Dry Holstein cows were synchronized by a modified Ovsynch protocol. On day 7 (day 0 = day of the second GnRH), group 7 (G-7; n=19) received an used CIDR and GnRH (100µg). Group 14 (G-14; n=21) received an used CIDR and PGF2alpha (25mg). On day 14, the dominant follicle (DF) was removed, by aspiration; the used CIDR was changed for a new CIDR plus PGF2alpha. Thirty-six hours later, the FSH treatment was initiated. On the seventh injection of FSH, the CIDR was removed. Thirty-six hours after, the cows received GnRH. Donors were inseminated 12 and 24h after the GnRH injection. Embryos were recovered seven days after AI. The DF diameter in G-7 was 13.1mm on day 7 and 11.2mm on day 14. The persistent DF in the G-14 increased from 12.6mm on day 7 to 16.4mm on day 14 (P<0.001). The number of follicles >8mm, 48h after the beginning of the FSH treatment, was 15.6 in G-7 and 12.5 in G-14 (P<0.05). No treatment effects were detected on number of corpus luteum and embryos. The shorter interval between follicular recruitment the higher the number of recruited follicles, but it did not have effects on the number or quality of embryos produced.
dairy cow; follicular ablation; embryo; FSH; superovulation
