The effect of anti-müllerian hormone and progesterone concentrations on superovulation response and embryo yield in goats

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the relationship of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone concentrations with superovulation response in goats and to determine donors exhibiting better superovulation response by measuring AMH concentrations. For this, blood samples were collected from multiparous Angora goats (n = 24) for measuring the progesterone and AMH concentrations on the day the synchronization protocol was initiated (Day 0), on the day of the first FSH administration (Day 9), on the day the progesterone source was removed (Day 11), and on the day of uterine flushing. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, median, minimum value, maximum value, and percentile) were given for superovulation response and embryo yield. To compare the differences between the two groups, the Student’s t-test was used. The relationship between two continuous variables was assessed by the Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The AMH cutoff values in superovulation responses were evaluated by ROC analysis on the day the synchronization protocol was initiated. A strong positive correlation was found between the AMH concentrations measured on the day the synchronization protocol was initiated (Day 0), on the day of the first FSH administration (Day 9), and on the day of removal of the progesterone source (Day 11) and the count of total corpus luteum (CL), total oocyte/embryo, transferable embryo, and Code I quality embryo (P < 0.05). Furthermore, AMH concentration increased on the day the synchronization protocol was initiated, the donor’s superovulation response increased as well. The cutoff value was 4.74 ng/ml, as assessed by the ROC curve analysis conducted for selecting donors exhibiting better superovulation responses. The sensitivity and specificity of the selected cutoff value were found to be quite high (P < 0.01). However, a positive correlation was noted between the progesterone concentrations measured on the day of uterine flushing and total CL count, total oocyte/embryo count, transferable embryo count, and Code I quality embryo count (P < 0.01). In conclusion, it was determined that an increase in AMH concentrations in goats led to an increase in the total CL count, embryo count, and embryo quality and that AMH measurement could be used to identify donors that responded better to superovulation. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the progesterone concentration measured on the day of uterine flushing and the total CL count, transferable embryo count, and embryo quality.