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Animal Reproduction Science xxx (2014) xxx–xxx

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Animal Reproduction Science

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/anireprosci

A comparison of two different esters of estradiol for the

induction of ovulation in an estradiol plus progestin-based
timed artificial insemination protocol for suckled Bos indicus
beef cows
J.R.S. Torres-Júnior a,∗ , L. Penteado b , J.N.S. Sales c,d , M.F. Sá Filho e ,
H. Ayres f , P.S. Baruselli e
a
Agrarian and Environmental Sciences Center, Federal University of Maranhão, CCAA-UFMA, Chapadinha MA, Brazil
b
Firmasa, Tecnologia para Pecuária, Londrina, PR, Brazil
c
Veterinary Sciences Center, UFPB, Areia, PB, Brazil
d
Department of Veterinary Medicine, UFLA, Lavras, MG, Brazil
e
Department of Animal Reproduction, FMVZ-USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
f
MSD Animal Health, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: The abilities of two different estradiol esters to induce ovulation in a timed AI (TAI) synchro-
Received 12 December 2013 nization protocol in suckled Bos indicus cows were evaluated. In Experiment 1 (synchrony of
Received in revised form ovulation), 31 cows were submitted to an estradiol/progestin-based synchronization pro-
20 September 2014
tocol (Day 0) and randomly assigned to one of three treatments at the time of progestin
Accepted 22 September 2014
Available online xxx
removal on Day 8: 0.5 or 1.0 mg of estradiol cypionate (EC) at that time or 1.0 mg of estradiol
benzoate (EB) 24 h later (Day 9). To determine the timing of ovulation, ultrasound exam-
inations were performed every 12 h from ear implant removal to 96 h after the removal.
Keywords:
Orthogonal comparisons were performed to determine the effects of estradiol ester and
Reproduction
Cattle the effects of the dose of EC on reproductive parameters. Although neither the E2 ester
Progesterone (P = 0.83) nor the dose of EC (P = 0.55) affected the ovulation rate, the interval from pro-
TAI gestin removal to ovulation was longer (P = 0.04) in EC-treated cows (1.0 mg EC = 71.1 ± 3.6
Nelore and 0.5 mg EC = 78.0 ± 3.5) than EB-treated cows (EB = 66.0 ± 2.3) was detected. Ovulation
in 0.5-mg-EC-treated cows was less synchronous than that in 1.0-mg-EC-treated cows (dis-
tribution curves compared using kurtosis). In Experiment 2 (pregnancy per AI; P/AI), 660
cows at two different locations received the same synchronization protocol (n = 361 at Farm
A and n = 299 at Farm B) and were treated with estradiol esters as in Experiment 1 [0.5 mg
EC (n = 220) or 1.0 mg EC (n = 219) at the time of progestin removal or 1.0 mg EB (n = 221)
24 h later]. The cows were inseminated 54 to 56 h after progestin removal. As applied in the
Experiment 1, orthogonal comparisons were performed to evaluate the effect of estradiol
ester and the dose of EC on P/AI. Although the type of estradiol ester used did not affect the
P/AI (P = 0.57; EB – 43.0% vs. EC – 44.6%), the P/AI was higher (P = 0.03) in cows treated with

∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 98 3272 9902; fax: +55 98 3272 9902.
E-mail addresses: jrtorresjr@gmail.com (J.R.S. Torres-Júnior), barusell@usp.br (P.S. Baruselli).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.019
0378-4320/© 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Please cite this article in press as: Torres-Júnior, J.R.S., et al., A comparison of two different esters of estradiol for the
induction of ovulation in an estradiol plus progestin-based timed artificial insemination protocol for suckled Bos indicus
beef cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.019
G Model
ANIREP-5068; No. of Pages 6 ARTICLE IN PRESS
2 J.R.S. Torres-Júnior et al. / Animal Reproduction Science xxx (2014) xxx–xxx

1.0 mg EC (55.7%) than in those treated with 0.5 mg EC (38.6%). In summary, the adminis-
tration of 0.5 mg EC at the time of progestin removal altered the distribution of ovulation
and resulted in a lower P/AI when compared with the use of 1.0 mg EC in suckled B. indicus
cows. However, the P/AI following the administration of 1.0 mg EC at the time of progestin
removal did not differ from that after the administration of 1.0 mg EB 24 h later.
© 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.

