SR9072 - Development of Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer Technology for Use in Farmed Elk and Red Deer

Researcher:

Dr. Claire Plante, Therion Research Ltd., Guelph

Objectives:

1. Development of trans-cervical catheters specifically designed for use in the non-surgical transfer of elk or red deer embryos into either red deer or elk/red deer hybrid recipients.

2. Production and cryopreservation of red deer and elk embryos for transfer .

3. Direct comparison of non-surgical and surgical methodologies for transferring both elk and red deer embryos.

4. Determination of initial pregnancy rates by trans-rectal ultrasound examination of the recipients reproductive systems on day 45 post-transfer and calving and calf normalcy rates at parturition.

Expected Benefits:

Development of non-surgical embryo transfer methods for use with elk and red deer embryos is particularly well suited to Ontario as the Province is the only jurisdiction in Canada to possess large and growing populations of each subspecies. Non-surgical embryo transfer will promote increased international sales of Ontario genetics, as well as, significantly enhance the care and welfare of animals undergoing embryo transfer procedures.

Summary of Research Results:

A trans-cervical transfer catheter was developed in the first year of this project, which has been used in a direct comparison of surgical and non-surgical embryo transfer methodologies in red deer or hybrid recipients. In this comparison, a total of 76 elk embryos and 63 red deer embryos were sub-divided between surgical and non-surgical transfer to synchronized recipients. Ultrasound examination of recipients on day 45 of gestation revealed that greater than 50% of recipients were pregnant following embryo transfer across all treatment groups during both transfer seasons. Calving and calf normalcy data demonstrated that a high percentage of pregnancies determined by ultrasound resulted in the birth of healthy calves from recipient hinds. No abnormalities, nor malformations were found in the embryo transfer derived calves and fawns. Two recipients receiving elk embryos required assistance during calving because of excessive calf size, while none of the recipients receiving red deer embryos did so. No differences were detected between surgical and non-surgical transfer systems in overall pregnancy rates, calving rates, or calf viability.

The evolution of non-surgical embryo transfer will additionally serve to promote increased international sales of Canada's superior elk and red deer genetics, as well as, significantly contribute to increased animal welfare and care within cervid embryo transfer programs by the elimination of previously required surgical procedures. Development of non-surgical embryo transfer methods for use with elk and red deer embryos is particularly will suited to Ontario as the Province is the only jurisdiction in Canada to possess large and growing populations of each subspecies. As red deer are currently worth significantly less in economic terms than elk breeding stock, a model embryo transfer system in which high value elk embryos could be transferred into relatively low value red deer recipients may uniquely evolve in Ontario with the successful completion of this project.