Comparison of embryo recovery, embryo quality, oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone profiles in domestic cats (Felis catus) at natural or induced oestrus.
Domestic cats experiencing a natural or FSH-induced oestrus were studied. Mated cats produced fewer (P less than 0.01) unfertilized oocytes and more (P less than 0.01) morulato blastocyst-stage embryos of better quality after a natural oestrus than after FSH treatment. Serum oestradiol-17 beta concentrations were lower (P less than 0.05) and progesterone levels rose earlier (P less than 0.05) in the induced oestrus compared to the natural oestrus group. Morula/blastocyst-stage embryos from both groups transferred to 15FSH/hCG-treated recipients produced 3 pregnancies and 2 live-born litters (1 from a natural oestrus donor and 1 from an FSH-treated donor). These results indicate that fertilization rates and embryo quality in domestic cats appear to be compromised by the FSH treatment, probably because of altered oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations.
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone