What is embryo transfer, and how does it work?
Embryo Transfer (ET) is an advanced reproductive technology that can help you produce more offspring from a Wagyu cow and extend her fullblood genetics. There are a few steps you’ll need to take for a successful ET.
First, perform a specific hormonal treatment (with the follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH) on a donor heifer or cow to make multiple follicles ovulate. Then, breed her using artificial insemination. Seven days later, flush the embryos from the donor's uterus and transfer them to a surrogate cow.
Alternatively, you can freeze the embryos to transfer to a surrogate at another time. If you choose to do this, keep the embryos in liquid nitrogen storage vessels until it’s time to thaw and transfer them.
Why is embryo transfer efficient?
ET increases a cow’s reproductive efficiency by allowing her to have multiple calves per year (whereas the average cow gives birth to just six or seven calves in her lifetime). In fact, according to Trans Ova Genetics, you can perform an ET on the same cow every 28 to 60 days.
On average, you’ll be able to collect five or six viable embryos from a donor female each time. Some donors may not produce any viable embryos, while other will produce up to 20.
Why is embryo transfer effective?
ET is a technology that’s accessible to any breeder who wants to increase the value of his or her Wagyu herd and carry on a fullblood genetic line. With Wagyu embryo transfer in cattle, you’ll have calves with better marbling, maternal traits, and more.
Please call us at (765) 714-8563 for more information about our Wagyu embryos, including our sire and dam pairings and embryo pricing.