Comparison of methods for the synchronization of estrous cycles in dairy cows. 1. Effects on plasma progesterone and manifestation of estrus.

Dairy cows (n = 571) were treated with 1) one or two injections of prostaglandin F2 alpha given 11 or 14 d apart, 2) two injections given 14 d apart and a progesterone coil inserted 8 d after the first injection for a 7-d period; or 3) a coil inserted for 7 d and prostaglandin injected 1 d before its removal. Cows given two prostaglandin injections that conceived had higher progesterone concentrations during the luteal phase preceding AI than did cows that did not conceive. Cows with progesterone coils that conceived did not have higher progesterone concentrations than did cows that did not conceive. Older cows had lower progesterone concentrations than younger ones, and they appeared in estrus earlier after treatment. In four daily observations, 75% of cows were seen in estrus within 7 d after treatment. Cows mounting two or more times had a conception rate (62%) similar to that of cows that stood to mount. Fewer cows (56%) treated with prostaglandin that had low concentrations of progesterone appeared in estrus than did cows with high progesterone (84%). Cows treated with prostaglandin differ from cows treated with progesterone coils in respect to manifestation of estrus and to the relationship between plasma progesterone and conception.