Embryo transfer (ET) is an advanced reproductive technology recognized worldwide as the fastest and 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 and can also shorten the generation interval for faster genetic progress when flushing a heifer with great genetic potential. Embryo Plus provides the breeder the opportunity to increase valuable genetic lines through ET.
Customers have the option of having the process done by Embryo Plus veterinarians on farm or at our facilities in Brits, NW.
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 a very important determining factor of success with the ET process and it is important to keep the animal in a comfortable, stress free environment to increase the chances of success with the ET process.
The donor animal is then inseminated with semen from the bull of your choice. One bull can be used or semen from multiple bulls can also be used to impregnate the cow.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 which is also an advantage when very expensive semen from top bulls are used.
The fertilized ova will develop into embryos which will be flushed from the donor animal 7 days after insemination. The flushing process is non-surgical after which the embryos are examined under a microscope and are then either transferred to recipient animals or frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen for later transfer into recipient animals. Recipient animals also form an integral part of the success of an ET program and have to managed carefully to ensure as many pregnancies as possible result from the ET process.