Immunization against inhibin enhances both embryo quantity and quality in Holstein heifers after superovulation and insemination with sex-sorted semen

Theriogenology. 2009 Apr 1;71(6):1011-7. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.11.003. Epub 2009 Jan 14.

Abstract

The objective was to investigate the feasibility of improving embryo yield in superovulated cows following insemination with sex-sorted semen by prior immunization against inhibin. Twenty-eight heifers were allocated into three groups: High (n=10), Low (n=10), and Control (n=8). The High group received one primary (1mg) and two booster (0.5mg) vaccinations (28-d intervals) with a recombinant inhibin alpha-subunit in 1 mL of white oil adjuvant, whereas the Low group received half that dose, and the Control group received only adjuvant. After the last immunization, all heifers underwent a standard superovulation treatment (decreasing doses of pFSH for 4d), followed by two AI with 2 x 10(6) sex-sorted semen after the onset of estrus. Inhibin-immunized heifers had higher (P<0.01) plasma antibody titres, and an earlier onset of estrus (P<0.05) than Control heifers. The total number of embryo/ova, transferable, and grade 1 embryos in the High group (15.4+/-1.9, 5.7+/-0.7, and 3.8+/-1.0, respectively) was significantly greater than that of the Control group (9.1+/-1.2, 3.1+/-0.5, and 0.6+/-0.2), but was intermediate (P>0.05) in the Low group (13.0+/-2.3, 4.4+/-0.7, and 1.2+/-0.3). There were no significant differences among groups in number of unfertilized ova and degenerated embryos. The High group also had higher (P>0.05) plasma progesterone concentrations on the day of embryo collection. In conclusion, immunization against inhibin improved both embryo quantity and quality following superovulation and insemination with sex-sorted semen.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Cattle / embryology*
  • Cell Separation
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Estrus
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / administration & dosage
  • Immunization / veterinary*
  • Immunization, Secondary / veterinary
  • Inhibins / administration & dosage
  • Inhibins / immunology*
  • Insemination, Artificial / methods
  • Insemination, Artificial / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Sex Determination Analysis / veterinary*
  • Spermatozoa
  • Superovulation*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • inhibin-alpha subunit
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • Inhibins
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone