Simplified superovulation protocols in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Abstract

This study was conducted to develop simple superovulation protocols in dromedary camels. Using two commercial FSH products, a series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the effect of different superovulation protocols on ovarian response and embryo production. In experiment 1, camels in control group (n = 15) received 400 mg Folltropin-V in a traditional protocol (FSH diluted in saline and given twice daily in decreasing doses over 5 days) and camels in split-injection (2 doses 48 h apart) groups received either 400 (n = 16, first dose: 320 mg, second dose: 80 mg) or 200 mg (n = 16, first dose: 120 mg, second dose: 80 mg) of slow-release (SR) preparation of Folltropin-V [Folltropin-V diluted in hyaluronan (5 mg/mL) solution]. In experiment 2, camels in control group (n = 13) received 2000 IU Pluset in a traditional protocol and camels in split-injection groups received either 2000 (n = 14, first dose: 1600 IU, second dose: 400 IU) or 1000 IU (n = 16, first dose: 600 IU, second dose: 400 IU) of SR preparation of Pluset (Pluset diluted in hyaluronan solution). In experiment 3, camels received SR preparation of 200 mg Folltropin-V (n = 45, first dose: 120 mg, second dose: 80 mg) or 1000 IU Pluset (n = 42, first dose: 600 IU, second dose: 400 IU) in a split-injection protocol. In experiments 1 and 2, the mean number of ovulations, corpora lutea, transferable embryos and unfertilized ova were similar (P > 0.05) between groups. In experiment 3, there was no difference (P > 0.05) between SR preparations of Folltropin and Pluset on the number of ovulatory sized (≥9 mm) follicles (15.8 ± 0.9 vs 16.7 ± 0.9) and transferable embryos (5.0 ± 0.4 vs 5.2 ± 0.5). In conclusion, split-injection of SR preparation of FSH resulted in a similar superovulatory response compared to a traditional protocol and a similar superovulatory response can be achieved with SR preparations of Folltropin-V and Pluset in a split-injection protocol.