This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 137/4/689    most recent REP-08-0403v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Siddiqui, M A R Articles by Ginther, O J Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Siddiqui, M A R Articles by Ginther, O J

Relationship of vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle to in vitro fertilisation and embryo development in heifers

¹ Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, Wisconsin 53528, USA² Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1656 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA

Correspondence should be addressed to O J Ginther; Email: ginther{at}svm.vetmed.wisc.edu

The effect of the extent of vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle on in vitro cleavage rate of the recovered oocyte and embryo development to >8 cells was studied in 52 heifers. Heifers received a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) when the largest follicle was 11 mm. An ovulation-inducing injection of GnRH was given 36 h later (hour 0), and collection of follicular fluid and the oocyte was done at hour 26. Vascular perfusion of the follicular wall was assessed by colour Doppler ultrasonography at hours 0 and 26. Each of the recovered oocytes (41/52; 79%) was mature (extruded polar body). Cleavage and embryo development were assessed at 48 h and 120 h respectively, after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The percentage of cleaved oocytes and >8 cell embryos was 80% (31/39) and 55% (17/31) respectively. Vascular perfusion of the follicular wall was greater (lower pulsatility index; P<0.001) for follicles that produced cleaved versus non-cleaved oocytes and greater (P<0.04) for follicles that produced >8 cell versus 8 cell embryos. Percentage of follicular wall with Doppler signals of blood flow was greater (P<0.001) for >8 cell versus 8 cell embryos. Follicular-fluid concentration of free IGF1 was lower for cleaved oocytes (P<0.001) and >8 cell embryos (P<0.05), and oestradiol was lower (P<0.05) for >8 cell embryos. Results supported the hypothesis that greater vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle was positively associated with IVF and embryo development.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M P Palhao, M A Beg, M T Rodrigues, and O J Ginther Follicle and hormone dynamics in single versus double ovulating heifers Reproduction, September 1, 2009; 138(3): 561 - 570. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]