Author:
Surjus Ricardo S.,Prata Alexandre B.,Borsato Marta,Mattos Fernanda C. S. Z.,Martins da Silveira Mariana C.,Mourão Gerson B.,Pires Alexandre V.,Wiltbank Milo C.,Sartori Roberto
Abstract
The present study evaluated superovulatory responses and in vivo embryo production in cows treated with FSH starting 1 or 2 days after ovum pick-up (OPU). Thirty-three non-lactating Nelore cows were subjected to aspiration of all follicles ≥3 mm for OPU. After OPU, cows were randomly divided into two groups in which the follicle superstimulatory treatments with FSH started 1 or 2 days after OPU (Groups D1 and D2, respectively). Data are presented as the least squares mean ± s.e.m. The number of follicles ≥3 mm before OPU was similar between groups (~34); however, cows in Group D2 had more follicles ≥3 mm on the first day of FSH (15.2 ± 2.3 vs 7.6 ± 1.7; P = 0.04) and a higher ratio of the number of follicles at first FSH/number of follicles before OPU (0.41 ± 0.04 vs 0.24 ± 0.02; P = 0.01). In addition, Group D2 cows had a greater superovulatory response than did cows in Group D1 (18.9 ± 2.8 vs 9.1 ± 1.9 corpora lutea, respectively; P < 0.03). However, there was no difference in the total number of recovered ova and embryos from cows in Groups D2 and D1 (5.1 ± 1.4 vs 4.9 ± 1.3, respectively; P > 0.10). Nevertheless Group D2 cows had more freezable embryos than Group D1 cows (3.2 ± 1.1 vs 1.3 ± 0.5, respectively; P < 0.05). Cows from Group D2 had a much higher proportion (P < 0.001) of follicles ≥8 mm compared with follicles ≥6 mm and <8 mm at the time of the last treatment with FSH. In conclusion, to obtain a greater production of viable embryos in superovulated cows after OPU, it is recommended to wait at least 2 days before starting FSH treatment.
Subject
Developmental Biology,Endocrinology,Genetics,Molecular Biology,Animal Science and Zoology,Reproductive Medicine,Biotechnology