Effect of hCG on the last day of the 5-d CIDRSynch and/or on day 5 of the estrous cycle on luteal dynamics in recipient Holstein heifers

Lavras The objective was to determine the effect of hCG (3,300 IU) administered on days 0 and/or 5 of the estrous cycle on total luteal area (TLA) and circulating concentrations of progesterone (P4) in recipient heifers. All heifers (n = 232; BCS = 3.3 ± 0.2) were synchronized with a 5d CIDR-Synch protocol (d-8: used CIDR inserted; d-3: CIDR removed and PGF2a treatment; d0: 100pg GnRH or hCG). Heifers were randomly assigned to four treatments: control, hCGd0, hCGd5, and hCGd0&5. Controls were treated with GnRH on d0, while hCGd0 received hCG on d0. hCGd5 heifers were treated with GnRH on d0 and hCG on d5, while hCGd0&5 received hCG on d0 and 5. Ovaries were scanned by ultrasound on d0, 5, and 12. Blood was collected on d0, 5, 7, and 12. Synchronization rate (94%) did not differ (P = 0.94) by treatment. Treatment differences were only tested in synchronized heifers (n = 218). Proportion of heifers with 1 or 2+ CL on d5 did not differ (P = 0.10) for hCG d0 treatments (hCGd0 + hCGd0&5) vs. GnRH d0 treatments (controls + hCGd5). However, heifers treated with hCG on d0 had greater (P < 0.01) TLA and P4 on d5 vs. treatments with GnRH on d0 (311 ± 13 vs. 257 ± 9 mm2; and 2.39 ± 0.15 vs. 1.90 ± 0.09 ng/mL). Ovulation rate for d5 hCG did not differ (P = 0.63) for hCGd5 vs. hCGd0&5 (93 vs. 84%). Controls had the lowest serum P4 on d7 and 12. In contrast, hCGd0&5 had the highest serum P4 on d7 (Table 1). Serum P4 on d7 did not differ for hCGd0 vs. hCGd5. On d12, serum P4 and TLA were not different for hCGd5 vs. hCGd0&5. These data indicate that hCG can be used on d0 to induce an increase in serum P4 on d5 compared to GnRH. However, only heifers treated with hCG on d5 achieved mean serum P4 >