Abstract

VIANA, J.H.M. et al. Effect of ovarian pre-stimulation on the ultrasound-guided follicular puncture. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 2003, vol.55, n.1, pp. 68-74. ISSN 0102-0935.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352003000100010.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovarian pre-stimulation with FSH and active immunization against swine inhibin on the number and quality of oocytes recovered by follicular puncture. Pluriparous, non-lactating Gir cows (n=14) were distributed as: TI - pre-treatment with 250 IU of FSH (n=4), TII - active immunization against swine inhibin (n=4) and TIII - not treated (n=6; control group). All animals had their ovarian follicles above three millimeters in diameter aspirated once a week during 10 consecutive weeks. The TI presented an increase in total follicular population (P<0.05) and in the number of punctured follicles (P<0.001), but reduced recovery rate when compared to treatments II and III (68.8% vs. 78.4% and 76.3%, respectively; P<0.01). The TII did not affect the main ovarian characteristics, except for an increase in the number of medium follicles (P<0.01). Treatment I yielded a higher percentage of viable oocytes (77.2% vs. 69.8%; P<0.05) and oocytes Grade I (19.8% vs. 11.6%; P<0.001) than TIII. Both treatments I and II resulted in reduction of the percentage of degenerated oocytes (16.4% and 16.8% vs. 22.3%; P<0.05). Ovarian pre-stimulation with FSH was the most consistent treatment for increasing quality of oocytes recovered from Zebu cattle.

Keywords : cow; Gir breed; follicular aspiration; inhibin; superovulation.