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Cervical embryo collection in sheep after ripening of the cervix with prostaglandin E2and estradiol
THERIOGENOLOGY
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EHBRYO
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OF lXE
CERVIX
D.M. Barry, C-H. van Niekerk, J. I$u.st, T. van der Walt Department of Human and Animal Physiology University of Stellenbosch * 7600 Stellenbosch South Africa Surgical and laparoscopic embryo collection in ewes usually leads to adhesions of the reproductive tract and ovaries. This limits the number of times an ewe can be used as a donor. Virgin and full grown South African mutton merino ewes (n=l5) between 12 and 36 months of age were synchronised with medroxyprogesterone acetate sponges (Repromap, 6Omg They were superovulated with a total dosage of Upjohn, S.A.). 15mg FSH (Folltropin, Vetrepharm, Canada) that was injected intramuscularly every 12h over 3.5 days in a declining Sponges were removed at the time of the second to fashion. last FSH injection. An intramuscular injection of 0,0004mg buserelin (Receptal, Hoechst, S.A.) was given with each of the last 2 FSH injections. 500 IU hCG (Chorulon, CE Indust., S.A.) was injected IV at the first signs of oestrus. The ewes were bred every 12h starting 12h after the first signs of standing oestrus for 3 consecutive services. Six days oestrus, 10 ewes (Gr.1) were placed in dorsal after recumbency and two 0,5mg prostaglandin E S-A.) dissolved in 3ml isO~O,"~":,",iKroZ~~ B2t Upjohn, infused into the external OS cervix. An IN injection of 1 mg estradiol cypionate (ECP S/S, Upjohn, S-A.) was given at the same time. The prostaglandin E treatment was repeated 12h later, 12h before the embryo co1 1ection commenced. The other 5 ewes (Gr.2) were not treated and kept as controls. The cervices were pulled back with a tissue forceps under general anaesthesia and expanded with human cervical dilators up to A 3-way stainless 5mm diameter. steel catheter (3-way catheter for small ruminants, IMV, France) was then passed through the dilated services, and the cuff inflated in one uterine horn. A thin plastic tube was passed through the catheter into the tip of the uterine horn. The flushing medium was infused through the catheter and received through the plastic tube. The CL were counted with a laparoscope, regular blood samples taken and for blood progesterone levels.
10 Gr.1 10 84 22m 0 0 O/26 (0%) Gr.2 5 were Eight of the embryos collected transferred laparoscopically to synchronised ewes. All 8 ewes conceived, which indicated that-the prostaglandin E2 and estradiol did not affect the viability of the embryos. The blood samples showed no drop in plasma progesterone-level up to the time of flushing. These preliminary results showed that the cervices of virgin and adult ewes can be passed for embryo collection by "ripeningn the cervix with prostaglandin E2 and estradiol without detrimental effect to the embryo.
190
JANUARY
1990 VOL. 33 NO. 1
!GER=C-
EHBRYO
W
”
OF lXE
CERVIX
D.M. Barry, C-H. van Niekerk, J. I$u.st, T. van der Walt Department of Human and Animal Physiology University of Stellenbosch * 7600 Stellenbosch South Africa Surgical and laparoscopic embryo collection in ewes usually leads to adhesions of the reproductive tract and ovaries. This limits the number of times an ewe can be used as a donor. Virgin and full grown South African mutton merino ewes (n=l5) between 12 and 36 months of age were synchronised with medroxyprogesterone acetate sponges (Repromap, 6Omg They were superovulated with a total dosage of Upjohn, S.A.). 15mg FSH (Folltropin, Vetrepharm, Canada) that was injected intramuscularly every 12h over 3.5 days in a declining Sponges were removed at the time of the second to fashion. last FSH injection. An intramuscular injection of 0,0004mg buserelin (Receptal, Hoechst, S.A.) was given with each of the last 2 FSH injections. 500 IU hCG (Chorulon, CE Indust., S.A.) was injected IV at the first signs of oestrus. The ewes were bred every 12h starting 12h after the first signs of standing oestrus for 3 consecutive services. Six days oestrus, 10 ewes (Gr.1) were placed in dorsal after recumbency and two 0,5mg prostaglandin E S-A.) dissolved in 3ml isO~O,"~":,",iKroZ~~ B2t Upjohn, infused into the external OS cervix. An IN injection of 1 mg estradiol cypionate (ECP S/S, Upjohn, S-A.) was given at the same time. The prostaglandin E treatment was repeated 12h later, 12h before the embryo co1 1ection commenced. The other 5 ewes (Gr.2) were not treated and kept as controls. The cervices were pulled back with a tissue forceps under general anaesthesia and expanded with human cervical dilators up to A 3-way stainless 5mm diameter. steel catheter (3-way catheter for small ruminants, IMV, France) was then passed through the dilated services, and the cuff inflated in one uterine horn. A thin plastic tube was passed through the catheter into the tip of the uterine horn. The flushing medium was infused through the catheter and received through the plastic tube. The CL were counted with a laparoscope, regular blood samples taken and for blood progesterone levels.
10 Gr.1 10 84 22m 0 0 O/26 (0%) Gr.2 5 were Eight of the embryos collected transferred laparoscopically to synchronised ewes. All 8 ewes conceived, which indicated that-the prostaglandin E2 and estradiol did not affect the viability of the embryos. The blood samples showed no drop in plasma progesterone-level up to the time of flushing. These preliminary results showed that the cervices of virgin and adult ewes can be passed for embryo collection by "ripeningn the cervix with prostaglandin E2 and estradiol without detrimental effect to the embryo.
190
JANUARY
1990 VOL. 33 NO. 1