EFFECT OF TIMING OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ON THE FERTILITY AND SEX RATIO IN NELORE HEIFERS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of timing of artificial insemination on the fertility and calf sex ratio in Nelore heifers (n = 200) submitted a protocol of timed artificial insemination (TAI).  The heifers, distributed into five groups (GC, GT6, GT12, GT18 and GT24), presented a mean of 2.5 years old and 342 Kg of body weight. The inseminations were performed in the moments 0 (GC), 6 (GT6), 12 (GT12), 18 (GT18) and 24 (GT24) hours after the injection of GnRH. The conception rates were 87.5% (GC), 82.5% (GT6), 77.5% (GT12), 85.0% (GT18) and 77.5% (GT24). There was no statistical difference (p>0.05) in the conception rates between the five treatments. The percentage of calved males was 38.2% (GC), 48.5% (GT6), 45.2% (GT12), 55.9% (GT18) and 58.6% (GT24). The male/female ratio was 0.62 (GC), 0.94 (GT6), 0.82 (GT12), 1.27 (GT18) and 1.42 (GT24). Statistical difference was found (p<0.05) in the male/female ratio between the five treatments. The timing of artificial insemination has influence on the sex ratio, showing an increase in the proportion of calved males when the insemination is progressively delayed. Within of the measured interval of time (0-24h after GnRH), the fertility of Nelore heifers is not influenced by the moment of the artificial insemination.

KEY WORDS: Beef cattle, management, pregnancy test, ultrasound, sexing.