Out-of-season embryo transfer in five breeds of imported sheep

K.B. Greaney, M.F. McDonald, H.W. Vivanco, H.R. Tervit

Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1991, 51: 129-132

The success of a multiple-ovulation and embryo transfer programme involving five breeds of sheep (Danish and Finnish Texel, Oxford Down, Gotland Pelt, and the White Headed Marsh) was compared across two seasonal periods. Results for the incidence of oestrous, ovulation rate, embryo recovery rate, fertilisation rate, and for the survival rate of the embryos to scanning and lambing in recipient ewes, were compared. The ovulation rate (7.8±0.19 out-of-season compared to 6.6±0.26 in-season), was the only variable to be significantly affected by the season (P<0.05). The number of lambs born per donor programmed was 1.58 out-of-season vs 0.98 in-season. The results from this trial suggest that embryo transfer can be successfully conducted out-of-season in these imported sheep breeds.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Sheep; breed effects; multiple-ovulation; embryo transfer; season effects

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Last Updated 25-01-1997