scholarly journals Laparoscopic intrauterine insemination of Awassi ewes superovulated with equine chorionic gonadotropin

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
O. I. Azawi, and M. K. M. A. Al-Mola
Keyword(s):  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Laparoscopic Technique ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Laparoscopic Techniques

The present study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of laparoscopic insemination to the improvement of fertilization and embryo recovery. The experiment was conducted in the breeding season. Twelve nonpregnant and cycling Awassi ewes of 3-4 years of age were randomly allocated in equal number (n = 6) to two groups. Each ewe was treated with progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponge for 12 days. All ewes were superovulated with eCG (equine chorionic gonadotropin) 1200 IU once by intramuscular injection 48 h prior to sponge removal. Ewes of group 1 were mated naturally at least two times with Awassi rams of proven fertility. Ewes of group 2 had intrauterine insemination and were conducted 44-46 h after sponge removal, under laparoscopic visualization of uterine horns, depositing 1 ml of semen in the distal portion of each uterine horn. Ovarian response was assessed by determining the number of corpora lutea by laparoscopy on day 6 after mating. Embryo recovery was performed by semi-laparoscopic and by flushing of both uterine horns. Results of the present study revealed a high number of unfertilized ova (P<0.05) was observed in ewes when naturally inseminated than ewes inseminated intrauterine using the laparoscopic technique. The higher rate of embryo recovery (P<0.05) was achieved when ewes inseminated via intrauterine (4.66 ± 0.66) than ewes naturally mated (2.16 ± 0.74). The fertilization rate in ewes inseminated intrauterine using laparoscopic techniques and naturally mated were 79.93% and 40.07%, respectively. Fertilization failure in ewes inseminated intrauterine using laparoscopic techniques and naturally mated were 7.37% and 49.35%, respectively. It could be concluded that the use of eCG to induce superovulation in Awassi ewes combined with laparoscopic intrauterine insemination can increase the fertilization rate.

scholarly journals A new technique for nonsurgical embryo recovery in superovulated ewes treated with estradiol and oxytocin

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
O. I. Azawi
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Laparoscopic Technique ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Cervical Canal ◽  
Transfer Programs ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
A New Technique

The development of an efficient and practical method for transcervical collection of embryos in Awassi ewes to the improvement of embryo recovery was investigated. Twenty-four non-pregnant Awassi ewes of 3-4 years of age were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 12). Each ewe was treated with a progesterone impregnated intra-vaginal sponge for 12 days. The following superovulation treatment was used: ewes received 1200 IU of eCG once as an intramuscular injection 48 h prior to sponge withdrawal. Ovarian response was assessed by determining the number of corpora lutea by laparoscopy at day 6 after mating. Ewes of group 1 (n = 12) their embryos were recovered using the semi-laparoscopic technique. Ewes of group 2 (n = 12) their embryos were recovered using the transcervical technique. All ewes of this group on the evening of day 5 post inseminations, received an i.m. injection of estradiol 17β 2 mg, 12h later, i.v. injection of 10 IU of oxytocin. A bovine teat dilator introduced into the cervical canal and gradually dilated in order to dilate and open the cervical canal with a help of screw provided with the instrument. Results of the present study showed that there was no significant difference in the number of recovered embryos in superovulated ewes when animals treated with estradiol and oxytocin with transcervical technique and semi-laparoscopic technique. It was possible to pass the catheter through the cervix with the aid of bovine teat dilator enhanced by estradiol and oxytocin treatment. In conclusion, the technique for transcervical collection of the embryo from ewes, as described in the present study, may give new encouragement to embryo transfer programs in this species.

Increased production of sheep embryos following superovulation of Merino ewes with a combination of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and follicle stimulating hormone

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Ryan ◽  
JR Hunton ◽  
WM Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Concentration ◽  
Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

