Embryo transplantation in cattle. Non-surgical transfer of 6 1/2--7 1/2 day old embryos to lactating dairy cows under farm conditions. |
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| Authors: | T Greve H Lehn-Jensen |
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| Institution: | Institute for Animal Reproduction, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, Copenhagen V, DK-1870 Copenhagen, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | Previous attempts to transfer embryos non-surgically to heifers have been rather discouraging. The present experiment describes a simple non-surgical technique where the 6½–7½ -day old embryo is placed in a 0.25 ml ministraw, fitted into a common insemination gun and transferred cervically to synchronized lactating dairy cows. Thirty-two viable embryos were transferred to the middle part of the uterine horn ipsilateral to the ovary containing the corpus luteum. It was easy to pass the cervix, and most embryos could be deposited in the horn within 1 or 2 min. Eighteen animals were diagnosed pregnant (56% ). It is conceivable that the easy atraumatic transfers and good management (feeding, oestrus control) of the recipients contributed to the high pregnancy rate. |
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| Keywords: | non-surgical embryo transfer lactating cattle |
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