Improvement of Embryo Recovery in Holstein Cows Treated by Intra-Ovarian Platelet Rich Plasma before Superovulation

Abstract

The current research was designed to evaluate if intra-ovarian administration of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) before superovulation could increase the number of follicles responsive to gonadotropin treatment in order to improve embryo recovery in donor cows. Eight Holstein-Friesian cows of proven fertility were employed. After estrous synchronization, at the 18th day of diestrous, the right ovary of each cow was left untreated and served as control while the left ovary was inoculated with 5 mL of PRP. Cows were left to spontaneously return to estrous, and nine days later, a standard superovulation was initiated for every cow. Seven days after artificial insemination (AI), putative embryos were collected by flushing the right and left uterine horns separately. All statistics were calculated by ANOVA. The mean number of follicles, evaluated by transrectal ultrasound scanning, did not statistically differ before PRP treatment between right (control) and left (treated) ovaries (9.18 ± 1.35 and 7.32 ± 1.67, p = 0.28, respectively) as well as at 48 h after PRP injection (7.67 ± 2.52 and 8.00 ± 2.00, p = 0.73, respectively). A statistical (p = 0.023) difference was found in the average number of follicles at the last gonadotropin injection between control and treated ovaries (11.33 ± 2.89 and 20.00 ± 9.17, respectively). The statistically different (p = 0.0037) number of grade 1-2 blastocysts harvested from the uterine horn ipsilateral to control ovaries in comparison to that collected from the treated ones (6.63 ± 2.92 and 14.75 ± 5.92, respectively) suggests that intra-ovarian injection of PRP before superovulation could exert beneficial effects both in latent follicle growth and in vivo embryo production.

Intraovarian Injection of Reconstituted Lyophilized Growth-Promoting Factor Extracted from Horse Blood Platelets (L-GFequina) Increases Oocytes Recovery and In Vitro Embryo Production in Holstein Cows

“…The results of our study are in accordance with what has been previously reported by Sills et al [ 34 ] in humans. Furthermore, intraovarian injection of autologous PRP before superovulation resulted in higher follicular growth and blastocyst development in vivo in Holstein cows [ 14 ]. The mechanism by which L-GF equina could stimulate follicular growth and blastocyst development is not entirely clear.…”

“…Additionally, PRP contains cytokines such as platelet factor 4 (PF4) and CD40 ligand (CD40L) [ 13 ]. Treatment with PRP is a valuable therapy for improving the embryo recovery in superovulating cows [ 14 ]. Furthermore, it has been used to increase fertility in cows with ovarian hypofunction [ 15 ] and to increase the pregnancy rate in repeat breeding of pure Arabian mares [ 16 ].…”

Platelet Rich Plasma for Regenerative Medicine Treatment of Bovine Ovarian Hypofunction

“…In the treated group animal, the intraovarian PRP injection was performed under ultrasound guidance using a Madison SA 600v instrument equipped with an ovum pick up probe (PB-06VE65/20BD) as described by Cremonesi et al ( 20 ). Each animal was restrained in a cattle cage and clipped over the S5-C1 vertebrae (5 × 5 cm).…”

Appraisal of Experimental Methods to Manage Menopause and Infertility: Intraovarian Platelet-Rich Plasma vs. Condensed Platelet-Derived Cytokines

“…Research from Milan [20] described bovine response to administration of autologous intraovarian PRP before programmed superovulation. A significant improvement was noted in mean follicle number between control vs. PRP injected ovaries, and significantly more high-grade blastocysts were generated following PRP use [20].…”

“…Research from Milan [20] described bovine response to administration of autologous intraovarian PRP before programmed superovulation. A significant improvement was noted in mean follicle number between control vs. PRP injected ovaries, and significantly more high-grade blastocysts were generated following PRP use [20]. Additional animal experiments have found a beneficial (rescue) effect of PRP on ovarian function in female rats with ovarian damage induced by cyclophosphamide, concluding this approach could lead to improved primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicle counts [21].…”