Effect of two superovulation treatments on subsequent fertility in the confined dairy cow.

During a 13-month period, 64 lactating dairy cows of 2 genetic lines, Holstein and crossbred, housed indoors year-round were subjected to 2 superovulations and embryo collections within 112 days post partum. Half of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) treatments were given in a descending dosage regimen (Treatment A; 6.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 4.5 mg, and 3.5 mg, twice a day, total 40 mg) over 4 days; the remaining half of the treatments were administered in a constant dosage regimen (Treatment B) of 5 mg twice a day over 4 days. There were no significant differences due to treatment in the number of cows stimulated (more than 2 corpora lutea) nor in the number of ova/embryos collected. However, embryos were obtained from more cows (P<0.05) when treated with the descending dosage regimen. More cows (P<0.05) were stimulated by the superovulatory treatment during the first period than during the second period regardless of the regiment used, treatment A or B. More embryos (P<0.05) were obtained from the Holstein line than from the crossbred line. Fifty-two cows were inseminated at least once after the second embryo collection. Overall, 41 cows (79%) became pregnant after the second collection, requiring up to 4 services. These results suggest that the reproduction of dairy cattle housed indoors year-round is not adversely affected by 2 superovulation treatments and embryo collections within 112 days post partum. The question as to whether the administration of FSH is more efficacious in a descending dosage regimen or a constant dosage regimen was not resolved.