Embryo Transfer

Introduction

The first successful Embryo Transfer took place in England in the 1890's by a fellow named Walter Heap, his subjects were rabbits. Although that was a success, Embryo Transfer has not been applied commercially until the arrival of the hormone FSH, which stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone, which occurred in the 1950's. At first the only technique was surgical to both flush and implant the embryos. While these methods were successful they were very expensive, required a large setup, and a lot of experience.

What is Embryo Transfer?

Embryo Transfer is basically, multiple injections of hormone to stimulate and multiply the ovulations in the cow that you want to get the embryos from.

• The donor cow is inseminated at normal time but 12 hours apart and 3-4 times
• Seven (7) days later the rinsing out of the uterus to extract the embryos and ova (unfertilised, fertilised or degenerate)
• Isolation of the good embryos using a microscope and then transfer into the recipient cows or frozen.

Benefits of Embryo Transfer for farmers

Basically it multiplies the offspring of the farmer's best animals. Farmers can use their best bulls over their best cow or heifer and get a good calf whereas now the farmer can run an embryo program and possibly get a life times' production with one flush.

• Keep semen below frost line in the neck of the tank while removing semen.
• Remove the straw of semen quickly and plunge it the 95 F water bath for 30 s
• After 30 seconds, remove the thawed semen and dry the straw completely.
• Cut ~ inch of the crimped end of the straw with clean scissors or Cito cutter.
• Insert the cut end of the straw into the sheath insert.
• Lock the straw and sheath in place using an O-ring or Spiral type syringe.

Embryo Transfer offers farmers the chance to :

• Produce up to ten or more progeny per year from their best cows.
• Profit from the increased sale of quality genetics without losing the bloodlines.
• Extend the productive life of some older cows, incapable of carrying another calf by producing further progeny through the use of embryo transfer.
• Conserve the genetics in their herd through the uses of, embryo freezing for, export, domestic sale or future transfers on their own farm.
• Introduce top genetics into the farmers herd, rapidly and economically from Australian and overseas. The top cattle in any herd are rarely available for purchase, however the owners are often willing to sell embryos. The importation of new blood stock can be achieved safely and economically through the purchase of embryos from anywhere in the world, once the quarantine regulations have been fulfilled.