Butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin: effects on the aspiration of oocytes and in vitro embryo production in Jersey cows

The aim of this study was to evaluate butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin effects on the production of oocytes in vivo and in vitro embryo production (IVP) during an ovum pick up (OPU) protocol. Thirty-six cows were homogeneously divided into two groups. The butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin group (CAT, n = 17), received 4500 mg of butaphosphan and 2.25 mg of cyanocobalamin and the control group (CONT, n = 19) received placebo (NaCl 0.9%). Treatment was performed at 14, 9, and 5 d prior the follicular aspiration (FA) sessions and each cow was subjected to three sessions of OPU and IVP. CAT group showed high (P < 0.05) number of aspirated follicles between 3 and 6 mm and number of oocytes grade 2 and a tendency (P = 0.10) of total number of follicles aspired. No difference (P > 0.05) was found for the number of different sizes of follicles aspired, retrieved oocytes, recovery rate, viable oocytes, blastocysts, and total viable blastocysts. In conclusion, successive butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin administrations can potentially increase IVP and quality in Jersey cows during a OPU protocol.