A. Pampukidou, T. Alifakiotis, M. Avdi, R. Ivanova

Abstract. The objective of this study was to analyze the efficiency of superovulation, embryo collection, transfer and embryo survival in indigenous goat during breeding season. Twenty-four goats-donors were synchronized by placing an intravaginal sponge of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP, 60mg) for 17 days. Superovulation was induced in 12 goats by a single injection of PMSG (1200 IU/animal, i.m.), at the time of sponge removal, and in 12 goats by FSH i.m. injections, twice a day, in a total amount of 21mg in reduced consecutive doses, starting at day 15 of the estrus cycle. All donors showing estrus, were bred naturally and 6 days post mating were subjected to a surgical uterine flushing with Dulbecco`s phosphate saline enriched with 3% BSA and fresh embryos were transferred surgically to synchronized recipients. Mean interval to onset of estrus did not differ between the two treatments; however the duration of estrus was shorter in FSH – treated group. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between treatments in total ovarian response, in ovulation rate (3.9 ± 0.9 group PMSG, and 12.3 ± 2.0, group FSH) and in embryo recovery (2.3 ± 0.8 for PMSG, and 9.3 ± 1.5 for FSH group). Embryo survival after transfer of embryos was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the FSH group (61.1% and 22.2% for FSH-p, and PMSG).