Embryo Transfer
Embryo Transfer refers to a series of procedures to multiply the genetics of superior females. Donor females are stimulated to produce multiple ovulations, bred to a bull of the client’s choice, and the embryos are “flushed” from the uterus 7 days after breeding. These embryos can be directly transferred to recipient females or frozen for later use. This can result in multiple calves from one donor female each year. This allows you to find the truly genetically superior offspring or rapidly expand certain bloodlines within your herd.
The ARC offers a complete In Vivo Embryo Collection and Transfer Program (conventional flushing). Donors can be housed at ARC’s facility with the entire process carried out by experienced ARC veterinarians and technicians. This program offers our customer all the benefits of conventional flushing without the stresses of setting up the donor, timely hormone administration, heat detection and artificial insemination.
Embryo transfer (ET) is an advanced reproductive technology recognized worldwide as the most economical method of genetic multiplication to increase the impact of outstanding animals in your herd.
ET helps the breeder produce more offspring from cows that have proven themselves as good breeding animals. This can shorten the generation interval for faster genetic progress when flushing a heifer with great genetic potential.
Customers can take advantage of the ARC’s Recipient Program where we set up recipients for the fresh embryos. This program is flexible and can be tailored to the specific needs of the customer.
The conventional ET process has 3 basic steps:
- Superovulation
- Insemination
- Flushing and Transfer
Superovulation
Superovulation of the donor animal is done by specific hormone treatment to cause multiple follicles to ovulate. The manner in which the cow is treated during this time is very important. The animal must be kept in a comfortable and stress-free environment to increase the chances of success with the ET process.
Insemination
The ET process allows the breeder to have a greater impact not only from a specific cow but also from one bull by producing multiple pregnancies. This is an advantage when very expensive semen from top bulls are used. Alternatively, semen from multiple bulls can also be used to impregnate the cow and whether the semen is sexed or conventional is the farmer’s choice.
Flushing and Transfer
The fertilized ova will develop into embryos which will be flushed from the donor animal seven days after insemination. The flushing process is non-surgical. The embryos can then be implanted immediately in the client’s recipient animals or our recipient herd, frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen for a later transfer, or to be sold or exported by our clients. The flushing process can be repeated as often as once a month.
