Estrous characteristics of dairy heifers treated at different stages of the estrous cycle with two prostaglandin formulations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20173349Keywords:
dairy cattle, estrus, reproductive managementAbstract
Prostaglandin (PG) F2a is commonly used to synchronize the estrus of dairy heifers, but its effectiveness is dependent on the phase of the estrous cycle (PEC) at treatment. Cloprostenol sodium (CLO) is a synthetic analogue of PGF2a, which may have differential effects on luteolysis and estrus behavior compared with natural PGF2a molecules [i.e. dinoprost tromethamine (DIN)]. We hypothesized that treatment of heifers in early diestrus (ED; 4 to 6 d) with CLO would improve estrous detection rate, shorten the interval from treatment to onset of estrous, and enhance estrous characteristics compared with DIN treatment.