Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer during the breeding season in Angora goats: A comparison of fresh and vitrified-thawed embryo transfer

This study aimed to assess the superovulation response and pregnancy rates of fresh and vitrified-thawed embryos after transfer in Angora goats with comparing transfer at the beginning (BS) and end (ES) of the breeding season. Nine Angora goats were used as donors in both periods. Donor goats were synchronized and superovulated with the FSH and mated with five fertile bucks. At ۱۵۶ hr following mating, embryos were collected surgically. Recipient Angora goats were divided into two groups at the beginning (fresh, n=۱۵; vitrified-thawed, n=۱۵) and end (fresh, n = ۸; vitrified-thawed, n = ۸) of the breeding season. Fresh or vitrified-thawed grade I embryos (early blastocyst/blastocyst) were transferred surgically to synchronized recipients. On the ۳۰th, ۶۰th and ۹۰th day of transfer, goats were examined by ultrasonography. The number of corpora lutea (CL), total oocyte/embryo and transferable embryos obtained in BS was found to be statistically higher than ES. On the ۳۰th day of transfer, pregnancy rates were ۷۳.۳۰% and ۷۵.۰۰% in the fresh transfer groups in both BS and ES periods; while, rates of ۲۰.۰۰% and ۳۷.۵۰% were found in the vitrified-thawed group, respectively. The embryo survival rates of fresh transfers were ۵۵.۵۵% and ۳۱.۲۵% at BS and ES, respectively. The number of CL, total oocyte/embryo and transferable embryos in the BS was higher than ES following superovulation. Also, fresh embryo transfer can be successfully carried out during the breeding season in Angora goats. Moreover, although pregnancies were obtained following the transfer of vitrified-thawed embryos, they did not sustain on the ۶۰th and ۹۰th days. So, further studies are needed for the vitrified-thawed embryos.

Keywords:

Angora goat , breeding Season , Embryo transfer , Fresh embryo , Vitrified-thawed