Estrous synchronization in cattle, sheep and goat

Damini Arya; Rashmi Goswami; Mridula Sharma

doi:10.31893/multirev.2023001

Keywords:

Abstract

Synchronization of estrous refers to manipulating the estrous cycle or induction of estrous to bring a large number or group of female animals into estrous at a short, determined time. An estrous cycle is a rhythmic event in the female animal from one estrous phase to the next. The normal estrous cycle length is 21 days in cows, 20 days in doe, and 17 days in the ewe. The hormones used in estrous synchronization are estrogen, progesterone, GnRH, and prostaglandin. Estrous synchronization helps shorten the breeding period instead of females being bred over a period of normal length, and this depends on the treatment protocols to be followed. Combining GnRH with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and a progesterone-based synchronization program has shown a novel direction in cattle's estrous synchronization, which causes manipulation in follicular development. Estrous synchronization protocol should be followed based on managemental capabilities and expectations of the farmer. This review article was compiled to summarize the protocols used for estrous synchronization in different species.
References
1. Abdullah A, Husein M, and Kridli R (2002) Protocols for estrous synchronization in Awassi ewes under arid environmental conditions. Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 15:957-962.
2. Al-Hamedawi T, Khammas D, Al-Ubaidi A (2003) Efect of estrous synchronization on vaginal fora and subsequent fertility in ewes. Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences 16:73-79.
3. Biehl MV, de Ferraz Junior MVC, Barroso JPR, Susin I, Ferreira EM, Polizel DM, Pires AV (2019) The reused progesterone device has the same efect on short or long estrous synchronization protocols in tropical sheep. Tropical Animal Health and Production 51:1545-1549.
4. Brown LH, Armstrong JD, Schafer JE (2008) Clinical abnormalities on involution of cervix and uterus. Theriogenology 30:1-12.
5. Brunner MA, Hansel W, Hogue DE (1964) Use of 6-Methyl-17-Acetoxyprogesterone and pregnant mare serum to induce and synchronize estrous in ewes. J Anim Sci 23:32-36.
6. Cooper MJ (1974) Control of oestrous cycles of heifers with a synthetic prostaglandin analogue. Veterinary Record 95:200-203.
7. Delgadill JA, Gelez H, Ungerfeld R, Hawken PA, Martin GB (2009) The 'male efect' in sheep and goats—revisiting the dogmas. Behavioural Brain Research 200: 304-314.
8. Dias J, Miranda V, Oliveira F, Junior SV, Haas C, Costa V, Lucia JrT, Vieira A, Corcini C, Gasperin B (2020) Treatment with eCG and hCG to induce onset of estrous cycles in ewes during the non-breeding season: Efects on follicular development and fertility. Animal Reproduction Science 212:106-232.
9. Dutt RH, Casida LE (1948) Alteration of the estrual cycle in sheep by use of progesterone and its effect upon subsequent ovulation and fertility. Endocrinology, 43:208-217.
10. Emsen E, Gimenez-Diaz C, Kutluca M, and Koycegiz F (2011) Reproductive response of ewes synchronized with different lengths of MGA treatments in intrauterine insemination program. Animal reproduction science 126:57-60.
11. Evans A, Dufy P, Crosby T, Hawken P, Boland M, Beard A (2004) Efect of ram exposure at the end of progestagen treatment on estrous synchronisation and fertility during the breeding season in ewes. Animal Reproduction Science 84:349-358.
12. Fierro S, Gil J, Viñoles C, Olivera-Muzante J (2013) The use of prostaglandins in controlling estrous cycle of the ewe: A review. Theriogenology 79:399-408.
13. Fleisch A, Bollwein H, Piechotta M, Janett F (2015) Reproductive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep exposed to artifcial long days followed by natural photoperiod without and with additional progestagen treatment during the non-breeding season. Theriogenology 83:320-325.
14. Forcada F, Amer-Meziane MA, Abecia J, Maurel MC, CebriánPérez J, Muiño-Blanco T, Asenjo B, Vázquez M, Casao A (2011) Repeated superovulation using a simplifed FSH/eCG treatment for in vivo embryo production in sheep. Theriogenology 75:769-776.
15. Gatti M, Zunino P, Ungerfeld R (2011) Changes in the aerobic vaginal bacterial mucous load after treatment with intravaginal sponges in anoestrous ewes: efect of medroxiprogesterone acetate and antibiotic treatment use. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 46:205-208.
16. Godfrey RW, Collins JR, Hensley EL, Wheaton JE (1999) Estrous synchronization and artificial insemination of hair sheep ewes in the tropics. Theriogenology, 1995 1:985-997.
17. Habeeb HMH, Hazzard T, Stormshak F, Kutzler MH (2019) Effect of different dosages of PG600 on ovulation and pregnancy rates in ewes during the breeding season. Transl Anim Sci 3:429-432.
18. Hansel W, Convey EM (1983) Physiology of the estrous cycle. J Anim Sci 57:104-412.
19. Harrison RO, Ford JW, Young AJ, Conley AE, Freeman SP (1990) Increased milk production versus reproductive and energy status of high producing dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 73:2749- 2758.
20. Helmer SD, Britt JH (2005) Mounting behavior as affected by stage of estrous cycle in Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 68:1290-1296.
21. Imwalle DB, Fernandez DL, Schillo KK (2002) Estrous conception rate. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1280-1284.
