Animal Reproduction (AR)
https://animal-reproduction.org/article/doi/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2025-0042
Animal Reproduction (AR)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Effects of donor breed and season of year on in vitro beef embryo production and recipient pregnancy rate

Brenda Matos Fernandes; Gustavo Pereira Cadima; Natani Silva Reis; Ricarda Maria dos Santos

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2025-0042 Anim Reprod, vol.23, n2, e20250042, 2026
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Abstract

Approximately 85% of embryos produced in Brazil are in vitro (IVP). However, the success of IVP is still quite diverse, and several factors need to be coordinated to obtain a live calf from an oocyte. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the donor breed (Nellore vs. Senepol) and the seasons of year (Dry vs. Rainy) at the time of follicular aspiration (OPU) on the number of viable oocytes and embryos produced, and the recipients pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (P/ET). Data from 368 donors was evaluated, 198 Senepol and 170 Nellore, resulting in a total of 21,758 oocytes collected by OPU. During the period a total of 4,740 embryos were produced (2,135 Senepol and 2,605 Nellore) and 2,124 fresh embryo transfers were analyzed. A negative effect of dry season was observed on number of total and viable oocytes for Nellore. The embryo production rate was lower for Senepol in both periods. Nellore breed had lower embryo production rate in the rainy period. The P/TE was lower for embryos from Senepol donors during dry season, while the P/TE of embryos from Nellore donors was not affected by season. In conclusion, the dry season negatively influences total and viable oocyte collection in Nellore donors, while in Senepol donors remained constant throughout the year. The embryo production of Nellore donors is negatively influenced by rainy season, although it remains higher than the Senepol donors throughout the year, and P/TE of the embryos of Senepol donors is reduced during the dry season.

Keywords

reproductive efficiency, embryo transfer, IVP

References

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Submitted date:
04/10/2025

Accepted date:
01/29/2026

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