Reciprocal embryo transfer between repeat breeder and virgin heifers--an experimental model

The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of mother-concaptus relationships for the elevated embryonic loss in repeat breeder heifers. Embryos were collected by non-surgical technique, classified and transferred surgically or non-surgically to synchronized, inseminated recipients. The embryos were transferred to the uterinehorn contralateral to the corpus luteum. The embryos were transferred from repeat breeder heifers (RBH) to virgin heifers (VH) or from VH to RBH. After slaughter 4 weeks after transfer there was no difference in emhryonic survival between heifer categories following transfer or insemination. In some animals degenerated foetal membranes were found in the nonpregnant horn. The study indicates embryonic morphology rather than the category of donor or recipient as influencing the embryonic survival rate.Key words: embryo, embryonic death, embryo transfer, repeat breeder