Embryo transfer technology has significant applications in cattle breeding but involves procedures with welfare implications for both donor and recipient cows requiring careful management.
Embryo transfer involves procedures that can compromise donor and recipient welfare if not managed carefully. Superovulation protocols cause significant hormonal disruption, and variable ovarian response means some donors produce no usable embryos despite invasive procedures. Repeated hormonal stimulation in frequent donors may impair long-term reproductive health. Proper sedation and analgesia during procedures, limiting donor superovulation frequency, careful synchrony protocols for recipients, and monitoring for complications are essential welfare safeguards in ET programs.