1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Siirt University, Siirt, 56100, Turkey
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, 16059, Turkey
*Corresponding Author: Ebru Karakaya Bilen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Siirt University, Siirt, 56100, Turkey, Email: ebilen@siirt.edu.tr
Online published on 15 May, 2021.
Beta-(β-) carotene, is the precursor to vitamin A, in particular, has some potential benefits on reproduction. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of β-carotene administration on fertility following either prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) induced estrus or Ovsynch protocol in lactating dairy cows.
Cows with at 47±3 postpartum days were divided into two groups: β-carotene group (βC, n=139) was treated with injectable β-carotene while untreated cows served as control (CON, n=227). In both groups, PGF was administered and heatmount detectors were applied at 54±3 days postpartum. Cows detected in estrus after PGF were inseminated. Cows that had not been detected in estrus were divided into two groups 7 days after PGF administration; βC-OVS (n=137) and CON-OVS (n=89). Ovsynch protocol was initiated 4 days after β-carotene administration.
The estrus detection rate was similar between the βC and CON groups (P = 0.19). Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) on d 31 was also similar between groups (P = 0.93). In the Ovsynch protocol, ovulation to the first GnRH and ovulatory follicle diameter at the time of insemination did not differ between groups. No difference was observed in P/AI at d 31 (P = 0.13). The results of this study indicated that β-carotene administration had no effect on fertility either PGF induced estrus or Ovsynch protocol in dairy cows.
βeta-carotene, Estrus detection, Lactating dairy cows, Synchronization
