Successful, repeated non-surgical collection of blastocysts from virgin and repeat breeder heifers

Abstract

A total of 55 non-surgical collections, 7 days after spontaneous heat, was made in 19 heifers. Recovery rate was 57% (17/30) from 10 repeat breeder heifers and 72% (18/25) from 9 virgin heifers, this difference was not significant. Fertilization rate in both groups was 94%. The eggs were always recovered in the first 100 ml of flushing medium. Mean lengths of oestrous cycle after non-surgical collection were, respectively, 16.9 and 18.1 days in repeat breeder and virgin heifers. This difference was not significant. However, the cycle in which the first collection was made was significantly shorter (P<.005) than the cycle immediately before the collections. Only 61% of possible eggs were non-surgically collected from 4 superovulated repeat breeder cows and no further eggs were found after slaughter, one to two hours later.