22. Knights M, Baptiste QS, Dixon AB, Pate JL, Marsh DJ, Inskeep EK, Lewis PE (2003) Effects of dosage of FSH, vehicle and time of treatment on ovulation rate and prolificacy in ewes during the anestrous season. Small Rumin Res 50:1-9.
23. Kojima NG, Young AJ, McDaniel JC (2002) Determinants of estrous behavior in lactating cow. Biol. Reprod. 47:1009-1017.
24. Larson LL and Ball PJH (1992) Regulation of estrous cycle in dairy cattle: a review. Theriogenology, 38:255-267.
25. Macías-Cruz U, Ponce-Covarrubias J, Álvarez-Valenzuela F, Correa-Calderón A, Meza-Herrera C, AvendaÑo-Reyes L (2013) Reproductive efciency of Pelibuey and Romanov× Pelibuey ewes synchronized with synthetic progesterone and low doses of PMSG under a hot environment. Czech Journal of Animal Science 58: 546-553.
26. Martinez-Ros P, Lozano M, Hernandez F, Tirado A, RiosAbellan A, López-Mendoza MC, Gonzalez-Bulnes A (2018) Intravaginal device-type and treatment-length for ovine estrous synchronization modify vaginal mucus and microbiota and affect fertility. Animals 8: 226.
27. Martinez-Ros P, Rios-Abellan A, Gonzalez-Bulnes A (2019) Infuence of progesterone-treatment length and eCG administration on appearance of estrous behavior, ovulatory success and fertility in sheep. Animals 9:9.
28. Miguel-Cruz EE, Mejı´a-Villanueva O, Zarco L (2019) Induction of fertile estrous without the use of steroid hormones in seasonally anestrous Suffolk ewes. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 23:1673-1685.
29. Mirzaei A, Mohebbi-Fani M, Omidi A, Boostani A, Nazifi S, Mahmoodian-Fard HR, Chahardahcherik M (2017) Progesterone concentration and lambing rate of Karakul ewes treated with prostaglandin and GnRH combined with the ram effect during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Theriogenology 100:120–125.
30. Moody EL, Lauderdale JW (1997) Control of estrous in dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. 45:189.
31. Mura M, Luridiana S, Pulinas L, Bizzarri D, Cosso G, Carcangiu V (2019) Melatonin treatment and male replacement every week on the reproductive performance in Sarda sheep breed. Theriogenology 135:80-84.
32. Nakafeero A, Hassen A, Lehloenya K (2020) Investigation of ram efect and eCG usage in progesterone based oestrous synchronization protocols on fertility of ewes following fxed time artifcial insemination. Small Ruminant Research 183:106034.
33. Nellore JE, Cole HH (1956) The hormonal control of estrous and ovulation in beef heifer. Journal of Animal Science 15:650-661.
34. Patterson DJ, Stegner FN, Kojima MF, and Smith JE (2002) MGA® Select improves estrous response in postpartum beef cows in situations accompanied with high rates of anoestrous. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 53 418-420.
35. Patterson DJ, Kojima MF, Smith JE (2003) A review of methods to synchronize estrous in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 56:7-10.
36. Pursley JR, Mee MO, Wiltbank MC (2005) estrous cycle and its sages. Theriogenology 44:915-987.
37. Pursley JR, Mee MO, Wiltbank MC (1995) Synchronization of ovulation in dairy cows using PGF2α and GnRH. Theriogenology.44: 915-923.
38. Ramírez AA, Villalvazo VMM, Arredondo ES, Ramírez HAR, Sevilla HM (2018) D-Cloprostenol enhances estrous synchronization in tropical hair sheep. Tropical Animal Health and Production 50: 991-996.
39. Ravikumar K, Asokan A (2008) Veterinary aspects of milk production. Indian Vet. J. 85:388-392.
40. Safranski TJ, Lamberson WR, Keisler DH (1992) Use of melengestrol acetate and gonadotropins to induce fertile estrous in seasonally anestrous ewes. J Anim Sci 70:2935-2941.
41. Salas-Razo G, Rojo-Martínez JA, Garcidueñas-Piña R, Espinoza-Villavicencio JL (2014) Efect of an intermediate dose of melengestrol acetate (MGA) on ovulation inhibition in ewes. International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics 4:171.
42. Simonetti L, Blanco M, Gardón JC (2000) Estrous synchronization in ewes treated with sponges impregnated with diferent doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Small Ruminant Research 38:243-247.
43. Souza-Fabjan JMG, Balaro MFA, Bragança GM, Pinto PHN, de Almeida JG, Moura ABB, da Fonseca JF, Brandão FZ (2018) Use of two doses of cloprostenol in diferent intervals for estrous synchronization in hair sheep under tropical conditions. Tropical animal health and production 50:427-432.
44. Swartz JD, Lachman M, Westveer K, O'Neill T, Geary T, Kott, RW, Berardinelli JG, Hatfeld PG, Thomson JM, Roberts A (2014) Characterization of the vaginal microbiota of ewes and cows reveals a unique microbiota with low levels of lactobacilli and near-neutral pH. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 1:1-9.
45. Titi H, Kridli R, Alnimer M (2010) Estrous synchronization in sheep and goats using combinations of GnRH, progestagen and prostaglandin F2α. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 45:594-599.
46. Twagiramungu HD, Guilbault AV, Proulx JP (1994) Estrous and related behavior in postpartum Holstein cows. J. Anim. Sci. 72:1796-1805.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Arya, D., Goswami, R., & Sharma, M. (2023). Estrous synchronization in cattle, sheep and goat. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 6(1), 2023001. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2023001

