Immunization against Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Female Beef Calves to Avoid Pregnancy at Time of Slaughter

Schütz, Julia; Rudolph, Jürn; Steiner, Adrian; Rothenanger, Esther; Hüsler, Jürg; Hirsbrunner, Gaby (2021). Immunization against Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Female Beef Calves to Avoid Pregnancy at Time of Slaughter. Animals, 11(7), p. 2071. MDPI 10.3390/ani11072071

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Precociousness of heifers kept in mixed beef herds with young and adult bulls leads to unwanted pregnancies. Inbreeding, premature calving followed by dystocia and a high stillbirth rate are the consequences. As an alternative, such heifers are slaughtered during the resulting pregnancy. The slaughtering of pregnant animals is an ethical problem, which is strongly criticized by consumers and animal welfare organizations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to postpone puberty in female beef calves housed in Swiss mixed herds to avoid pregnancy until scheduled slaughter at 11 months of age. We used a vaccine (Improvac®) that induces antibody production against sexual hormones, thereby suppressing the reproductive cycle. Monthly progesterone analysis in blood was performed to decide whether the cycle had already started. The results proved, that vaccinated female beef were not coming in heat until 11 months of age compared to the unvaccinated control group, which came in heat earlier. In conclusion, vaccination with Improvac® is an animal-friendly, non-invasive and reliable method to avoid early pregnancy in heifers as well as the slaughter of pregnant cattle.

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