ESTRUS

SYNCHRONIZATION
Contents
• History

• Overview of Estrus cycle

• Mechanism of Estrus synchronization

• Bovine Estrus Synchronization Protocols

• Estrus synchronization in other species

HISTORY OF ESTRUS
SYNCHRONIZATION
• Use of Progesterone (1935)

• Use of prostaglandins (1963)

• Use of GnRH based methods (1943)

• Pituitary extracts-----ovulation
OVERVIEW OF ESTRUS
CYCLE
Facts of Estrous Cycle

 Length of the estrous cycle

Average 21 days (range 18 to 24 days)

 Estrus (standing heat)

24hrs (range 8 to 30 hours)

 Ovulation
Approximately 30 hours after the beginning of standing heat
Major structures on the ovary are …
Follicle …
Blister-like structure containing oocyte
produces hormone “estrogen”
 High amount of estrogen causes “standing heat” and “ovulation”

Corpus luteum (referred to as “CL”) …

 Hard yellow structure
Produces hormone “progesterone”
Responsible for maintenance of pregnancy
 Follicle Development Follicular Wave

Dominance Regression

Growth

Selection
Next
Recruitment Recruitment

 Follicle development occurs as a wave-like pattern consisting of “Recruitment”, “Selection”,

“Growth”, “Dominance”, and “Regression” phases
 Usually 2 to 4 follicular waves occur during the estrous cycle in cattle
Follicle Development Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Regression

Next
Recruitment Recruitment

FSH FSH

 FSH precedes recruitment of follicles (causes follicles to start growing)

 FSH is the same hormone used for superovulation and embryo transfer in cattle
Follicle Development Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Regression
Dominance

Growth

Selection

LH pulses

 LH promotes further follicle growth and maturation of egg

 Follicle Development and Ovulation: LH and Estrogen

Dominance Ovulation

Growth Estrogen

Selection Estrus

LH
Surge

High levels of estrogen, in turn, cause estrus and surge release of LH that triggers ovulation
 Follicle Development During the Estrous Cycle
Example for Three Follicular Waves
Ovulation Ovulation

Estrus

Estrus
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Length of the estrous cycle in cattle with 3 follicular waves is typically 20 to 24 days
 Follicle Development During the Estrous Cycle
Example for Two Follicular Waves

Ovulation Ovulation

Estrus

Estrus
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Length of the estrous cycle in cattle with 2 follicular waves is typically 18 to 20 days, slightly shorter
than the estrous cycle with 3 follicular waves
 Endocrinology During the Estrous Cycle
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Ovulation Ovulation

Estrus

Estrus
FSH

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Example shown for cattle having 3 follicular waves during a 21-day estrous cycle
 Endocrinology During the Estrous Cycle
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Ovulation Ovulation
LH Surge
LH Surge
Estrus

Estrus
LH pulses LH pulses

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Example shown for cattle having 3 follicular waves during a 21-day estrous cycle
 Endocrinology During the Estrous Cycle
Estrogen

Ovulation Ovulation

Estrus

Estrus
Estrogen

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Example shown for cattle having 3 follicular waves during a 21-day estrous cycle
 Corpus Luteum (CL)
Growth and Regression

Ovulation

Growth Regression
Estrus

Estrus
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Corpus luteum develops from the ovulated follicle and takes approximately 10 days to reach mature size
Corpus Luteum (CL)
Progesterone

Growth Regression

Estrus

Estrus
Progesterone

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Corpus luteum produces progesterone

 Progesterone is responsible for maintenance of pregnancy after conception occurs
 Corpus Luteum (CL) Regression
Prostaglandin F2 (PG)

Growth Regression

Estrus

Estrus
PG

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Late in the estrous cycle, uterus produces PG which causes regression of corpus luteum
Corpus Luteum (CL) Maintenance
When cow becomes pregnant …

Growth
Maintenance
Estrus

Embryo PG

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Presence of embryo blocks uterus to produce PG late in the estrous cycle which causes maintenance of
corpus luteum and production of progesterone for pregnancy
 Endocrinology of the Estrous Cycle

Progesterone
Estrogen PG
Estrus

Estrus
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0

Day of the Estrous Cycle

 Relationships among estrogen, progesterone, and PG during the 21-day estrous cycle
Physiology and Endocrinology of the Estrous Cycle

Estrus

Estrus
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 0
Day of the Estrous Cycle
 Relationships among structural and hormonal changes during the 21-day estrous cycle (example
shown for cattle having 3 follicular waves)
MECHANISM OF ESTRUS
SYNCHRONIZATION
Why we do Estrus Synchronization?????

