Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Effects of Feeding OmniGen-AF® on Superovulatory Response in Donor Beef Cows

Public Deposited

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/n583z0797

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • One assisted reproductive tool used to propagate highly desirable genetics from elite sire and dam matings is embryo transfer. Superovulation is the first part of the overall protocol and it is a required yet costly and biologically stressful procedure in cattle embryo transfer. The process of superovulation results in high variation in the number of ova recovered, fertilization rates, and embryo quality and these inconsistent results prevent full optimization of the procedure for genetic improvement. Reducing factors that may play a role in the variation encountered during this procedure is key for enhancing genetic improvement. Two factors commonly researched are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) dose and overall animal health. Reducing the amount of FSH used during a superovulation protocol decreases the variability in the number of ova recovered and increases embryo quality. Animal health is also an important factor that can affect the number and quality of embryos recovered. One way to assist with mitigating the negative effects and supporting animal health is through nutritional supplementation. OmniGen-AF® (OG; Phibro Animal Health Corporation, Teaneck, NJ) is a nutritional supplement shown to support immune status and animal health. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing OG and two different doses of FSH on superovulatory response, embryo quality and viability and serum markers for health status. Twenty-four cross-bred beef cows were split into four groups, fed OG at 0 or 56 g/hd/day for 49 days and superovulated with 200 or 400 mg FSH. Blood was collected on Days 0, 10, 14, 21, 28, 38, 40, 42, 43, and 49 for serum and gene expression analysis. Superovulation started on Day 28 of feeding and ova nonsurgically recovered 7 days after estrus and graded for quality based on morphology. Good to excellent embryos were cultured for 8 days to evaluate the extent of in vitro development. Conditioned medium was collected daily to quantify plasminogen activator (PA) production and embryos were measured with an ocular micrometer at the last day of culture to calculate embryonic volume. Cows entered into a second round of OG-feeding and superovulation 90-120 d after the first round (Rounds 1 and 2). In cows superovulated with 400 mg FSH, feeding OG decreased (P < 0.05) percent degenerate embryos recovered. Serum progesterone was higher (P < 0.05) on the day of embryo collection in OG-supplemented cattle. Percent blastocysts hatching in vitro was greater (P < 0.05) by embryos recovered from cows fed 0 g OG and superovulated with 200 mg FSH compared to cows fed 0 g OG and superovulated with 400 mg FSH or fed 56 g OG and superovulated with 200 mg FSH. Embryos recovered from cows superovulated with 400 mg FSH and fed 56 g OG produced more (P < 0.05) PA in vitro compared to all other groups in Round 1. Peak PA production (P < 0.05) for both Rounds was between 72-120 hours of culture. Round exerted an effect on several serum markers where most markers measured were lower (P < 0.05) in Round 1 compared to Round 2. CXCR2 and CD62L expression was lower (P < 0.05) in Round 1 compared to Round 2. In summary, feeding OG during a superovulation protocol may ameliorate the negative effects of 400 mg FSH by decreasing percent degenerate embryos recovered and supporting greater embryo survival.
License
Resource Type
Date Issued
Degree Level
Degree Name
Degree Field
Degree Grantor
Commencement Year
Advisor
Committee Member
Academic Affiliation
Rights Statement
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Embargo reason
  • Intellectual Property (patent, etc.)
Embargo date range
  • 2017-12-22 to 2020-01-23

Relationships

Parents:

This work has no parents.

In Collection:

Items

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details SniderAlexandriaP2018.pdf 2018-01-05 Public Download