Abstract
A total of 12 does, from mixed Swiss breeds (11 Alpine and 1 Saanen), comprising donors ( n = 6) and recipients ( n = 6), were used in two experiments during the non-breeding season (January to June 1997) at the Agricultural Research Station of Fort Valley State University, Georgia, USA. Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected either by laparotomy (surgery, Experiment 2) or aspirated from ovaries obtained from ovariectomized does (Experiment 1). The oocytes were recovered from 2 to 6 mm diameter follicles and matured in vitro for 24 h in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 μg LH/ml, 0.5 μg FSH/ml and 1 μg estradiol 17β/ml at 38.5°C in humid 5% CO 2 in air. Expanded COC, obtained from 24 h maturation, were fertilized as described by Parrish et al. (Parrish, J.J., Susko-Parrish, J.L., Leibfried-Rutledge, M.L., Critser, E.S., Eyestone, W.H., First, N.L., 1986. Theriogenology 25, 591–600). Methods of oocyte retrieval (laparotomy vs. ovariectomy) did not affect maturation and fertilization rates. Although the cleavage rate was significantly higher for oocytes obtained by ovariectomy (100%) compared to those retrieved after laparotomy (79%; P < 0.05), there was no significant difference in the percentage of eight-cell (80% vs. 65%; P > 0.05) and morula/blastocyst-stage embryos (90% vs. 65%; P = 0.05) after ovariectomy and laparotomy, respectively. A total of 21 morula/blastocyst-stage embryos were transferred to six recipients. No pregnancy was detected either by progesterone assay or ultrasonography. Results from this study indicate that oocytes from Swiss Alpine and Saanen breeds born and raised under the climate conditions prevailing in Georgia, USA (32°5'N latitude and 83°8'W longitude) can be successfully matured and fertilized in vitro, during the non-breeding season, and that embryo production through in vitro fertilization technology may be an alternative approach to circumvent seasonal anestrus in temperate climates.
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