200 OVARIAN STIMULATION, LAPAROSCOPIC OOCYTE RETRIEVAL, IVF AND BLASTOCYST PRODUCTION USING SEQUENTIAL MEDIA IN THE AFRICAN LION (PANTHERA LEO)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of Gardner’s Sequential Medium on in vitro embryo production in lions. Three young (3–4 yr) nulliparous lionesses were treated with a total of 50 IU purified porcine FSH (Sioux Biochemical, Sioux Center, IA) in a decreasing regimen over 4 days. At 80 h, they were chemically immobilized with a combination of tiletamine and zolazepam (Zoletil; Virbac) and a single deslorelin implant (Ovuplant, Peptech Animal Health Pty, Ltd., North Ryda, New South Wales, Australia) was placed (s.c.) in the lateral thorax over the scapula to stimulate final oocyte maturation. Approximately 24 h later, the lionesses were again chemically immobilized (Zoletil);..