In vitro embryo production from bovine oocyte donors aspirated at different frequencies or following treatment with FSH

Abstract

The combination of in vivo recovery of oocytes using transvaginal ultrasound guided aspiration and subsequent in vitro embryo production can be used to increase the rate of genetic change for efficiency of beef production by increasing selection intensity and reducing generation interval. The total number of oocytes recovered by aspiration and embryos produced is directly proportional to the number of aspiration sessions whether recovery takes place once or twice weekly. Pre-treatment of oocyte donors with FSH has been shown to improve the number of follicles available for aspiration but effects on embryo production have been conflicting (Bungartz et al., 1995; Goodhand et al., in press). The objective of this experiment was to compare the effect on embryo production of frequency of follicular aspiration and pre-treatment of donor cattle with FSH.