Ovum Pick-Up
and
in vitro Fertilization
André Dayan
- VITROGEN -
Research and Development in Reproductive Biotechnology
Evolution of Biotechnologies used in cattle production
AI
SOV + ET 
OPU + IVF- Bracket et al. (1982): first IVF calf
- Pieterse et al. (1988): first OPU-FIV calf
Ovarian Physiology
At birth: 300.000 - 500.000 oocytes
Cycle - 21 days 17,4 ovulations/year
15 years (17,4 x 15) 261 ovulations/life
“-”years of pregnancies 0,01 % of genetic potential
Introduction:
Gametogenesis:
Primordial
Secondáry
Pré-Antral
Antral
FSH
ESTROGEN
Graaf
LH
Follicle Development:
Anatomy:
Ultrasound-Guided Ovum Pick Up  
Procedure
Donor Preparation
Equipment
Introducing the probe
Vaginal Probe
Needle
Ultrasound
Pump
Collection Tube
OPU System
Pieterse e col. 1988
Field Lab
Filtering the collection
Search and Evaluation of oocytes
Packaging to Transport
in vitro Maturation
in vitro Fertilization
Fertilization:
in vitro Culture
OPU/IVF Growth in Brazil
• Research
• Slaughterhouse Ovaries
• Problem Donors 
• High Value Donors (production)
• Pregnant Donors
• Heifers/Calf Donors
Advantages:
Higher embryo production
• AI              
1 pregnancy/year     
7 pregnancies/7 years (MAX)
• SOV-TE
15 pregnancies/year  100 pregnancies/7 years (MAX)
• OPU/IVFV  
2 pregnancies/week 728 pregnancies /7 years (AVG)
Shorter intergeneration interval
-Pregnancies of a 5 months old heifer
Best Use of Donors
- From 5 months to 21 years old donor
Best Use of Semen
-One straw is enough to fertilize up to 300 oocytes (100 embryos)
Advantages:
Problem Donors
- only non-genetic/non-congenital (Cists, Endometritis, Adhesions, ObstructionsOther 
acquired problems
Don’t use hormones !
Punctures can be performed every week
Pregnant Donors
Up to 120 days, doesn’t interfere on the pregnancy
Dead Donors
Up to 8 hours transport
Disadvantages:
Costs
- 150% cost of conventional ET
Non-freeze-ability
Quick Spread of desired traits
Quick Genetic improvement 
Quick Spread of undesired traits
Responsability:
Factors affecting OPU/IVF embryo 
production
Factors affecting  production
Animal to Animal Differences - Donor
16
6
7
17
14
7
10
20
15
27
10
16
10
16
4
15
12
9
30
Comédia (2)
Elephanta (1)
Gabela (2)
Julan (1)
Katipy (4)
Laguna (5)
Madras (1)
Nona (1)
Seleta (1)
Vatany (1)
Oócitos/Sessão
Factors affecting  production
% blastocisto/touro
36%
40%
35%
33%
58%
49%
Camboatá
Fajardo
Himalaia
Nambuaçu
Pradeshi
Vasuveda
% Blastocisto
5/14
6/15
28/81
13/39
11/19
17/35
Camboatá
Fajardo
Himalaia
Nambuaçu
Pradeshi
Vasuveda
Animal to Animal Differences - Sire
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Total
Viáveis
Embriões
Nel
Blond
Brah
Lim
Guz
ab
bc
bcd
bc
a
ab
abc
bcd
bcd
a
ab
a
cd
bc
b
Factors affecting  production
Differences between Breeds
IVF Reality in Brazil:
Years
4
Lab Facilities
4
Donor Centers
5
People at the Team 50
Clients
312
OPU SESSIONS
10,500
DONORS
1,100
OOCYTES
150,000
(x=14,29)
VIABLE OOCYTES 112,000
(x=10,68)
EMBRYOS 
40,880
(36,50%)
PREGNANCIES 
+20,000
(39,00 %)
FAQs:
Does the OPU damage the donor ?
Are the offspring normal ?
For how long can I puncture a cow ?
How are the sex rates ?
How long can the transport of the oocytes/embryos take ?
How much does it cost ?
How does the Senepol fit in all these data ?
The End