The Effect of Epidural Application of FSH on Superovulatory Response in Eastern Anatolian Red Cow

This study aimed to evaluate the superovulation response in Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) cows treated with a single epidural injection or traditional administration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Eight cows were randomly divided into two groups, as control (CG) and experiment (EG). Four replications were applied for each animal in the groups. A total of 16 studies were carried out in each group. In this study, 300 mg intramuscular (i.m) FSH injection was applied with decreasing doses twice daily for four days to the cows in the CG. (70:70, 50:50, 20:20, 10:10 mg). On the other hand, 300 mg FSH was administered as 150 mg epidural and 150 mg intramuscular injection to the cows in EG. The number of untransferable embryos and the total CLs were found statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the number of transferable embryos and unfertilized oocyte (UFO) were found statistically insignificant among the groups (p>0.05). According to the obtained data, it was observed that the epidural administration of FSH for superovulation in EAR cows did not provide sufficient follicle and oocyte development. In conclusion, different studies with different superovulation protocols and FSH doses in local breed EAR cows will be needed for further studies.