Multiple Ovulation and Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer in Cattle by Using Intravaginal Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) Progesterone Inserts

Abstract

This paper has been presented to share the protocol and techniques of multiple ovulation and non-surgical embryo transfer in cattle among Nepalese animal scientists. Three elite Holstein cows kept for research and study purpose in the animal farm of the University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia were selected as donors of the embryo for this multiple ovulation and embryo transfer program. Similarly, 11 Holstein heifers of age 14 to 20 months from the same farm were selected as recipients for the program. Synchronization of estrus in both donor and recipients and superovulation in donor has been done by using intravaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) progesterone inserts, GnRH, FSH and PGF2á as per a set protocol. Oestrus was detected by heat mount detector and artificial insemination in donors was done immediately after detecting heat and repeated every 12 hours for 2 to 3 times with semen of proven bulls. Embryos from the donors were recovered by flushing using Foley catheter. The embryos were then evaluated microscopically according to the stage of development and quality of them. The embryos were non-surgically transferred into recipients by using embryo transfer gun. Unrecovered embryos were terminated by injecting PGF2á after 6 days. The pregnancies in recipients were diagnosed on 45th day of transfer by real time ultrasonography (USG). All of the recipients (100%) came in estrus within 72 hours of removal of CIDR while it took 96 hours after removal of CIDR to donors to show the sign of estrus. Sixteen embryos were recovered from three donors out of which 11 (68.75 %) were transferable. Number of transferable embryos could be collected from one donor which could affect the average result. Five cows (62.5%) were pregnant when diagnosed by ultrasonography (USG) after 7 weeks. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 1 (2013) 15-22 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i1.8872