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

KONRAD, J.L.; BERDUGO GUTIERREZ, J.; YUPONI, R. ; VALLEJOS, N.; LEDESMA, M.; CRUDELI, G.A.; SANSINENA, M.

Foz do Iguazú

Simposio; International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium 2018; 2018

International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium

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 (Folltropin, Vetpharma) 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 P