19 Relationship Between pH in Vagina and a Successful Pregnancy in Small Ruminant Recipients

Abstract

Abstract Reproductive efficiency and efficacy are key components of economic return in small ruminant production, therefore utilization of assisted reproductive technologies has increased. Despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies, pregnancy rates per embryo culture and transfer still remain low. The physio-chemical parameter of pH within the female reproductive tract and its potential implications in pregnancy success in caprine remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate vaginal pH and compare pregnancy rate for embryos produced in-vivo and in-vitro in goats. Spanish and Spanish Boer Cross females (n = 78) were estrous synchronized using a progesterone vaginal insert protocol and gonadotropin was administered at time of removal. Embryo grade and stage for conventional fresh embryo transfer and in-vitro fertilization were recorded. Vaginal pH was measured post transfer. At d 45 pregnancy status was determined via trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Successful embryo transfer (ET) was determined by kidding percentages. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA with a multiple linear regression model in GraphPad Prism 9.4. It was found that vaginal pH of females receiving cultured embryos did significantly predict pregnancy detection at d 45 and kidding (P = 0.02). However, the vaginal pH in females receiving fresh embryos had no effect of pregnancy and kidding rates (P = 0.451). While vaginal pH had a correlation with successful kidding of cultured embryos, further research is warranted to determine the relationship between physio-chemical parameters, environmental factors and pregnancy rates in goats.