Abstract

Rapid genetic improvement in cattle requires the production of high numbers of embryos of excellent quality. Increasing circulating insulin and/or glucose concentrations improves ovarian follicular growth, which may improve the response to superovulation. The measurement of anti-Mu " llerian hormone (AMH) can help predict an animal's response to superovulation treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether increasing circulating insulin concentrations, through propylene glycol (PG) drenches, could improve in vitro embryo production in oestrussynchronised superovulated heifers with different AMH profiles. Holstein heifers were grouped according to preexperimental AMH concentrations as low (L) or high (H). The PG drench increased circulating insulin and glucose concentrations and reduced beta-hydroxybutyrate and urea concentrations compared with the control group. AMH was a good predictor of follicle and oocyte numbers at ovum pick-up (OPU), and of oocyte and embryo quality (AMHH > AMHL). PG in theAMHHgroup increased the number of follicles and blastocyst quality above that in the control group, but did not improve these parameters in theAMHL group. These results indicate that short-term oral PG supplementation modifies an animal's metabolic milieu and is effective in improving in vitro embryo production, after superovulation-OPU, more markedly in heifers with high rather than low AMH concentrations.

Keywords

cattle fertility; follicle growth; insulin; insulin-like growth factor 1; oocyte quality; superovulation

Published in

Reproduction, Fertility and Development
2015, Volume: 27, number: 8, pages: 1249-1261

SLU Authors

• Humblot, Patrice

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science
Other Veterinary Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14091

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/66751