Effect of a one-time, strategic donor FSH-treatment on oocyte and embryo production in a commercial buffalo IVP program

KONRAD, J.; BERDUGO-GUITIERREZ, J.A. ; YUPONI, R.; VALLEJOS, N. ; CRUDELI, G.; SANSINENA, M.

Simposio; 10th International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium; 2018

Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR)

One of the main limitations for the establishment of commercial IVP programs in buffalo resides in the reduced number and competence of OPU-derived oocytes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-time, strategic FSH-treatment in the number of available follicles for aspiration, oocyte quality and subsequent in vitro embryo development. Eleven, mature and fertile Mediterranean and Murrah donors in excellent body condition were available for ovum pick-up; aspirations were conducted during the reproductive season in Argentina. Animals were subjected to two sequential weekly aspirations T0-DFR (initial, unsynchronized complete follicular ablation), T0-control (OPU after 7 days post DFR) and were then treated 180 mg FSH distributed in twice daily i.m. injections for 3 days. Subsequent aspirations were conducted 7 or 15 days post FSH treatment (T1-FSH7 and T1-FSH15) and the FSH-residual effect after initial aspiration was also analyzed (T2-Residual). Continuous data was analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc comparisons and categorical data was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. All analyses were performed in GraphPad Prism v.7; statistical significance was established at p0.05). In addition, cleavage (T1-FSH7=26%, T1-FSH15= 71% versus T0= 7%, T0-DFR= 0 and T2-Residual=10%; p>0.05) and blastocyst rates (T1-FSH7=21%, T1-FSH15= 30% versus T0= 5%, T0-DFR= 0 and T2-Residual=0; p>0.05) were significantly improved by FHS treatment. Our results indicate one single, strategic FSH treatment results in significant improvements in oocyte quality and embryonic development; these effects are observed when OPU is conducted 7 or 15 days post FSH treatment. Residual effects of FSH treatment do not result in sustained improvement or embryo production after this period. This strategy could have a positive impact on commercial buffalo IVF programs.