A. Tribulo

New approaches to superovulation in the cow

There is continuing need to simplify bovine superovulation protocols without compromising embryo production. The control of follicular wave emergence and ovulation has facilitated donor management, but the most commonly used treatment, oestradiol, cannot be used in many parts of the world and mechanical removal of the dominant follicle is difficult to apply in the field. Other alternatives include gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or LH, but efficacy in groups of randomly cycling animals is variable. Another alternative is to increase the response to GnRH by inducing a persistent follicle and initiating FSH treatments following GnRH-induced ovulation. The number of transferable embryos following superovulation during the first follicular wave did not differ from that achieved 4 days after oestradiol benzoate and progesterone. To further simplify superovulation, FSH has been administered as a single intramuscular injection. Superovulation of beef donors with a single intramuscular injection of Folltropin-V (Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, ON, Canada) diluted in a slow-release formulation resulted in embryo production comparable to that obtained using the traditional twice-daily protocol. The single intramuscular injection has the potential to reduce labour and handling and may be useful when handling stress is an impediment to success. These alternatives provide ways of facilitating widespread application of embryo transfer technologies.

Superstimulation of ovarian follicular development in beef cattle with a single intramuscular injection of Folltropin-V.

The need to inject FSH twice daily for superstimulation of ovarian follicular development in cattle necessitates frequent attention by farm-personnel and increases the possibility of failures due to mishandling and errors in administration of treatments. A series of three experiments were designed to evaluate the feasibility of superstimulation in beef cattle with a single intramuscular (IM) injection of Folltropin-V diluted in a hyaluronan-based slow-release formulation (SRF). In Experiment 1, cows were assigned to one of three treatment groups to compare two methods of injection as compared to the twice daily IM injection protocol. Superovulatory response of cows (n=6) treated with twice daily IM injections over 4 days (Control) was greater than of cows treated with a single subcutaneous (SC) injection in SRF (n=6), while superovulatory response of cows treated with a single IM injection in SRF (n=6) was intermediate. Experiment 2 was designed to compare two concentrations of SRF (20mg/mL hyaluronan, 100% compared to 10mg/mL hyaluronan, 50%) in a single IM injection protocol. The mean number of corpora lutea (CL) were not significantly different (P≥0.05), but the numbers of total ova/embryos (P<0.05), fertilized ova (P<0.01) and transferable embryos (P<0.001) were greater in cows treated with FSH in 100% SRF (n=20) than cows treated with FSH in 50% SRF (n=20). Experiment 3 was designed to compare superovulatory response in Red Angus donor cows treated with a single IM injection of Folltropin-V diluted in 100% solution of SRF with those treated with the traditional twice-daily IM injection protocol over 4 days. Mean (±SEM) numbers of CL (13.7±1.2 compared to 13.8±1.2), total ova/embryos (12.3±1.5 compared to 13.7±2.1), fertilized ova (7.2±1.1 compared to 8.4±1.4) and transferable embryos (4.9±0.8 compared to 6.4±1.3) were not significantly different between Control (n=29) and Single injection (n=29) groups, respectively. In summary, superstimulation of beef donor cows with a single IM injection of Folltropin-V diluted in 100% solution of SRF resulted in a comparable superovulatory response to the traditional twice-daily IM administration of Folltropin-V diluted in saline over 4 days.

Superovulation of beef cattle with a split-single intramuscular administration of Folltropin-V in two concentrations of hyaluronan

Three experiments were designed to evaluate the superovulatory response of beef cows following two intramuscular (IM) administrations 48 h apart of Folltropin-V diluted in reduced concentrations of hyaluronan (Split-single IM administrations; Experiment 1-300 mg Folltropin-V on the first day and 100 mg 48 h later; Experiment 2-200 mg Folltropin-V on the first day and 100 mg 48 h later). In Experiments 1 and 2, superovulatory response and ova embryo/embryo production did not differ between donors receiving twice daily IM of Folltropin-V over 4 days and those given a Split-single IM administration of Folltropin-V diluted in 10 mg/mL hyaluronan solution. Experiment 3 compared Split-single IM administration of Folltropin-V diluted in two hyaluronan concentrations (5 or 10 mg/mL) with Folltropin-V diluted in saline and administered twice-daily over 4 days. Beef cows (17 Angus and 12 Simmental) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups to be superstimulated three times in a cross-over design, so that all cows received all treatments. A total dose of 300 mg Folltropin-V was divided into twice-daily IM over 4 days, or in two IM treatment 48 h apart (200 mg on first day and 100 mg 48 h later) in the hyaluronan groups. Mean (± SEM) numbers of transferable embryos did not differ among treatment groups (Control: 4.0 ± 0.8; 10 mg/mL hylauronan: 5.0 ± 0.9; 5 mg/mL hyaluronan: 6.1 ± 1.3). We concluded that the Split-single IM administration of Folltropin-V diluted in either concentration of hyaluronan resulted in a comparable superovulatory response to the traditional twice-daily protocol.

