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

Year 2023, , 99 - 103, 31.12.2023

Davut Koca , Ahmet Aktar , Ali Osman Turgut , Hakan Sağırkaya , Selim Alçay

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

Cited By: 2

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

References

• 1. de Sousa RV, da Silva Cardoso CR, Butzke G, et al. Biopsy of bovine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro does not affect pregnancy rates. Theriogenology. 2017;90:25-31.
• 2. Meuwissen T, Hayes B, Goddard M. Genomic selection: A paradigm shift in animal breeding. Anim Front. 2016;6(1):6-14. 3.
• 3. Moore SG, Hasler JF. A 100-Year Review: Reproductive technologies in dairy science. J Dairy Sci. 2017;100(12):10314-10331.
• 4. De Vries A, Overton M, Fetrow J, et al. Exploring the impact of sexed semen on the structure of the dairy industry. J Dairy Sci. 2008;91(2):847-856.
• 5. Norman HD, Hutchison JL, Miller RH. Use of sexed semen and its effect on conception rate, calf sex, dystocia, and stillbirth of Holsteins in the United States. J Dairy Sci. 2010;93(8):3880-3890.
• 6. Karakaya E (2014) Sütçü Ineklerde Cinsiyeti Belirlenmiş Spermanın Kullanımı (Doctoral dissertation, Bursa Uludag University (Turkey).
• 7. Serim E (2022) Sağmal Sütçü Ineklerde Cinsiyeti Belirlenmiş Spermanın Kullanımı (Doctoral dissertation, Bursa Uludag University (Turkey).
• 8. Bayrıl T. Effects of use of conventional and sexed semen on conception rate, calf sex, calf birth weight, and stillbirth in Holstein heifers. Turkish J Vet Anim Sci. 2023;47(2):108-117.
• 9. Yüceer B, Özbeyaz C. Süt Siğirlarinin Islahinda Çekirdek Sürü-Moet Tekniğinin Kullanimi (Derleme). Lalahan Hay Araşt Enst Derg. 2007;47(2):23-30.
• 10. Sağırkaya H. Sığırlarda embriyo transfer uygulaması ve Türkiye açısından önemi. J Res Vet Med. 2009;28(2):11-20.
• 11. Spell AR, Beal WE, Corah LR, et al. Evaluating recipient and embryo factors that affect pregnancy rates of embryo transfer in beef cattle Theriogenology. 2001;56(2):287-297.
• 12. Alçay S, Aktar A, Sağırkaya H. Embriyo Transferi Yapılan Taşıyıcı İneklerde Progesteron Seviyesinin Gebelik Başarısı Üzerine Etkisi. J Vet Med Res. 2022;41(2):70-73.
• 13. Hasler JF. Factors affecting frozen and fresh embryo transfer pregnancy rates in cattle. Theriogenology. 2001;56(9):1401-1415.
• 14. Ledgard AM, Berg MC, McMillan WH, et al. Effect of asynchronous transfer on bovine embryonic development and relationship with early cycle uterine proteome profiles. Reprod Fertil Develop. 2012;24(7):962- 972.
• 15. Stroud B. The year 2011 worldwide statistics of embryo transfer in domestic farm animals. IETS Newslet. 2012;50:16-25.
• 16. Erenus M, Zouves C, Rajamahendran P, et al. The effect of embryo quality on subsequent pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril. 1991;56(4):707-710.
• 17. Bazer FW, Spencer TE, Johnson GA, et al. Comparative aspects of implantation. Reproduction. 2009; 138(2):195.
• 18. Martins T, Sponchiado M, Silva FA, et al. Progesterone- dependent and progesterone-independent modulation of luminal epithelial transcription to support pregnancy in cattle. Physiol Genomics. 2022;54(2):71- 85.
• 19. Forde N, Beltman ME, Duffy GB et al. Changes in the endometrial transcriptome during the bovine estrous cycle: effect of low circulating progesterone and consequences for conceptus elongation. Biol Reprod. 2011;84(2):266 278.
• 20. Güler Ş, Yildiz M, Cetin Y. Direkt Embriyo Transferi: Azot Tankından Uterusa. Van Vet J, 2021;32(2),69-73.
• 21. Bó GA, Mapletoft RJ. Evaluation and classification of bovine embryos. Anim Reprod. 2018;10(3):344-348.
• 22. Holden SA, Butler ST. Review: Applications and benefits of sexed semen in dairy and beef herds. Animal. 2018;12 (Suppl. 1):97-103.
• 23. Boneya G. Sexed semen and major factors affecting its conception rate in dairy cattle. Int J Adv Res Biol Sci. 2021;8(1) 99-107.
• 24. Seidel GE. Update on sexed semen technology in cattle. Animal, 2014;8(s1):160-164.
• 25. Oikawa K, Yamazaki T, Yamaguchi S, et al. Effects of use of conventional and sexed semen on the conception rate in heifers: A comparison study Theriogenology. 2019;135:33-37.
• 26. Loggan B (2019) Evaluating the Success of Female Selected Sex-Sorted Semen at Western Kentucky University's Dairy Farm (Master Thesis, Western Kentucky University (USA).