DefinePK

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating pregnancy rates achieved with multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in Simmental cows, which are characterized by a high milk yield. For this purpose, eight cows were used as donors and for each donor, recipient groups of 10 animals, including both heifers and cows, were established. Recipients were synchronized by two intramuscular injections of prostaglandin F2? 11 days apart. The treatment of the donors consisted of the intravaginal placing of a CIDR on day 0, the application of 400mg FSH in decreasing doses, starting on day four, the administration of prostaglandin F2? and the removal of CIDR on day 8. The donors were inseminated twice on day 9 and once on day 10. Uterine flushing was performed, trans-cervically, on day 7 after insemination. The ovulation rate was determined as 12.25±1.42. Sixteen transferable embryos (2.0±3.23, 88.9%) were collected. The 12 embryos of Grade 1 quality and the 4 embryos of Grade 2 quality were transferred by transcervical route to 12 heifers and 4 cows, respectively. The pregnancy rates achieved in the heifers and cows were 50% and 25%, respectively (P>0.05). As a result, the MOET scheme applied in Fleckvieh Simmental Cows produced satisfactory superovulatory responses and resulted in the collection of quality embryos. The embryo recovery rate was poor but, overall, the ovulation rate, the quality of the collected embryos and the pregnancy rates achieved under field conditions in this preliminary study were considered to be satisfactory.