[1] Abdullah A, Husein M, and Kridli R (2002) Protocols for estrous synchronization in Awassi ewes under arid environmental conditions. Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 15:957-962.

[2] Al-Hamedawi T, Khammas D, Al-Ubaidi A (2003) Efect of estrous synchronization on vaginal fora and subsequent fertility in ewes. Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences 16:73-79.

[3] Biehl MV, de Ferraz Junior MVC, Barroso JPR, Susin I, Ferreira EM, Polizel DM, Pires AV (2019) The reused progesterone device has the same efect on short or long estrous synchronization protocols in tropical sheep. Tropical Animal Health and Production 51:1545-1549.

[4] Brown LH, Armstrong JD, Schafer JE (2008) Clinical abnormalities on involution of cervix and uterus. Theriogenology 30:1-12.

[5] Brunner MA, Hansel W, Hogue DE (1964) Use of 6-Methyl-17-Acetoxyprogesterone and pregnant mare serum to induce and synchronize estrous in ewes. J Anim Sci 23:32-36.

[6] Cooper MJ (1974) Control of oestrous cycles of heifers with a synthetic prostaglandin analogue. Veterinary Record 95:200-203.

[7] Delgadill JA, Gelez H, Ungerfeld R, Hawken PA, Martin GB (2009) The 'male efect' in sheep and goats—revisiting the dogmas. Behavioural Brain Research 200: 304-314.

[8] Dias J, Miranda V, Oliveira F, Junior SV, Haas C, Costa V, Lucia JrT, Vieira A, Corcini C, Gasperin B (2020) Treatment with eCG and hCG to induce onset of estrous cycles in ewes during the non-breeding season: Efects on follicular development and fertility. Animal Reproduction Science 212:106-232.