In a factorially designed experiment (N = 321), 0, 800 or 1600 I.U. pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were administered in combination with 0, 12 or 18 mg follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P) to superovulate Merino ewes in autumn and spring. A moderate dose of PMSG (800 I.U.) in conjunction with 12 or 18 mg FSH-P increased the ovulation rate above that observed when FSH-P was used alone. This was accomplished by (i) increasing the proportion of ewes that exhibited a superovulatory response (greater than 3 corpora lutea (CL) or persistent large follicles (LF): 69/70 (99%) v. 55/74 (74%), P less than 0.001), and (ii) in those ewes that exhibited a superovulatory response, by an additive effect of exogenous gonadotrophin (14.8 +/- 0.9 CL (69) v. 11.3 +/- 0.9 CL (55), P less than 0.01) without increasing the incidence of LF. The use of 1600 I.U. PMSG in conjunction with 12 or 18 mg FSH-P was characterized by an increase in the number of LF and, in comparison with 800 I.U. PMSG, a reduction in ovulation rate. Season had no effect on the numbers of CL, but total ovarian response (CL + LF) was higher in autumn than in spring (P less than 0.01), because of a greater incidence of LF (P less than 0.001). The proportion of ewes with regressed CL was higher in autumn than in spring (53/143 (37%) v. 32/156 (21%), P less than 0.01), and increased with increased dose of gonadotrophin. Furthermore, a nutritional component to the incidence of ewes with regressed CL was suggested by the observation that the mean concentration of plasma glucose was higher for ewes with normal CL than for ewes with regressed CL (P less than 0.05). Rates of ova or embryo recovery, fertilization and embryo development generally declined with an increase in the incidence of LF as a result of increases in the dose of gonadotrophin and season of administration.

Use of laparoscopic intrauterine insemination associated with a simplified superovulation treatment for in vivo embryo production in sheep: a preliminary report

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Forcada ◽  
L. Sánchez-Prieto ◽  
A. Casao ◽  
I. Palacín ◽  
J. A. Cebrián-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Group ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Uterine Flushing ◽  
Different Doses ◽  
Significant Superiority

This study evaluated the reproductive performance of sheep that were subjected to superovulatory treatment and intrauterine insemination with two different doses of semen. The main objective was to determine whether intrauterine insemination is associated with higher rates of embryo recovery than existing procedures. In the first experiment 30 Ojalada de Soria ewes were used at the end of their productive life and nine younger ewes of the same breed were used in Experiment 2. Synchronisation of oestrus was conducted with intravaginal sponges and the superovulation treatment consisted of an intramuscular injection of 210 IU pFSH and 500 IU eCG administered 24 h before sponge removal. After 48 h of sponge withdrawal, ewes were inseminated by laparoscopy. They were divided into two groups: low dose group (LD, 25 × 106 sperm; n = 14 Expt 1 and n = 5 Expt 2) and high dose group (HD, 100 × 106 sperm; n = 14 Expt 1 and n = 4 Expt 2). Embryos were recovered 7 days after the onset of oestrus by laparotomy and uterine flushing. Two blood samples were collected in order to analyse cortisol, at sponge insertion and the day the embryos were recovered. The same protocol was repeated twice in Experiment 1, with an interval of 2 months between two consecutive treatments. Results show a significant effect of the number of recovery on ovulation rate (21.7 ± 2.2 v. 11.8 ± 1.1 corpora lutea for first and second recoveries, respectively), and number of structures recovered (11.4 ± 1.6 v. 5.2 ± 1.1, P < 0.01). Differences of embryo performance in the second recovery compared with the first one were more evident in the LD group compared with the HD group. In Experiment 2, results reflected a significant superiority of the HD group compared with the LD group, especially rate of fertilisation, which was 25% higher. Sheep producing non-fertilised embryos had higher cortisol levels at the time of flushing than those with embryos (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the use of simplified and consecutive superovulatory treatments associated with intrauterine insemination is a potential means of obtaining embryos, although the response seems to depend on donor sheep age. The use of a higher number of sperm cells per millilitre results in better outcomes in terms of embryos produced.

146 RELOCATION OF SWINE GENETICS USING EMBRYO TRANSFER

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
S. L. Terlouw ◽  
C. D. Bierman ◽  
D. L. Kohler ◽  
B. A. Didion ◽  
J. R. Dobrinsky
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Porcine Circovirus Type ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Status Change ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Health Status Change

