Short communication: Effect of adding a second prostaglandin F2α injection during the Ovsynch protocol on luteal regression and fertility in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis

Incomplete luteal regression after treatment with a single dose of prostaglandin F-2 alpha during an Ovsynch protocol decreases fertility to timed artificial insemination (TAI). To increase the proportion of cows with complete luteal regression and subsequently pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI), an additional treatment with PGF(2 alpha) 24 h after the first has been recommended. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analytical assessment were performed with the objective of evaluating the effects of adding a second PGF(2 alpha) treatment during the Ovsynch protocol on luteal regression and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows. Based on the heterogeneity among the experimental treatments, a fixed or a random effects meta-analysis was conducted. Reproductive outcomes of interest were luteal regression at the end of the Ovsynch protocol, and P/AI measured 32 to 39 d after TAI. Seven randomized controlled experiments from 6 published manuscripts including 5,356 cows with the primary objective to evaluate the effect of an additional treatment with PGF(2 alpha) during the Ovsynch protocol on P/AI were used. Information regarding luteal regression at the end of the Ovsynch protocol was available for 1,856 cows. Adding a second PGF(2 alpha) treatment on d 8 during the Ovsynch protocol increased the relative risk (RR) of complete luteal regression at the end of the Ovsynch protocol (RR = 1.14; 95% confidence interval = 1.10 to 1.17) using a fixed effects model and the RR for pregnancy (RR = 1.14; 95% confidence interval = 1.06 to 1.22) 32 d after TAI using a fixed effects model. No heterogeneity was observed among the 6 manuscripts regarding complete luteal regression and P/AI. In summary, there was a clear benefit of an additional PGF(2 alpha) treatment during the Ovsynch protocol on luteal regression (+11.6 percentage units) and on P/AI (+4.6 percentage units).