[9] Dutt RH, Casida LE (1948) Alteration of the estrual cycle in sheep by use of progesterone and its effect upon subsequent ovulation and fertility. Endocrinology, 43:208-217.

[10] Emsen E, Gimenez-Diaz C, Kutluca M, and Koycegiz F (2011) Reproductive response of ewes synchronized with different lengths of MGA treatments in intrauterine insemination program. Animal reproduction science 126:57-60.

[11] Evans A, Dufy P, Crosby T, Hawken P, Boland M, Beard A (2004) Efect of ram exposure at the end of progestagen treatment on estrous synchronisation and fertility during the breeding season in ewes. Animal Reproduction Science 84:349-358.

[12] Fierro S, Gil J, Viñoles C, Olivera-Muzante J (2013) The use of prostaglandins in controlling estrous cycle of the ewe: A review. Theriogenology 79:399-408.

[13] Fleisch A, Bollwein H, Piechotta M, Janett F (2015) Reproductive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep exposed to artifcial long days followed by natural photoperiod without and with additional progestagen treatment during the non-breeding season. Theriogenology 83:320-325.

[14] Forcada F, Amer-Meziane MA, Abecia J, Maurel MC, CebriánPérez J, Muiño-Blanco T, Asenjo B, Vázquez M, Casao A (2011) Repeated superovulation using a simplifed FSH/eCG treatment for in vivo embryo production in sheep. Theriogenology 75:769-776.

[15] Gatti M, Zunino P, Ungerfeld R (2011) Changes in the aerobic vaginal bacterial mucous load after treatment with intravaginal sponges in anoestrous ewes: efect of medroxiprogesterone acetate and antibiotic treatment use. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 46:205-208.

[16] Godfrey RW, Collins JR, Hensley EL, Wheaton JE (1999) Estrous synchronization and artificial insemination of hair sheep ewes in the tropics. Theriogenology, 1995 1:985-997.

[17] Habeeb HMH, Hazzard T, Stormshak F, Kutzler MH (2019) Effect of different dosages of PG600 on ovulation and pregnancy rates in ewes during the breeding season. Transl Anim Sci 3:429-432.

[18] Hansel W, Convey EM (1983) Physiology of the estrous cycle. J Anim Sci 57:104-412.

[19] Harrison RO, Ford JW, Young AJ, Conley AE, Freeman SP (1990) Increased milk production versus reproductive and energy status of high producing dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 73:2749- 2758.

[20] Helmer SD, Britt JH (2005) Mounting behavior as affected by stage of estrous cycle in Holstein heifers. J. Dairy Sci. 68:1290-1296.

[21] Imwalle DB, Fernandez DL, Schillo KK (2002) Estrous conception rate. J. Anim. Sci. 80:1280-1284.

[22] Knights M, Baptiste QS, Dixon AB, Pate JL, Marsh DJ, Inskeep EK, Lewis PE (2003) Effects of dosage of FSH, vehicle and time of treatment on ovulation rate and prolificacy in ewes during the anestrous season. Small Rumin Res 50:1-9.

[23] Kojima NG, Young AJ, McDaniel JC (2002) Determinants of estrous behavior in lactating cow. Biol. Reprod. 47:1009-1017.

[24] Larson LL and Ball PJH (1992) Regulation of estrous cycle in dairy cattle: a review. Theriogenology, 38:255-267.

[25] Macías-Cruz U, Ponce-Covarrubias J, Álvarez-Valenzuela F, Correa-Calderón A, Meza-Herrera C, AvendaÑo-Reyes L (2013) Reproductive efciency of Pelibuey and Romanov× Pelibuey ewes synchronized with synthetic progesterone and low doses of PMSG under a hot environment. Czech Journal of Animal Science 58: 546-553.

[26] Martinez-Ros P, Lozano M, Hernandez F, Tirado A, RiosAbellan A, López-Mendoza MC, Gonzalez-Bulnes A (2018) Intravaginal device-type and treatment-length for ovine estrous synchronization modify vaginal mucus and microbiota and affect fertility. Animals 8: 226.

