Cattle ReproductionCattle Reproduction

Jason AholaJason Ahola

PhD Graduate StudentPhD Graduate Student

Department of Animal SciencesDepartment of Animal Sciences

Colorado State UniversityColorado State University

Cow’s Reproductive CycleCow’s Reproductive Cycle

ReproductiveTract

Follicles andNew Corpus

Luteum

Mature CorpusLuteum

AnatomyAnatomy

PhysiologyPhysiology

OvaryOvary

Corpus Corpus LuteumLuteum

Ova viability

24 - 32 h

Onset of Estrus Ovulation

Sperm Viability

12 to 30 h

8 to 12 hsperm transport

6 h

Insemination TimelineInsemination Timeline

SynchronizationSynchronization

Estrous Cycle

0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 1 8 2 0 1

Hor

mon

e Le

vel

Progesterone (P4)

Estradiol (E2)

Day of Estrous Cycle

New CLForming

Mature CL Present Fol. Size

& CL Size

Hor

mon

e Le

vel

P4

E2

Ovulation

Attretic (Die)OvarianFollicularPool

Follicular Waves

Single Injection w/ Post-BreedingSingle Injection w/ Post-Breeding

Inject PGF2

Day 0 Day 5

Turn in Bulls

Check for estrus and inseminate

Hor

mon

e Le

vel

P4

E2

Ovulation

Attretic (Die)OvarianFollicularPool

Follicular Waves

Select SynchSelect Synch

GnRH injection

Day 0 Day 7

PGF2 injection

Check for heat and breed Day 6 to12

MGA-GnRH-PG (MGAMGA-GnRH-PG (MGA®® Select) Select)

Day 0 Day 14 Day 33 Day 36

Feed MGA 0.5 mg/hd/d

Sub-fertile heat

Inject PGF2

Check for estrus and inseminate.

Turn in Bulls

Day 24

Inject GnRH

Comparing the OptionsComparing the Options

2 Shot PG 57% 35%MGA-PG 14-19 83% 63%Select Synch 67% 45%Ov-Synch NA 52%CO-Synch NA 55%MGA Select 85% 66%7-11 Synch 91% 68%

Treatment Estrus Response Pregnancy Rate

Heat DetectionHeat Detection

Chin Ball MarkersChin Ball Markers

KaMar/ Bovine BeaconKaMar/ Bovine Beacon

Tail PaintTail Paint

Tail PaintTail Paint

1. Transmitter with pressuresensitive button on top

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2. Mounted onto cow’s rumpusing a patch and adhesive

3. The receiver accepts the mounting activity signal from the transmitter

Receiver

4. Information is transferred tocomputer for processing by

HeatWatch software.

~1/2 mile range

Heat WatchHeat Watch