Embryo transfer in cattle: Factors affecting superovulatory response, number of transferable embryos, and length of post-treatment estrous cycles

Abstract

The effect of multiple ampules of frozen semen on conception rate in superovulated Holstein heifers was studied using 3 breeding regimens (n=25): 1 ampule at 12 hr (0 hr = beginning of estrus), 3 ampules at 12 hr, and 1 ampule at each of 0, 12, and 24 hrs. There was no significant effect of breeding regimen on recovered number of ova or percentage of fertilized ova. In another project, months during which heifers were superovulated with PMSG (5–8 heifers/month) did not significantly affect rate of superovulation (number of CL). Clinical records for 173 superovulatory treatments in 150 Holstein heifers were studied to obtain preliminary information on efficacy of treatment regimens, repeatability of response within heifers, and relationships between superovulation and length of estrous cycle; where indicated, contemporary, nontreated heifers were used for comparisons. Efficacy of PMSG vs FSH treatments did not differ in number of CL or number of ova recovered, but percentage of recovered ova that were transferable was greater (P<.05) for FSH (58.3) than for PMSG (42.9). There was an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.33 (n=37) indicating repeatability within heifers in the magnitude of response to superovulatory treatment. Mean length (days) and coefficient of variation were significantly greater for superovulatory estrous cycles (cycles during which multiple CL were present; n, 141; mean, 31.2; SE, ± 1.2; CV, 46.2%) than for contemporary cycles in nontreated heifers (n, 63; mean, 20.8; SE, ± 0.4; CV, 13.9%). Treated heifers with short cycles (<15 days) had fewer CL (6.8 ± 1.4; mean ± S.E.) than heifers with intermediate cycles (15 to 27 days; 9.4 ± 0.6) or prolonged cycles (>27 days; 11.5 ± 0.7). Collection of an ovum from nontreated heifers resulted in shortening (P<.05) of the estrous cycle (n, 16; mean, 18.1 days) when compared to cycles from contemporary heifers in which collections were not done (n, 16; mean, 20.4 days).