EFFECT OF MOBILIZATION OF BODY RESERVES ON OVARIAN REACTION OF COWS SUBJECT TO SUPEROVULATION TREATMENT

The aim of this work is to highlight the influence of variations of some energy balance indicators on the ovarian reaction to superovulation treatment. A three day superovulation protocol was implemented in five cows. Glycemia, BHB (β-hydroxybutyrate), NEFA (non-esterified fatty acids) and body condition score (BCS) were monitored before and during treatment. The ovarian reaction was assessed by estimating the number of corpora lutea. All biochemical parameters underwent variations at one time or another during the protocol. Maximum concentrations of 2.2 mmol/l, 1.01 g/l, 1.36 mmol/l were recorded respectively for BHB, glycemia and NEFA. Despite the lack of correlation between these parameters and the number of corpora lutea, the assays demonstrated a mobilization of body reserves in all the cows which caused a negative energy balance. Our results show that the parameters studied can support clinical data in the selection of embryo donor cows and serve as a discriminatory factor for those with a negative energy balance.