Embryo transfer in swamp buffalo.

Embryo transfer in swamp buffaloes was carried out on 2 trials using 7 buffalo cows. The first trial, 2 and 5 cows were used as donor and recipient respectively. Oestrus was synchronized by using Synchromate B (SMB) implanted at the outer surface of the ear and left for 9 days. Superovulation of the 2 donors was induced by using decreased doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with a total dose of 32 mg./animal and were given twice daily, in the morning and evening for 4 consecutive days started at 1 day prior to SMB retraction. Double dose of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2a) was also given to each of the 2 donors just 1 day prior to the last FSH treatment. Mating was carried out on oberved estrus and they were on day 2 and 3 after PGF2a treatment. Whereas for the recipients, they received normal dose of PGF2a on the day of SMB retraction. Collection of embryo from the 2 donors was made on day 6 and 7 after mating. Two corpus lutea on the left ovary of both donors were identified but embryo could not be found. The second trial followed the first one immediately, four out of the five recipients were used and they were expected to be on day 8 of cycle, one cow was excluded from the trial due to purulent vaginal discharge was noticed. Two cows served as donor and the other two served as recipients. Two donors received a unique dose of FSH 5 mg in the morning and evening for 5 consecutive days with a total of 50 mg per animal and started the treatment on day 8. On the last day of FSH treatment double doses of PGF2a were given to both donors. Whereas for the recipients, they were given normal dose of PGF2 1 day prior to the PGF2a treatment of the donors. Mating was made on observed oestrus and it was on day 3,4 and 5 after the PGF2a treatment. Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) was also given on the first mating. Recovery of two embryos from one cow was made successfully, one healthy hatched blastocyst and one undeveloped embryo of 4 cells stage and each was transferred to each recipient. Recovery of embryo from the other donor was not possible due to blood stained in the effluent.