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We aimed to evaluate the treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB) or 17β-estradiol (E2) associated with progesterone (P4) for resynchronization of ovulation 14 days after timed artificial insemination (TAI). In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), Nelore heifers were submitted to TAI (D0). On D14, the animals received an intravaginal P4 device and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (no treatment; n = 17); EB (1 mg EB; n = 17); and E2+P4 (1 mg E2 + 9 mg P4; n = 18). Ultrasonography evaluations were performed daily from D14 to D22 to map follicular and luteal dynamics. On D22, the P4 devices were removed and non-pregnant (NP) animals were determined using corpus luteum blood flow Doppler ultrasonography. In Exp. 2, 1295 beef heifers were resynchronized and randomly allocated to the same experimental groups as described in Exp. 1. On D22, the largest follicle (LF) was measured in NP and a second TAI was performed on D24. In a subset of heifers (n = 337), an estrus detection patch was used between D22 and D24 to monitor estrus expression and the LF was measured at D24. Confirmatory diagnosis of pregnancy was performed between D37-67 and D43-67 after first and second TAI, respectively. In Exp 1, the proportion of heifers with a synchronized follicular wave emergence (from 3 to 5 days after treatment) was greater (P 0.05) in the EB group (93.8%) than in the control (62.5%) and E2+P4 (64.7%) groups. Structural luteolysis occurred earlier (P 0.05) in the EB and E2+P4 groups than in the controls. The pregnancy rate after first TAI did not differ (P 0.1) among the groups at D22 and at confirmatory diagnosis in both experiments. In Exp 2, the potential pregnancy loss between D22 and D37-67 was similar (P 0.1) in the control (19% [36/185]), EB (15% [28/182]) and E2+P4 (15% [28/184]) groups. The LF diameter (mm) on D22 was greater (P 0.05) in the control group (11.9 ± 0.1) than in EB (11.3 ± 0.1) and E2+P4 (11.5 ± 0.1). No difference (P 0.1) was observed in the proportion of heifers detected in estrus, but LF growth rate (mm/day) between D22 and D24 was greater (P 0.05) in EB group (0.9 ± 0.08) than in control (0.6 ± 0.07) and E2+P4 (0.7 ± 0.09) groups. The pregnancy rate for the second TAI was greater (P 0.05) in the EB group (47% [94/200]) than in the control (37% [76/203]), but did not differ (P 0.1) from the E2+P4 group (43% [93/214]). In conclusion, the treatment with 1 mg EB or 1 mg E2 + 9 mg P4 at 14 days post-TAI anticipates luteolysis in NP heifers but does not compromise pregnancy. The EB treatment induces a new synchronized follicle wave emergence and increases the pregnancy rate of resynchronized NP heifers.

We aimed to study the association between CL characteristics assessed by color-Doppler ultrasonography (Doppler-US) at the time of embryo transfer (ET) and pregnancy rate (P/ET) in beef recipients. Estrous cycles of crossbred beef recipients were synchronized for timed-ET. On the day of ET (Day 7), CL area, proportion of luteal blood perfusion (BP), and the relationship between the largest dominant follicle (DF) and CL (ipsilateral or contralateral) were determined. Animals (n = 444) received an in vitro produced embryo from Nelore donors, placed in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the CL. Recipients were split retrospectively in three subgroups according to CL area [small ( 4 cm2)] and three subgroups according to luteal signals of BP [low (≤40%), medium (45–50%) or high (≥55%)]. Pregnancy was detected on Days 30–45 by transrectal ultrasonography and P/ET was analyzed considering the effects of cow's category (suckling or non-suckling), CL area, luteal BP and side of DF. P/ET increased along with BP category [low, 45.9%B, (62/135); medium, 54.1%AB (93/172); and high, 58.4%A (80/137)]. When luteal BP was evaluated as a continuous variable, a significant (P 0.1], when CL area was evaluated as a continuous variable, a quadratic effect (P 0.1). In conclusion, Doppler-US is an innovative tool that has the potential to be used for selection of suitable embryo recipients based on luteal BP. Selection of recipients that have a greater chance of maintaining pregnancy will increase the success of timed-ET programs.