Embryo transfer as an option to improve fertility in repeat breeder dairy cows

Abstract

Repeat breeding is a serious reproductive disorder in dairy cattle. The causes of repeat breeding are multifactorial and there are two main mechanisms: Failure of fertilisation or early embryo death, mainly due to poor quality of oocytes and an inadequate uterine environment. Many methods have been used to increase the pregnancy rate for repeat breeder cows, such as intrauterine infusion of antibacterial agents or antibiotics, hormonal treatments for oestrus synchronisation and induction of ovulation, and progesterone supplementation or induction of accessory corpus luteum; however, the results were inconsistent between studies. Embryo transfer (ET) has the capability to minimalise the effects of poor oocyte quality and unfavourable uterine environments on early embryo development during the first seven days after ovulation in repeat breeder cows, and several studies showed that ET significantly improved the pregnancy rate in this group of animals. Thus, ET can be considered an option to increase the conception rate in repeat breeder dairy cows.