Pattern of induced estrus and conception rate following Ovsynch and Ovsynch based gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatments initiated on day 6 of estrous cycle in repeat breeding crossbred cows

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the estrus response, incidence of accessory corpus luteum formation and fertility following different hormonal protocols in repeat breeding crossbred cows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 24 repeat breeding crossbred cows allotted into four groups. Cows of Group I was not given any treatment, Group II was treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection on day 6 post-estrus, Group III was treated with Ovsynch protocol, and Group IV was treated with Ovsynch based GnRH treatment. Estrus responses such as duration, onset, percentage, and intensity of estrus were recorded during the study. The incidence of accessory corpus luteum was recorded per rectally on day 7 after first and additional GnRH of Ovsynch treatment. The conception rate for all groups was calculated by the absence of estrus and on day 45 after artificial insemination (AI) per rectum. Serum samples were collected at AI and day 12 post-AI in Group I and II. Serum samples were also collected at GnRH, Prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2α)), timed AI (TAI) and day 12 post-TAI in Group III and IV. RESULTS: Ovsynch and Ovsynch based GnRH treatments are resulted in 100.00% induction of estrus after the PGF(2α) injection. Onset of induced estrus after the PGF(2α) injection for Group III and IV was recorded as 48.750±0.713 and 51.472±1.989 h, respectively, and it was not significant. There was no significant difference in duration of estrus among the groups. The incidence of intermediate estrus intensity was found to be highest. All the cows showed the incidence of formation of accessory corpus luteum subsequent to GnRH treatment on day 6 of the estrous cycle in Group II, III, and IV. The conception rate was 0.00%, 16.67%, 50.00%, and 50.00% in Group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ovsynch and Ovsynch based GnRH treatments initiated on day 6 of estrous cycle capable of responding with a higher percentage of ovulation and formation of accessory corpus luteum which helped in higher conception rate over single post-AI GnRH treatment in repeat breeders. These treatments responded with better estrus response but did not significantly improve estrus intensity.