Comparison of repeated transvaginal ovum pick up in heifers by ultrasonographic and endoscopic instruments

Endoscopically and ultrasonographically guided ovum pick up were studied in 15 heifers once per week. Althogether 60 sessions were carried out. The number of aspirated follicles per animal (13.0 vs 10.3) did not differ significantly between both methods. Similar recovery rates (39 % vs 44 %) were achieved after repeated sessions. As a consequence the number of recovered oocytes per animal (5.2 vs 4.7) were not significantly different. Inter-animal- and intra-animal-variations were more important for the results than the applied methods. In contrast to these findings the quality of recovered cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COC) was significantly influenced by the methods. The COC were divided into 4 categories a) oocytes with compact cumulus, b) oocytes with rest of compacted cumulus, c) oocytes with expanded cumulus and d) oocytes without cumulus. There was a higher denudation rate of COC when using the endoscopic aspiration (62.0 % vs 6.6 %) because of turbulent current in this aspiration system. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods are described and discussed. Generally, the ultra sonographic method is the less traumatic procedure for the vagina, fornix and for abdominal organs. The other method is less traumatic for the ovaries.