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Evaluation of treatments with hCG and carprofen at embryo transfer in a demi-embryo and recipient virgin heifer model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2013

A. Torres ,
J. Chagas e Silva ,
P. Diniz  and
L. Lopes-da-Costa
A. Torres
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Obstetrics, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Alto da Ajuda, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
J. Chagas e Silva
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Obstetrics, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Alto da Ajuda, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
P. Diniz
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Obstetrics, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Alto da Ajuda, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
L. Lopes-da-Costa*
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Obstetrics, CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Technical University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Alto da Ajuda, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
*
†E-mail: lcosta@fmv.utl.pt
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Abstract

An in vivo model, combining a low developmental competence embryo (demi-embryo) and a high-fertility recipient (virgin dairy heifer) was used to evaluate the effects of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and carprofen at embryo transfer (ET) on plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations of recipients and on embryonic growth and survival. Embryos were bisected and each demi-embryo was transferred to a recipient on Day 7 of the estrous cycle. At ET, heifers (n = 163) were randomly allocated to treatment with hCG (2500 IU im), carprofen (500 mg iv), hCG plus carprofen or to untreated controls. Plasma P4 concentrations were measured on Days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of all recipients plus on Days 28, 42 and 63 of pregnant recipients. Pregnancy was presumed to be present in recipients with luteal plasma P4 concentrations until Day 21 and confirmed by using transrectal ultrasonography on Days 28, 42 and 63. Embryonic measurements (crown–rump length and width) were obtained on Day 42. Treatment with hCG induced formation of secondary corpora lutea (CL) in 97% of heifers and increased (P < 0.01) mean plasma P4 concentrations of non-pregnant recipients on Day 14 and of pregnant heifers on Days 14 to 63. This was associated to a significant decrease in early embryonic mortality. In contrast, subsequent embryonic losses resulted in a non-significant numerical increase by 8% of pregnancies maintained to Day 63. Therefore, treatment with hCG significantly rescued embryos through the maternal recognition of pregnancy window but was not able to support development thereafter. Treatment with carprofen at ET had no significant effects on plasma P4 concentrations and rate of embryo mortality. Treatment with hCG plus carprofen at ET induced formation of secondary CL in 90% of heifers but decreased the luteotrophic effect of hCG, resulting in no effect on embryo survival. Low developmental competence embryos showed an intrinsic deficiency in overcoming the maternal recognition of pregnancy challenge and in proceeding to further development until Day 28 of pregnancy, whereas mortality beyond this point was residual. Results on pregnancy rates should be confirmed in further experiments involving a larger sample size.

Keywords

demi-embryohCGcarprofenprogesteronebovine
Type
Physiology and functional biology of systems
Information
animal , Volume 7 , Issue 8 , August 2013 , pp. 1317 - 1322
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2013 

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