Successful superovulation, nonsurgical collection and transfer of embryos from Brahman cows

Abstract

Nonsurgical recoveries and transfers of embryos were performed at the McKellar Embryo Transplant Center from 122 superovulated Brahman cows. FSH-P (Armour) was used to superovulate all cows at dose levels ranging from 36 to 48 mg total FSH-P. Luteal regression was induced by use of 40 mg PGF 2 α in all 122 cows. Embryos were transferred into recipients 6, 7 or 8 days after observed estrus. Embryos were successfully collected from 82% of the FSH-P treated cows. The dose level of FSH-P affected numbers of embryos collected (P<.05). Numbers of embryos collected from cows superovulated with 36–38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47–48 mg FSH-P were 2.8 ± 1.0, 6.8 ± 1.1, 9.4 ± 1.4, 10.0 ± 2.7, 7.1 ± 1.6, 6.8 ± 2.0, 5.0 ± 1.7 and 4.6 ± 2.0 embryos, respectively. The dose level of FSH-P also affected numbers of embryos transferred (P<.10). Number of embryos transferred from cows superovulated with 36–38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47–48 mg FSH-P were 2.8 ± 1.9, 5.2 ± 0.9, 6.9 ± 1.2, 6.7 ± 2.1, 4.8 ± 1.3, 5.1 ± 1.4, 3.4 ± 1.2 and 3.2 ± 2.1 embryos, respectively. The developmental stage (D) of the embryo was also a factor in pregnancy rate of recipients (morula = 13.8%, blastocyst = 22.1% and expanded blastocyst = 29.9%; P<.005). The skill of the technician (T) transferring the embryo had a dramatic effect upon subsequent pregnancy rate of the recipients (T 1 = 46.0% vs T 2 = 22.6% pregnancy rate; P<.005). Pregnancy rate of recipients was also affected by the stage postestrus (S) at which the embryo was transferred (day 6 = 23.5%, day 7 = 25.5% and day 8 = 42.3% pregnancy rate; P<.05). Interactions were found between T × S, T × D, S × D and T × S × D (P<.05). These data indicate that use of 40, 42, or 43 mg total doses of FSH-P were quite effective in superovulating the Brahman cow. Recipients transferred on day 8 postestrus achieved higher pregnancy rates than recipients transferred on days 6 or 7 postestrus. Embryos transferred in the expanded blastocyst stage of development proved to yield the highest pregnancy rates in recipients.