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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 19(4)

Uterine and vaginal insemination optimised in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and porcine luteinising hormone

F. C. Molinia A C D , J. V. Myers A , A. M. Glazier A , J. A. Duckworth A and J. C. Rodger B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A National Research Centre for Possum Biocontrol at Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.

B School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.

C Present address: Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.

D Corresponding author. Email: moliniaf@landcareresearch.co.nz

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19(4) 521-529 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD06135
Submitted: 3 October 2006  Accepted: 20 February 2007   Published: 18 April 2007

Abstract

Artificial insemination of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) is being developed as an assisted breeding model for endangered marsupials, as well as a bioassay for testing fertility control vaccines to manage overabundant populations. Procedures were optimised in animals superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and porcine luteinising hormone (pLH). Of three intervals examined, yields were maximal following uterine insemination at 27–29.5 h after pLH treatment (four eggs, two to three embryos per female). Compared with no insemination, uterine-inseminated animals ovulated 30–36 h rather than 28–34 h after pLH treatment. For the vaginal route, yields were maximal following insemination at 10–13 h after pLH treatment (six to seven eggs, four embryos per female) than at five other intervals, and when using acclimatised females during the autumn breeding season. This protocol was suitable for testing fertility control vaccines in April–June and was influenced by the housing location of animals, the presence of an active corpus luteum and PMSG batch, but not other factors (year of trial, Freund’s adjuvant treatment, changes in bodyweight, dose of PMSG kg–1). Embryos developed to the eight- to 16-cell or unilaminar blastocyst stage after uterine or vaginal insemination, respectively. With the timing of artificial insemination optimised, new methods to synchronise or induce oestrus and ovulation are required to achieve year-round testing of fertility control vaccines or birth of offspring.


Acknowledgements

This study was supported by contract research funding from the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme, New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (contract no. C09X0209 and C09X0302) and Animal Health Board. The authors thank Phil Cowan and Janine Clemons for helpful comments on the manuscript, Guy Forrester for statistical advice, Xianlan Cui, Susie Scobie, Jane Arrow and Casey Sole for their technical expertise and Julie Turner and the staff of the Landcare Research Animal Facility for the care of animals.


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