Effects of the post-partum period on in vivo embryo production in Simmental cows

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Türkiye

2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Türkiye

3 Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Ceyhan Veterinary Medicine, Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of post-partum (PP) periods of different lengths on super-stimulatory and super-ovulatory responses, as well as the number and quality of embryos in Simmental cows. Fifty cows were divided into five groups based on their PP days, including 50 - 60 days (n = 5), 61 - 90 days (n = 17), 91 - 120 days (n = 9), 121 - 150 days (n = 9), and 151 - 420 days (n = 10). On a random day of the estrous cycle, all follicles larger than 5.00 mm on the ovaries were aspirated and a progesterone-releasing device was inserted into the vagina of all donors. Approximately 36 hr after follicle aspiration, all cows were administered 500 µg of follicle-stimulating hormone in decreasing doses, twice daily for 6 days. Ovaries were evaluated using trans-rectal ultrasonography during human chorionic gonadotropin treatment and after embryo collection to assess follicles and corpora lutea, respectively. Super-stimulatory and super-ovulatory responses, as well as embryo yield and quality were found to be similar among cows in the PP days groups of 61 - 90, 91 - 120, 121 - 150, and 151 - 420. However, the embryo recovery rate and mean number of transferable and freezable embryos were adversely affected in cows at 50 - 60 days PP. The findings of our study suggested that day 60 PP served as a threshold for in vivo embryo production in Simmental cows.