Swine production requires a stable health status that can be compromised by introduction of live animals for genetic change. Our objective was to use embryo transfer to avoid disease transmission during genetic relocation. Forty genotype-specific (GS) donor females were scheduled for 3 sessions of embryo recovery at 6-week intervals using Altrenogest (Matrix®, Intervet, Millsboro, DE), 1250 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG/PMSG; Sigma, St. Louis, MO) and 750 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; Chorulon®, Intervet). Single-sire GS matings were made 34 h after Chorulon® injection. To accomplish single-sire transfers, color specific (CS) supplemental embryos were used to assist in maintenance of recipient pregnancy. The CS embryo donors and GS embryo recipients were synchronized with Matrix®, P.G. 600® (200 IU hCG, 400 IU PMSG, Intervet) and Chorulon®. Embryos from GS donors were surgically recovered on Day 5 post-insemination, washed per IETS recommendations using a zwitterion-buffered culture medium (PorcPro E-Blast, Minitube of America, Verona, WI) and transported in a portable incubator (Minitube of America) 2.5 h to the recipient herd. Embryos were surgically transferred into –24-h asynchronous recipients within 6 to 14 h after recovery. A total of 620 embryos were recovered from 65.2% (60/92) of GS matings, and 587 (59.4%) GS and 402 (40.6%) CS embryos were transferred into 63 recipients. On average, 9.3 GS and 6.4 CS embryos were transferred per recipient (15.7). A total of 33 GS embryos were discarded before transfer. To achieve a target of 17 embryos per transfer, 59 embryo transfers required CS embryos and 4 embryo transfers were only GS embryos. Fifty-three (84.1%) recipients were confirmed pregnant by ultrasound at 35 days of gestation. Of the 40 GS donors, one was culled for genetic reasons, 6 did not give transferable embryos, and 1 gave transferable embryos but the corresponding recipient returned to estrus for a total genetic transfer rate of 80% (32/40). After 3 sessions of embryo transfer, 32/33 (97%) GS donors that produced embryos for transfer were represented by a minimum of 1 pregnant recipient at 35 days of gestation; 17/32 GS donors were represented by a single pregnancy and 15/32 by multiple pregnancies. Sera from GS donors were evaluated for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) before each embryo recovery session. Serology results were negative for PRRS (0/98)) and positive for PCV2 in 27.5% (27/98) of GS donors. Embryo wash media from the last 2 washes from PCV2 positive GS donors producing embryos for transfer were pooled and evaluated for PCV2 after transfer; all samples (0/18) were negative for PCV2. In summary, zona pellucida-intact embryos were successfully used to relocate swine genetics from a donor herd into a recipient herd with no apparent health status change in the recipient herd.

310 DOES PROGESTERONE OR EQUINE CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN IMPROVE THE SUPEROVULATORY RESPONSE AND EMBRYO QUALITY IN WOOD BISON DURING THE ANOVULATORY SEASON?

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
R. J. Mapletoft ◽  
M. Anzar ◽  
M. R. Woodbury ◽  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Wood Bison ◽  
Exogenous Progesterone ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin

Superovulation protocols are being developed in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae), a threatened Canadian species. In initial studies, 2 doses of FSH diluted in hyaluronan given 48 h apart were successful for inducing ovarian superstimulation in wood bison, and ovulation rate was improved by final treatment with hCG instead of LH (Palomino et al. 2012 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 24, 226). In that study, exogenous progesterone had no effect on the number of ovulations, but embryo quality could not be evaluated because of the low number of embryos collected. In beef cattle, replacement of the final doses of FSH with eCG has resulted in the recovery of a greater number of ova/embryos. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous progesterone (PRID) on embryo quality and to determine if the addition of eCG increases the ovulation rate in superstimulated wood bison. Follicular ablation was done to synchronize follicular wave emergence in 26 wood bison cows during the anovulatory season (May). Cows were assigned randomly to 3 groups: PRID/no eCG (n = 8), PRID/eCG (n = 9), and no PRID/eCG (n = 9). A PRID was inserted on the day of follicular ablation (Day –1) in respective groups. In all bison, FSH diluted in hyaluronan (5 mg mL–1, MAP-5, Bioniche Animal Health Inc., Belleville, Ontario, Canada) was given intramuscularly on Day 0 (300 mg) and Day 2 (100 mg). On Day 3, a single dose of 450 IU of eCG (Pregnecol, Bioniche Animal Health Inc.) was given intramuscularly and the PRID were removed in the corresponding groups. On Day 5, all bison were given 2500 IU of hCG (Chorulon, Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) intramuscularly to induce ovulation. Bison were inseminated with chilled semen 12 and 24 h later. Nonsurgical embryo collection was performed on Day 14. Transrectal ultrasonography was done to record the ovarian response, ovulation rate, and number of corpora lutea (CL). Results were compared by ANOVA and Chi-squared test (Table 1). The number of ovulatory-sized follicles (≥9 mm) on Day 5 did not differ among groups. Ovulation rate was lowest in bison treated with both a PRID and eCG (P < 0.05). There were no differences among groups in the number of CL on Day 14, the number of ova/embryos collected, or the number of transferable embryos. The superovulatory response and embryo collection rate in the present study were higher than in any previous reports in bison. The ovulation rate was not improved by the addition of eCG treatment, and exogenous progesterone had no effect on embryo quality. Table 1.Response of superstimulated wood bison (mean ± SEM) to treatment with exogenous progesterone (PRID) and/or eCG

