Relationship of vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle to in vitro fertilisation and embryo development in heifers.

The effect of the extent of vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle on in vitro cleavage rate of the recovered oocyte and embryo development to >8 cells was studied in 52 heifers. Heifers received a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) when the largest follicle was > or =11 mm. An ovulation-inducing injection of GnRH was given 36 h later (hour 0), and collection of follicular fluid and the oocyte was done at hour 26. Vascular perfusion of the follicular wall was assessed by colour Doppler ultrasonography at hours 0 and 26. Each of the recovered oocytes (41/52; 79%) was mature (extruded polar body). Cleavage and embryo development were assessed at 48 h and 120 h respectively, after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The percentage of cleaved oocytes and >8 cell embryos was 80% (31/39) and 55% (17/31) respectively. Vascular perfusion of the follicular wall was greater (lower pulsatility index; P<0.001) for follicles that produced cleaved versus non-cleaved oocytes and greater (P<0.04) for follicles that produced >8 cell versus < or =8 cell embryos. Percentage of follicular wall with Doppler signals of blood flow was greater (P<0.001) for >8 cell versus < or =8 cell embryos. Follicular-fluid concentration of free IGF1 was lower for cleaved oocytes (P<0.001) and >8 cell embryos (P<0.05), and oestradiol was lower (P<0.05) for >8 cell embryos. Results supported the hypothesis that greater vascular perfusion of the wall of the preovulatory follicle was positively associated with IVF and embryo development.