Register      Login
Reproduction, Fertility and Development Reproduction, Fertility and Development Society
Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Bovine embryo transfer recipient synchronisation and management in tropical environments

Pietro S. Baruselli A E , Roberta M. Ferreira A , Manoel F. Sá Filho A , Luiz F. T. Nasser B , Carlos A. Rodrigues C and Gabriel A. Bó D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Departamento de Reprodução Animal, FMVZ-USP, CEP 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil.

B FIRMASA-IATF, CEP 790020-210, Campo Grande-MS, Brazil.

C SAMVET Embriões, CEP 13560-000, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.

D Instituto de Reproducción Animal, Zona Rural General Paz, (5145) Córdoba, Argentina.

E Corresponding author. Email: barusell@usp.br

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(1) 67-74 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD09214
Published: 8 December 2009

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that it is possible to manipulate follicular and luteal dynamics, thereby eliminating the need for oestrus detection in embryo transfer (ET) programmes. Fixed-time ET (FTET) protocols are based on the use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin (PG) F or progesterone/progestogen (P4)-releasing devices and oestradiol. The FTET protocols increases the proportion of recipients transferred, and therefore pregnancy rates, compared with the use of PGF followed by ET 7 days after oestrus. Furthermore, the addition of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) to the P4 and oestradiol-based FTET protocols results in an even higher proportion of recipients transferred, and thus higher pregnancy rates. The beneficial effect of eCG treatment may be related to increased growth of the dominant follicle and increased plasma P4 concentrations during the subsequent luteal phase. In Bos taurus × Bos indicus recipients, pregnancy rates were positively correlated with the diameter of the corpus luteum (CL) and the number of CL at ET. When repeat-breeder Holstein cows were used as recipients, FTET protocols increased number of recipients transferred and pregnancy rates compared with the traditional PGF-based synchronisation protocols. In conclusion, the use of FTET protocols eliminates the need for the detection of oestrus and results in a greater proportion of recipients transferred and satisfactory pregnancy rates. Thus, FTET optimises the use of recipients, reducing labour and animal handling and facilitating the use of ET.

Additional keywords: ovulation, progesterone, repeat breeder.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico for financial support of their work.


References

Albihn, A. , Gustafsson, H. , Rodriguez-Martinez, H. , and Larsson, K. (1989). Development of Day 7 bovine demi-embryos transferred into virgin and repeat-breeder heifers. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 21, 161–176.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Baruselli P. S., Marques M. O., Carvalho N. A. T., Valentim R., Berber R. C. A., Carvalho Filho A. F., Madureira E. H., and Costa Neto W. P. (2000). Follicular dynamics and pregnancy rate in embryo recipient (Bos taurus indicus × Bos taurus taurus) treated with ‘Ovsynch’ protocol for fixed-time embryo transfer. Acta Sci. Vet. 28(Suppl. 2), 216. [Abstract]

Baruselli, P. S. , Marques, M. O. , Madureira, E. H. , Costa Neto, W. P. , Grandinetti, R. R. , and Bó, G. A. (2001). Increased pregnancy rates in embryo recipients treated with CIDR-B devices and eCG. Theriogenology 55, 157.
Baruselli P. S., Reis E. L., Carvalho N. A. T., and Carvalho J. B. P. (2004a). eCG increase ovulation rate and plasmatic progesterone concentration in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers treated with progesterone releasing device. In ‘Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of Animal Reproduction’. (Eds P. K. Basrur, P. J. Broadbent, M. Henry and L. E. Pinheiro.) p. 117. (Elsevier: Porto Seguro, Brazil.) [Abstract]

Baruselli, P. S. , Reis, E. L. , Marques, M. O. , Nasser, L. F. , and Bó, G. A. (2004b). The use of hormonal treatments to improve reproductive perfomance of anestrous beef cattle in tropical climates. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 82–83, 479–486.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | Bó G. A., Tríbulo H., Caccia M., and Tríbulo R. (2001). Pregnancy rates in embryo recipients treated with progesterone vaginal devices and transferred without estrus detection. Theriogenology 55, 357. [Abstract]

Bó, G. A. , Baruselli, P. S. , Moreno, D. , Cutaia, L. , Caccia, M. , Tríbulo, R. , Tríbulo, H. , and Mapletoft, R. J. (2002). The control of follicular wave development for self-appointed embryo transfer programs in cattle. Theriogenology 57, 53–72.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | Cutaia L., Chesta P., Moreno D., Aviles M., Bertero F., and Bo G. A. (2004). Effect of time of prostaglandin F and estradiol benzoate administration on follicular wave emergence and ovulation in beef cattle treated with progesterone vaginal devices. In ‘Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of Animal Reproduction’. (Eds P. K. Basrur, P. J. Broadbent, M. Henry and L. E. Pinheiro.) p. 111. (Elsevier: Porto Seguro, Brazil.) [Abstract]

