A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON OOCYTE COLLECTION USING TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND IN SWAMP BUFFALO HEIFERS (BUBALAS BUBALIS)

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the possibility of collecting oocytes using transvaginal ultrasound-guidance, in swamp buffalo heifers, after gonadotropin stimulation. Five swamp buffalo heifers were given a single dose of 3,000 IU of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) intramuscularly in order to stimulate the ovaries. Examination of the ovarian responses were carried out 48h after stimulation, the follicles were subsequently punctured and the oocytes examine under a stereomicroscope. The results of the ovarian response were 6.6 ± 1.1 follicles per animal with an average diameter of 7.1 ± 4.1 mm. The mean number of oocytes collected per animal was 4.1 ± 2.0 which gave a recovery rate of 63%. The oocytes were classified as cumulus oocyte complexes (COC), 17.2% (5/29); single and partial cumulus oocytes (S+P),10.3% (3/29); denuded cumulus oocytes, 48.3% (14/29); expanded cumulus oocytes (EXP), 3.5% (1/29) and zona pellucida, 20.7%(6/29),respectively. This study shows it is possible to collection the oocytes in swamp buffalo heifers by using a transvaginal, ultrasound-guided, follicle aspiration
technique.