• Group females for parturition (calving interval)

• Shorten breeding season

• Reduce estrus detection

Points to Consider When Using Estrus Synchronization

• Estrus synchronization is never a substitute for:

Nutrition
Herd health
Proper management

• Estrus synchronization should not be used as a crutch for poor

management

• When administered appropriately, estrus synchronization is an effective

reproductive management tool that can be used to facilitate AI
How we do Estrus Synchronization
1. Estrus synchronization
• Manipulate life span of CL (Luteal
phase)
 Shorten the life of CL
 Lengthen the life of CL

2. Ovulation synchronization
• Manipulate growth of follicles and
timing of ovulation
 NEW
IDEA

3. Wave synchronization

• GnRH
• Estradiol
HOW? 3 BASIC WAYS
Do what . . .? With what . . .?

 Destroy the CL  PGF2

 Inhibit ovulation  Progestins

 Cause ovulation of  GnRH

dominant follicle /
development of new
follicle
 BOVINE ESTRUS
SYNCHRONIZATION
PROTOCOLS
Estrus Synchronization
• Two approaches for regulation of estrus cycle :
• By shortening the Luteal phase:
• PGF 2α
• By lengthening the Luteal phase:
• Progesterone
 Prostaglandin F2
Progesterone

Ovulation
Follicular Size

Dominance
PGF2
Selection

Recruitment

Ovulation 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
Prostaglandin F2
Administration
• Injection
• Single injection method
• Double injection method

Principle
• Regress active corpus luteum
• Only effective b/w day 5 - 17 corpus luteum
• Not effective on days:
1 - 4 (CL not responsive)
18 - 21 (CL already regressed)
 Prostaglandin F2
Progesterone

Ovulation
Follicular Size

Dominance
PGF2
Selection

Recruitment

Ovulation 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
 Progesterone

Ovulation
Follicular Size

Dominance
PGF2
Selection

Recruitment

Ovulation 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
 Prostaglandin F2
Outcome
• Shorten the luteal phase and respond to estrus and ovulation
2-5 days
Limitations
• Used only in cyclic animal with functional CL during breeding seasons
• Greater variation in manifestation of estrus
• Cannot be used for timed insemination

Solution
• Combination with Estradiol Benzoate
• For precision of estrus synchrony and LH surge
• Combination with GnRH (OVSYNCH)
• For improvement of ovulation synchrony and timed AI
Progesterone
Progesterone

Persist
Follicular Size

Dominance

Selection

Recruitment

Ovulation 9 16 21
Day After Ovulation
Progestogens
Administration
• Injection (e.g., Progesterone)
• Feed (e.g., MGA)
• Implant (e.g., SMB,PRID)
• Pessary or Control Internal Drug Release (CIDR)

Principle
• Prolong luteal phase

Outcome
• Respond to estrus and ovulation 2-4 days
LIMITATIONS

o Ovulation of aged ova estrus after administration of

P4 for 7-10 day
Ovulation Synchronization
• By manipulation of follicular phase
• Types:
• OVSYNCH
• (GnRH-PGF-GnRH)
• Co-SYNCH
• (GnRH-PGF-E4)
• Select SYNCH
• (GnRH-PGF-heat detection)

• Principle:
• By controlling the follicular and CL development
Ovulation Ovulation

GnRH PGF GnRH

Synchronized initiation Timed AI
of a new follicular wave
0 7 9
Limitations

• Ineffectiveness in non cyclic animals

• Questionable ovulation of follicle in response to 1st GnRH,

• Ovulation of too small follicles with inadequate LH receptors

• About 10% of cows show estrus between first GnRH and

PGF2α
Induction of Estrus
• Anestrous cows
• Methods
• Progesterone
• PMSG/eCG
• GnRH

• Principle
• Initiated the follicular development
 ESTRUS
SYNCHRONIZATION IN
OTHER SPECIES
Sheep
NON-BREEDING SEASON
Use of Progestin
 CIDR + eCG

CIDR insertion for 12-13 days eCG at removal

• Fertility in the breeding season is good

BREEDING SEASON

PGF2
• Single injection method
• Double injection method

• No effect if ewe anestrus

Mare
PGF2
• Works on CL >5 days of age and mare in diestrus
• Mare CL more sensitive than cow’s
• Side effects can be sever in mare
• Sweating
• Abdominal cramps, increased motility of GI tract and/or colic
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle weakness and balance problems
• All side effects begin at 5 - 10 minutes and last until 60 minutes
after injection
Progestins
• Regumate
• Oral progestin
• Give 1 ml / 100 lbs body weight
• Treatment
• Feed daily for 12 - 14 days
• On last day give PGF2
• Will be in heat in 3 - 4 days but ovulation not until day 8 after treatment
Induction of Ovulation in Anestrus Mares

• Seasonal
• Increase light exposure
• 16 hours light / day (takes 30 - 60 days)
• Postpartum
• Breed at foal heat
• Provide adequate nutrition and don’t see lactational anestrus