Embryo transfers

Our commitments

The embryo transfer procedure at Feuillard Stud is supervised by Valérie Burban, Coordinating veterinarian. The procedures are conducted in accordance with all pertinent regulations. The embryo transfer procedure (or embryo transplantation) is an artificial technique for reproduction consisting of the collection of an embryo from the uterus of one mare, the donor, and its implantation in the uterus of a recipient mare. The embryo then develops in the recipient until it is foaled. 

Advantages

Young mares, 3 or even 2 years old, with renown ancestors can produce youngstock without undergoing the physiological constraints of foaling, which can stunt their growth. The gap between generations is thus reduced several years while allowing the mare to compete at the age of 4.

It is no longer necessary to choose between a breeding or competitive career for your mares. A mare can produce embryos without compromising her competitive career.

The embryo transfer technique allows for the possibility of collecting embryos from aged mares or mares who still ovulate, but cannot safely carry or give birth to a foal due to lesions in their uterus, cervix, or vagina.

Embryo transfer increases the number of products born per year from a mare of very high genetic value.

Feuillard Stud's Responsibilities

Take all the appropriate measures to assure the success of the recipient mare’s gestation (Ref: Contract for embryo transfer). Feuillard Stud will make all the arrangement to assure that your mare will have the best possible conditions at our stud farm. We offer stall and/pasture boarding for your mare with or without her foal.

For our recipient mare herd, we assure:

• An adequate number of recipient mares.
• Artificial lighting for the recipient mares by December 15, before the breeding season, in order to advance their cycle and assure that they are ready to receive embryo transfers.
• Deworming and vaccination of recipient mares as well as a balanced diet providing the best possible conditions for their health.
• Monitoring of recipient mares according to criteria of gynecology, morphology, and temperament.

Assure that the artificial insemination procedure is up to the highest standards, if conducted at our stud farm:

Synchronize one or more recipient mares according to their in-house veterinary monitoring  or according to information provided by the breeder . Feuillard Stud reserves the right to use recipient mares from other stud farms in the case that no mare’s cycle is synchronized with the donor mare.

Carry out the embryo collection procedure at Feuillard Stud . The embryo collection is completed through a non-surgical process by which the embryo is flushed through the cervix through J6-J8.

After the cleaning and preparation of the embryo(s) collected, our team will implant it within 24 hours in the recipient.

Attend to all administrative tasks associated with this procedure. If third parties are involved, they will be asked to provide their covering certificate duly completed for the parties concerned. If these steps are not taken, Feuillard Stud declines all responsibility for administrative difficulties.

Complete the sonogram diagnostics for the gestation 1 week after the receipt of a gestation certificate from a veterinarian verifying that the mare is 45 days into her gestation.

Cash your check for 2 500 € + tax, only after the recipient mare’s gestation has been confirmed 45 days after her ovulation.

Requirements for the owner of a donor mare

The mare’s owner will:

Take all of the necessary steps for the reservation of a covering certificate for the desired stallion.

Declare the donor mare and embryo transfer process to the National Stud Farms. In the case of non-compliance, the foal’s birth registration will be blocked by the SIRE and his record book will not be delivered.

Accept the techniques used by our stud farm specified above and accept the associated risks.

Return a completed contract and a signed check for the cost of the surrogate foaling, 2 500 € + tax, to Feuillard Stud for the embryo transplant and all associated services,. Your check will not be cashed until the 45th day of the recipient mare’s confirmed gestation.

Provide us with your mare’s medical file. A contract for the  breeding season for insemination, embryo collection, gynecological monitoring and boarding must be signed and returned to Feuillard Stud with the present contract before the arrival of the mare at Feuillard Stud.

Allow Feuillard Stud free use of photographs, competition results, etc., for advertising.

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