EFFECT OF FSH PRE-STIMULATION ON OOCYTE RECOVERY IN ONGOLE (<i>Bos indicus</i>) COWS

The present study was aimed to assess the efficacy of oocyte retrieval through transvaginal ovum pick-up (OPU) in Ongole (Bos indicus) cows. Cows (n=18) were divided in to two equal groups; cows in group 1 cows were subjected to two OPU sessions (OPU1 and OPU2) at 96 h interval irrespective of the stage of estrus cycle. Cows of group 2 were subjected to FSH pre-stimulation before OPU 1 followed by OPU 2, 96h later. Thus, a total of 36 OPU sessions were performed on 18 animals. The number of follicles available for aspiration (17.89 ± 1.78 vs 27.06 ± 1.75), number of medium (4 – < 8 mm; 4.11 ± 0.69 vs 16.00 ± 1.76) and large follicles (≥ 8mm; 1.06 ± 0.23 vs 6.33 ± 0.79), follicles aspirated (11.95 ± 1.42 vs 17.45 ± 2.07), COCs recovered (5.72 ± 0.78 vs 10.06 ± 1.78), and viable COCs collected (4.23 ± 0.67vs 8.34 ± 1.79) were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1.The mean number of follicles aspirated, the mean oocyte recovery and the viable oocytes collected were significantly higher at OPU 1 in both the groups than at OPU 2. It was concluded that pre-treatment with FSH increased the OPU efficiency in terms of oocyte yield and viable oocytes collected. OPU 2 performed at shorter interval after OPU 1 is not advantageous due to limited number of follicles available for aspiration at OPU 2 and consequently, reduced oocyte recovery.