1. Introduction Thus, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate

Synchronization of ovulation protocols for timed artifi-
cial insemination (TAI) has been efficiently applied for the
reproductive management of suckled Bos indicus beef cattle
(Baruselli et al., 2004; Sá Filho et al., 2013). Hormonal ther-
apies enhance the use of artificial insemination, save time
and hasten a herd’s genetic gain and cow-calf operation
profitability (Rodgers et al., 2012; Sá Filho et al., 2013).
The combination of progesterone/progestin and estra-
diol is the most common hormonal treatment used to
synchronize ovulation for TAI in cattle in South Amer-
ica (Bó et al., 2002; Carvalho et al., 2008; Sá Filho et al.,
2011). These protocols consist of the insertion of an exoge-
nous progesterone/progestin source on the first day of
the protocol plus an intramuscular treatment with an
estradiol ester (estradiol benzoate or estradiol valerate)
to induce the emergence of a new ovarian follicular wave
(Sá Filho et al., 2011). Eight or nine days after treatment,
the progesterone/progestin source is removed, and a dose
of prostaglandin is administered to ensure luteolysis. In
addition, treatment with equine chorionic gonadotropin
(eCG) has been used to increase dominant follicular devel-
opment and pregnancy rates in TAI programs, especially
in postpartum anestrous cows, which frequently exhibit
an insufficient pulsatile release of LH to support the final
stages of ovarian follicular development and ovulation
(Baruselli et al., 2004; Sá Filho et al., 2010a; Sá Filho et al.,
2010b; Sales et al., 2011).
To achieve a satisfactory synchronization of ovulation,
TAI synchronization protocols should have an ovulatory
stimulus treatment. In GnRH-based protocols, GnRH has
been applied to synchronize ovulation for TAI in beef cattle
(Geary et al., 2001). Additionally, in the E2 plus P4-based
TAI protocols, estradiol benzoate (EB) or estradiol cypi-
onate (EC) have been successfully used for the induction
of ovulation (Macmillan et al., 2003; Peres et al., 2009; Sá
Filho et al., 2009a; Sá Filho et al., 2011).
EC is an estradiol ester with low solubility in water and
slow release from the injection site, which prolongs the
plasma concentrations of E2 for 98–170 h after administra-
tion of high doses (5–10 mg) (Burton et al., 1990; Vynckier
et al., 1990). However, previous studies demonstrated that
treatment with EC at the time of intravaginal P4 device
removal is less effective for synchronizing the LH surge
(Souza et al., 2009) and ovulation (Martins et al., 2005) than
the use of GnRH or EB. Nonetheless, in spite of the increased
variability in the timing of the LH peak and ovulation in
suckled B. indicus beef cows, satisfactory pregnancy per AI
(∼50%) following the use of EC as an inducer of ovulation
has been described (Sá Filho et al., 2009b; Sá Filho et al.,
2011; Sales et al., 2012).
the effect of two different estradiol esters (EB vs. EC) and
two different doses of EC (0.5 vs. 1.0 mg EC) as inducers
of ovulation on the synchrony of ovulation and the P/AI of
suckled B. indicus beef cows. The tested hypothesis stated
that the estradiol esters and doses do not differentially
affect the ovarian or fertility response.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Experiment 1: estradiol ester on the synchrony of
ovulation
2.1.1. Animals and handling
This experiment was conducted at a commercial beef
farm located in Vera Cruz do Oeste, Parana state, Brazil.
Cows were maintained on a Brachiaria brizantha pasture
with free access to mineralized salt and water. Thirty-one
anestrous suckled Nelore (B. indicus) cows that were 38 to
52 d postpartum and that scored 2.9 ± 0.7 on a 1 to 5 scale of
body condition score (BCS; 1 = emaciated, 5 = obese) were
used.
2.1.2. Experimental design
The cows were synchronized using a progestin plus
estradiol-based synchronization protocol for TAI. At the
beginning of the protocol (Day 0), cows received a
norgestomet ear implant (Crestar® , MSD Animal Health,
Sao Paulo, Brazil) that had been previously used for nine
days, and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB, Estrogin® , Far-
mavet, Sao Paulo, Brazil; i.m.) (Fig. 1). Eight days later,
the ear implants were removed, and the cows received
0.150 mg of d-Cloprostenol (PGF2␣ , Preloban® , Intervet,
Sao Paulo, Brazil) and 400 IU of eCG (Folligon® , MSD Ani-
mal Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil) intramuscularly. Moreover,
the cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatment
groups: 1.0 mg EB (n = 10) 24 h after ear implant removal or
0.5 mg (n = 11) or 1.0 mg of estradiol cypionate (n = 10) (EC;
ECP® , Zoetis Animal Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil) intramuscu-
larly at ear implant removal (Fig. 1).
2.2. Experiment 2: effect of estradiol esters on pregnancy
per TAI
2.2.1. Animals and handling
Six hundred and sixty suckled Nelore (B. indicus) cows
that were 30–60 d postpartum and scored 2.9 ± 0.7 on a
1 to 5 scale of body condition score (BCS; 1 = emaciated,
5 = obese) were enrolled in the study. The cows were
from two different commercial beef farms that were
located in Camapua, Mato Grosso state (Farm A; n = 361)

