Effect of eCG on early resumption of ovarian activity in postpartum dairy cows

The purpose of the present study was to hasten the resumption of ovarian activity early postpartum in lactating dairy cows, using equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), to enhance follicular growth, followed by hCG, to induce ovulation. Primiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 21) were assigned equally into eCG, eCG–hCG and Control groups. Cows in the eCG and eCG–hCG groups received an i.m. injection of eCG (500 IU Folligon®) on Day 6 postpartum. Cows in the eCG–hCG group were also given an i.m. injection of hCG (500 IU Chorulon®), once dominant follicle reached the diameter of 13–16 mm following eCG injection. Cows in Control group did not receive any treatment. Daily blood sampling and ultrasound examination were conducted, starting at Day 6 postpartum until confirming the third ovulation. Follicles ≥10 mm in diameter were detected on Day 11.5 ± 1.48, 10.1 ± 0.52 and 11.1 ± 1.36 after calving in Control, eCG and eCG–hCG groups, respectively (P > 0.05). The first wave dominant follicle ovulated in 71.4% of cows treated with eCG and eCG–hCG. In contrast, none of the first wave dominant follicles ovulated in Control cows. By Day 20 postpartum, all cows in eCG group, 6/7 cows in eCG–hCG group and none of the cows in Control group ovulated (P < 0.05). Short estrous cycles (≤16 days) were detected in 2/7, 1/7 and 6/7 cows in eCG, eCG–hCG and control groups, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, injection of eCG on Day 6 postpartum could assist the early resumption of ovarian activity by enhancing ovarian follicle growth and early ovulation in postpartum cows. In this context, subsequent hCG injection may not provide any more beneficial effect.