Many estrous synchronization protocols have been developed to control the reproductive cycle in embryo transfer recipient cattle. Various breeds of cattle, such as Bos taurus, Bos indicus, or Bos taurus x Bos indicus respond to each protocol differently. The objective of this study was to seek an appropriate protocol for estrus synchronization in Holstein Friesian x Brahman crossbred recipients. Two synchronization protocols were tested: group 1) progesterone and prostaglandin (PG); and group 2) progesterone and PG plus equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). The addition of eCG reduced the time between progesterone withdrawal and appearance of estrous behavior from 60.8 ± 2.8 (mean ± SEM) h in group 1 to 31.5 ± 2.5 h in group 2 and improved synchronization (range 22-69 h in group 2 compared to 34-106 h in group 1). Furthermore, cows treated with eCG had better quality corpora lutea and more cows from this group were selected as recipients (62.8% versus 48%). The protocol using progesterone and PG plus 200 IU eCG in these crossbred cattle was more cost effective than the conventional protocol using progesterone and PG.