Endometrial biopsy in Bos indicus beef heifers.

Contents An endometrial biopsy allows for a comprehensive assessment of the uterine environment of a breeding female. Although routine in mares, devices used for endometrial biopsies are impracticable in heifers due to the size and structure of the cervix. This report describes the use of a human bronchoscopy biopsy device (Karl Storz((R)) 10366L) for collection of endometrial biopsies in Bos indicus beef heifers. The Storz((R)) device is smaller and thinner and enabled the collection of an endometrial biopsy in 86% of heifers (n=44/51). The biopsied tissue was of good quality and suitable for transcriptomic assessment of the endometrium, with total RNA yield and RNA integrity number (RIN) averaging 1.3g (range 0.4-5.3g) and 7.4 (range 5.7-8.4), respectively.