Advanced superovulation technology is accelerating genetic improvement in Friesian Holstein and Ongole Grade cattle populations
In the heart of Indonesia's agricultural landscape, a quiet revolution is underway. As the demand for high-quality beef and dairy products continues to grow, farmers and scientists are turning to advanced reproductive technologies to accelerate genetic improvement in cattle populations.
At the forefront of this revolution is superovulation—a sophisticated biotechnology that enables genetically superior female cattle to produce multiple offspring in a single reproductive cycle rather than the usual one.
The effectiveness of this technology hinges on a key hormone: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), typically administered through intramuscular injections. Recent groundbreaking research has shed new light on how different cattle breeds—specifically Friesian Holstein and Ongole Grade—respond to these FSH treatments 1 . The findings are not only transforming embryo transfer programs but also offering new hope for rapidly improving livestock quality in Indonesia and beyond.
A Bos taurus breed primarily used for dairy production, known for high milk yield but variable response to superovulation protocols.
A Bos indicus breed valued for beef production, showing remarkable ovarian responsiveness to FSH stimulation.
Superovulation represents one of the most impactful biotechnologies in modern animal breeding. In simple terms, it's the process of stimulating a female animal's ovaries to develop multiple follicles simultaneously, rather than the single follicle that typically matures during a normal estrous cycle. This results in the release of numerous oocytes (eggs) at ovulation, which can then be fertilized to produce multiple embryos 7 .
In cattle breeding, this technology is particularly valuable because it allows breeders to obtain many offspring from genetically superior females in a much shorter timeframe. Where a valuable cow might naturally produce one calf per year, through superovulation and embryo transfer, she can potentially produce dozens of offspring annually through surrogate mothers 1 .
Potential increase in offspring from superior genetics
Follicle Stimulating Hormone is the cornerstone of this process. As a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, FSH plays a crucial role in controlling follicular growth and development in the ovaries 3 . During a normal cycle, cattle produce only a single oocyte, but when exogenous FSH is administered, it stimulates the development of multiple follicles simultaneously 1 .
The challenge with FSH lies in its short half-life—approximately only 5 hours in cattle 1 3 . This biological characteristic originally required researchers to administer FSH through multiple injections over 3-4 days (typically twice daily) to maintain effective hormone levels in the bloodstream.
Twice-daily intramuscular FSH injections in decreasing doses
Prostaglandin injection to induce estrus
Artificial insemination
Embryo collection
Recent research conducted at the Cipelang Embryo Center in Indonesia has provided fascinating new insights into how different cattle breeds respond to FSH-induced superovulation. The study involved 49 Friesian Holstein (FH) and Ongole Grade (OG) cows who underwent careful reproductive management 4 .
Estrus Synchronization
FSH Administration
Ovulation Triggering
Artificial Insemination
Embryo Collection
Ongole Grade cattle demonstrated significantly higher ovarian responsiveness to FSH stimulation compared to Friesian Holsteins, producing more than twice as many corpora lutea and collected embryos 4 .
However, the higher proportion of degenerate embryos in Ongole Grade cattle suggests possible differences in oocyte quality or fertilization efficiency between the breeds.
The contrasting responses between Ongole Grade and Friesian Holstein cattle highlight the importance of genetic factors in reproductive technologies. Ongole Grade cattle, a Bos indicus breed, demonstrated remarkable ovarian responsiveness to FSH stimulation, producing more than twice as many corpora lutea and collected embryos as their Friesian Holstein (Bos taurus) counterparts 4 .
| Parameter | Ongole Grade | Friesian Holstein | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Luteum (CL) Count | Higher | Lower | Significant (P<0.05) |
| Total Embryos Collected | 11.83 ± 1.91 | 4.86 ± 1.33 | Significant (P<0.05) |
| Recovery Rate | 89.63% | 75.35% | Significant (P<0.05) |
| Fertilization Rate | 77.35% | 68.22% | Significant (P<0.05) |
| Proportion of Transferable Embryos | Lower proportion | Higher proportion | Not Significant |
| Age-Related Effects | No significant difference | No significant difference | Not Significant |
The data revealed a surprising pattern: while Ongole Grade cattle produced significantly more corpora lutea and embryos, they also yielded a lower proportion of transferable embryos compared to Friesian Holsteins 4 6 . This suggests that quantity doesn't always guarantee quality when it comes to embryo production.
The conventional approach to FSH administration—twice-daily intramuscular injections over 3-4 days—presents significant practical challenges. This labor-intensive process causes stress to donor cattle, which can negatively impact superovulatory responses and inhibit the luteinizing hormone surge necessary for ovulation 1 . The repeated handling and injections also increase labor costs and require specialized staffing.
Researchers have developed several innovative approaches to minimize these challenges:
Scientists have created special formulations that allow FSH to be released slowly over time. These include:
Studies have explored subcutaneous rather than intramuscular administration, which allows for reduced aluminum content in gels and less tissue irritation while maintaining effectiveness 1 .
Another novel approach combines epidural and intramuscular injection in a single-dose protocol, which has shown comparable results to conventional methods while reducing animal handling 2 .
| Method | Administration Frequency | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional Intramuscular | 8 injections over 4 days | Well-established, reliable results | Labor intensive, stressful for animals |
| AH-gel Formulation | Single administration | Reduced labor and stress | Can cause indurations at injection site |
| Hyaluronan-based | 1-2 administrations | Biocompatible, effective | Higher cost, complex preparation |
| Epidural-Intramuscular Combination | Single dose | Minimal handling, good results | Requires technical expertise |
| Reagent/Material | Function | Application Details |
|---|---|---|
| Porcine FSH (pFSH) | Induces multiple follicular development | Extracted from pig pituitaries; standard superovulation agent 3 |
| Progesterone Implants (Cue-Mate®) | Synchronizes estrus cycles | Intravaginal device containing 1.56 mg progesterone; creates uniform physiological timing 4 |
| Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) | Triggers ovulation | Causes corpus luteum regression; administered 48 hours after FSH initiation 1 |
| Aluminum Hydroxide Gel | Slow-release vehicle for FSH | Adsorbs FSH and releases it gradually; enables single administration protocols 1 |
| Hyaluronan | Alternative slow-release vehicle | Natural glycosaminoglycan; provides sustained FSH release with good biocompatibility 3 |
| Lactated Ringer's Solution | Embryo collection medium | Used to flush embryos from uterus; supplemented with calf serum and antibiotics 2 |
The future of superovulation is moving toward more purified and consistent hormone preparations. Recombinant FSH represents the cutting edge of this evolution. Unlike conventional porcine pituitary extracts, recombinant FSH is produced using genetic engineering techniques, resulting in a product free from luteinizing hormone (LH) contamination and other pituitary proteins 3 .
For countries like Indonesia with diverse cattle populations, understanding breed-specific responses to FSH is crucial for optimizing embryo transfer programs. The research findings suggest that:
Ideal for programs aiming to maximize embryo numbers, with understanding that higher proportion may not be transferable.
Produce fewer but higher quality embryos, potentially more efficient for commercial embryo transfer.
Show intermediate characteristics, offering breeders flexible options depending on specific breeding goals .
The intramuscular injection of Follicle Stimulating Hormone represents a powerful tool in the quest for genetic improvement in cattle. As research continues to refine superovulation protocols, we move closer to maximizing the genetic potential of both Friesian Holstein and Ongole Grade cattle—the two pillars of Indonesia's cattle industry.