The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the diameter of the largest follicle at the time of TAI (DFOL) on conception rate of Nellore cows submitted to TAI protocol. Therefore, 348 females were synchronized on day 0 (D0) with an intravaginal progesterone device (P4) associated with 2.0mg of estradiol benzoate intramuscularly (im). On day 8 (D8), after P4 removal, 500µg Sodium cloprostenol (im), 0.6mg of estradiol cypionate (im) and 300UI equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) (im) were administered. On day 10 (D10), immediately before each TAI, DFOL was measured in all animals by transrectal ultrasonography. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days after TAI by transrectal ultrasonography. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 19) and DFOL means were compared by Student's t-test. The overall conception rate was 57.47% and DFOL overall average was 12.43±2.84mm. There were differences (P=0.0001) in the comparison of DFOL of pregnant (13.33±2.40mm) and nonpregnant (11.27±2.75mm) cows. The results showed a positive effect of DFOL on fertility of cows submitted to synchronization protocol.
Artificial insemination; cattle; synchronization