Moor farm Project update - July 2024

Six  elite donor heifers and four cows were prepared and selected to undergo superovulation with the injection of Folltropin, a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The oocyte collection was carried out on the farm on 22 May 2024. The oocytes were retrieved through “follicular aspiration”- a non surgical procedure that took 15 minutes per animal, Figure 1. 

Figure 1. Transvaginal oocyte recovery procedure

The total number of 114 oocytes was gathered, one of the donors Ryden Miriam 2317 from one of the most fertile cow’s family at Moor Farm produced 38 oocytes.

Conversion rate from oocytes processed to embryos frozen was 30.2%, which is expected to see if using conventional semen. But for sexed semen it was expected to be around 25% so the project had performed above average.

Following the visit the fresh oocytes were transported to a laboratory and fertilised with high ranking SCI bull semen for 7 days in a petri dish. Bulls used were high genomic EBI selected using AHDB SCI index ranking tool based on milk protein %, fertility %, SCC % and maintenance traits. Thirty viable embryos were frozen in liquid nitrogen solution, 13 came from Ryden Miriam 2317 and were stored in the laboratory until ready for implanting.

As one embryo had burst a total of 29 sexed IVF embryos were implanted on the 19th of June in 26 heifers that were selected which were healthy, well grown and of good body condition score were checked and scanned beforehand by the vet involved and programmed for synchronisation using the 10 day PRID and Estrumate protocol. 

Donor heifers are being observed and inseminated when on heat alongside cohort group with no special treatment

By the end of August we will scan the heifers to determine the success of the project. Normal conception rates of IVF embryos is expected to range from 40-50%.