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¹ Lalahan Hayvancılık Merkez Araştırma Enstitüsü
² National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki- Japan - The aim of the study is to investigate the possibilities of ovum pick-up (OPU) technique for increasing the number of embryo production from cattle. Eight Holstein Friesian cows aged between 3-7 years and housed in Lalahan Central Livestock Research Institute were used as oocyte donors. A special attachment designed for transvaginal studies, with 7.5 MHz transducer and aspirating needle apparatus was used for oocytes aspiration from donors. OPU sessions were applied once a week regularly for each donor. The study was divided into two periods. A refreshment season was put between each period for animal resting physiologically. Each donor jointed eight sessions per periods then 16 sessions were done totally during this study. Tissue Culture Medium-199 (TCM-199) was used for in vitro maturation of oocytes. Direct washing method with Brackett and Oliphant medium (BO) was used for in vitro fertilization process. Amino acids added Charles Rosencrans (CR1aa) medium was used for in vitro culture. Five percent CO2, over 95 % of humidity and 38.5oC environmental condition was used in the incubator for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and also embryo culture. Total 122 OPU sessions were realized during this study then 565 follicles at first period and 264 follicles at second period were punctured. Eight hundred twenty nine follicles were aspirated in two periods totally. After the study 228 oocytes were taken from donors. Average number of aspirated oocytes was 1.9±0.20 per OPU session. The A, B, C quality oocytes were put together in in vitro culture process after qualification according to cumulus oocytes complex. Average cleavage rate was 0.3±0.09 at 48 hours after fertilization. Seven embryos were reached blastocyts stage during the study. There have been differences statistically between two periods for the number of follicles and each cow. Also each period showed significant difference for aspirated oocytes. As a result, the number of embryos and oocytes were low because the average number of punctured follicles was limited for each cow. But it is the author`s belief that OPU technique can be used to provide oocytes from live donor cows. Genetically best donors and proper nutritional and environmental conditions should be selected for OPU sessions. Keywords : Cattle, Oocyte aspiration, Ultrasound, In vitro embryo production