Please cite this article in press as: Torres-Júnior, J.R.S., et al., A comparison of two different esters of estradiol for the
induction of ovulation in an estradiol plus progestin-based timed artificial insemination protocol for suckled Bos indicus
beef cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.019
G Model
ANIREP-5068; No. of Pages 6 ARTICLE IN PRESS
J.R.S. Torres-Júnior et al. / Animal Reproduction Science xxx (2014) xxx–xxx 3

EB group 2mg EB PGF2α + eCG 1 mg EB TAI

Progestin/Progesterone
Day 0 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10

0.5 mg EC
+
EC0.5 group 2mg EB PGF2α + eCG TAI

Progestin/Progesterone
Day 0 Day 8 Day 10

1.0 mg EC
+
EC1.0 group 2mg EB PGF2α + eCG TAI

Progestin/Progesterone
Day 0 Day 8 Day 10

Fig. 1. Experimental design of Experiments 1 and 2. At the initiation of the synchronization protocol (Day 0), cows received a Progestin ear implant or a
Progesterone intravaginal device in combination with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB). Eight days later (Day 8), the implants/devices were removed, and
all animals received 0.150 mg of d-cloprostenol (PGF) and 400 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Cows were randomly assigned to one of three
treatments: 1.0 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) 24 h after implant/device removal or 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg of estradiol cypionate (EC) at ear implant removal. All
females were inseminated 48 h after implants/devices withdrawal.

and Jacarezinho, Parana state (Farm B; n = 299), which
are both in Brazil. Regardless of location, the cows were
maintained on a Brachiaria brizantha pasture with free
access to mineralized salt and water.
2.2.2. Experimental design
Suckled cows were randomly assigned to the experi-
mental treatments [0.5 of EC (n = 220), 1.0 of EC (n = 219)
or 1.0 mg EB (n = 221)] as described above for Experiment
1. At Farm A, the cows received the same synchroniza-
tion protocol using a norgestomet ear implant that had
been previously used for nine days, as described above,
and at Farm B, an intravaginal progesterone device (CIDR® ,
Zoetis Animal Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was used. Based
on previous data obtained using suckled zebu cows, a
similar response was expected following the use of a
norgestomet implant (Farm A) or an intravaginal P4 device
(Farm B) for the TAI protocol (Baruselli et al., 2002). The
TAI was performed 52–56 h after progestin/progesterone
source removal. Frozen-thawed semen from two previ-
ously proven fertile bulls was used. A single bull and
technician were used for all TAIs at each farm.
2.3. Ultrasound examination
In both experiments, a real-time ultrasonic scanner
equipped with a 5.0-7.5 MHz linear transrectal transducer
(Chison D500VET, Chison Medical Imaging, Co, China) was
used.
In the Experiment 1, anestrous status was determined
following detection of the absence of corpus luteum after
two consecutive ultrasound exams performed 10 days
apart. To evaluate the follicular dynamics and the moment
of ovulation, the ovaries were scanned every 12 h from
ear implant removal to 96 h after the removal. The three
largest follicles from each ovary were identified, recorded
and measured. The moment of ovulation was defined as
the time of disappearance of a previously identified domi-
nant follicle (DF) from one ultrasound examination to the
next, minus 6 h (Gimenes et al., 2008). In Experiment 2, the
cows were examined for pregnancy by transrectal ultra-
sonography 30 d after TAI. Pregnancy was characterized by
visualization of an embryo with a heartbeat. Pregnancy per
AI (P/AI) was calculated as the number of pregnant cows
30 d after AI divided by the total number of inseminated
cows.
2.4. Statistical analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using SAS (Statisti-
cal Analysis Software 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA).
Orthogonal comparisons were performed to determine the
effects of estradiol ester (1.0 mg EB vs. 1.0 mg EC or 0.5 mg
EC) and the effect of the dose of EC (1.0 mg EC vs. 0.5 mg EC)
on reproductive parameters. Binary responses [Experiment
1 (Ovulation rate) and Experiment 2 (P/AI)] were analyzed
by logistic regression fitting a binary data distribution. The
evaluated response variables were the diameter of the DF,
time of ovulation, and ovulation rate from Experiment 1
and P/AI from Experiment 2, using the GLIMMIX procedure
of SAS for both of them. Continuous data were previously
tested for homogeneity and normality using Guide Data
Analysis and were transformed if necessary. These data
were analyzed with models fitting a Gaussian distribution.

