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Effect of age of donor on embryo production in Morada Nova (white variety) ewes participating in a conservation programme in Brazil

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Abstract

In order to evaluate embryo production in Morada Nova (white variety) ewes superovulated with porcine follicle-stimulating hormone, 20 cycling ewes were used as embryo donors and allocated into two groups according to age: group 1 (ewes aged 1–2 years; n = 9) or group 2 (ewes aged 3–4 years; n = 11). Embryo recovery was performed by laparotomy 5–6 days after oestrus. The evaluation of embryos was made under stereomicroscope according to International Embryo Transfer Society rules. The overall recovery rate was 64.6% (5.0 ±  0.7 structures per ewe) and 86.3% of the recovered structures were fertilized. Group 1 was superior (p < 0.05) to group 2 according to recovered (6.6 ±  0.9 vs 3.6 ±  0.8) and fertilized structures (5.6 ±  1.1 vs. 3.5 ±  0.7) per ewe. In conclusion, the ovarian response and the embryo production in Morada Nova (white variety) sheep subjected to a standard superovulation treatment were considered satisfactory. In addition, the use of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in younger ewes (≤ 2 years old) of this sheep breed appears to be an efficient tool to accelerate the preservation of the Morada Nova (white variety) breed, since younger ewes are as responsive as older ones.

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Abbreviations

IU:

international unit

MAP:

medroxyprogesterone acetate

MOET:

multiple ovulation and embryo transfer

pFSH:

porcine follicle-stimulating hormone

PRCL:

premature regression of corpora lutea

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Physiology and Control of Reproduction, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

    E. S. Lopes Júnior, E. L. M. M. Maia, N. R. O. Paula, D. I. A. Teixeira, D. Rondina & V. J. F. Freitas

  2. Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

    A. B. S. Villarroel

Authors
  1. E. S. Lopes Júnior
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  2. E. L. M. M. Maia
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  3. N. R. O. Paula
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  4. D. I. A. Teixeira
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  5. A. B. S. Villarroel
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  6. D. Rondina
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  7. V. J. F. Freitas
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Correspondence to V. J. F. Freitas.

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Júnior, E.S.L., Maia, E.L.M.M., Paula, N.R.O. et al. Effect of age of donor on embryo production in Morada Nova (white variety) ewes participating in a conservation programme in Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod 38, 555–561 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-006-4344-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-006-4344-1

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