Technologies for fixed-time artificial insemination and their influence on reproductive performance of Bos indicus cattle.

The adaptation of Bos indicus cattle to tropical and subtropical environments has led to their widespread distribution around the world. Although artificial insemination (AI) is one of the best alternatives to introduce new genetics into Bos indicus herds, the peculiarity of their temperament and the tendency to show short oestrus (many of them during the night) greatly affects the effectiveness of genetic improvement programs. Therefore, the most useful alternative to increase the number of females that are inseminated is the use of protocols that allow for AI without the need for oestrus detection, usually called fixed-time AI (FTAI). Besides, the development of protocols to advance the resumption of cyclicity during the early postpartum period has a great impact on beef production and will allow for the inclusion of a significantly larger population of animals into genetic improvement programs. Fixed-time AI protocols using progestin devices, oestradiol and eCG have resulted in consistent pregnancy rates in suckled Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus cows. Furthermore, fertility in the successive cycles and the overall pregnancy rates at the end of the breeding season, have been shown to be improved by the use of progestin devices at the beginning of the breeding season. In summary, exogenous control of luteal and follicular development has facilitated the application of assisted reproductive technologies in Bos indicus-influenced cattle, by offering the possibility of planning programs without the necessity of oestrus detection and may provide the opportunity to improve reproductive performance of beef cattle in tropical climates.

The control of follicular wave development for self-appointed embryo transfer programs in cattle.

Our expanding knowledge of the control of follicular wave dynamics during the bovine estrous cycle has resulted in renewed enthusiasm for the prospects of precisely controlling the follicular and luteal dynamics and finely controlling the time of ovulation. Follicular wave development can be controlled mechanically by ultrasound-guided follicle ablation or hormonally by treatments with GnRH or estradiol and progestogen/progesterone in combination. Treatment of cattle with GnRH in combination with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) 7 d later and a second GnRH 48 h after PGF (known as Ovsynch) has resulted in acceptable pregnancy rates after fixed-time AI in lactating dairy cows and in recipients in which embryos were transferred without estrus detection. Alternatively, treatments with estradiol and progestogen/progesterone-releasing devices resulted in synchronous emergence of a new follicular wave and, when a second estradiol treatment was given 24 h after device removal, synchronous ovulation and high pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI. Self-appointed embryo transfer (without estrus detection) using estradiol and progesterone treatments have resulted in pregnancy rates comparable with those obtained with recipients transferred 7 d after estrus. Furthermore, estradiol and progesterone treatments combined with PGF and eCG (given 1 d after the expected time of wave emergence) have resulted in high rates of recipients selected for transfer (84.6%) and an overall pregnancy rate of 48.7% (recipients pregnant/recipients treated). Estradiol and progestogen/progesterone treatments have also been widely used for self-appointed superstimulation protocols with equivalent embryo production to that of donor cows superstimulated using the traditional approach beginning 8 to 12 d after estrus. In summary, exogenous control of luteal and follicular development facilitates the application of assisted reproductive technologies in cattle by offering the possibility of planning the superstimulation of donors and synchronization of recipients at a self-appointed time, without the necessity of estrus detection and without sacrificing results.