Question

Difference between surgical and non surgical embryo transfer

Answer 1

Embryos collected surgically from donors superovulated with PMSG and synchronized with either prostaglandin F2α or progestagen impregnated sponges were transferred non-surgically to prostaglandin or progestagensynchronized recipients. One embryo was transferred to the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum either through a flexible catheter introduced through a steel tube and passed to the uterine tip, or through a Cassou inseminating gun passed approximately 6 cm into the horn. Of 16 recipients receiving 5 or 6 day old embryos through the catheter (1976), 6(38%) were palpated pregnant at 42 days and 4(25%) subsequently calved. Of 16 recipients receiving 7 or 8 day old embryos through the straw and 16 through the catheter (1977), 10 (63%) and 3 (19%), respectively, were palpatedpregnant (P<0.05) and 8 (50%) and 3 (19%), respectively, had normal embryos at slaughter 4 to 29 days after palpation (P⋍0.10). Forty 7 to 9 day old embryos were transferred throughthe straw in 1978. Eighteen (45%) of the recipients were palpated pregnant and 16 (40%) had normal embryos at slaughter 98 to 168 days after palpation. The success of the transfers in 1978 was affected by embryo quality [goodvspoor embryos; 64%vs22% recipients pregnant (P<0.01) and 59%vs17% embryos surviving to slaughter (P<0.05)]. Also, in 1978, pregnancy rate was affected by the time taken to transfer the embryo with the highest rate achieved with the fastest transfers (P<0.10, b = −0.47). Injection of Indomethacin near the time of transfer, synchronization between donor and recipient onset of estrus and embryo age did not affect pregnancy rates.The pregnancy rate achieved after the transfer of good quality embryos by the straw technique was equal to that expected from surgical techniques.