Please cite this article in press as: Torres-Júnior, J.R.S., et al., A comparison of two different esters of estradiol for the
induction of ovulation in an estradiol plus progestin-based timed artificial insemination protocol for suckled Bos indicus
beef cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.019
G Model
ANIREP-5068; No. of Pages 6 ARTICLE IN PRESS
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The statistical models for analyzing the diameters of DF (at

implant removal, DF 24 h and 48 h after implant removal)
and the moment of ovulation relative to implant removal
were performed and included only the treatment. In addi-
tion, in Experiment 1, an additional analysis was performed
to specifically evaluate the influence of treatment on the
distribution of ovulation after ear implant removal. For this,
the distribution of ovulation was also analyzed with Lev-
ene’s test, and the distribution curves were compared using
kurtosis. The kurtosis value provides information about
the distribution curve shape of the response variable. Pos-
itive kurtosis values are those in which heavier tails are
Fig. 2. Distribution of ovulation (percentage of ovulation in each period)
often accompanied by a higher peak. However, for negative in Bos indicus cows submitted to a progestin plus estradiol-based synchro-
kurtosis values, the variance will be unchanged if mass is nization protocol. Cows from the 0.5-mg and 1.0-mg EC groups received
moved from the tails and center of the distribution to its 0.5 or 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (EC) at the time of ear implant removal.
Cows from the 1-mg EB group were treated with 1 mg of EB 24 h after ear
shoulders, thus resulting in light tails and flattening of the
implant removal.
curve (DeCarlo, 1997).
In Experiment 2, P/AI was analyzed by logistic regres-
EC (Table 1 and Fig. 2). In addition, the time of ovulation
sion fitting a binary data distribution. The model included
following the administration of 1.0 mg EC at the time
the effects of treatment, farm location (A vs. B), and interac-
of progestin removal did not differ from that following
tions between treatment and farm location, as well as the
the administration of 0.5 mg EC at the same time nor
BCS at the beginning of the synchronization protocol as a
of that following the administration of 1.0 mg EB 24 h
covariate.
later.
Differences with P ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically
Despite a similar homogeneity in the variances of the
significant, and those with 0.05 < P < 0.10 were designated
dispersion intervals of ovulation [estradiol ester (P = 0.19)
as a tendency. All values are expressed as means ± SEMs or
and dose of EC (P = 0.81)], the kurtosis of the interval from
as percentages.
implant removal to ovulation was positive in the EB and
1.0-mg-EC groups; however, this value was negative in
3. Results cows treated with 0.5 mg EC (Table 1), demonstrating that
the curve shape of the distribution of ovulation was dif-
3.1. Experiment 1: effect of estradiol ester on ovarian ferent between these groups. Cows treated with 0.5 mg EC
follicular dynamics presented a platykurtic distribution curve, while cows that
received 1.0 mg of EC presented a leptokurtic distribution
All response variables are presented in Table 1. There curve (i.e., more concentrated ovulations).
were no effects of estradiol ester or of the dose of EC on
final DF growth. The diameters of the DF did not differ 3.2. Experiment 2: effect of estradiol ester on pregnancy
24 h and 48 h after ear implant removal. Similarly, there per AI
was no difference in ovulation rates. However, cows
treated with EB had a shorter interval from ear implant There was no interaction between treatment and farm
removal to the time of ovulation than cows treated with location (P = 0.20) for P/AI. There was also no effect

Table 1
Effects of estradiol esters (type and dose) as ovulatory stimuli on the ovarian follicular response and pregnancy per AI of suckled Bos indicus cows subjected
to an estradiol plus progestin/progesterone-based TAI protocol.

