EMBRYO TRANSFER IN RELATION TO BOVINE LEUKEMIA-VIRUS CONTROL AND ERADICATION

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (8) , 231-234
Abstract
Zona pellucida-intact bovine embryos (207) were collected from bovine leukemia virus-infected donors, washed, and transferred to uninfected recipients: 111 of these embryos were sired by bovine leukemia virus-infected bulls. Live calves (50) were obtained from the 57 pregnancies resulting from the transfers. None of the recipients or calves developed antibodies to bovine leukemia virus. Nine zona-intact ova, 12 zona-intact morulae and 15 hatched blastocysts, exposed in vitro to bovine leukemia virus, washed and then tested for bovine leukemia virus were negative. Zona-intact embryos and 14 hatched embryos were similarly exposed and washed prior to being transferred in groups to 2 uninfected recipients: no pregnancies resulted, nor did the recipients develop antibodies to bovine leukemia virus up to 120 days posttransfer. Zona-intact embryos can be transferred from bovine leukemia virus-infected donors, including those bred by bovine leukemia virus-infected bulls, without risk of transmitting bovine leukemia virus, providing that they are properly washed prior to transfer.