Services
Genetic Visions offers a wide range of reproductive services for our diverse group of clientele. Our primary area of focus centers around conventional embryo collection and transfer of fresh or frozen embryos. We also offer reproductive exams, pregnancy diagnosis, and fetal sexing.
Donor cows should be in good bodily condition, more than 60 days post-calving, and not bred.
-The first step is determining a "set heat". This heat can be a natural heat or induced with administration of a prostaglandin product (ex: Estrumate or lutalyse).
-8 to 12 days after the set heat, donors are started on a 4 day treatment of FSH (follicular Stimulating Hormone) to allow for the maturation and ovulation of multiple oocytes (eggs) on each ovary.
-A "super-induced heat", the heat that occurs after the 4-day stimulation protocol, is timed with artificial insemination (12 and 24 hrs after heat) of semen from the bull of your choice.
-Seven days after insemination we collect the embryos through non-invasive uterine lavage (washing) and embryos are examined under a microscope for quality assessment. This procedure takes approximately 30-60 mins and is done while the cow is restrained in a chute or similar.
-Grade 1 & 2 embryos can be transferred into synchronized recipients the same day or frozen individually for future use.
conventional embryo collection
click here for a sampe synchronization schedule
embryo transfer
-Recipient cows are synchronized to be at the appropriate stage of their reproductive cycle for the embryo to be accepted and mature just as their own natural embryo would.
-Recipients should be more than 45 days post-calving and cycling.
-Recipients are synchronized using any combination of an intravaginal CIDR or GnRH, and prostaglandin injection.
-It will take approximately 17 days from the first injection until recipients are ready to have en embryo transferred.
-Not all recipients will respond appropriately so each recipient must be palpated to determine if a CL is present
-If so, the embryo is deposited past the cervix and deep in the uterine horn on the side corresponding to the CL.
-We are able to help develop a synchronization program to facilitate the transfer of Direct Transfer (DT) frozen conventional and IVF embryos. We are also able to thaw and transfer Glycerol (aka three-step) embryos.
pregnancy diagnosis / fetal sexing
-Determining both the approximate number of days pregnant and the sex of the calf is possible with the use of an ultrasound machine. The earliest a cow can accurately be diagnosed as open or pregnant is 28 days.
-We recommend any pregnancy diagnosis before 45 days to be confirmed 60 days or later due to the chance of early embryonic death.
-For accurate results, fetal sexing is best done between 50-70 days of gestation.
laparoscopic ai
Laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in sheep has emerged as a pivotal advancement in reproductive management within the sheep industry. This minimally invasive technique allows for precise deposition of semen directly into the uterine horns, enhancing the chances of successful fertilization. By utilizing laparoscopic equipment, veterinarians can visualize the reproductive tract, ensuring accurate placement of semen and reducing the time and stress associated with traditional breeding methods. As a result, LAI not only increases the efficiency of breeding programs but also opens opportunities for utilizing superior genetics from distant sires, thus improving the overall quality of the flock.
