Prostaglandin pretreatment enhances ova recovery in cattle

  • Jessica Looman School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA
  • Luis Ochoa School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA
  • Sydney Hickerson School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA
  • John Gibbons School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58292/CT.v18.13851
Keywords: Superovulation, embryo recovery, bovine embryo collection

Abstract

Despite ovarian superstimulation (superovulation) advantages in cattle over the last 40 years, fewer ova or embryos are recovered after uterine lavage than the number of corpora lutea (CL) on the ovaries. Uterine contraction agents given before collection may address this issue. We evaluated the effects of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) treatment prior to embryo collection using a novel approach which allowed embryo donors to serve as their own control. After follicular wave synchronization and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment, embryos were collected from a uterine horn (control) and cows were given intramuscular PGF2α (25 mg in Experiments 1 and 3, 6.25 mg in Experiment 2) prior to collection from the second uterine horn. Ova and embryos were collected 5 minutes after PGF2α in Experiments 1 and 2, and after 1 hour in Experiment 3. Although the number of CL were similar, ova recovery rates were higher (p < 0.05) from the uterine horn collected after treatment.

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Published
2026-05-07
How to Cite
Looman , J., Ochoa , L., Hickerson , S., & Gibbons , J. (2026). Prostaglandin pretreatment enhances ova recovery in cattle. Clinical Theriogenology, 18. https://doi.org/10.58292/CT.v18.13851
Issue
Vol. 18 (2026): Issue in progress
Section
Research Reports
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