The national cattle raising obtains continuous and rapid economic development with the
advancement of reproductive biotechnology techniques. These allow the possibility of
increasing the production of animals that have characteristics of high interest. Ultrasound-
guided follicular aspiration (Ovum Pick Up - OPU) is a widely used biotechnique in large
animals with the aim of genetic improvement in the herd. This consists of obtaining oocytes
from females with high added value, so that they can be used for the production of embryos in
the laboratory and for the rapid dissemination of specific genetics. Mares and cows are the
animals in which the technique has been most explored and has generated excellent results. The
steps pertaining to the in vivo follicular aspiration technique consist of selection of oocyte donor
females and prior preparation, organization of material and equipment on the day of aspiration,
anesthesia and asepsis, aspiration procedure, post aspiration care, and oocyte tracking and
selection collected. Most of these steps are performed in both horses and cattle. However, in
view of the physiological and reproductive particularities between these two species, the steps
take place in different ways. This work aims to describe the reproductive biotechnique of OPU,
present the stages of the process, highlighting the methodological differences that are adopted
for the use of this technique in both cattle and horses.
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