MOET Efficiency in a Spanish Herd of Japanese Black Heifers and Analysis of Environmental and Metabolic Determinants
Juan M. Vázquez-Mosquera,
Aitor Fernández-Novo,
Martin Bonet-Bo,
Natividad Pérez-Villalobos,
Jose L. Pesántez-Pacheco,
Maria Luz Pérez-Solana,
Eduardo de Mercado,
Juan Carlos Gardón,
Arantxa Villagrá,
Francisco Sebastián,
Sonia Salomé Pérez-Garnelo,
Daniel Martínez,
Susana Astiz
Affiliations
Juan M. Vázquez-Mosquera
Medicine and Surgery Department, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Aitor Fernández-Novo
Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
Martin Bonet-Bo
Embriovet SL, Polígono Industrial de Piadela II-8, A Coruña, 15300 Betanzos, Spain
Natividad Pérez-Villalobos
Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
Jose L. Pesántez-Pacheco
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, University of Cuenca, Av. Doce de Octubre, Cuenca 010220, Ecuador
Maria Luz Pérez-Solana
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA-CSIC), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Eduardo de Mercado
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA-CSIC), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Juan Carlos Gardón
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary and Experimental Sciences School, Catholic University of Valencia-San Vicente Mártir, Guillem de Castro, 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Arantxa Villagrá
Institut Valencià d’Investigacions Agràries (IVIA), CV-315, Km, 10700 Valencia, Spain
Francisco Sebastián
Cowvet SL, Avda. País Valenciano 6, Betera, 46117 Valencia, Spain
Sonia Salomé Pérez-Garnelo
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA-CSIC), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Daniel Martínez
Embriovet SL, Polígono Industrial de Piadela II-8, A Coruña, 15300 Betanzos, Spain
Susana Astiz
Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA-CSIC), Puerta de Hierro Avenue s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) systems have been intensively implemented in Japanese Black cattle in Japan and to create Japanese Black herds out of these areas. Environmental conditions influence MOET efficiency. Thus, we describe results of 137 in vivo, non-surgical embryo flushings performed between 2016–2020, in a full-blood Japanese Black herd kept in Spain and the possible effects of heat, year, bull, donor genetic value, and metabolic condition. Additionally, 687 embryo transfers were studied for conception rate (CR) and recipient related factors. A total of 71.3% of viable embryos (724/1015) were obtained (5.3 ± 4.34/flushing). Donor metabolites did not affect embryo production (p > 0.1), although metabolite differences were observed over the years, and by flushing order, probably related to the donor age. CR was not affected by embryo type (fresh vs. frozen), recipient breed, and whether suckling or not suckling (p > 0.1). CR decreased significantly with heat (44.3 vs. 49.2%; (p = 0.042)) and numerically increased with recipient parity and ET-number. Pregnant recipients showed significantly higher levels of cholesterol-related metabolites, glucose, and urea (p < 0.05). Therefore, adequate MOET efficiency can be achieved under these conditions, and heat stress should be strongly avoided during Japanese Black embryo transfers. Moreover, recipients’ metabolites are important to achieve pregnancy, being probably related to better nutrient availability during pregnancy.
