Embryo Transfer in beef cattle: Reproductive efficiency and economic assessment in productive systems under dry tropical conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29059/cvpa.v3i1.36Keywords:
Embryo transfer cost, pregnancy rates, multiparous cows, nulliparous cowsAbstract
Bovine embryo transfer (ET) has shown limitations and challenges in achieving success, especially when it comes to achieving pregnancy after ET, since this impacts reproductive, productive, and even economic indicators. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with pregnancy rates among nulliparous and multiparous bovine females as well as economic estimation of ET services in beef production systems under dry tropical conditions. We analyzed the ET records of 221 females, classified as nulliparous (n = 145) and multiparous cows (n = 76), crossbred Bos taurus and Bos indicus, maintained in an extensive system. The pregnancy rates between multiparous (33%) and nulliparous (30%) were no different (p > 0.05). However, nulliparous females needed up to three ET services to achieve the same pregnancy rate as multiparous females (OR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.28- 4.16; p = 0.005). The economic assessment showed a loss of up to 74% in pregnancies treated with one service and 67% in pregnancies treated with three services. The stage of the transferred embryo had an effect on pregnancy rates (OR = 1.92; 95% CI 1.21-3.05; p = 0.006), whereas body condition, size, and position of the corpus luteum showed no effect (p > 0.05) on pregnancy rates. Nulliparous females required up to three TE services to achieve the same pregnancy rates as multiparous females. Therefore, the greatest economic loss was observed when up to three TE services were performed, and the embryo stage was the only predictive factor influencing pregnancy in females.
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Accepted 2025-08-13
Published 2025-08-28
