Related Experiment Videos
[Cryopreservation of bovine embryos]
R Falge1, P Rommel, D Oesterreich
1Forschungszentrum für Tierproduktion Dummerstorf, Rostock der Akademie der Landwirtschaftswissenschaften der DDR.
Archiv Fur Experimentelle Veterinarmedizin
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Cryopreservation of seven-day-old cattle embryos is effective for embryo transfer, achieving a 49% pregnancy rate. This method is suitable for general field practice in cattle breeding.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Reproduction
- Embryology
- Cryobiology
Context:
- Embryo transfer in cattle is a key technology for genetic improvement.
- Cryopreservation offers flexibility in synchronizing embryo transfer with recipient cycles.
- Evaluating established cryopreservation protocols under field conditions is crucial for widespread adoption.
Purpose:
- To assess the efficacy of a specific cryopreservation method for seven-day-old cattle embryos under commercial production settings.
- To determine pregnancy rates and embryo viability following cryopreservation and transfer.
- To compare the success rates of cryopreserved embryo transfers with fresh embryo transfers.
Summary:
- A method for cryopreserving seven-day-old cattle embryos was evaluated on six farms.
- From 467 cryopreserved embryos, 96.5% were viable post-thaw, with 412 transfers resulting in a 49.0% pregnancy rate.
- Pregnancy rates varied with recipient estrus synchronization, being highest (65.8%) in six-day synchronized heifers.
Impact:
- The cryopreservation method demonstrated high embryo viability and a practical pregnancy rate under field conditions.
- The efficiency coefficient of 0.69 suggests cryopreserved embryos are less efficient than fresh but viable for field use.
- The study recommends this cryopreservation technique for routine application in cattle breeding programs.