Increased ovarian response following pre-synchrony of
superovulated red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds
I.C. Scott, G.W. Asher, K.T. O'Neill and R.P. Littlejohn
AgResearch, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034,
Mosgiel, Dunedin
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
2000 60: 65-67
The effects of two modified superovulation protocols on ovarian
response in red deer were compared to a standard protocol. Twenty
mixed-age red deer hinds were allocated to one of three treatment groups
during the breeding season: Group S (n=7) received our standard
superovulation protocol of 12-days treatment with an intravaginal
progesterone-releasing device (CIDR', InterAg, NZ), eight injections of
0.45 mg ovine FSH (Ovagen, Immuno-Chemical Products Ltd., NZ) 12 h
apart, beginning 72 h before CIDR removal with 200 iu eCG (Folligon,
Intervet, Australia) added with the last injection. Group M1 (n=7) hinds
received the same CIDR and eCG treatment, but Ovagen was delivered as
four daily injections of 0.9 mg Ovagen dissolved in 30%
polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-40; Sigma Chemical Co, USA). Group M2 (n=6)
hinds were pre-synchronised using a 12-day CIDR' treatment and then
received seven daily injections of 0.9 mg Ovagen dissolved in 30% PVP
beginning four days after CIDR removal. A prostaglandin analogue (2 ml
Estrumate, Pitman-Moore NZ Ltd, NZ) was administered concurrent with the
sixth Ovagen injection. Ovarian response was highest in M2 hinds. Mean
ovulation rates (±S.E.M.) were 4.9 ± 0.83, 3.4 ± 0.70 and
8.7 ± 1.20 for S, M1 and M2 respectively (P>0.05). Two S and
three M1 hinds were anovulatory following superovulation treatment, but
all M2 hinds ovulated (P>0.05). Pre-synchrony of red deer hinds
before daily injection of Ovagen is an effective superovulation
protocol. However, further work is required to ascertain if viable
embryos are produced following the extended period of FSH exposure.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
red deer; FSH; superovulation; ovulation rate.
Last Updated 12-07-2000
