Pregnancy rates in hair sheep after Ovsynch synchronization and a combined intracervical fixed-time artificial insemination and 10-day mating period

• Published in: Veterinary World 2019-11, Vol.12 (11), p.1779-1783
• Main Authors: Vallejo, D A, Londoño, J D, Yepes, Y A, Tamayo, V, Mejia, A F, Maldonado, J G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial insemination; Breeding; ewes; fixed-time artificial insemination; Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; Gonadotropins; Hair; Null hypothesis; ovsynch; Pituitary (anterior); pre-synch; Pregnancy; Rams; Sheep; Synchronization; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0972-8988; 2231-0916
• DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1779-1783

This study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rates in hair ewes using an Ovsynch synchronization protocol under a breeding system that combines fixed-time insemination plus a 10-day mating period as an alternative. Through an experimental study (n=27), ewes were randomly located into one of three treatments: (1) Pre-synch (n=9): Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)+Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)+PGF2α+GnRH; (2) Ovsynch (n=9): GnRH+PGF2α+GnRH; and (3) control: Ewes bred by natural mating (NM) (n=9). Ewes were fixed-time inseminated (fixed-time artificial insemination [FTAI]) with fresh semen, collected just before the insemination time through vaginoscopy at 16 h after the second GnRH (gonadorelin) injection. Each experimental group was placed separately during 15 days and, after this time, fertile rams were allowed back with ewes for a 10-day mating period. Control group ewes remained with the rest of the herd suitable for breeding and were bred under NM. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound at 28-, 56-, and 84-day post-breeding to differentiate between FTAI and NM pregnancies. Total (FTAI±NM) pregnancy rates at 56-day post-breeding were used to compared Pre-synch, Ovsynch, and control. For this purpose, two-tailed proportions comparison z-test was used with a 95% confidence level, for testing as the null hypothesis whether two proportions were equal. Pregnancy rates were higher in control ewes (66.4%) than FTAI (46.6%). When pregnancy rates after a 10-day mating period (40%) were added, the final rate (86.6%) was significantly (p