Ferreira, R. M. , Rodrigues, C. A. , Ayres, H. , Mancilha, R. F. , Franceschini, P. H. , Esper, C. R. , and Baruselli, P. S. (2006). Effect of synchronizing ovulation in cattle administered a norgestomet ear implant in association with eCG and estradiol treatments on pregnancy rate after fixed-time embryo transfer. Anim. Reprod. 3, 370–375.
Nasser L. F. T., Sá Filho M. F., Ayres H., Bó G. A., and Baruselli P. F. (2009). Factors influencing the in vitro embryo survival after fixed-time embryo transfer. In ‘International Symposium of Animal Reproduction, Argentina’. (Ed. G. A. Bó.) (IRAC: Cordoba.)

Nishigai, M. , Kamomae, H. , Tanaka, T. , and Kaneda, Y. (1998). Pregnancy rate and blood progesterone concentrations on the previous day and the day of frozen embryo transfer in parous recipient cows of Japanese Black. J. Reprod. Dev. 44, 413–419.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | CAS | Peres L. C., Pincinato D., Cutaia L., Tribulo R., and Bo G. A. (2007). Effect of timing of PGF, eCG, and estradiol benzoate in recipients synchronized with a progestin-based protocol for fixed-time embryo transfer. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 19, 224. [Abstract] doi:10.1071/RDV19N1AB214

Rajamahendran, R. , and Sianangama, P. C. (1992). Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on dominant follicles in cows: formation of accessory corpora lutea, progesterone production and pregnancy rates. J. Reprod. Fertil. 95, 577–584.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | CAS | Reis E. L., Nasser L. F. T., Menegatti J. A., Resende L. F., Mantovani A. P., and Baruselli P. S. (2004). Effect of time and dose of eCG treatment in Bos indicus × Bos taurus recipients treated with progesterone for timed embryo transfer. In ‘Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of Animal Reproduction’. (Eds P. K. Basrur, P. J. Broadbent, M. Henry and L. E. Pinheiro.) p. 395. (Elsevier: Porto Seguro, Brazil.) [Abstract]

Remsen, L. G. , and Roussel, J. D. (1982). Pregnancy rates relating plasma progesterone levels in recipient heifers at day of transfer. Theriogenology 18, 365–372.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | CAS | Rodrigues C. A., Ayres H., Nichi M., Bo G. A., and Baruselli P. S. (2004). Artificial insemination and embryo transfer pregnancy rates in high production Holstein breeding under tropical conditions. In ‘Proceedings of the 15th International Congress of Animal Reproduction’. (Eds P. K. Basrur, P. J. Broadbent, M. Henry and L. E. Pinheiro.) p. 396. (Elsevier: Porto Seguro, Brazil.) [Abstract]

Rodrigues C. A., Ayres H., Ferreira R. M., Teixeira A. A., Mancilha R. F., Oliveira M. E. F., Souza A. H., and Baruselli P. S. (2007). Comparison of pregnancy rates after artificial insemination or embryo transfer in high producing repeat breeder Holstein cows. Annual meeting Brazilian Embryo Technology Society. Acta Sci. Vet. 35(Suppl. 3), 1255. [Abstract]

Rodrigues C. A., Teixeira A. A., Ferreira R. M., Ayres H., Mancilha R. F., Souza A. H., and Baruselli P. S. (2009a). Effect of fixed-time embryo transfer on reproductive efficiency in high producing repeat breeder Holstein cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci., in press. doi:10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2009.06.020Pubmed Abstract

Rodrigues C. A., Teixeira A. A., Ferreira R. M., Sales J. N., Ranieri A. L., Ayres H., Freitas B. G., and Baruselli P. S. (2009b). Pregnancy loss (between 30 and 60 days) after artificial insemination or embryo transfers in high production repeated-breeders dairy cows. In ‘International Symposium of Animal Reproduction, Argentina’. (Ed. G. A. Bó.) (IRAC: Cordoba.)

Sartorelli, E. S. , Carvalho, L. M. , Bergfelt, D. R. , Ginther, O. J. , and Barros, C. M. (2005). Morphological characterization of follicle deviation in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers and cows. Theriogenology 63, 2382–2394.
PubMed | Torres-Júnior J. R. S., Sá Filho M. F., Gimenes L. U., Madureira E. H., and Baruselli P. S. (2005). Effect of PGF administration at norgestomet implant insertion on follicular dynamics in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers. In XIX Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Tecnologia de Embriões. Acta Sci. Vet. 33, 222. [Abstract]