SERUM AND RECOMBINANT ECG STUMULATION TREATMENT PRIOR TO OVUM PICK-UP AND IVP IN WATER BUFFALO

BANDEO, A.; KONRAD, J.L.; VALLEJOS, N.; AYALA. J.; BERDUGO GUTIERREZ, J.; SANSINENA, M.; CRUDELI, G.; MALDONADO VARGAS, P.

Bologna

Congreso; 19th International Congress on Animal Reproduction; 2022

ICAR

The low quantity and quality of oocytes collected via ovum pick-up is one of the main limitations to IVP in wáter buffaloes. For this reason, hormonal stimulation prior to folicular aspiration could provide an alternative to improve the number and quality of oocytes obtained. The objective of this study was to evaluate two sources of eCG (serum and recombinant) prior to OPU. A total of 30 OPUs were performed in two aspiration sessions, using 15 Murrah (n=10) and Mediterranean (n=5) buffalo cows (age: 4,07±2,2 and weight: 502,7±78,2 kg). Treatments prior to OPU were as follows: TRT1 (n=10): day 0 intravaginal progesterone device + 2 mg estradiol benzoate / day 4 1050 IU recombinant eCG (foli-rec®) / OPU 72 hs post eCG. TRT2 (n=10): day 0 intravaginal progesterone device + 2 mg estradiol benzoate / day 4 2500 IU serum eCG (ECEGON®) / OPU 72 hs post eCG. TRT3 (n=10): control, day 0 intravaginal progesterone device + 2 mg estradiol benzoate and no eCG stimulation prior to OPU. Follicular response (number of follicles) was recorded prior to OPU as small (≤3mm), medium (4 to 8 mm) and large (≥9 mm) diameter. Recovered oocytes were classified according to IETS guidelines as grades 1 to 4 and placed in IVM at 38.5°C and humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air; IVF was conducted using bulls of proven fertility. Embryos were cultured for 6.5 days to blastocyst stage and were then vitrified. Results were analyzed using ANOVA. Small follicle count prior to OPU was 3.3 for TRT1; 2.1 for TRT2; and 5.6 for TRT3, the last being significantly higher (P