[27] Martinez-Ros P, Rios-Abellan A, Gonzalez-Bulnes A (2019) Infuence of progesterone-treatment length and eCG administration on appearance of estrous behavior, ovulatory success and fertility in sheep. Animals 9:9.

[28] Miguel-Cruz EE, Mejı´a-Villanueva O, Zarco L (2019) Induction of fertile estrous without the use of steroid hormones in seasonally anestrous Suffolk ewes. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 23:1673-1685.

[29] Mirzaei A, Mohebbi-Fani M, Omidi A, Boostani A, Nazifi S, Mahmoodian-Fard HR, Chahardahcherik M (2017) Progesterone concentration and lambing rate of Karakul ewes treated with prostaglandin and GnRH combined with the ram effect during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Theriogenology 100:120–125.

[30] Moody EL, Lauderdale JW (1997) Control of estrous in dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. 45:189.

[31] Mura M, Luridiana S, Pulinas L, Bizzarri D, Cosso G, Carcangiu V (2019) Melatonin treatment and male replacement every week on the reproductive performance in Sarda sheep breed. Theriogenology 135:80-84.

[32] Nakafeero A, Hassen A, Lehloenya K (2020) Investigation of ram efect and eCG usage in progesterone based oestrous synchronization protocols on fertility of ewes following fxed time artifcial insemination. Small Ruminant Research 183:106034.

[33] Nellore JE, Cole HH (1956) The hormonal control of estrous and ovulation in beef heifer. Journal of Animal Science 15:650-661.

[34] Patterson DJ, Stegner FN, Kojima MF, and Smith JE (2002) MGA® Select improves estrous response in postpartum beef cows in situations accompanied with high rates of anoestrous. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 53 418-420.

[35] Patterson DJ, Kojima MF, Smith JE (2003) A review of methods to synchronize estrous in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 56:7-10.

[36] Pursley JR, Mee MO, Wiltbank MC (2005) estrous cycle and its sages. Theriogenology 44:915-987.

[37] Pursley JR, Mee MO, Wiltbank MC (1995) Synchronization of ovulation in dairy cows using PGF2α and GnRH. Theriogenology.44: 915-923.

[38] Ramírez AA, Villalvazo VMM, Arredondo ES, Ramírez HAR, Sevilla HM (2018) D-Cloprostenol enhances estrous synchronization in tropical hair sheep. Tropical Animal Health and Production 50: 991-996.

[39] Ravikumar K, Asokan A (2008) Veterinary aspects of milk production. Indian Vet. J. 85:388-392.

[40] Safranski TJ, Lamberson WR, Keisler DH (1992) Use of melengestrol acetate and gonadotropins to induce fertile estrous in seasonally anestrous ewes. J Anim Sci 70:2935-2941.

[41] Salas-Razo G, Rojo-Martínez JA, Garcidueñas-Piña R, Espinoza-Villavicencio JL (2014) Efect of an intermediate dose of melengestrol acetate (MGA) on ovulation inhibition in ewes. International Journal of Bioscience, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics 4:171.

[42] Simonetti L, Blanco M, Gardón JC (2000) Estrous synchronization in ewes treated with sponges impregnated with diferent doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Small Ruminant Research 38:243-247.

[43] Souza-Fabjan JMG, Balaro MFA, Bragança GM, Pinto PHN, de Almeida JG, Moura ABB, da Fonseca JF, Brandão FZ (2018) Use of two doses of cloprostenol in diferent intervals for estrous synchronization in hair sheep under tropical conditions. Tropical animal health and production 50:427-432.

[44] Swartz JD, Lachman M, Westveer K, O'Neill T, Geary T, Kott, RW, Berardinelli JG, Hatfeld PG, Thomson JM, Roberts A (2014) Characterization of the vaginal microbiota of ewes and cows reveals a unique microbiota with low levels of lactobacilli and near-neutral pH. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 1:1-9.

[45] Titi H, Kridli R, Alnimer M (2010) Estrous synchronization in sheep and goats using combinations of GnRH, progestagen and prostaglandin F2α. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 45:594-599.

[46] Twagiramungu HD, Guilbault AV, Proulx JP (1994) Estrous and related behavior in postpartum Holstein cows. J. Anim. Sci. 72:1796-1805.

Abstract

References

How to cite