Ovulation and fertility response to commercially available GnRH products in lactating cows synchronized with the Double-Ovsynch protocol

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate whether commonly used gonadorelin products that are commercially available in the United States results in comparable ovulation and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in synchronized lactating dairy cows. A total of 1411 Holstein cows receiving a Double-Ovsynch protocol (DOV) for conducting the first postpartum AI were randomized to receive one of the following GnRH products throughout the Double-Ovsynch: 1) Cystorelin® (CYS, gonadorelin diacetate tetrahydrate, n  = 484); 2) Factrel® (FAC, gonadorelin hydrochloride, n  = 482) or; 3) Fertagyl® (FER, gonadorelin diacetate tetrahydrate, n  = 515). A subgroup of cows ( n  = 487) received ovarian ultrasound exams and collection of blood samples for progesterone (P4) analysis. Proportion of cows ovulating following the 3 rd GnRH of DOV tended ( P  = 0.07) to differ between GnRH salts (hydrochloride = 61.5% vs. diacetate = 72.7%) but was similar for GnRH products (FER = 74.1% vs. FAC = 61.5% vs. CYS = 72.2%). Interestingly, a logistic regression analyses that considered the circulating P4 at the time of GnRH treatment indicated lower ovulation responses to FAC compared to FER and CYS; although greater circulating P4 decreased ovulation response to all GnRH products. Results for P/AI at 60 d post-insemination differed between GnRH salts ( P  =  0.02) as well as GnRH products (FER = 47.8% vs. FAC = 42.0% vs. CYS = 49.8%; P  = 0.04). In conclusion, fertility following use of the Double-Ovsynch was less following a hydrochloride-based GnRH product likely due to lesser ovulatory responses throughout the synchronization protocol.