Recent advances in the superovulation in cattle

The variability in the superovulatory response continues to be one of the most frustrating problems with embryo transfer in cattle. The removal of LH from pituitary extracts has tended to reduce the variability in response, and several studies involving the use of the purified porcine pituitary extract, Folltropin(R)-V are reviewed. The major source of variability in the superovulatory response in cattle is the status of ovarian follicles at the time of initiation of gonadotrophin treatments. Data support the benefits of initiating gonadotrophin treatments at the time of emergence of a follicular wave. Incorporation of techniques designed to control follicular wave dynamics, such as follicular ablation, or treatment with estradiol/progesterone, have reduced the variability caused by treating cows at different stages of follicular development, and at the same time improved response by taking advantage of endogenous recruitment and selection mechanisms. New protocols offer the convenience of being able to initiate gonadotrophin treatments quickly and at a self-appointed time, without the necessity of estrus detection and without sacrificing response. Methods can be used for repeated superstimulation of donor animals at 25 to 30 day intervals, without regard to estrus detection or stage of the estrous cycle, and without compromising embryo production.