Relationship between plasma anti-Mullerian hormone concentrations during the rearing period and subsequent embryo productivity in Japanese black cattle

To use plasma anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations as early-stage markers for donor cow selection, we investigated the relationship between plasma AMH concentrations in Japanese black heifers and subsequent embryo productivity following superovulation treatment. Plasma AMH and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in 6 heifers were evaluated once per month from 3 mo before successful AI for primiparity to 3 mo postpartum. Following calving, embryo collection by superovulation treatment was performed at 3- to 4-mo intervals. There were no significant differences in plasma AMH concentrations between the time points throughout the study period. There were, however, significant inter-animal differences in plasma AMH concentrations (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that plasma AMH concentrations were stable over time and individually specific. There were significant positive correlations between plasma AMH concentrations before AI and embryo productivity variables, including the number of ova/embryos (number of transferable embryos, degenerated embryos, and unfertilized oocytes) and numbers/proportions of fertilized and transferable embryos. There was no significant correlation between plasma AMH and NEFA concentrations throughout the study period. These findings reveal that plasma AMH concentrations during the rearing period can be used to predict subsequent embryo productivity following superovulation treatment, suggesting that these concentrations are useful early-stage markers for selecting donor cows. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.