Acta Vet. Brno 2020, 89: 307-315

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202089040307

Effect of progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone + human chorionic gonadotropin treatment on conception rates in repeat breeder cows

Hasan Alkan, Hüseyin Erdem

Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alaeddin Keykubat Campus, Konya, Turkey

Received April 1, 2020
Accepted December 21, 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hormonal support on the pregnancy rate in repeat breeder cows. Prostaglandin F + Ovsynch oestrus synchronization protocol was applied to the cows. Following the fixed time insemination (day 0), the cows were divided into 4 groups. In Group 1 (n = 42), progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) was placed vaginally at 84 h and removed on the 9th day after the artificial insemination. In Group 2 (n = 40), the cows were administered human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the 7th day. Group 3 (n = 45) was applied a combination of progesterone and hCG. Group 4 (n = 42) was not given any treatment. Blood samples were collected from all cows 4 times on days 3.5, 7, 12, and 18 to evaluate progesterone concentrations. The pregnancy rates were 40.47%, 37.50%, 44.44%, and 30.95% in Group 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (P > 0.05). In addition, in cows with progesterone concentrations <2 ng/ml on day 3.5, the pregnancy rates were found to be lower than in the cows with progesterone concentrations >2 ng/ml in Group 4 (P < 0.05). Progesterone supplementation in cows with progesterone concentrations < 2 ng/ml appeared to increase pregnancy rates (P < 0.05) in Groups 1 and 3. As a result, post-insemination hormonal applications in the repeat breeder cows did not increase the pregnancy rate. However, it was concluded that determination of progesterone concentrations on day 3.5 following artificial insemination and then hormonal support in the cows with low concentrations would increased the pregnancy rate.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects Coordinator (Project no. 16102021).

References

57 live references