Comparison of two intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices in shortened-timed artificial insemination protocols in beef cattle

Commercially available intravaginal progesterone (P4) devices differ in shape, surface area and P4 load, which may affect the resulting pregnancy per AI (P/AI) following timed-AI (TAI). The objective of this study was to compare two intravaginal P4 devices on estrus rate, follicular dynamics and P/AI in beef cattle subjected to shortened-TAI protocols. In Expt. 1, nulliparous heifers were randomly assigned to a P4-releasing intravaginal device (PRID-Delta, 1.55 g P4) or a controlled internal drug release (CIDR, 1.38 g P4) at the initiation of a J-synch protocol. Heifers that displayed estrus 72 h following device removal were TAI, or if not in estrus given GnRH at 72 h and TAI at 90 h. In Expt. 2, nulliparous heifers and non-suckling cows were randomly assigned to either PRID or CIDR groups and either 1 or 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) at initiation of a J-synch protocol. All cattle were TAI concurrent with GnRH 72 h after device removal. In Expt. 3, nulliparous heifers and suckling cows were randomly assigned to either PRID or CIDR groups and initiated a 5-d Cosynch protocol, with TAI concurrent with GnRH 72 h following device removal. In each experiment, cattle received estrus detection patches at device removal, which were then scored from 0 to 3 based on color change between initial application and TAI; 0 = unchanged, 1 = ≤50% change, 2 = >50% change, 3 = missing. Estrus was defined to have occurred when the patch was scored 2 or 3. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to determine cyclicity, diagnose pregnancy in all experiments, and the size of the ovulatory follicle in Expt. 3. In Expt. 1, the estrus rate was greater (72.0% vs. 61.0%; P = 0.04) in the PRID compared to the CIDR group. In Expt. 2, a parity by EB dose interaction (P = 0.02) was attributed to an increased estrus rate (52.8% vs. 41.4%; P = 0.05) in heifers given 1 vs. 2 mg EB. In Expt. 3, there was no difference in the ovulatory follicle diameter at device removal (P = 0.22) or TAI (P = 0.28) between P4 groups. Treatment with a PRID tended (P = 0.10) to increase the P/AI in cows compared to a CIDR (73.5% vs. 61.0%). In all experiments combined, the overall P/AI tended to increase (55.2% vs. 51.0%; P = 0.08) and P/AI in cattle exhibiting estrus increased (64.4% vs. 59.7%; P = 0.02) in cattle given a PRID compared to those given a CIDR, respectively. In summary, the type of intravaginal P4 device affected estrus response and P/AI following TAI in beef cows.