196 Fertilization Rate in Superovulated Criolla Goats Following Artificial Insemination or Natural Mating

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
M. I. Cueto ◽  
J. Fernandez ◽  
M. M. Bruno-Galarraga ◽  
F. Pereyra-Bonnet ◽  
A. Gibbons
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Embryo Production ◽  
Transfer Programs ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Natural Mating ◽  
Material Studies

The Criolla breed is a local genetic resource, distributed in Patagonia, Argentina, whose primary production is meat. In the Criolla goat, efforts were made to locate productively superior males and to conserve their genetic material. Studies were carried on the feasibility of obtaining superior offspring through the implementation of embryo transfer programs. We assessed the fertilization rate and embryo production following AI with frozen semen or natural mating in Criolla goats subjected to a superovulation program. During the breeding season (May, 41° S), 26 Criolla goats were treated for oestrus with sponges (60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate, Progespon®, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina) placed for 13 days. Goat donors were superovulated with a total of 80 mg of porcine (p)FSH (Folltropin V®, Bioniche, Ontario, Canada) every 12 h in 6 decreasing doses (18, 18, 14, 14, 8, and 8 mg) during the last 3 days of progestagen treatment. A dose of 125 μg of cloprostenol (Estrumate®, Schering-Plough, Quebec, Canada) was given in conjunction with the first dose of pFSH. Oestrus detection was performed every 12 h, starting at 24 h after sponge removal. Females were considered to be in oestrus if they passively accepted buck mounting. Goats were randomly assigned to the following treatments: (1) natural mating (NM, n = 12): donors detected in oestrus were individually mated with one proven fertile buck at oestrus and 12 h post-oestrus; does were remove from the male in between (Conventionally accepted treatment); (2) AI (n = 14): donors detected in oestrus were inseminated 12 ± 2 h after the onset of oestrus by laparoscopy with frozen-thawed semen (200 × 106 spermatozoa) from the same fertile buck. Embryo recovery was done by surgical prepubic laparotomy at Day 8 after sponge removal. Superovulation response was estimated by counting the number of corpora lutea (CL). Analysis of variance was used to compare fertilization rate (total number of embryos recovered for each animal, expressed as a proportion of the total number of embryos/oocytes recovered) and embryo production between treatments. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. A total of 92.3% goats were recorded in oestrus (24/26) between 24 and 48 h after sponge removal (10 and 14 goats for NM and AI, respectively). An average of 16.6 ± 2.0 CL (range: 2–32) was observed in response to superovulation treatment. The recovery rate of embryos/oocytes was 60.0 ± 6.9%. No statistical difference was observed in the fertilization rate (52.1 ± 12.1 and 68.6 ± 12.1% for AI and NM, respectively) or the number of total (6.8 ± 2.0 and 4.8 ± 2.4 for AI and NM, respectively) and transferable embryos (5.6 ± 1.4 and 4.0 ± 1.7 for AI and NM, respectively) between treatments (P > 0.05). In conclusion, fertilization rates did not differ following laparoscopic insemination with frozen semen compared to natural mating in superovulated Criolla goats.

Pregnancy establishment and maintenance after the administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) associated or not with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) after insemination in sheep

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. García-Pintos ◽  
A. Menchaca
Keyword(s):  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Intrauterine Insemination ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Factorial Experiment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gnrh Analogue ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
To Receive

