Effect of fluorogestone acetate on embryo recovery and quality in eCG-superovulated goats with premature luteal regression

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate if treatment of eCG-superovulated goats with fluorogestone acetate (FGA) would increase the number and quality of embryos recovered. Goats ( n =25) were given an intravaginal sponge containing 45 mg FGA for 12 days, with 1000 IU eCG and 7.5 mg of Luprostiol (a PGF 2α analog) given −48 and 0 h relative to sponge removal. Goats were mated by natural service every 12 h during estrus and surgical embryo collection was done 6 days after the last mating. There were two treatment groups; those in the FGA group ( n =13) had a FGA sponge from 8 h after mating to embryo collection, whereas goats in the control group ( n =12) did not receive any post-mating treatment. Premature luteal regression occurred in 61.5% (8/13) and 83.3% (10/12) of the goats in the FGA and the control groups, respectively ( P >0.05). Corpus luteum life span averaged 4 days in goats with premature luteolysis. The mean (±S.E.) number of transferable embryos was 5.7±1.6 in the FGA group and 0.1±0.1 in the control group ( P