Vol. 9, Issue 8, Part E (2025)

The objective of this study was to assess stress responses and ovarian complications following Transvaginal Oocyte Retrieval (TVOR) in crossbred dairy cattle. Eighteen animals were randomly assigned to three groups, all subjected to superstimulation protocol with porcine FSH (PFSH) prior to TVOR. Serum cortisol levels were measured at three time points: before superstimulation, immediately after TVOR, and on day seven Post-TVOR. Transrectal palpation and ultrasonography were performed on day seven to identify any ovarian complications. No significant difference in cortisol levels were observed among groups prior to superstimulation (p>0.05). However, animals in groups 2 and 3 exhibited significantly higher cortisol concentrations on the day of TVOR compared to group 1 (p≤0.05), with no difference between groups 2 and 3. Cortisol values returned to baseline by day seven in all groups. Ovarian hardening and hypertrophy were observed in group 3, while luteal structures and blood-filled follicles were observed on ultrasonography in groups 1 and 2. No adhesions or major complications were detected in any group. These findings indicate that the cortisol rise after TVOR reflects an acute yet transient procedural stress response; the absence of major complications further confirms that TVOR is a safe, minimally invasive, and repeatable technique in superstimulated donor cattle.