The ins and outs of synch programs The ins and outs of synch
programs by Jeff Stevenson The author is professor of animal
sciences at Kansas State University, Manhattan. The August 10
Artificial Breeding column on page 490 highlighted a new
reproduction protocol sheet created by the Dairy Cattle
Reproduction Council. It is available on their website,
www.dcrcouncil.org, listed under Educational Resources. This new
sheet is based on years of meticulous research to produce
effective and successful programs that can help us get cows
bred. Let’s discuss each of the important components that
produce a successful program. Basic timed A.I. Shown in the
figure are four alternatives of the Ovsynch protocol forming the
basis of most timed A.I. programs since the late 1990s. Each
shares several common components: 1. Up-front injection of GnRH
(GnRH-1; 2 cc of either Cystorelin, Factrel, Fertagyl, or
OvaCyst) 2. One or two injections of prostaglandin (PGF; 2 cc of
Estrumate or estroPLAN; or 5 cc of Lutalyse or Prostamate