Superovulation and embryo transfer in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)

Two experiments were done to develop an effective superovulatory treatment protocol in wood bison for the purpose of embryo collection and transfer. In experiment 1, donor bison were assigned randomly to four treatment groups (N = 5 per group) to examine the effects of method of synchronization (follicular ablation vs. estradiol-progesterone treatment) and ovarian follicular superstimulation (single slow-release vs. split dose of FSH). Recipient bison were synchronized with donor bison by either follicular ablation (N = 8) or estradiol-progesterone treatment (N = 9). In experiment 2, bison were assigned randomly to four treatment groups (N = 5 per group) to examine the ovarian response to two versus four doses of FSH, and the effect of progesterone (ovarian superstimulation with or without an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device). Donor bison were inseminated with fresh chilled wood bison semen 12 and 24 hours after treatment with GnRH (experiment 1) or LH (experiment 2). The ovarian response was assessed using ultrasonography. In experiment 1, the number of large follicles (≥ 7 mm) increased in response to both FSH treatments, but the diameter of the largest follicle detected 4 and 5 days after the start of ovarian superstimulation was greater in bison treated with a single dose of FSH than in those treated with two doses (P < 0.05). A total of 10 ova and/or embryos were collected. One blastocyst was transferred to each of five recipient bison resulting in the birth of two live wood bison calves. In experiment 2, two doses of FSH resulted in a greater number of large follicles (≥ 9 mm) on Days 4, 5, and 6 (P < 0.05) after beginning of superstimulation (Day 0), and more ovulations than four doses of FSH (11.2 ± 2.4 vs. 6.4 ± 0.8; P < 0.05). Embryo collection was performed on only five donors, and a total of 19 ova and/or embryos were recovered. In summary, fewer FSH treatments were as good or better than multiple treatments, consistent with the notion that minimizing handling stress improves the superovulatory response in bison. Follicular ablation and estradiol plus progesterone treatment were effective for inducing ovarian synchronization in embryo donor and recipient bison, and an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device during superstimulatory treatment did not influence the superovulatory response or embryo collection. Delaying ovulation-inducing treatment (GnRH or LH) to 5 days after superstimulatory treatment resulted in a greater number of ovulations and improved embryo collection efficiency (experiment 2). Embryo collection and transfer resulted in live offspring from wild wood bison.

104 FACTORS AFFECTING PREGNANCY RATES AND EMBRYO/FETAL LOSSES IN RECIPIENTS RECEIVING IN VITRO-PRODUCED EMBRYOS BY FIXED-TIME EMBRYO TRANSFER

A retrospective analysis evaluated pregnancy rates and embryo losses with in vitro-produced embryos in a commercial embryo transfer program on 15 different beef farms. Recipients were beef cows and heifers (n=1841) that were synchronized with 5 different protocols and transferred at a fixed-time (FTET). Recipients were examined by ultrasonography on Day 0, and those with a corpus luteum (CL) or a follicle ≥8mm in diameter and with body condition score 2 to 4 (1 to 5 scale) were synchronized. The synchronization treatments were as follows. (T1) Recipients received an intravaginal device with 0.5g of progesterone plus 2mg of oestradiol benzoate on Day 0; device removal, plus 500μg of cloprostenol (prostaglandin F2α), 400IU of eCG, and 0.5mg of oestradiol cypionate on Day 8; and FTET on Day 17. (T2) This treatment was similar to T1 but 1mg of oestradiol cypionate was injected at device removal instead of 0.5mg of oestradiol cypionate. (T3) This treatment was similar to T1 except that animals were tail-painted on Day 8 and observed on Day 10. Those with the tail-paint intact on Day 10 received 100μg of gonadorelin (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) and all recipients were FTET on Day 17. (T4) Recipients received a progesterone device on Day 0; device removal, prostaglandin F2α, and eCG on Day 5; gonadotropin-releasing hormone on Day 8; and FTET on Day 15. (T5) Recipients received a progesterone device and 2mg of oestradiol benzoate on Day 0; device removal, prostaglandin F2α, and eCG on Day 6; gonadotropin-releasing hormone on Day 9; and FTET on Day 16. On the day of FTET all recipients with CL ≥18mm in diameter (G1), ≥16 and <18mm in diameter (G2), and ≥14mm and <16mm in diameter (G3) received in vitro-produced fresh embryos. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 30 and 60 days of gestation, and data were analysed by logistic regression. The overall proportion of recipients synchronized that were FTET was 80.8% (1487/1841), with a 30-day pregnancy rate to FTET (P/FTET) of 45.6% (678/1487) and the rate of 30- to 60-day embryo/fetal loses on the 528 recipients that were re-checked at 60 days was 12.8% (68/528). There were no significant differences in P/FTET among operators, animal category, time of the year, embryo stage, or body condition score; however, there was a significant effect of farm (P<0.001) and CL diameter (P<0.05), but no interaction between CL diameter and farm or treatment (P>0.1). Recipients with G1 (443/953, 46%) and G2 (221/462, 47%) CL had higher pregnancy rates than those with G3 CL (23/71, 32%). There was a significant effect of synchronization treatment on the proportion of recipients transferred and on P/FTET (P<0.01) that was highly influenced by farm (farm by treatment interaction P<0.01). The proportions of recipients selected for embryo transfer were as follows: T1: 386/486, 79.4%; T2: 233/331, 70.3%; T3: 342/377, 90.7%; T4: 126/160, 78.7%; and T5: 400/487, 82.1%. The P/FTET were as follows: T1: 190/386, 49.2%; T2: 96/233, 41.2%; T3: 175/342, 51.1%; T4: 49/126, 38.8%; and T5: 168/400, 42.0%. Although 30- to 60-day embryo/fetal losses were not influenced by synchronization treatments, they were highly influenced by farm (P<0.001) and ranged from 0 to 34.5%. In conclusion, P/FTET in a commercial program with beef in vitro-produced embryos was influenced by factors related to the recipient (CL diameter) and the environment (farm), whereas embryo/fetal losses were influenced by farm but not treatment or recipient factors.

246 INFLUENCE OF BREED AND SEASON ON IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION

A retrospective analysis of in vitro production (IVP) data was done to determine the influence of breed and season on the production of viable oocytes and embryos. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COC) were obtained from 1946 ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (ovum pickup) sessions performed at random stages of the oestrous cycle without superstimulation in Bos taurus and Bos indicus donors in commercial IVP in Argentina. Frozen-thawed conventional semen was used in beef cattle and conventional (n = 139) and sexed-selected (n = 481) semen in dairy cattle. The COC were classified, matured in B-199 medium, fertilized in IVF-SOF medium (Day 0), and cultured in SOF medium supplemented with 0.4% BSA under oil at 38.8°C, 5.5% CO2, and saturated humidity for 7 days. The number of viable COC and transferable embryos in each breed and season were compared by ANOVA and means were compared by Fisher’s Least Significant Difference test. Proportions were first transformed by arcsin and then analysed by ANOVA. To simplify the interpretation of the results, breeds were grouped as follows: dairy Bos taurus (Holstein, n = 620), beef Bos taurus (Angus and Bonsmara, n = 229), Bos taurus × Bos indicus (Brangus and Braford, n = 1045), and Bos indicus (Brahman, n = 52). There was no interaction between breed and season for any of the end points analysed (P > 0.1). Mean (± standard error of the mean) numbers of viable COC and transferable embryos were higher (P < 0.01) in Bos indicus × Bos taurus (19.3 ± 0.4 and 5.3 ± 0.2, respectively) and Bos indicus (15.8 ± 1.4 and 6.8 ± 0.9, respectively) than in beef (11.6 ± 0.5 and 3.0 ± 0.2, respectively) and dairy (8.0 ± 0.2 and 1.6 ± 0.1, respectively) Bos taurus donors. Cleavage rates were higher (P < 0.01) in Bos indicus (72%) than in the other breeds (57% for Bos indicus × Bos taurus and dairy Bos taurus and 54% for beef). Transferable embryo rates were higher (P < 0.01) in Bos indicus (41%) and Bos indicus × Bos taurus (30%) than in beef Bos taurus (26%). Dairy Bos taurus had the lowest (P < 0.01) embryo rates of all breeds (21%). In dairy Bos taurus, cleavage rates, the number of embryos produced, and transferable embryo production rates were higher (P < 0.01) when conventional semen was used (62%, 2.8 ± 0.15, and 27%, respectively) compared to sexed-selected semen (55%, 1.3 ± 0.1, and 19%, respectively). With regards to season, the number of viable COC was highest (P < 0.01) in the spring (14.3 ± 0.5), lowest in the summer (11.3 ± 1.0), and intermediate in the fall (12.2 ± 1.2) and winter (13.7 ± 1.2), which did not differ. Although not affected significantly by season, the number of embryos produced was numerically lower in the summer (2.8 ± 0.4) than in the spring (4.2 ± 0.2), winter (4.5 ± 0.5), or fall (4.6 ± 0.5). In conclusion, in vitro embryo production was directly influenced by breed and season. Bos indicus influenced cattle and the spring season were preferable for commercial IVP programs that did not include superstimulation.