Transcript abundance of anti-Mullérian hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor predicted superstimulatory response in embryo donor Holstein cows.

Abstract

The goal was to investigate the relationship among mRNA expressions of anti-Mullérian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and responses to superovulation (SO) in embryo donor dairy cows. Holstein cows (n=19) were submitted to a standard SO protocol, with twice daily FSH treatments, and artificially inseminated. Prior to SO (Day 0), relative mRNA expressions of AMH and FSHR in blood were determined for all cows. Day 7 embryos were collected and were graded to determine superovulatory response for each donor. Results showed that relative mRNA expressions of AMH and FSHR were positively correlated (R2 =0.94). Relative mRNA expressions of both AMH and FSHR were positively correlated with total embryos (R2 =0.68 and 0.69, respectively), total transferable embryos (R2 =0.92 and 0.97, respectively) and total grade 1 embryos (R2 =0.54 and 0.59, respectively). Further, transcript abundances of AMH and FSHR positively associated with milk production of donor cows, and meanwhile, they were negatively associated with days in milk (DIM) at submission of cows to SO (p<.05) protocol. The relative mRNA expression of AMH was higher (p<.05) in donor cows<5 years of age. However, age of donor at superovulation did not influence mRNA expression of FSHR. Collectively, we infer that the mRNA expressions of AMH and FSHR prior to superovulation can predict donor cows' positive response to superovulation.