In vitro embryo production following Ovum Pick-up (OPU) in buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro embryo production efficiency following OPU and to investigate the correlation between follicles (FL), cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs) and blastocysts (Bl). Results here reported refer to the first 6 months of a trial which was carried out on eight dry buffalo cows. Follicles were classified, according to their size, as large (≥ 10 mm), medium (5 to 9 mm) and small (< 5 mm). COCs were morphologically categorized according to their quality (A to D). COCs were in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured with our standard procedures. ANOVA and correlation analysis were used for data evaluation. The animals were divided according to their different (P<0.001) Bl yield: 0.47 per buffalo/session (group I) and 0.18 per buffalo/session (Group II). Although number of follicles was similar among groups (4.96 vs 4.54) a higher number of total COCs (2.70 vs 1.98; P<0.001) and good quality (A+B) COCs (1.67 vs 1.04; P<0.001) was recorded in group I vs group II. Recovery rate (COCs/FL) was also higher in group I (52.11 vs. 42.21; P<0.05). The incidence of FL of different size and COCs of different grades were similar among groups. The high variability observed within subjects resulted in Bl production being correlated only to the total number of oocytes retrieved (r= 0.43; P< 0.01) and to the total number of punctured FL (r= 0.26; P< 0.01)

Efficacy of repeated ovum pick-up in Podolic cattle for preservation strategies: a pilot study

The study evaluated the effects of eCG treatment prior to ovum pick up (OPU) on follicular population, oocyte and embryo yields in summer and autumn in Podolic cattle. The effects of repeated OPU on cattle wellbeing was also documented. Twenty-six animals were used, and split into two groups, treatment (OPU; n = 18) and control (CG; n = 8). The OPU cattle were subsequently split into two subgroups (n = 9) and underwent repeated OPU, without and with eCG priming, for a total of 8 sessions (4 sessions/season). Follicular population, oocyte and embryo yields were recorded in those sub-groups. CG was handled in the same manner of OPU, except for epidural anaesthesia and follicular aspiration. Biochemical profile, serum protein electrophoresis and haptoglobin levels were analysed in OPU and CG. Hormonal priming increased the number of medium follicles (1.7 \ub1 0.2 vs 0.9 \ub1 0.2, p &lt;.05), while it decreased the recovery rate and number of cumulus-enclosed oocytes (COCs) (recovery rate: 38.3 \ub1 3.5 vs 60.5 \ub1 4.0%; COCs: 2.3 \ub1 0.3 vs 3.4 \ub1 0.4, respectively; p &lt;.01). However, priming increased cleavage (72.9 \ub1 5.7 vs 49.4 \ub1 5.4; p &lt;.05) and blastocyst (41.1 \ub1 5.7 vs 23.0 \ub1 4.2; p =.054) rates. With regard to season\u2019s effect, a higher number of COCs was recorded in autumn than in summer (3.1 \ub1 0.4 vs 2.6 \ub1 0.3; p &lt;.05) without affecting though the number of embryos produced (0.9 on average). Since haematological parameters did not vary between OPU and CG, our preliminary data suggest that repeated OPU may be used as a conservation strategy in Podolic cattle without affecting wellbeing.Highlights Podolic cattle is an endangered Italian breed, reared in semi-extensive/extensive systems Ovum pick-up (OPU) can be carried out in this breed without impairing animal health and welfare The eCG treatment before OPU (priming) did not improve the number of embryos produced per donor