title: Relationship of vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle to in vitro fertilisation and embryo development in heifers.
abstract: The effect of the extent of vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle on in vitro cleavage rate of the recovered oocyte and embryo development to >8 cells was studied in 52 heifers. Heifers received a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) when the largest follicle was > or =11 mm. An ovulation-inducing injection of GnRH was given 36 h later (hour 0), and collection of follicular fluid and the oocyte was done at hour 26. Vascular perfusion of the follicular wall was assessed by colour Doppler ultrasonography at hours 0 and 26. Each of the recovered oocytes (41/52; 79%) was mature (extruded polar body). Cleavage and embryo development were assessed at 48 h and 120 h respectively, after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The percentage of cleaved oocytes and >8 cell embryos was 80% (31/39) and 55% (17/31) respectively. Vascular perfusion of the follicular wall was greater (lower pulsatility index; P<0.001) for follicles that produced cleaved versus non-cleaved oocytes and greater (P<0.04) for follicles that produced >8 cell versus < or =8 cell embryos. Percentage of follicular wall with Doppler signals of blood flow was greater (P<0.001) for >8 cell versus < or =8 cell embryos. Follicular-fluid concentration of free IGF1 was lower for cleaved oocytes (P<0.001) and >8 cell embryos (P<0.05), and oestradiol was lower (P<0.05) for >8 cell embryos. Results supported the hypothesis that greater vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle was positively associated with IVF and embryo development.
authors.affiliation: Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA.
authors.forename: M A R
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gastal
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Gastal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Almamun
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beg
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ginther
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D047108:Embryonic Development; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone