Embryo production by ovum pick up in unstimulated calves before and after puberty

Theriogenology. 1999 Nov;52(7):1169-79. doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(99)00209-5.

Abstract

The possibility of producing embryos from oocytes repeatedly collected from unstimulated calves was tested, and results obtained before and after puberty were compared in the same animals. Ovum pick-up (OPU) coupled with in vitro embryo production was used on 2 sets of 7 and 9 calves, aged 7 to 10 m.o. at the start of the experiment. The oocytes were collected twice a week during a 2-m.o. period before puberty and a 1-m.o. period after puberty. Oocytes were fertilized and co-cultured with cumulus cells in modified synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) up to Day 7 post insemination. Some Day 7 blastocysts were vitrified and transferred to recipient heifers. An average of 3.8 to 6.8 follicles was punctured per OPU session; 1.9 to 3.1 oocytes were collected, of which more than 60% were of good quality. The number of punctured follicles and collected oocytes varied between donors. Blastocyst rates of 19 to 27% were obtained for the 2 sets. Three normal calves were born from the transfer of 20 vitrified embryos. While no significant difference was observed for the first set of calves, a significant decrease in the number of punctured follicles was observed after puberty in the second set. A direct correlation was also obtained between the number of follicles punctured before and after puberty in the same animal. In conclusion, oocytes can be collected by repeated OPU in calves 7 to 10 m.o. old without affecting their growth or the onset of puberty. An average of 5 to 11 (range 0 to 16) blastocysts per donor was produced over 2 month. However, important variations were found between donors. The correlation observed for the number of follicles punctured before and after puberty suggests that this parameter is determined before puberty.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / cytology
  • Blastocyst / physiology*
  • Cattle
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro / veterinary*
  • Oocyte Donation / methods
  • Oocyte Donation / veterinary*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome / veterinary*
  • Sexual Maturation*
  • Zygote / cytology
  • Zygote / physiology