Animal Husbandry and Feed Science ›› 2022, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 61-68.doi: 10.12160/j.issn.1672-5190.2022.02.011

• Animal Nutrition and Feed Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Continual and Repeated Superovulation and Embryo Collection on Rapid Propagation of Mutton Sheep of Imported Breeds

YUE Yong-li1, BAO Hua-la2, Moderiletu2, LI Xue-ling1, WANG Jian-guo1   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock/Inner Mongolia University,Hohhot 010070,China;
    2. Inner Mongolia Leke Biotechnology Co.,Ltd.,Hohhot 010020,China
  • Received:2021-12-17 Online:2022-03-30 Published:2022-03-30

Abstract: [Objective] To assess the applicability of an integrated mode of breeding technologies in mutton sheep of imported breeds, such as continual and repeated superovulation, embryo flushing, and embryo transplantation. [Method] From the year of 2016 to 2018, a total of 1 575 imported mutton ewes belonging to five breeds, including Australian White (n = 230), White Dorper (n=228), Dorper (n=541), White Suffolk (n=200) and Suffolk (n=376), were treated by continual estrus synchronization (progesterone sponge) and superovulation (330-450 IU FSH + 200-300 IU PMSG + 0.1 mg PG) with an interval of more than 30 days. Intraperitoneal endoscopic insemination was performed to flush out embryos from uterine horn of the ewes. The obtained embryos were counted, evaluated in terms of quality, and then partially transplanted into the synchronized receptors. The impacts of breed, season, and number of repeated superovulation times on embryo productivity were compared and analyzed. [Result] A total of 18 496 embryos were obtained, with 14 971 transferable ones. Gestation rate after embryo transplantation was 69.8% and the lambing rate was 93.2%. According to the mean numbers of recovered total embryos and transferable embryos per ewe, the embryo productivity of White Suffolk, Suffolk and Dorper was superior to Australian White, and White Dorper had the worst performance. After continual and repeated superovulation as well as embryo collection, the mean numbers of recovered total embryos and transferable embryos per ewe of different breeds continued to increase until the 4th or 5th treatment. The outcome of superovulation and embryo collection of Australian White was better in spring, while the other breeds were better in winter. [Conclusion] Continual and repeated superovulation as well as embryo collection are feasible breeding technologies for propagation of the mutton sheep of imported breeds. They should be used in a scientific and timely manner, taking into account the various breeds and their seasonal reproductive features.

Key words: continual and repeated superovulation, breeding technologies integration, industrialized application, embryo transplantation

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