Efficacy of repeated ovum pick-up in Podolic cattle for preservation strategies: a pilot study

Giorgio Antonio Presicce,Gianluca Neglia,Angela Salzano,Barbara Padalino,Valentina Longobardi,Domenico Vecchio,Esterina De Carlo,Bianca Gasparrini

doi:10.1080/1828051x.2019.1684213

Abstract

The study evaluated the effects of eCG treatment prior to ovum pick up (OPU) on follicular population, oocyte and embryo yields in summer and autumn in Podolic cattle. The effects of repeated OPU on cattle wellbeing was also documented. Twenty-six animals were used, and split into two groups, treatment (OPU; n = 18) and control (CG; n = 8). The OPU cattle were subsequently split into two subgroups (n = 9) and underwent repeated OPU, without and with eCG priming, for a total of 8 sessions (4 sessions/season). Follicular population, oocyte and embryo yields were recorded in those sub-groups. CG was handled in the same manner of OPU, except for epidural anaesthesia and follicular aspiration. Biochemical profile, serum protein electrophoresis and haptoglobin levels were analysed in OPU and CG. Hormonal priming increased the number of medium follicles (1.7 ± 0.2 vs 0.9 ± 0.2, p < .05), while it decreased the recovery rate and number of cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs) (recovery rate: 38.3 ± 3.5 vs 60.5 ± 4.0%; COCs: 2.3 ± 0.3 vs 3.4 ± 0.4, respectively; p < .01). However, priming increased cleavage (72.9 ± 5.7 vs 49.4 ± 5.4; p < .05) and blastocyst (41.1 ± 5.7 vs 23.0 ± 4.2; p = .054) rates. With regard to season’s effect, a higher number of COCs was recorded in autumn than in summer (3.1 ± 0.4 vs 2.6 ± 0.3; p < .05) without affecting though the number of embryos produced (0.9 on average). Since haematological parameters did not vary between OPU and CG, our preliminary data suggest that repeated OPU may be used as a conservation strategy in Podolic cattle without affecting wellbeing. Highlights Podolic cattle is an endangered Italian breed, reared in semi-extensive/extensive systems Ovum pick-up (OPU) can be carried out in this breed without impairing animal health and welfare The eCG treatment before OPU (priming) did not improve the number of embryos produced per donor.

Highlights

Podolic cattle is considered an endangered breed at risk of extinction with a population size consisting of about 25,000 heads (ANABIC 2018)
The treatment was effective in increasing both cleavage (p < .05) and blastocyst (p 1⁄4 .054) rates, the mean number of embryos produced per donor per session was similar in non eCG and eCG-treated animals (Table 3)
Our data may be useful to promote this technique as a conservation strategy in this endangered breed. The results of this preliminary investigation suggest that Ovum pick-up (OPU) may be performed on Podolic cattle as a conservation strategy to enhance their reproductive performance, without impairing the health and wellbeing of those animals

Summary

Introduction

Podolic cattle is considered an endangered breed at risk of extinction with a population size consisting of about 25,000 heads (ANABIC 2018). This breed is commonly bred in extensive or semi-extensive systems for production of meat and high-quality cheese, mainly in the South of Italy. Due to the rearing conditions and the low number of pure subjects, it is not uncommon to register the presence of hypofertile subjects, (ANABIC 2018). This is a concern that may impair the breed preservation. The increasing awareness of the importance of biodiversity safeguarding has boosted the interest in conservation strategies worldwide

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