Treatmentsa P values (contrast)

1 mg EB 1 mg EC 0.5 mg EC E2 Ester Dose of EC

Experiment 1
Number of cows 10 10 11 – –
DF diameter at ear implant removal (mm)b 8.1 ± 0.1 8.1 ± 0.0 8.0 ± 0.1 0.91 0.85
DF diameter 24 h after ear implant removal (mm) 11.6 ± 0.0 11.3 ± 0.1 11.4 ± 0.1 0.64 0.79
Ovulation rate (%) 80.0 70.0 81.8 0.83 0.55
Timing of ovulation
Mean (h)c 66.0 ± 2.3 71.1 ± 3.6 78.0 ± 3.5 0.04 0.14
Kurtosis 3.5 2.4 −1.7 – –
Experiment 2
Number of cows 221 219 220 – –
Pregnancy per AI, % 43.0 50.7 38.6 0.57 0.03
a
Treatment: Cows were randomly assigned at progestin implant removal into one of three treatments. Cows from cows from 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg of EC
groups received 0.5 or 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (EC) intramuscularly at ear implant removal. Cows from the 1 mg of BE group were treated with 1 mg of
EB 24 h after ear implant removal.
b
DF = dominant follicle.
c
Time of ovulation relative to ear implant removal.

Please cite this article in press as: Torres-Júnior, J.R.S., et al., A comparison of two different esters of estradiol for the
induction of ovulation in an estradiol plus progestin-based timed artificial insemination protocol for suckled Bos indicus
beef cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.019
G Model
ANIREP-5068; No. of Pages 6 ARTICLE IN PRESS
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(P = 0.74) of the farm [Farm A = 44.8% (134/299) and Farm
B = 43.5% (157/361)] on the P/AI. However, the adminis-
tration of 0.5 mg EC at the time of ear implant removal
promoted a lower P/AI when compared with the use of
1.0 mg EC (P = 0.03; Table 1).
4. Discussion
This study demonstrated that a similar P/AI could be
achieved following the use of EC or EB as an inducer of
ovulation in the synchronization of ovulation protocol for
TAI in B. indicus cows, confirming the current hypothesis.
However, 0.5 mg EC administered at the time of progestin
source removal altered the distribution of ovulation after
implant removal and was associated with a reduction of
the P/AI compared to the administration of 1.0 mg EC in B.
indicus cows submitted to a progestin plus estradiol-based
synchronization of ovulation protocol for TAI.
In the present study, cows treated with EC presented
a longer interval from ear implant removal to ovulation
than cows treated with EB 24 h after implant removal. In
addition, the use of 0.5 mg EC promoted a reduced syn-
chronization of ovulation, which was in contrast to the
effects observed in cows treated with EB or those treated
with 1.0 mg of EC. The induction of an LH surge upon EC
and EB administration in ovariectomized B. indicus cows
has been previously reported (Sales et al., 2012). These
authors demonstrated that 1.0 mg EC promoted a longer
interval between its administration and the induction of
an LH surge when compared to 1.0-mg-EB-treated cows.
The onset of the LH peak occurred 30.9 h earlier in the
EB group than in the EC group (19.6 ± 1.2 vs. 50.5 ± 3.6 h
post administration). Moreover, animals receiving EB as an
ovulation-inducing agent had a shorter (P = 0.001) LH surge
duration (8.6 ± 0.2 vs. 16.5 ± 1.0 h).
Although esterification of EC prolongs the half-life of
17␤-estradiol, it appears to reduce its efficacy for synchro-
nizing follicular development and ovulation, mainly when
used at low doses (Thundathil et al., 1998; Colazo et al.,
2003). Likely, the sole use of 0.5 mg EC was not sufficient
to induce a consistent preovulatory LH surge and effec-
tive synchronization of ovulation. Therefore, it is suggested
that the greater variation in the interovulatory interval
for 0.5-mg-CE-treated cows was due to additional individ-
ual effects of endogenous 17␤-estradiol produced by the
dominant follicle of each cow or due to follicular respon-
siveness to estrogens and other factors that upregulate
ovulation. Furthermore, we believe that the action of estra-
diol cypionate on ovulation induction in cattle occurs in a
dose/time-dependent manner.
In the current study, a similar P/AI was achieved with
the use of 1 mg of EC at the time of ear implant removal or
with the use of 1 mg of EB 24 h after ear implant removal;
however 0.5 mg of EC promoted lower result. Additionally,
similar P/AI using EB or EC (at implant removal or 24 h
later, respectively) have been previously reported in Bos
taurus beef heifers (Colazo et al., 2003) and in B. indicus
suckled beef cows (Sales et al., 2012). For the present data,
