What does this research mean for the field?

Recipient category (heifers versus cows) and embryo type (fresh versus frozen-thawed) significantly influence pregnancy success following embryo transfer in Holstein-Friesian cattle, whereas postnatal calf performance is largely unaffected by these factors. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate factors influencing pregnancy rates, full-term calving success, and pre-weaning calf performance following embryo transfer in commercial Holstein–Friesian cattle.

August 31, 2026AnimalsOpen Access

Factors Associated with Pregnancy Success and Calf Growth via Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer in Holstein–Friesian Cattle

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Authors

ETEszter Tóth JPJános PostaUniversity of Debrecen VSViktor Szőnyi

Discussion

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Implication

Field study reveals recipient parity and embryo preservation affect pregnancy success in Holstein–Friesian cattle, suggesting targeted recipient selection enhances dairy reproductive efficiency.

Key Points

Evaluate factors influencing pregnancy rates, full-term calving success, and pre-weaning calf performance following embryo transfer in commercial Holstein–Friesian cattle.
Transferred 604 in vivo-derived fresh and frozen–thawed embryos into 384 heifers and 220 multiparous cows under commercial farm conditions.
Diagnosed pregnancies using ultrasonography and evaluated pre-weaning calf performance by tracking birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily gain.
Pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were higher in heifers than cows and higher for fresh embryos than frozen–thawed embryos.
Recipient corpus luteum stage II yielded superior pregnancy outcomes compared to stage I, while embryo developmental stage had no significant effect on pregnancy or calving rates.
Calves originating from frozen–thawed embryos showed slightly higher birth weights than those from fresh embryos, but weaning weights and average daily gains did not differ.

Cite This Study

Tóth et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a956cd5f20e493292a74ec9 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16172694

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Implication

Field study reveals recipient parity and embryo preservation affect pregnancy success in Holstein–Friesian cattle, suggesting targeted recipient selection enhances dairy reproductive efficiency.