Cycle Characteristics

Length of Cycle

Ewe

14-19 days

Sow
Cow

17-22 days
18-24 days

Length of Estrus

24-36 hours
48-72 hours

Time of Ovulation
24-36 hours
35-45 hours

Time of A.I.

12-19
hours

10-11
hours

Mare

16-24 days

2-11 days

1-2 days

(after onset
(after onset

(before the

of estrus)
of estrus) (after end
end of estrus)
of estrus)

12-18 hours
16-24 hours
7-18 hours
Second day and
after onset

of estrus

after onset
after onset
every other day

of estrus

of estrus
in estrus
and again

8-24 hrs later

Learning Objectives:
To understand how estrus synchronization works and how to use it successfully.

Estrous synchronization:

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Why
1. Group females for parturition:

a. Labor, Calving period

b. More uniform weaning weights.

2. Reduce time required for estrus detection.

3. Eliminate estrus detection with timed insemination:

Cattle:
Prostaglandins: PGF2a
Lutalyse - Natural compound 25 mg dose I.M.
Estrumate - Analogue 500 ug dose I.M.
Bovilene - Analogue 1 mg dose s.q.
Prosolvin - Analogue 15 mg dose I.M.
Equimate - Analogue used in Mare

Principle - Regress active corpus luteum

i.e., Day 5-17 corpus luteum.

In estrus 2-5 days after injection

heifers ~50 hours; cows ~72 hours

~60-65% of herd should respond to injection.

To get whole herd synchronized, give 2nd injection 11 days after 1st
Cows responding to 1st injection have day 6-9 corpora lutea
Unresponding cows now have day 6-17 corpora lutea

Reasons for variation of response.

Young and old corpora lutea may respond different

Heifers react sooner than cows.

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Animal may be pregnant - Abortion

Females do not have a corpora luteum, i.e. are anestrus

Brahman Cattle

Management Consideration:
Have proper facilities to handle animals

Good reproductive records

Have enough A.I. technician help

Be sure cows & heifers cycling

Use good fertility semen

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Breeding with prostaglandins:

Conception Rate
1. Breed 80 hours after 2nd injection

30 - 75 %
2. Breed based on estrus after PGF2a

67%
3. Control cows bred based on estrus

75%

Based on estrus - Breed 12 hours after the 1st observed estrus activity

Improving ovulation synchronization

48 hours after PGF2a

-Give
GnRH

Cause LH surge; achieved

slight

increase in conception rates

Use of progestogens for Estrus synchronization

Principle:
Maintain the cow under the influence of progesterone until copur luteum
regresses, remove
progesterone - animal respond to progesterone
with estrus. 2-5 days later.
Administration:
Injection

Feed

Implant

Pessary or Control Internal Drug Release (CIDR)

1. Synchromate B system:
Day 1
Inject 5 mg estradiol valerate & 3 mg norgestomet
Implant Norgestomet (Progestagen) 6 mg

2. Remove implant 9 days later.

3. Breed 48 to 60 hours later or 54 hours later.

Estradiol - Luteolytic to d 3-9 corpora lutea.

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Norgestomet - Inhibits early C.L. development.

Melengesterol Acetate (MGA) System

Feed progestogen for 7 days

Prevents estrus in diestrous and proestrous animals
Give PGF2a on Day 8 to regress CL's
Remove progestogen on Day 9
Cows are in heat in 2-5 days
Alternative:

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

EAZI-BREED CIDR System

Insert CIDR (progestin) with CIDIROL capsule (estrogen) in vagina

Day 6 inject with PGF2a

Remove CIDR Day 7 and breed on heat detection

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Ewe estrus synchronization:

Implant progestogen for 12-14 days

Remove implant, ewes in heat in 36-60 hours

May use eCG at implant removal to stimulate follicular growth

Sperm transport is impaired, fertility good 1 ram/10 ewes

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Sow estrus synchronization:

PGF2a will not cause C.L. regression
until day 12 of the cycle.

Common progestogens will synchronize estrus but cause ovarian cysts

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

Progestogen Allyl trenobolone fed at 20 mg/head/day for 18 days - remove from feed
- in heat in 4-8 days. Fertility
normal - a minor incidence of cysts.

Prepubertal Gilts

P.G. 600

Mare estrus synchronization:

1. Luteolytic PGF2ain diestrus, in heat
in 4-5 days

2. -Use of prostaglandins in horses:

Equimate (Fluprosterol)
Other prostaglandins ~1/5 cow dose
Mare C.L. more sensitive
Side effects:

Treatments with PGF2a

1. Use of progestins in horses

Regumate
.044 mg/Kg body weight in feed
Feed for 12 days
Remove from feed; give equimate
In heat 3-4 days later

Utilization

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05-Estrous Cycle & Estrus Sychronizaton: Learning Reproduction in Farm Animals - Oklahoma State University

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of Animal Science,
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