Comparison of Two Different Programmes of Ovulation Synchronization in the Treatment of Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows

Abstract

It was the aim of this field study to evaluate two different protocols of ovulation synchronization for the treatment of ovarian cysts and their effect on reproductive performance in dairy cows. In addition, factors with a possible influence on treatment success and pregnancy outcome as well as costs per pregnancy were analysed. The study was performed with 130 German Holsteins with ovarian cysts diagnosed on days 55 to 60 postpartum. Cows belonging to group 1 (n = 65) received a modified ovsynch protocol [day 0: 0.15 mg cloprostenol (PGF) + 0.02 mg buserelin acetate (GnRH); day 14: PGF; day 16: GnRH]. Group 2 (n = 65) was treated with the conventional ovsynch protocol (day 0: GnRH; day 7: PGF; day 9: GnRH). Timed artificial insemination was performed 20 to 24 h later. Cows without ovarian cysts served as controls. Treatment success (disappearance of the ovarian cyst) after the first ovsynch cycle was higher in group 1 (66.2%) than in group 2 (23.1%, p < 0.05). Reproductive measures in group 1 were comparable with those of the control group and, compared with group 2, were conspicuously better (66.2%, 76.9%, 83.1%, 59.5% vs. 40.0%, 50.7%, 60.0%, 27.5% for cumulative pregnancy rate after treatment cycle 1 to 3 and second service conception rate, respectively, p < 0.05). Overconditioned cows and cows with larger ovarian cysts showed a diminished treatment and pregnancy success. In group 1, costs per pregnancy were only slightly higher than in the control group (group 1: €352.44, group 2: €484.59, control group: €333.77). In conclusion, our results suggest that ovsynch protocols can be used in the treatment of ovarian cysts. The modified ovsynch protocol led to a better cure rate as well as a better reproductive performance, and was economically beneficial compared with a conventional ovsynch protocol.

Comparison of Plasma Concentrations of Estradiol-17.BETA. and Progesterone, and Conception in Dairy Cows with Cystic Ovarian Diseases between Ovsynch and Ovsynch plus CIDR Timed AI Protocols

“…The conception rates by timed AI of both protocols for the cystic ovarian diseases were around 45% in this study. These conception rates are higher than those in previous reports in which conventional Ovsynch was used (18.3% [11] and 23.1% [12]) and are almost equivalent to those in the previous reports in which CIDRbased timed AI protocols were used (52.3% [18] and 36.7% [19]). Conception rates in dairy cows could be affected by various factors including postpartum interval, parity and milk yield [24,25].…”

“…On the other hand, cows with luteinized cysts can be successfully treated with PGF2α when correctly diagnosed [1]. Recently, the Ovsynch protocol, which is an ovulationsynchronization protocol, or an estrus-synchronization protocol that uses a controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) followed by PGF2α, has been applied to treat dairy cows with ovarian cysts in a few reports [11,12]. It has been suggested in postpartum suckled beef cows that the addition of a CIDR to the conventional Ovsynch protocol (Ovsynch plus CIDR) increases plasma progesterone concentrations on the day of PGF2α treatment, 7 days after the beginning of the Ovsynch, and induces a clear rise of estradiol-17β concentrations from the time of the PGF2α treatment to the time of the second GnRH treatment, and that it improves conception rates after timed AI [13][14][15][16][17].…”

Treatment of Ovarian Cysts in Dairy Cows with Simultaneous Administration of GnRH and PGF2α has no Clear Advantage Over the Use of GnRH Alone

“…It has been suggested that, besides the clinical response, reproductive performance should be considered as treatment success, especially from the economic point of view (11). In our study, the best reproductive results were associated with GnRH/PGF2α treatment and took the form of a higher pregnancy rate (63%) than in the control group (54%) and a shorter calving-conception period than in GnRH and control groups.…”

“…It is well known that the spontaneous recovery percentage of cysts is relatively high (up to 60%), especially in earlier post partum stages (18). However, despite this phenomenon, the hormonal treatment of cysts is recommended, due to the better reproductive performance in treated cows (11,20,27).…”

The Effects of Separate and Combined Use of PGF2α and GnRH Hormones and the Addition of Βeta-Carotene on Fertility Parameters in Dairy Cows with Ovarian Cysts

“…Several factors affect the incidence of ovarian cysts, including environmental factors, season, herd management, and the age, milk yield, body condition score and uterine diseases of the animal [11,42]. It was reported previously, incidence of luteal cysts ranges between 15.4% and 39.85% as well as it is between 60.1% and 84.6% in follicular cysts [19,26]. Contrary to the above mentioned studies, the incidence of luteal cysts (59.2%) was found to be higher than follicular cysts (40.8%) in the present study.…”