Effect of estrus expression or treatment with GnRH on pregnancies per embryo transfer and pregnancy losses in beef recipients synchronized with estradiol/progesterone-based protocols

Two experiments were designed to determine the effect of expression of estrus or GnRH treatment on pregnancies per embryo transfer (P/ET) and pregnancy losses in beef recipients that were synchronized with estradiol/progesterone based protocols for fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET). Experiment 1 evaluated the effect of expression of estrus and GnRH treatment in the absence of estrus on P/ET. Beef cows (n = 729) were treated with 2 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) and an intravaginal device containing 0.5 g of progesterone. Devices were removed 8 d later and all cows received prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), 400 IU eCG, and 0.5 mg estradiol cypionate (ECP) at that time. Expression of estrus was determined at 48 and 56 h after device removal using tail-paint and cows that did not show positive signs of estrus by 48 h received GnRH or no treatment at random. The overall estrus rate was 76.0% (554/729); 68.0% had positive signs of estrus by 48 h after progesterone device removal and 28.0% of those not in estrus by 48 h showed estrus by 56 h. The proportion of recipients receiving in vivo-derived (IVD) or in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos and P/ET were greater in recipients that showed estrus by 48 and 56 h (94.0% and 48.4%, respectively) than in those that did not show estrus 41.0% and 29.0%, respectively; P < 0.01). However, GnRH treatment of recipients not showing estrus by 48 h did not improve P/ET. Experiment 2 evaluated the effect of expression of estrus on P/ET and pregnancy loses up to parturition in recipients synchronized with two estradiol-based protocols. Beef cows (n = 403) were divided at random to receive the same synchronization protocol as in Experiment 1 (ECP) or a J-Synch protocol (device removal on day 6 and without using estradiol cypionate to induce ovulation). In this experiment, pregnancy was determined at 30 and 60 d by ultrasonography, and all pregnant recipients were followed until parturition to determine pregnancy losses during gestation. Although the number of recipients receiving IVP embryos was greater in the ECP group (90.5% vs. 83.5%; P = 0.03), P/ET did not differ (ECP: 37.0% and J-Synch: 39.0%; P = 0.43). Overall, 88.0% (357/407) of the recipients synchronized showed estrus and a greater P/ET (P = 0.05) was found in the recipients that showed estrus (39.0%) vs. those that did not show estrus (26.0%), regardless of treatment group. Pregnancy losses were lower (P = 0.004) and the calving rate was higher (P = 0.01) in recipients that showed estrus (25.0% and 29.3%, respectively) than in those that did not (88.8% and 2.9%, respectively). In summary, expression of estrus was associated with a greater P/ET in recipients treated with two different estradiol/P4-based synchronization protocols. The expression of estrus was associated with a greater proportion of recipients receiving embryos, P/ET and calving rate. Treatment with GnRH did not improve P/ET in the recipients that did not show estrus, questioning the its use in recipients synchronized with estradiol/progesterone based FTET protocols.