Week 3
This week I am posting my blog a little early as I will be at the National FFA Convention when they are due. This has thrown me a little off schedule, but I had a long week to make up for it. My goal this week was to explore the superovulation of the donor cow. I didn't quite get to research as in-depth as I wanted, because this step proved to be a lot less complex than I imagined.
Superovulation is the process that allows the cow to release multiple eggs at a single estrus. This is induced with a series of shots. Most people give a follicle-stimulating hormone twice daily for four days. On the final day a prostaglandin injection is given that causes ovulation to occur. Most cows yield about four or five transferable eggs. This means that the egg is healthy, undamaged, and bred (later in the process). As cows are repeatedly superovulated, they will have a lower yield.
My goal next week is to study the insemination of the eggs. I think this will be interesting because I will be able to compare how this relates to regular artificial insemination. In the next week or two I am going to also try to go to Fort Keogh to learn more about this process, so stay tuned.
Superovulation is the process that allows the cow to release multiple eggs at a single estrus. This is induced with a series of shots. Most people give a follicle-stimulating hormone twice daily for four days. On the final day a prostaglandin injection is given that causes ovulation to occur. Most cows yield about four or five transferable eggs. This means that the egg is healthy, undamaged, and bred (later in the process). As cows are repeatedly superovulated, they will have a lower yield.
My goal next week is to study the insemination of the eggs. I think this will be interesting because I will be able to compare how this relates to regular artificial insemination. In the next week or two I am going to also try to go to Fort Keogh to learn more about this process, so stay tuned.
This is really cool that you are interested in this material! I think going to Fort Keogh would benefit you a lot and then you can actually talk to people and ask questions. I will stay tuned to see what you learn there!
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