It was recently demonstrated that equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) treatment 10 days after ovulation increases serum progesterone concentrations in sheep. The objective of the present study was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes induced with the administration of eCG and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) after insemination. Three experiments were conducted in multiparous ewes that received fixed-time intrauterine insemination (Day 0) after a progesterone-based protocol for oestrus synchronisation. Experiment 1 consisted of 408 ewes, randomly assigned to three experimental groups; ewes in the first and second group received 400 IU of eCG on Day 5 and Day 10 after insemination respectively, while ewes on the third (control) group did not receive eCG. In Experiment 2, 587 ewes were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (2 × 2 factorial experiment), to receive or not 400 IU of eCG on Day 5, associated or not with 100 µg of GnRH analogue on Day 6 (i.e. 30 h after eCG administration). In Experiment 3, 715 ewes were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (2 × 2 factorial experiment), to receive or not 400 IU of eCG on Day 10, associated or not with 100 µg of GnRH analogue on Day 11 (i.e. 30 h after eCG administration). Pregnancy diagnosis was determined on Day 30 and Day 70 by ultrasonography. The eCG treatment after insemination failed to improve pregnancy outcomes in Experiments 1 and 2. However, in Experiment 3 the treatment with eCG on Day 10 enhanced pregnancy rate on Day 30, although this improvement was not maintained on Day 70, which showed greater pregnancy failure. The administration of GnRH on Day 6 or Day 11, preceded or not by eCG, did not affect any of the variables related to pregnancy. In summary, the improvement in progesterone profiles induced by eCG treatment on Day 10 after insemination, previously reported in sheep, seems to have a marginal positive effect on pregnancy establishment during the first month, which is not maintained during the second month of gestation.

scholarly journals Functions of ectopically transplanted invasive horse trophoblast

Reproduction ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M de Mestre ◽  
David Hanlon ◽  
A Paige Adams ◽  
Erin Runcan ◽  
Jane C Leadbeater ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Trophoblast Cells ◽  
Intact Immune System ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
And Function

The invasive and fully antigenic trophoblast of the chorionic girdle portion of the equine fetal membranes has the capacity to survive and differentiate after transplantation to ectopic sites. The objectives of this study were to determine i) the survival time of ectopically transplanted allogeneic trophoblast cells in non-pregnant recipient mares, ii) whether equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) can be delivered systemically by transplanted chorionic girdle cells, and iii) whether eCG delivered by the transplanted cells is biologically active and can suppress behavioral signs associated with estrus. Ectopically transplanted chorionic girdle survived for up to 105 days with a mean lifespan of 75 days (95% confidence interval 55–94) and secreted sufficient eCG for the hormone to be measurable in the recipients’ circulation. Immunohistochemical labeling of serial biopsies of the transplant sites and measurement of eCG profiles demonstrated that graft survival was similar to the lifespan of equine endometrial cups in normal horse pregnancy. The eCG secreted by the transplanted cells induced corpora lutea formation and sustained systemic progesterone levels in the recipient mares, effects that are also observed during pregnancy. This in turn caused suppression of estrus behavior in the recipients for up to 3 months. Thus, ectopically transplanted equine trophoblast provides an unusual example of sustained viability and function of an immunogenic transplant in a recipient with an intact immune system. This model highlights the importance of innate immunoregulatory capabilities of invasive trophoblast cells and describes a new method to deliver sustained circulating concentrations of eCG in non-pregnant mares.

Successful embryo transfer following artificial insemination of superovulated fallow deer (Dama dama)

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
HN Jabbour ◽  
VS Marshall ◽  
CM Argo ◽  
J Hooton ◽  
AS Loudon
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Fallow Deer ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Dama Dama ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Dama Mesopotamica ◽  
Morula Stage ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Follicular Response

Thirty-four European fallow deer (Dama dama dama) were randomly allocated into embryo donor (n = 12) or embryo recipient (n = 22) groups. All does were treated with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices for 14 days. Animals in the embryo donor group were further treated with 200 I.U. pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and 0.5 units ovine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). PMSG was administered 72 h before withdrawal of CIDR devices and FSH was given in eight 0.063 unit injections at 12-hourly intervals starting at the time of PMSG administration. All embryo donor animals were inseminated, by laparoscopy in both uterine horns, 36 h after withdrawal of CIDR devices with 25 x 10(6) fresh spermatozoa collected from Mesopotamian fallow deer (Dama dama mesopotamica). Embryos were recovered by laparotomy on Day 3 (n = 6) or Day 6 (n = 6) after withdrawal of CIDR devices and the ovarian response was determined. In total, 22 embryos were transferred into the oviduct (2-4-cell stage, n = 14) or uterine horn (morula stage, n = 8) on Day 3 or Day 6 after withdrawal of CIDR devices respectively. The overall means (+/- s.e.m.) of total follicular response and corpora lutea were 24.2 +/- 3.5 and 14.1 +/- 3.6 respectively. The mean number of large unruptured follicles was higher on Day 6 than on Day 3 (13.5 +/- 2.9 v. 6.7 +/- 1.3, P < 0.05). The overall embryo recovery rate was 45.8%. There was no difference in pregnancy rate following transfer of embryos on either Day 3 or Day 6 (7/14 v. 5/8 respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document