Bovine ART
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in cattle.
Thanks to decades of experience and scientific research we offer tailor-made solutions for breeders and breeding centres, using innovative techniques such as the Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
In cattle, the combination of Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) represents the the most advanced for genetic improvement and reproduction optimisation.
This approach allows high-quality embryos to be obtained. Quality from the best donors, without the need for treatments invasive hormonal agents, thus maximising the reproductive potential of the herd.
BOVINE ART
We discover step by step
the process of assisted
reproduction and its advantages
OPU
Ovum Pick-Up Cattle
The OPU is the technique that allows to take immature oocytes directly from the donor’s ovaries, without the need for hormonal treatments.
How is sampling done in cattle?
The donor is placed in confinement labor to ensure safety and stability.
The veterinarian performs a transvaginal ultrasound and uses a fine needle to aspirate the ovarian follicles.
The follicular fluid is immediately transferred to the laboratory, where the oocytes are selected and start maturing in vitro.
IVM
In Vitro Maturation
After collection, the immature oocytes are placed in controlled culture for approximately 24-30 hours, allowing them to complete the maturation necessary for fertilization.
Why is it important?
IVM allows the natural oocyte maturation process to be simulated in the laboratory. Approximately 70% of oocytes successfully complete maturation.
IVF
In Vitro Fertilization
After OPU, the oocytes are matured and then fertilized in the laboratory with the chosen bull's semen.
**Production Data**
1-2 embryos per collection in heifers
3-4 embryos per collection in adult cows
How does bovine fertilization occur?
- The mature oocytes are placed in specific culture media.
- The bull’s semen is prepared and used for in vitro fertilization.
- The fertilized oocytes are kept in incubation for about 7 days, until they reach the optimal embryonic stage.
- The resulting embryos can be transferred to a recipient cow or frozen for future use.
IVC
In Vitro Culture
The fertilized oocytes are placed in controlled culture for about 8 days, during which the embryos develop to the optimal stage for freezing or transfer.
Expected results:
The produced embryos can either be frozen or immediately transferred to a recipient bovine.
Opzional
Embryo Freezing
Embryo Cryopreservation
The embryos can be frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C, ready to be transferred at a later time.
Advantages of Freezing
Allows for embryo transfers to be scheduled without the need to synchronize recipient cows’ cycles.
Facilitates the commercialization of embryos, similarly to frozen semen.
Optimizes herd management by enabling embryo production during less intensive periods and targeted use when needed.
Opzional
Embryo Transfer
Transfer of the Embryo into the Recipient Cow
The developed embryo (fresh or thawed) is transferred into a recipient cow, which will carry the pregnancy to term.
How does it work?
The embryo is loaded into a transfer pipette and gently deposited into the uterus of the recipient cow through a procedure similar to artificial insemination.
After approximately 30 days, an ultrasound confirms the implantation and the beginning of pregnancy.
Advantages of Using a Recipient Mare:
- Maximizes the number of calves from a single donor cow.
- Enhances genetic selection without affecting the productivity of the donor.
- Provides greater flexibility in embryo management and transplant scheduling.
Benefits of OPU-IVF in cattle
- Minimally invasive and repeatable every two weeks
- Usable on donors of any age, also in lactation or in the first months of pregnancy
- Avoid the risks associated with superovulation and hormone treatments
- Possibility to fertilize oocytes with bulls different, optimizing genetic selection
Greater efficiency compared to in vivo production
Flexible scheduling of the OPU procedure and embryo cryopreservation
Possibility of using sexed semen for in vitro fertilization to ensure obtaining only embryos and calves of the desired sex
Additional services
Embryo sexing
Bovine embryos produced by IVF may be subjected to embryonic, allowing breeders to to know the sex of the future calf before the transfer or freezing.
What's it?
Bovine embryos produced by IVF may be subjected to embryonic, allowing breeders to to know the sex of the future calf before the transfer or freezing.
Advantages of sexing
- Greater control over genetic selection.
- Optimization of the production of bulls from meat or dairy cows.
- Reduction of management costs in specialized livestock farming.