Services

With our mobile laboratories and haul-in facility, we are a full service embryo transfer business capable of meeting all your needs.

Embryo Transfer (ET) is an advantageous reproductive technology for accelerating genetic gain within herds. The term ET encompasses the production, collection, transfer, and/or freezing of embryos produced by a donor animal. The technology has been utilized commercially since the late 1970's and has made vast advancements in efficiency and effectiveness since its inception.

The process begins by selecting genetically superior females from the herd to utilize as donor animals. After selection, the donor will be placed on an estrus synchronization protocol that uses various hormones to stimulate the production of multiple follicles for ovulation (superovulation). In a normal estrous cycle, a cow will generally only ovulate 1 dominant follicle available for fertilization every cycle. This synchronization protocol allows the donor to ovulate numerous follicles to be fertilized that will later be collected from her uterus.

Conventional Embryo Transfer

Ashby Genetics provides clients with all schedules and medications for the synchronization protocol of each donor. As described above, most donors are placed on a 16 day estrus synchronization protocol to stimulate the ovulation of multiple follicles for fertilization. The client is responsible for administering all drugs to donors along with inseminating the donor at the appropriate time she exhibits a heat. (Donor boarding is available!)

A week after insemination, we will arrive on farm to collect (“flush”) the donor. This process involves passing a catheter through the cervix and inflating a small balloon at the catheter's tip to seat it within the uterus. Fluid is then infused into the uterus and recovered into a filter with the embryos for later processing. Infusions are repeated multiple times to maximize embryo recovery. All embryos recovered are then assessed for quality and viability.

Unfertilized ova and non-viable embryos are discarded, while better quality embryos are transferred into recipients or frozen in liquid nitrogen for future implantation. Typically, donors can be collected conventionally every 35 days. The average number of viable embryos per collection is 8 but can range drastically from 0 to 60+ depending on the donor.

In-Vitro Fertilization

This process has many more working parts compared to conventional embryo production. It usually involves a similar synchronization protocol in that multiple follicles are stimulated. Prior to normal ovulation of the follicles, an ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration technique called ovum pick-up (OPU) is used to collect the unovulated oocytes for future fertilization. The oocytes are then placed in an incubator that mimics a cow’s uterine environment while being shipped to the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) laboratory for fertilization 20-24 hours later.

IVF produced embryos are ready to be implanted fresh or frozen for future use 8 days after the aspiration event. The average number of viable embryos per collection is about 6, but can range drastically from 0 to 60+ depending on the donor.

The availability of commercial IVF labs has allowed for Ashby Genetics to partner with Trans Ova Genetics to accept and fertilize oocytes for us in their lab. Along with this, we also have access to Trans Ova recipient animals located in Iowa and Texas. Clients have the option to transfer their embryos at these locations then purchase the pregnant recipient after it is confirmed pregnant at 60 days.

In Vitro Fertilization can be a better fit for producers in several situations. These include collecting pregnant donors, generating embryos from donors that fail to make conventional embryos, utilizing rare or expensive semen, and collecting heifers prior to puberty.

Reproductive Ultrasound

The use of reproductive ultrasound has allowed for early and accurate pregnancy diagnosis as early as 26 days of age. This allows for resynchronization of recipient animals to maximize their use and achieve pregnancy as quickly as possible. When the fetus reaches a certain age, we are able to determine the sex of the fetus. The time period for this procedure can be performed between 60-95 days in their gestation. As the fetus continues to grow beyond 95 days, the fetus begins to fall over the brim of the pelvis and fetal sexing becomes more difficult.

Donor Boarding

Donor boarding is offered at Miller Farm, LLC, located within minutes of the clinic outside of Harrisonburg, VA. Craig, Nancy, and Brennan Miller operate a progressive Angus cattle operation as well as farm turkeys. They will house donors, monitor health, administer all estrus synchronization injections, and handle all heat detection and artificial insemination (AI) procedures. Check out their website at Miller Farm | Gustin Land & Cattle! For more information about donor boarding, please contact Craig at 540-820-9818, Brennan at 540-383-4211, or Matt Switzer at 540-578-2073.

Conventional ET vs. IVF

Conventional ET

Averages about 8 embryos per collection
Donors can be collected approximately every 35 days
Higher pregnancy rate
- Fresh transfers average 65% while frozen average 55-60%
Less expense per live calf
Only one on-farm visit required for collection and fresh transfer and/or freezing of embryos
Only open donors can be collected
Multiple units of semen required for AI

IVF

Averages about 6 embryos per collection
Donors can be aspirated approximately every 14 days
Pregnancy rate
- Fresh transfers average 50% while frozen average 35-40%
2-2.5x more expensive per live calf due to lab costs, lower conception, and increased pregnancy loss
2 or more farm visits required: one for oocyte collection, then a later visit for transfer of fresh or frozen embryos
Donors can be aspirated up to ~120 days pregnant
One unit of semen can be utilized for more than one donor
Ability to reverse-sort conventional semen

Thank you

Thank you for visiting Ashby Genetics, we look forward to working with you. Please contact us to get started.