Keywords

Subjects

1.     Mahmood K, Tahir MZ, Butt MA, et al. GnRH or estradiol benzoate combination with CIDR improves in-vivo embryo production in bovines (Bos indicus and Bos taurus) under subtropics. PeerJ 2021; 9: e12077. doi: 10.7717/peerj.12077.
2.     Sağirkaya H. Embryo transfer practice in cattle and its importance for Türkiye [Turkish]. Uludag Univ J Fac Vet Med 2009; 28(2): 11-19.
3.     Karaşahin T, Akyol N, Satilmiş M, et al. Investigation of conception rates achieved with the transfer of sexed and unsexed bovine embryos. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 2014; 38(3): 253-256.
4.     Cirit Ü, Özmen MF, Köse M, et al. Effects of presence or absence of a dominant follicle estimated by a single ultrasound examination at the time of follicular aspiration on superovulatory responses and embryo production in lactating Simmental cows. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg 2019; 25(5): 627-632.
5.     Erdem H, Alkan H, Karaşahin T, et al. Retrospective evaluation of factors affecting superovulatory response in embryo production in Simmental cattle. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 2020; 44(6): 1250-1259.
6.     Kara U, Bekyürek T. The effects of pre-superovulation GnRH and short-term progesterone administrations on the quantity and quality of bovine embryos. Erciyes Üniv Vet Fak Derg 2021; 18(1): 41-47.
7.     Koca D, Aktar A, Turgut AO, et al. The effect of conventional semen, sexed-semen, and embryo transfer on pregnancy rate in Holstein dairy cows. J Res Vet Med 2023; 42(2): 99-103.
8.     Jahnke MM, Youngs CR. Superovulation in cattle. In; Hopper RM (Ed). Bovine Reproduction 2nd ed. Auburn, AL, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2021; 1032-1040.
9.     Mikkola M, Hasler JF, Taponen, J. Factors affecting embryo production in superovulated Bos taurus cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32(2): 104-124.
10. Phillips PE, Jahnke MM. Embryo transfer (techniques, donors, and recipients). Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2016; 32(2): 365-385.
11. Lima FS, Bisinotto RS, Ribeiro ES, et al. Effects of 1 or 2 treatments with prostaglandin F2α on subclinical endometritis and fertility in lactating dairy cows inseminated by timed artificial insemination. J Dairy Sci 2013; 96(10): 6480-6488.
12. Carvalho PD, Souza AH, Sartori R, et al. Effects of deep-horn AI on fertilization and embryo production in superovulated cows and heifers. Theriogenology 2013; 80(9): 1074-1081.
13. Dickson MJ, Piersanti RL, Ramirez-Hernandez R, et al. Experimentally induced endometritis impairs the developmental capacity of bovine oocytes. Biol Reprod 2020; 103(3): 508-520.
14. Bisinotto RS, Greco LF, Ribeiro ES, et al. Influences of nutrition and metabolism on fertility of dairy cows. Anim Reprod 2012; 9(3): 260-272.
15. Leroy JL, Vanholder T, Mateusen B, et al. Non-esterified fatty acids in follicular fluid of dairy cows and their effect on developmental capacity of bovine oocytes in vitro. Reproduction 2005; 130(4): 485-495.
16. Leroy JL, Vanholder T, Opsomer G, et al. The in vitro development of bovine oocytes after maturation in glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations associated with negative energy balance in dairy cows. Reprod Domest Anim 2006; 41(2): 119-123.
17. Darrow MD, Lindner GM, Goemann GG. Superovulation and fertility in lactating and dry dairy cows. In Proceedings: Eighth Annual Conference of the International Embryo Transfer Society. Denver, Colorado, USA; 84.
18. Hasler JF, McCauley AD, Schermerhorn EC, et al. Superovulatory responses of Holstein cows. Theriogenology 1983; 19(1): 83-99.
19. Lim KT. Effects of milk production, postparient days or seasons on in vivo embryo production by super-ovulation in holstein cows. K J Emb Trans 2009; 24(1): 33-37.
20. Lee W, Song K, Lim K, et al. Influence of factors during superovulation on embryo production in Korean Holstein cattle. J Vet Med Sci 2012; 74(2): 167-174.
21. Hussein MM, Abdel Aziz RL, Abdel-Wahab A, et al. Preliminary study of factors affecting the super-ovulatory response of high producing dairy cows superstimulated regardless of the stage of estrous cycle in Egypt. Beni-Suef Univ J Basic Appl Sci 2014; 3(4): 286-292.
22. Ferraz PA, Burnley C, Karanja J, et al. Factors affecting the success of a large embryo transfer program in Holstein cattle in a commercial herd in the southeast region of the United States. Theriogenology 2016; 86(7): 1834-1841.
23. Sahara H, Shimura O, Kawato Y, et al. Timing of superovulation treatments in postpartum Japanese Black cows. Jpn J Anim Reprod 1991; 37(1): 33-36.
24. Isogai T, Shimohira I, Kimura K. Factors affecting embryo production following repeated superovulation treatment in Holstein donors. J Reprod Dev 1993; 39(1): 79-84.
25. Stádnik L, Bezdiček J, Makarevich A, et al. Ovarian activity and embryo yield in relation to the postpartum period in superovulated dairy cows. Acta Vet Brno 2017; 86(1): 51-57.
26. IETS. Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society. 4th ed. Champaign Illinois: 2010.
27. García Guerra A, Tribulo A, Yapura J, et al. Lengthening the superstimulatory treatment protocol increases ovarian response and number of transferable embryos in beef cows. Theriogenology 2012; 78(2): 353-360.
28. Souza AH, Carvalho PD, Rozner AE, et al. Relationship between circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and superovulatory response of high-producing dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98(1): 169-178.
29. Walters AH, Bailey TL, Pearson RE, et al. Parity-related changes in bovine follicle and oocyte populations, oocyte quality, and hormones to 90 days postpartum. J Dairy Sci 2002; 85(4): 824-832.
30. Kendrick KW, Bailey TL, Garst AS, et al. Effects of energy balance on hormones, ovarian activity, and recovered oocytes in lactating Holstein cows using transvaginal follicular aspiration. J Dairy Sci 1999; 82(8): 1731-1741.
31. Adamski M, Kupczyński R, Chladek G, et al. Influence of propylene glycol and glycerin in Simmental cows in periparturient period on milk yield and metabolic changes. Arch Tierz 2011; 54(3): 238-248.
Volume 17, Issue 2
February 2026
Pages 89-94

  • Receive Date 02 February 2025
  • Revise Date 14 March 2025
  • Accept Date 20 May 2025