-The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of cyclic and acyclic progesterone-treated recipient mares in a commercial embryo transfer program. Acyclic recipients were treated with decreasing amounts of estradiol cypionate (ECP ® -Pfizer Saúde Animal, São Paulo, Brazil), followed by 1500 mg of a sustained-release progesterone injection (P4LA150 ® -Laboratórios B.E.T., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Out of all 1506 embryo recovery attempts performed, 59.36%were positive (894/1506). Pregnancy rates of cyclic and acyclic mares were, respectively, 44.12% (319/723) and 57.68%(139/241) -higher in acyclic recipients under progesterone treatment. Embryo loss was similar between groups (9.72% -31/319 vs. 11.51% -16/139). When fertility data on acyclic mares treated with long-action progesterone were grouped in relation to the interval of the beginning of the treatment with progesterone to the embryo transfer, there was no difference in pregnancy rates at 12 days (51.28% -20/39; 58.92% -33/56; 60.52% -46/76 and 58.57% -41/70 for embryos transferred 3 (P3), 4 (P4), 5 (P5) and 6 (P6) days after the beginning of the treatment with progesterone). Groups P3, P4, P5 and P6showed embryo loss rates of 20.00% (4/20), 12.12% (4/33), 2.17% (1/46) and 17.07% (7/41), respectively. These rates were similar in groups P3, P4 and P6. Pregnant recipients submitted to an embryo transferring procedure on P5 showed lower embryo mortality rates than on P3 and P6. P4 recipients tended to suffer higher embryo mortality rates than P5. Acyclic recipient mares under progesterone treatment can be satisfactoryly used in embryo transfer programs.

Please cite this article as: Greco GM, Fioratti EG, Segabinazzi LG, Dell'Aqua JA Jr., Crespilho AM, Castro-Chaves MMB, Alvarenga MA, Novel long-acting progesterone protocols used to successfully synchronize donor and recipient mares with satisfactory pregnancy and pregnancy loss rates, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2015),

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Long-acting progesterone compounds containing concentrations of 150 mg mL-1 (P4LA150) have been routinely used in Brazil, especially at the beginning and end of the breeding season when the percentage of recipient mares showing normal estrous cycles is low compared to donors (Greco GM et al. 2008 Proceedings 7th International Symposium on Equine Embryo Transfer, 59-60). However, recipients treated with P4LA150 must receive weekly administrations until pregnancies achieve 100 days. The present study aimed to evaluate pregnancy and pregnancy loss rates from acyclic mares treated at 7-day intervals with P4LA150 and 14-day intervals with a long-acting progesterone formulation containing 300 mg mL-1 (P4LA300). Acyclic Campolina breed mares (n = 80) ranging from 4 to 13 years old showing considerable endometrial edema 2 days after estradiol benzoate injection (5 mg, i.m.) were split in 2 groups. Group 1 mares (n = 40) received 10 mL of P4LA150 (1500 mg) i.m. every 7 days, whereas Group 2 mares (n = 40) were treated with 10 mL of P4LA300 (3000 mg) i.m. every 14 days. Steroid hormone formulations were produced in our research laboratory, at São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil. Embryos 7 to 8 days of age were transferred into the uteri of recipients between 4 and 7 days after the first progesterone administration. Following a positive pregnancy diagnosis at 14 to 15 days, mares were examined at Days 50 and 100, when progesterone treatment was discontinued. These evaluations were conducted in order to determine pregnancy loss rates during both periods. Results were analyzed through the chi-square test and significance was set at P < 0.05. Pregnancy rates and pregnancy loss rates at Day 50 from mares treated with P4LA150 (Group 1) and P4LA300 (Group 2) did not differ. Pregnancy rates were 60.0% (24/40) and 75.0% (30/40) at Day 50 for mares treated with P4LA150 (Group 1) and P4LA300 (Group 2), respectively (P > 0.10). Pregnancy loss rates at Day 50 were 8.3% (2/24) and 10.0% (3/30) for mares treated with P4LA150 and P4LA300, respectively (P > 0.10). Pregnancy losses were not identified at Day 100. Based on the results from the present study, we concluded that acyclic recipient mares treated with P4LA150 or P4LA300 are able to obtain satisfactory pregnancy rates with low pregnancy losses. Moreover, the use of 3000 mg of long-acting progesterone every 14 days reduces overall progesterone administrations, minimizes stress in horse handling, and makes the choice for acyclic recipient mares more appealing in commercial embryo transfer programs. Authors would like to thank FAPESP for financial support.

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Does hCG administration increase the incidence of double and multiple ovulations in Campolina mares with co-dominant follicles? A administração de hCG incrementa a incidência de ovulações duplas e múltiplas em éguas da raça Campolina apresentando folículos codominantes?