Superovulation of dairy and beef cows using porcine FSH with defined LH content

The results of the superovulation of dairy and beef cows using porcine pituitary FSH characterized by defined LH content are reported. A total amount of FSH equivalent to 31 mg of Armour Standard and containing LH equivalent to 500 i.u. (HMG Standard), administered in 10 decreasing doses over a period of five days, induced 7.33 ± 4.67 (mean ± SD) ovulations in six lactating Friesian cows (group 1), and 2 ± 1.41 transferable embryos were collected nonsurgically. Furthermore, the treatment with FSH equivalent to 62 mg of Armour Standard and containing 1000 i.u. LH induced 19.43 ± 9.25 ovulations in 16 lactating Friesian cows (group 2). Similar results were obtained in seven Marchigiana and Chianina cows (group 3) using a total amount of FSH equivalent to 46.5 mg Armour Standard and containing 750 i.u. LH. At the higher dose, 10.56 ± 6.39 transferable embryos were collected, their percentage was 73.47%, and none of the donors produced fewer than four transferable embryos.