Belokurova SS, Chinarov RYu, Lukanina VA, Singina GN.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025. Vol. 108. No. 2. Р. 19-29.

doi:10.33284/2658-3135-108-2-19

Original article

Development of ovarian follicles in Holstein heifers at different intervals between OPU sessions

 

Sofia S Belokurova1, Roman Yu Chinarov2, Victoria A Lukanina3, Galina N Singina4

 1,2,3,4Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst,

Dubrovitsy, Russia

1sofialabs@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2861-1834

2roman_chinarov@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6511-5341

3kristybatle@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4744-7873

4g_singina@mail.ru; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0198-9757

 

Abstract. Currently, transvaginal puncture of ovarian follicles under ultrasound control (Ovum Pick-Up, OPU) is the main method of obtaining oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCC) for the commercial production in vitro (IVP) of embryos of cattle worldwide. Conducting research to improve the effectiveness of OPU/IVP contributes to the wider dissemination and profitability of this technology in animal husbandry. Of particular relevance is the identification of factors that influence the quality and quantity of extracted oocytes. The purpose of the research was to determine the development pattern of ovarian follicles of Holstein heifers at various intervals between OPU sessions in relation to the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the extracted oocyte-cumulus complexes. Research was carried out at the Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst on Holstein heifers (n=7) aged 23-24 months, subjected to OPU twice (1st group; n=4) or once (2nd group; n=3) a week. The indicators were evaluated for one day of OPU (4 and 3 sessions, respectively). The proportion of aspirated follicles out of the total number of ultrasound-visible follicles did not differ between groups (73.5 % vs. 69.0 %). When the interval between OPU sessions was 4 days compared to 7 days, there was a tendency for an increase in the proportion of small follicles and an increase in the proportion of degenerated OCCs. The research results, after confirmation on a larger sample of animals, can be used to optimize temporary OPU regimens aimed at reducing the proportion of degenerated OCCs in Holstein donor heifers.

Keywords: donor heifers, Holstein breed, OPU, follicle size, OСCs quality

Acknowledgments: the work was performed in accordance to the plan of research works for 2024-2026 of the FGBNU FRC VIZh named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst (No. FGGN-2024-0014).

For citation: Belokurova SS, Chinarov RYu, Lukanina VA, Singina GN. Development of ovarian follicles in Holstein heifers at different intervals between OPU sessions. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2025;108(2):19-29. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-108-2-19

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Information about the authors:

Sofia S Belokurova, post–graduate student, specialist at the Laboratory of Embryonic Technologies, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Moscow region, Podolsk, Dubrovitsy village, 60, 142132, tel.: +79204590205.

Roman Yu Chinarov, Cand. Sci. (Veterinary), Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Embryonic Technologies, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Moscow region, Podolsk, Dubrovitsy village, 60, 142132, tel.: +74967651163.

Victoria A Lukanina, Cand. Sci. (Biology), Senior Researcher at the Laboratory of Embryonic Technologies, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Moscow region, Podolsk, Dubrovitsy village, 60, 142132, tel.: +74967651163.

Galina N Singina, Cand. Sci. (Biology), Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Embryonic Technologies, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst, Moscow region, Podolsk, Dubrovitsy village, 60, 142132, tel.: +79851434552.

The article was submitted 03.12.2024; approved after reviewing 27.12.2024; accepted for publication 16.06.2025.

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