J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1982. 54:1005-1011.
© 1982 American Society of Animal Science
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Fertilization Rate and Early Embryonic Loss in Brahman Crossbred Heifers1

M. F. Smith2, K. J. Nix, D. C. Kraemer3 ,4,, M. S. Amoss4, M. A. Herron5 and J. N. Wiltbank6

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Beeville 78102 and College Station 77843

Abstract

The fertilization rate and incidence of embryonic loss in virgin Brahman crossbred heifers between d 3 and 35 postinsemination (d 0 = first day of estrus) were determined. One hundred fifty-five virgin heifers, maintained in a dry lot, received approximately 22 Mcal• head–1 •d–1 and were allotted to one of three groups (d 3, 16 or 35) according to body weight at the time of estrous detection.

Seven empty ruptured zona pellucidae (ERZP) were recovered from five heifers in the d 3 group. It was impossible to determine whether the ERZP originated from fertilized or unfertilized ova and whether they were ovulated at the estrus immediately preceding or during a previous cycle. Consequently, the fertilization rate (d 3) was calculated to be 80 or 93% depending upon whether the ERZP were included or deleted from the calculations, respectively. Because of the large number of ERZP recovered, a second study was conducted with an additional 21 virgin Brahman crossbred heifers from which ova were recovered on d 3 postinsemination. The results of the two studies were similar. The percentage of heifers with an embryo on d 16 was 78 (10% had degenerating embryos and 12% no embryos), and the percentage pregnant at d 35 was 72. The conclusions suggested from this study depend upon the classification of the ERZP. If the ERZP are designated as ova ovulated during a previous cycle or ova damaged in the collection process and are deleted from the calculations, the fertilization rate is high (93%), and embryonic loss apparently occurs between d 3 and 35 (P<.05). However, if the ERZP are classified as ova ovulated at the immediately preceding estrus, unavailable for further embryonic development, and are included in the calculations, the fertilization rate is comparatively low (80%). In the latter case, the primary loss of potential embryos occurs before d 3, and the loss after d 3 is negligible (P>.05).

Footnotes

1 Published with the approval of the Director of the Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Texas A&M Univ. System as Scientific Series Paper No. TA 15995.

2 Present Address: Univ. of Missouri, 160 Anim. Sci. Res. Center, Columbia, 65211.

3 Dept. of Anim Sci.

4 Dept of Vet. Physiol. and Pharmacol.

5 Dept. of Vet. Anat.

6 Present Address: Dept. of Anim. Sci., Brigham Young Univ., 375 WIBD, Provo, UT 48602.






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Copyright © 1982 by the American Society of Animal Science.