Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025
11:10
Cryopreservation of Preimplantation Embryos of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats
Published on: August 5, 2011
31.1K
Reproductive Seasonality Affects In Vitro Embryo Production Outcomes in Adult Goats
Joanna M G Souza-Fabjan1, Lucas F L Correia1, Ribrio I T P Batista1
1Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ 24230-340, Brazil.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Reproductive seasonality significantly impacts assisted reproduction outcomes in goats. The peak breeding season, autumn, yields higher cleavage and blastocyst rates, while embryo quality remains consistent year-round.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Embryology
Background:
- Reproductive seasonality affects livestock productivity.
- Understanding seasonal influences is crucial for optimizing assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
- Goat oocyte developmental competence may vary seasonally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of season on in vitro produced (IVP) goat embryo development.
- To evaluate seasonal effects on cleavage and blastocyst rates.
- To assess seasonal variations in embryo quality.
Main Methods:
- Collected 2348 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from slaughterhouse ovaries over 1.5 years.
- Utilized a standardized in vitro production (IVP) system.
- Calculated odds ratios (OR) for cleavage and blastocyst rates across seasons.
Main Results:
- Cleavage rates were significantly lower in spring (anestrus) compared to autumn (peak breeding season).
- Blastocyst formation rates were highest in autumn (52%) versus other seasons (40%).
- Embryo hatchability and blastocyst cell numbers showed no significant seasonal differences.
Conclusions:
- The breeding season enhances oocyte developmental competence, improving cleavage and blastocyst yields.
- Seasonal variations primarily affect the quantity, not the quality, of IVP goat embryos.
- ART efficiency in goats is optimized during the peak breeding season.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Cloning of Dolly the Sheep
5.9K
The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual, the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter...
5.9K
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
604
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
604
00:51Energy Budgets
10.1K
Organisms must balance energy intake with the energy required for growth, maintenance and reproduction. These trade-offs result in a variety of survivorship and reproductive strategies, including semelparity and iteroparity. Semelparous species, like annual plants, have only one reproductive episode in their lifetimes and consequently have short lifespans. Iteroparous species, by contrast, have many reproductive events during their lifetimes but have relatively few offspring. These two...
10.1K