The Effect of Conventional Semen, Sexed-Semen, and Embryo Transfer on Pregnancy Rate in Holstein Dairy Cows

Year 2023, Volume: 42 Issue: 2, 99 - 103, 31.12.2023

Davut Koca Ahmet Aktar Ali Osman Turgut Hakan Sağırkaya Selim Alçay

https://doi.org/10.30782/jrvm.1361215

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to detect the effects of conventional semen, sexed-semen and embryo transfer on pregnancy rates in Holstein dairy
cows. In the study, a total of 139 healthy cows with the serum progesterone > 8 ng/ml were used as animal material. Estrus synchronization protocol
was applied and cows were divided into three different groups as conventional semen group (G1, n=46), sexed semen group (G2, n=47),
and embryo transfer group (G3, n=46) considering age, body condition score, lactation number, and body weight. Cows in G1 and G2 were
inseminated with conventional semen and sexed-semen, respectively. Embryo transfer was performed to cows in Group 3 (n=46) 7th day after
estrus. The embryos were transferred to recipients as freshly. Pregnancy examinations for the cows were conducted on the 30th and 60th days
of gestation. The statistical analysis of the obtained results was performed. Pregnancy rates were detected as %50, %46,8 and %69,56 in G1, G2,
and G3 respectively on 30th day. On 60th day, however, pregnancy rates were %45.60, %42.55 and %67.39 in G1, G2, and G3 respectively due
to embryonic losses. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the embryo transfer group (G3) compared to the conventional semen (G1)
and sexed-semen (G2) group (p<0.05) on both 30th and 60th days. There was no significant difference between G1 and G2 (p>0.05). Findings
led to the conclusion that higher serum progesterone level may increase pregnancy rate in cattle. In addition, it is evident that embryo transfer
has the potential for widespread use in the field of veterinary medicine in terms of genetic progress.

Keywords

cattle reproduction, embryo transfer, sexed-semen, conventional semen, theriogenology

Ethical Statement

This study was performed by the approved ethical rules of Bursa Uludağ University (Protocol no. 2021-13, Decision number: 02).

Supporting Institution

Bursa Uludag University, Council of Scientific Research Projects

Project Number

This study is financially supported by Bursa Uludag University, Council of Scientific Research Projects (Project No: TAY-2022-712).

Thanks

The authors thank Bursa Uludag University

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