4 Tips to Include Bovine In Vitro Fertilization into Breeding Season

Well-worn variations of the saying, ‘busier than a…’, realistically capture how cow/calf producers feel during day-to-day management of their female herd. Consideration of how and whether or not bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) will fit and bring success to their cattle breeding plans is often dismissed as impossible for numerous reasons. 

Operations strive for accelerated genetic progress, but advancement is often hampered by rigid timelines of conventional embryo flushing or limitations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) deliveries.

Bruno Sanches, Vytelle’s VP of Operations, believes plans no longer need to follow this outdated pattern.

“At Vytelle, our process is very attractive and accessible for all operations,” he says. “With our hormone free bovine in vitro fertilization program, any customer can access our cutting-edge technology simply by bringing their selected female donor to one of our satellite locations. She doesn’t need any preparation or labor associated pre-oocyte collection. It’s the most accessible, reliable and predictable way of using IVF.”

Producers can research the best fit for their donor needs and access hormone-free IVF services at several locations scattered throughout the country. Without a hormone treatment protocol, oocyte collections can be performed from the same donor on a weekly basis allowing those with limited numbers time to build a well-stocked frozen embryo bank before breeding season.

The speed of genetic progress by quickly multiplying offspring from elite performing animals and shortening generation intervals through reproductive efficiency can be improved exponentially using four basic IVF tips.

Ensure Nutrition Management of Donors and Recipients

First, for producers to ensure the highest success rates to accelerate their herd, Sanches explains nutrition and management are key as they directly impact the oocyte quality and collection capabilities of donors and effectively support embryo transfers (ET) in recipients.

“If we don’t have a good egg, we can’t make the quality embryos a customer expects,” he said. “Using accurate nutrition practices meeting energy, crude protein, mineral and vitamin requirements is critical for consistent follicular growth and oocyte quality.”

He urges producers to begin stabilizing their donor’s nutrition levels early, at least 60 to 90 days prior to breeding season as correcting deficiencies and building oocyte quality and embryo development takes time.

Likewise, recipients must also be suitably maintained to create a successful embryo transfer.

He suggests working with a nutritionist to assess condition and develop proper rations supportive of lactation requirements and post-calving needs, preferably at least 30 days prior to ET for strong synchronization responses and pregnancy success.

“They need to be in good shape to receive an embryo and carry through a productive pregnancy. At times, people mistakenly assume recipients aren’t as important and cut corners with nutrition. Then, we transfer an expensive embryo into them, and they lose money.”

Optimize Collection Time Based off Breeding

Many producers believe IVF is limiting and difficult to keep on the right track, but Sanches explains hormone-free IVF expands rather than limits options.

Donor choice is extensive, ranging from prepubertal, as young as 6 months of age, to 15 days post-calving, plus pregnant females within the first 100 days of gestation. Additionally, without the need for FSH injections, producers can select donors and allow them to remain in their natural environment until the day of collection.

Sanches adds with such a wide range of availability, producers can focus on collecting from their elite donors, while ensuring their reproduction goals, by storing frozen embryos pre-breeding-season to meet their expanded needs. During breeding season, the producer can continue to collect from their donors and transfer fresh embryos into recipients and supplement with frozen embryos from their tank.  

“If we wait to collect embryos, transfers will be spread across an entire cattle breeding season. Many breeders prefer to start with all embryos transferred in the first few weeks. Then, recipients are released for natural service. I strongly suggest developing an embryo bank before breeding season so there’s plenty to come out of the gate in good shape.”

For those wanting to breed their donors, he recommends harvesting oocytes during the last collection, but leaving the most dominant follicles in the ovaries.

“We know this egg will be ovulated, and she will breed successfully after a last collection. It’s a natural process.”

As producers realize they don’t need to utilize IVF only on their problem or ‘nonresponding’ cows; today, it’s become the first choice for their best animals. They can replicate the right genetics faster with hormone-free IVF rather than conventional flushing.

Capitalize on Post Breeding Opportunities

Sanches outlines oocyte collection doesn’t need to end once a donor becomes pregnant.

“It’s an exciting aspect that we may begin using IVF again approximately 15 days after calving, 40 days post breeding and after a pregnancy confirmation,” he said. “Herd genetics are accelerated while keeping donors on track naturally, right up to 100 days of pregnancy. After confirmation, we can collect up to four more times before the fetus and the uterus drop out of reach.”

He believes keeping donors on a regular schedule is important but admits everything is flexible and heavily dependent on a customer’s needs and numbers. He recommends collection every other week but the logistics of both donors and recipients need to be evaluated.

“Planning ahead before cattle breeding season and having the donors on a schedule matching all the involved logistics is critical,” he stressed. “Know which satellite location will be used, where the embryos will be made and where the recipients are located. Donors and recipients might be in different states. We work with clients to understand their needs, explain our platform and help them be successful.”

Pregnancy Checking and Live Calf Data

Once plans are in motion and oocytes have been collected, the fertilization process will take place in a laboratory. After eight days, viable embryos will be available for producers, fresh or frozen, depending on the producer’s request.

Producers can synchronize their receiving females to maximize the transfers possible in one day. Transfer services are commonly utilized; typically, IVF companies can provide or recommend a trusted partner.

Most US beef operations complete embryo placements early in the breeding season and follow up with natural service bulls. Sanches stresses it’s vital they work with their veterinarian to complete a pregnancy check.

“If we don’t confirm a pregnancy from an embryo or a bull, we can’t track the due date,” he said. “The timing difference and due date will be around 15 to 25 days. If it’s not tracked, we may have calves overdue which can become a problem during the calving season. Ideally, we like to check at 45 and again at 90 days, but I encourage at least one check for reliable data to be gathered.”

To optimize results with IVF embryos and help ensure the success of resulting calves, accurate record keeping should include pregnancy confirmation, gestation length, calf sex, birth weight and subsequent health status information.

“It’s a powerful technology but many people still have the misconception bovine in vitro fertilization is very expensive making it out of reach to progress their entire herds’ genetics,” Sanches said. “Some believe it’s time consuming, labor intensive and requires extensive preparation protocols. It’s really a natural process with zero donor preparation. Plus, lastly, our customers love that they only pay for viable embryos. It changes the game for how breeders can use the technology.”