Quality control in a large-scale embryo transfer program under farm conditions in the Argentine Republic.

Abstract From 1982 through 1988, embryo transfer was carried out on 127 farms in the humid Pampa, coastal, and subtropical regions of the Argentine Republic. Beef and dairy cows and heifers were superovulated (n=1734) 1–14 times. An average of 9.07 total eggs (n=15,726) was collected nonsurfically; of these, 4.8 embryos were considered transferable (n=8373), 0.7 embryos were frozen (n=1227) and 3.9 fresh embryos (n=6722) were transferred nonsurgically. Recipients were synchronized with two injections of a prostaglandin analog at an 11- to 12-day interval. Transfer of fresh embryos resulted in 2.4 pregnancies per donor (n=4106); the pregnancy rate was 61%. The pregnancy rate with frozen embryos for the past 3 years has been 48.4% (n=675). The sanitary, nutritional, and semi-intensive management conditions were those considered normal for a good artificial insemination (AI) program. Selection of functionally normal donors and recipients was carried out by technicians from our clinic. All operations were carried out on the farm. Donor-recipient estrus synchronization, estrus detection, superovulatory treatment, and donor AI were performed by each farm's technical staff. Laboratory equipment was provided in fully equipped mobile laboratories. The most important quality control factors were: donor and recipient selection according to functional fitness, farm staff's technical capabilities, superovulation and estrus control charts, selection of instruments for flushing and nonsurgical transfers, sterilization and transportation of materials, work systematization, and operating hygiene. A simple working method is described; the aims are systematic repetition by different technicians to achieve consistent results.