Microbeads for synchronized hormone release in animal production

IGNACIO RINTOUL

Dublin, Ireland

Conferencia; XVI International Conference on Bioencapsulation; 2008

Dublin City University and Bioencapsulation Research Group

In Argentina, 90% of cow reproduction is carried out without human intervention. The reason is the short fertile period of cows combined with the extended period where cows of the same herd may ovulate. This situation renders artificial insemination techniques antieconomic due to the cost of keeping ovulation surveillance over hundreds or even thousands of cows. Biocompatible microbeads for controlled hormone release have been proposed. Microbeads may be fast injectable facilitating the storage, transportation, introduction and dosage of the exact amount of hormones required for every particular animal.