Effects of repetition, interval between treatments and season on the results from laparoscopic ovum pick-up in goats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the follicular response and oocyte yield following repeated gonadotrophin stimulation and laparoscopic aspiration in goats and to assess the effects of the time interval between procedures and season. A total of 98 adult goats were subjected to laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) five consecutive times in a transgenic production programme. Oestrus was synchronised by means of intravaginal sponges inserted for 10 days coupled with 125 microg cloprostenol 36 h before sponge removal and LOPU, and follicular development was stimulated with 80 mg follicle stimulating hormone and 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin administered 36 h before LOPU. No difference was detected in the response for LOPUs 1, 2, 3 and 4. Although a small decrease in response was detected at LOPU 5 (P < 0.05), the numbers of follicles aspirated and oocytes recovered were not different from those at LOPU 1 and LOPUs 1 and 4, respectively. With respect to time interval between LOPU and season, all intervals and seasons produced acceptable responses, with no difference in follicles aspirated and oocytes recovered between intervals and seasons. These results indicate that LOPU may be repeated up to five times in goats at different intervals and in different seasons with little or no important change in overall response.