Improvement in recovery of embryos/ova using a shallow uterine horn flushing technique in superovulated Holstein heifers

Abstract

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to compare recovery of embryos/ova from superovulated Holstein heifers by flushing the uterine horns through insertion of the catheter very close to the tip of the horn (deep) or just after the uterine bifurcation (shallow) and (2) to evaluate the hormonal and superovulatory response to estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment prior to superovulation. Ten Holstein heifers (12–16 months) underwent two superovulatory treatments in a cross-over design. Heifers were treated with decreasing doses of FSH from Days 8 to 12.5 of a synchronized estrous cycle. At 4 days prior to superovulation, half of the heifers received EB (5 mg, i.m.) or served as Controls, followed by the alternative treatment in the subsequent superovulation. At embryo recovery, one uterine horn was flushed with deep (∼7 cm caudal to the tip of the horn) and the other with shallow (∼5 cm cranial to the beginning of the uterine bifurcation) flushing techniques. Embryos/ova were recovered, counted, and scored. Number of ovulations was estimated by ultrasound. Pretreatment with EB reduced circulating FSH and regressed the first wave dominant follicle with no change in number of large follicles, number of ovulations, number of embryos/ova recovered, or number of transferable embryos. The shallow flushing technique was superior to the deep technique for number of embryos/ova recovered per horn (5.4±1.1 versus 3.9±0.8) or percentage of embryos/ova recovered per CL (63.9±8.6% versus 37.4±6.5%). Thus, flushing the entire uterine horn increased recovery of embryos/ova.