Prolonged application of recombinant FSH (bscrFSH) in superovulation protocols: in vivo embryo production in Bos taurus cows in tropical environments
Miguel A. Gutierrez-Reinoso, Eduardo H. Escribano, Cesar J. Arreseigor, Ignacio Cabezas, Florence I. Hugues, Natalie C. Parra, Oliberto Sánchez, Jorge R. Toledo, Manuel Garcia-Herreros
Abstract
Bovine recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (bscrFSH) has been used very occasionally in Bos taurus superovulation (SOV) protocols. The main aim was to study the effects of prolonged bscrFSH application in SOV protocols to test the differential effects on in vivo embryo production in Bos taurus cows under tropical environments. A total of 10 healthy Charolais cows (age: ~60 mo.; BW: ~750±50 kg; BCS: 3.75-4.0) located in Morona-Santiago province, Ecuador (Köppen-Geiger: Af; Precip.:~1,200 mm; R.H.:~92%; M.T.:~22 ºC latitude: 2°18’22.41”S / longitude: 78°6’55.34”W; altitude: ~1,020 m.a.s.l.) were divided randomly into 2 groups (G1: 4-day bscrFSH (Cebitropin B, Concepción, Chile), and G2: 5-day bscrFSH application; n=5 each). The G1 SOV protocol was applied as follows: Day 0: intravaginal P4 device (CIDR: 1.38 gr) + 2.5 mg intramuscular (i.m.) Estradiol Benzoate E2B + 100 mg P4 (i.m.); Day 4: 180 µg bscrFSH-r/24 h intervals/4 d/4 decreasing doses; Day 6: 3rd bscrFSH dose + two PGF2α i.m. doses (12 h interval/ 500 µg D-cloprostenol each, am/pm); Day 7: CIDR removal at the 4th bscrFSH dose application; Day 8: 0.02 mg GnRH + AI; Day 15: embryo collection. Regarding G2, the same protocol was applied with modifications: Day 0: same; Day 4: 180 µg bscrFSH-r/24 h intervals/5 d/5 decreasing doses; Day 7: 4th bscrFSH dose + two PGF2α i.m. doses (12 h interval/ 500 µg D-cloprostenol each, am/pm); Day 8: CIDR removal at the 5th bscrFSH dose application; Day 9: 0.02 mg GnRH + AI; Day 16: embryo collection. Ovarian-derived traits scored: number of corpora lutea (NCL) and non-ovulated follicles (NOF). Embryo-derived traits scored: total structures (TS), transferable embryos (TE), morulae (M), early blastocysts (EBL), blastocysts (BL), degenerated embryos (DE), unfertilized oocytes (UFOs), and non-transferable structures (NTS). The data were analysed by GLMM (SPSS® 25, USA). Significant differences were observed in EBL (7.75±2.65 vs. 0.75±0.75; p=0.04) and BL (2.50±1.55 vs. 0.20±0.20; p=0.03) in G2 and G1, respectively (p 0.05). However, significant differences were observed in UFOs (5.75±2.90 vs. 2.00±0.90 for G1 and G2, respectively; p =0.003) and NTS (7.25±2.92 vs. 3.75±0.75 for G1 and G2, respectively; p =0.015) between protocols, being G2 lower in both parameters. In conclusion, no differences were observed regarding ovarian-derived traits between bscrFSH-derived protocols. The G2 protocol was the most efficient for EBL and BL production together with lower values of UFOs and NTS. These differences may be related to a prolonged ovarian stimulation during the application of the G2 SOV protocol in Bos taurus cows under tropical conditions. ANID 21201280.