Consequences of transvaginal follicular puncture on well-being in cows

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of repeated follicular puncture used in the ovum pick-up technique on the welfare of cows. The evaluation relies on the physiological measurement of stress, milk production criteria, immune status, and the histological examination of ovaries. Two groups of five Holstein cows were submitted to epidural anaesthesia and genital palpation with insertion of an intravaginal ultrasound probe for transvaginal puncture (the puncture was not performed in the control group). Animals were manipulated twice a week for 8 weeks (16 manipulation sessions). The blood cortisol concentrations increased after each session; however, the concentrations were the same in both the control and the punctured groups. Two adrenocorticotrophic hormone challenge tests, performed before the first session and after the last session, showed an unchanged adrenal sensitivity through repeated puncture sessions. The transvaginal puncture did not affect milk production, or blood and milk somatic cell counts. Ovariectomies were performed on another group of four Holstein cows at various intervals (0 to 30 days) after five similar puncture sessions. Histological examination of the ovaries 4 days after puncture revealed blood-filled follicles and haemorrhagic foci in ovarian stroma, but the examination 30 days after the last puncture session demonstrated very limited, if any, fibrosis. On the basis of the criteria chosen for this study, repeated transvaginal follicular puncture on its own does not impact adversely on the welfare of cows.