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Effect of progesterone supplementation in repeat-breeder cattle on conception and plasma progesterone

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Abstract

Reposital-type progesterone (75 mg/d for cows, 40 mg/d for heifers) or saline were administered to 24 Holstein cattle to assess the effects of exogenous progesterone (P) on fertility in repeat-breeders. Treatments were administered daily from day 6 to 10 after fourth, fifth and sixth insemination. Cumulative conception rate (57.1%) for the fourth through sixth insemination was affected by lactation number, service number, plasma P (4.67 ng/ml for pregnant cows vs 4.06 ng/ml for nonpregnant cows) and corpus luteum size on days 5 and 15. Plasma P concentrations were affected by day of cycle and size of corpus luteum on both ovaries on day 15. A treatment by day interaction accounted for higher plasma P in P-treated cattle than saline-treated cattle from day 5 through 15. Administration of exogenous P during early life of the corpus luteum in the repeat-breeder increased plasma P. Higher plasma P was associated with insemination success.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dairy Science Virginia, Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0315, USA

    A. E. Thuemmel &  F. C. Gwazdauskas

  2. College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    W. D. Whittier & M. L. McGilliard

Authors
  1. A. E. Thuemmel
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  2. F. C. Gwazdauskas
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  3. W. D. Whittier
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  4. M. L. McGilliard
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Thuemmel, A.E., Gwazdauskas, F.C., Whittier, W.D. et al. Effect of progesterone supplementation in repeat-breeder cattle on conception and plasma progesterone. J Endocrinol Invest 15, 393–396 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348762

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348762

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