EFFECT OF REPRODUCTIVE AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ON THE PRODUCTION OF EMBRYOS OF SUPEROVULATED BOER DOES

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the reproductive (multiparous or nulliparous) and climatic (dry or rainy period) conditions on the number and quality of embryos collected from Boer does. Fifty does, being 33 multiparous and 17 nulliparous, were synchronized for oestrus with CIDR® devices for a period of 11 days and superovulated with 250UI of FSH-p. The animals were observed for oestrous behaviour at 12 h intervals, after CIDR® withdrawal. Does were mated and six days later flushed transcervically to recover the embryos. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the average number of structures and viable embryos recovered from the multiparous and nulliparous females. The average number of structures and viable embryos recovered from multiparous does had no significant difference (P>0.05) between dry and rainy periods. The average number of structures and viable embryos classified as G1 recovered from nulliparous was lower (P<0.05) in the dry period than in the rainy period. It could be concluded that the climatic condition did not affect the embryonic production of multiparous females, however the nulliparous were more sensitive to the dry period, presenting reduction in the number and quality of the collected embryos.

KEYWORDS: Does, embryo, thermal stress.