A novel approach to study the bovine oviductal fluid proteome using transvaginal endoscopy.

The oviduct provides the optimal micro milieu for early embryo development. However, accessing the bovine oviductal fluid in vivo for analysis is still challenging and therefore the oviductal fluid is usually collected post mortem. In the study presented here we introduce a novel approach to gain minimal invasive access to the bovine oviductal fluid proteome in vivo by transvaginal endoscopy at different stages of the estrous cycle.

Endoscopy-mediated intratubal insemination in the cow - Development of a novel minimally invasive AI technique.

Conventionally inseminated spermatozoa suffer a dramatic reduction in numbers during their long journey until fertilization. In addition sperm survival seems to be strongly affected by the reconstitution of the female reproductive tract in the post partum period. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel AI technique for cattle that allows the deposition of spermatozoa directly into the ampulla in the immediate vicinity of the fertilization site.