Freezing PMSG for AI

[wbphillips]

I've been offered some PMSG (PMSG-Intervet 500iu) for AI which has been reconstituted and then frozen, does anyone know if this is still as effective as using it fresh?

The bottle states to use within 24hrs, but the person has told me it is equally effective if frozen immediately then used when thawed. I only need a few doses so it does save me having to buy a whole new bottle if I can use it!

Apparently the same also applies to heptavac-P, does anyone ever freeze that?

 

[neilo]

I've been offered some PMSG (PMSG-Intervet 500iu) for AI which has been reconstituted and then frozen, does anyone know if this is still as effective as using it fresh?

The bottle states to use within 24hrs, but the person has told me it is equally effective if frozen immediately then used when thawed. I only need a few doses so it does save me having to buy a whole new bottle if I can use it!

Apparently the same also applies to heptavac-P, does anyone ever freeze that?

I'd suggest you ask your AI vet, he/she would be sure to know better than anyone one here. Personally, given the money you are obviously investing in the AI (& perhaps semen purchase too?), I wouldn't be looking to scimp a few quid on another bottle. Might end up penny rich and pound poor?

I do know that reconstituted PMSG is ok for 4 days or so, if it's refrigerated, and I often keep some that way if I'm doing mutiple batches, but never heard of anyone freezing it. At least you'd know fairly soon whether it was OK with AI'ing, with Heptavac you'd never know if you'd buggered it or not.

 

[gerr]

Can I quickly hijack this post please for one question, since neilo is on the thread. This year my Texels lambed at start on March. Next year I want to start 2 weeks earlier. If I sponge them, to keep them together, will I need to inject PMSG? The reason I ask: I have 15 ewes. Want to use a ram lamb so thought I would go in 2 lots with a week between and don't really want the expense of 2 bottles.

 

[neilo]

Can I quickly hijack this post please for one question, since neilo is on the thread. This year my Texels lambed at start on March. Next year I want to start 2 weeks earlier. If I sponge them, to keep them together, will I need to inject PMSG? The reason I ask: I have 15 ewes. Want to use a ram lamb so thought I would go in 2 lots with a week between and don't really want the expense of 2 bottles.

If they're cycling naturally, then you wouldn't need PMSG. If they're not, you will need it I think, or a few won't respond. Have you got teasers that could get them going before you sponge them?

Could you do the two groups 4 days apart (plenty of time to give the lad a break), which would mean you could keep the half bottle in the fridge between batches?

 

[gerr]

Thank you Neilo. I'll go with your last suggestion of 4 days apart. One other question. Sponges or CIDR?

 

[neilo]

Thank you Neilo. I'll go with your last suggestion of 4 days apart. One other question. Sponges or CIDR?

I much prefer CIDRs, but be aware that the ewes will cycle sooner. All mine were standing to rams at 24 hours post removal. If I hadn't put the rams in already, I'd have missed them.

 

[gerr]

Thank you. End of hijack.

 

[BullBreeder]

Having run a number of large on farm trials using PMSG as part of the synchronisation regime, it works best in cows in poorer body condition and also in cows that are less than 60 days calved. The recommended regimen is a 7 day PRID or CIDR plus 2.5 ml GnRH (ie Receptal or Fertagyl etc.) at insertion. Prostaglandin (ie Estrumate, Lutalyse etc.) at removal after 7 days plus 400 IU (ie 2 ml) of PMSG (ie 2 ml of Folligon; dose will vary according to the concentration of other products). Tailpaint and AI on observes heat or AI all at 72 hours after removal of the PRID/CIDR and give 2.5 ml Receptal (or equivalent) at AI. Expected pregnancy rate of 55% where there’s a mix of cows cycling and not. Higher if all cows are already cycling. If combined with a natural service clean up bull you could have 80% of cows pregnant in three weeks even where 50% weren’t even cycling at the start of the regime. Leave cows until ~35 days after calving prior to commencing a synchronisation protocol.
There is no problem with ONE freeze-thaw cycle with PMSG. Don’t repeatedly thaw and refreeze!

 

[Longlowdog]

To reply about PMSG. I A.I'd my Beltex yesterday. Each ewe received 1.4 ml at sponge removal. Done this each time for 4 years, haven't had triplets and have had about 170 or 180 percent lambing .For me it is belt and braces, not sure if it's needed but certainly does no harm.