it is important to highlight the use of different progestin
sources at each location. Despite previous studies describ-
ing similar P/AI following the use of a norgestomet implant
Please cite this article in press as: Torres-Júnior, J.R.S., et al., A comparison of two different esters of estradiol for the
induction of ovulation in an estradiol plus progestin-based timed artificial insemination protocol for suckled Bos indicus
beef cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.09.019
5
or an intravaginal P4 device for the TAI protocol (Baruselli
et al., 2002), it is possible that the impact of dose of EC
as ovulatory stimulus on P/AI could be influenced by the
progestin source. This hypothesis requires further study.
Among the factors that influence reproductive success
following TAI protocols in beef cows, one primary effect
is the time during which insemination should take place
relative to ovulation. The effect of the timing of insemina-
tion depends primarily on the lifespan of the spermatozoa
and on the viability of the oocyte in the female genital
tract (Hunter and Wilmut, 1984). Several experiments have
demonstrated that 6 h is the minimum time needed for
a viable sperm population capable of fertilization to pass
through the oviduct (Hawk, 1983; Hunter and Wilmut,
1984; Hawk, 1987). Regarding the oocyte, the most desir-
able period for fertilization appears to be between 6 and
10 h after ovulation (Brackett et al., 1980), and the probabil-
ity of conception decreases (Dransfield et al., 1998; Roelofs
et al., 2006) when AI is performed near the time of ovula-
tion (less than 6–12 h before ovulation). Additionally, the
fertilization rate exponentially decreases when AI occurs
after ovulation (Roelofs et al., 2006).
Therefore, the lower P/AI in cows treated with 0.5 mg
EC that was observed in the present study could be related
to the longer interval between ear implant removal and
ovulation and to the greater spread of ovulation when com-
pared with the other inducers of ovulation that were used
(1.0 mg EC and 1.0 mg EB). Thus, the timing of TAI could be
considered early (30 h before ovulation) due to the delay
and greater dispersion of the occurrence of ovulation found
in cows treated with 0.5 mg EC. In this way, delaying timed
AI from 48 to 72 h after PGF (2alpha) in the CoSynch pro-
tocol associated with supplementation with EC increased
the proportion of lactating dairy cows displaying estrus at
AI and pregnancy per AI (Hillegass et al., 2008). In beef
(B. indicus) cows, the moment of ovulation and timed AI
in relation to P4 device removal may be similar between
estradiol esters, provided that EB administration is delayed
for 24 h, because the LH peak in this group occurred 30 h
earlier than that in the EC group. This delay allowed sim-
ilar growth of the ovulatory follicles and pregnancy rates
at timed AI between cows receiving EB or EC (Sales et al.,
2012).
In conclusion, despite the differences in the timing of
ovulation relative to progestin source removal, a similar
P/AI could be achieved with the use of 1.0 mg of EC at the
time of progestin source removal or 1 mg of EB 24 h later
in suckled B. indicus cows subjected to an estradiol plus
progestin-based TAI synchronization protocol. However,
the administration of 0.5 mg EC at the time of progestin
source removal resulted in lesser synchronization of ovu-
lation and a lower P/AI when compared with the use of
1.0 mg EC.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors whose names are listed immediately below
certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in
any organization or entity with any financial interest (such
as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’
bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock
G Model
ANIREP-5068; No. of Pages 6 ARTICLE IN PRESS
6 J.R.S. Torres-Júnior et al. / Animal Reproduction Science xxx (2014) xxx–xxx
ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testi-
mony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial
interest (such as personal or professional relationships,
affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or
materials discussed in this manuscript.
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Supplementary material related to this article can be
found, in the online version, at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.
anireprosci.2014.09.019.
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