Consequences of Gonadotropin Administration on Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development in the Domestic Cat and the In Vitro Fertilization of Feline Follicular Oocytes
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to: 1) investigate effects of an exogenous gonadotropin on embryo recovery, quality and developmental potential in the domestic cat and 2) study factors associated with in vitro fertilization of gonadotropin-stimulated domestic and leopard cat follicular oocytes and ejaculated, homologous spermatozoa. In Study 1, females treated with follicle stimulating hormone (2.0 mg FSH-P for 5 days, IE group) and mated produced more corpora lutea and unovulated, cystic-appearing follicles than mated, natural estrus (NE) animals (P<0.05). IE cats also produced more (P<0.01) poor quality embryos (51.6%) and unfertilized ova (24.4%) than the NE group (21.6% and 2.4%, respectively). Additionally, IE females demonstrated lower circulating estradiol-17beta levels and a premature rise in serum progesterone. Transfer of NE and IE embryos to FSH-P treated recipients resulted in three pregnancies and two litters of kittens. In Study 2, females were treated with pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG, 150 IU) followed 72 or 80 hours later with 100 or 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). After laparoscopic collection, follicular oocytes were inseminated with ejaculated, processed spermatozoa, cultured in vitro (37 C, 5% C02) and examined for evidence of fertilization. Selected two- to four-cell stage embryos were transferred to the oviducts of four original oocyte donors. Naturally mated and oocyte donor cats were subjected to laparoscopy and blood sampling to assess corpora lutea function. After 22 to 30 hours of culture, more degenerate oocytes were observed in the 200 (20.6%) than the 100 IU hCG group (8.2% ), regardless of the PMSG-hCG interval. Fertilization ( 48.1%) and cleavage (35.8%) rates were greatest following an 80 hour PMSG-hCG interval combined with 100 IU hCG. Three of four queens receiving embryos became pregnant and produced litters of four, one and three kittens, respectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA634963
Entities
People
- Karen L. Goodrowe
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences