Short communication BLASTOCYSTS PRODUCTION AND COLLECTION IN ALBINO SYRIAN HAMSTER USING SUPEROVULATION AND INTRAUTE- RINE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN NON-BREEDING SEASON

In vivo blastocyst production and collection using superovulation and intrauterine insemination was established in albino Syrian hamsters. Twenty female albino hamsters were injected pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG, 25 IU) in non-breeding season and 48 h or 56 h later, 25 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were injected. Both groups were divided into two subgroups of natural mating and artificial insemination. The former group was mated with a fertile male (1 male for 2 females) after hCG injection and in the next morning, the hamsters with vaginal plug were regarded as pregnant. In the artificial insemination group, intrauterine artificial insemination of 1×10 sperms was done 12 h after hCG injection. Blastocysts were counted at 3.5 days after mating or insemination. However, 48 h and 56 h hCG and natural mating and 48 h hCG and artificial insemination were without blastocyst; however the method of 56 h hCG and artificial insemination produced of 15±5 (mean and standard deviation) blastocysts in each albino hamster in the winter.