The Role of Antral Follicle Count in OPU/IVEP Donor Selection in Holstein Cattle

Öz

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of antral follicle number on oocyte yield and IVEP in Holstein breed donors. The study groups were constituted following ultrasonographic examinations conducted on 23 Holstein heifers at one-week intervals. The Low-AFC group (n = 8) comprised animals with an average antral follicle counts in the ovary of ≤ 15, as determined by ultrasonographic examination. The High-AFC group (n = 9) comprised animals with an average antral follicle number of ≥30. Oocytes were collected from animals in both groups four times, one week apart, any day of the estrous cycle. The oocytes were classified according to their morphological characteristics and subsequently incorporated into the in vitro embryo production process. The total and viable oocyte numbers were found to be significantly greater in the High-AFC group than in the Low-AFC group (P < 0.01). The number of blastocysts obtained per session was also greater in the High-AFC group (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed between the blastocyst and viable oocyte rates in the two groups. Consequently, oocytes and blastocysts were obtained from Holsetin donors with high antral follicle counts in greater numbers. It was thought that the number of antral follicles in Holstein breed donors could be employed as a parameter in donor animal selection to increase the success of OPU/IVEP.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Antral follicle counts
• Donor selection
• OPU/IVEP

Holstein Sığırlarda OPU/IVEP için Donör Seçiminde Antral Folikül Sayısının Rolü

Öz

Bu çalışmada Holstein ırkı donörlerde antral folikül sayısının oosit verimine ve in vitro embriyo üretimine etkisinin belirlenmesi amaçlandı. Çalışma grupları 23 baş Holstein ırkı düveye 1 hafta arayla yapılan ultrasonografik muayeneler sonrasında oluşturuldu. Ultrasonografik muayene sonrasında ovaryumundaki ortalama antral folikül sayısı ≤ 15 olan hayvanlar Düşük-AFS grubuna (n=8) alındı. Ortalama antral folikül sayısı ≥ 30 olan hayvanlar ise Yüksek-AFS grubuna (n=9) alındı. Her iki gruptaki hayvanlardan östrüs siklusunun rastgele bir gününde birer hafta arayla 4 kez oosit toplandı. Toplanan oositler morfolojik özelliklerine göre sınıflandırılarak in vitro embriyo üretim sürecine alındı. Toplam ve in vitro embriyo üretimine uygun oosit sayısı Yüksek-AFS grubunda Düşük-AFS grubundan yüksek bulundu (P < 0.01). Seans başına elde edilen blastosist sayısı da Yüksek-AFS grubunda daha fazlaydı (P < 0.01). Blastosist oranı ve in vitro embriyo üretimine uygun oosit oranı iki grup arasında istatistiksel farklılık göstermedi. Sonuç olarak Holstein ırkı donörlerde yüksek antral folikül sayısına sahip hayvanlardan daha fazla sayıda oosit ve blastosist elde edildi. Holstein ırkı donörlerde antral folikül sayısının OPU/IVEP başarısını artırmak için donör hayvan seçiminde bir parametre olarak kullanılabileceği düşünüldü.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Antral folikül sayısı
• Donör seçimi
• OPU/IVEP

Kaynakça

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