Multiple superovulations in N'Dama heifers.

Five N'Dama heifers were superovulated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P or Folltropin) a total of six times each. The superovulations were carried out between ongoing experimental Trypanosoma congolense infections. Twenty-four (80%) of the 30 superovulations had a good ovarian response with 21 (70%) producing an average of 2.7 +/- 0.4 (mean +/- s.e.m.) embryos. The highest embryo production was achieved at the third and fourth superovulation, after which both the number of embryos and their quality declined. The overall pregnancy rate after transfer into Boran (Bos indicus) cow recipients was 50.9%. The uteri of the heifers increased considerably in size throughout the six superovulations which made it difficult to flush some of the animals after the third superovulation. Embryo transfer technology is a useful breeding tool in N'Dama heifers and multiple superovulations can be carried out with success.