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Advancements in cryopreservation of domestic animal embryos.
Abstract: The development of embryo freezing technologies revolutionized cattle breeding. Since then, advancements in cryobiology, cell biology, and domestic animal embryology have enabled the development of embryo preservation methodologies for our other domestic animal species, including sheep and goats. Recently, technologies have been developed to cryopreserve pig embryos, notorious for their extreme sensitivity to cooling; horse embryo cryopreservation is in its infancy. While cryopreservation can enhance the utilization of in vitro embryo production technologies, cryosurvival of in vitro-produced (IVP) or micromanipulated embryos is less than that of in vivo-derived embryos. This review outlines recent efforts in livestock embryo cryopreservation. In the near future, use of preserved embryos could be a routine breeding alternative for all livestock producers providing 1) preservation methods for maternal germplasm, 2) global genetic transport, 3) increased selection pressure within herds, 4) breeding line regeneration or proliferation, and 5) methodology for genetic rescue.
Publication Date: 2002-01-05 PubMed ID: 11775976DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00672-0Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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This research article examines the advances in embryo freezing technologies for domestic animals like cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and horses, discussing the benefits and challenges associated with the process.
Understanding Advances in Embryo Cryopreservation
The broad review focuses on all contemporary developments pertaining to embryo freezing technology and how they’ve played a significant role in cattle breeding. The advancements in different scientific fields such as:
- Cryobiology: The study of how cold affects organisms.
- Cell Biology: It studies the different aspects of a cell —the basic unit of life.
- Domestic animal embryology: The study of the embryonic development of domestic animals.
have enabled the creation of additional embryo preservation methods for other domestic animals like sheep and goats.
Recent Developments
The article highlights the progress in cryopreserving pig embryos, which are notoriously known for their high sensitivity to cooling. Besides, it also notes that the cryopreservation of horse embryos is still at the developmental stage. The review acknowledges, though, the fact that while cryopreservation enhances the utility of in vitro (laboratory-grown) embryos, the post-preservation survival rate of these lab-grown embryos is lower than those derived in vivo (within the organism).
Future Outlook
The paper envisions that significantly improved, routine utilization of preserved embryos could offer several potential benefits for livestock farming, such as:
- Potential to preserve maternal germplasm: It could offer a way to store and protect the genetic material of female animals.
- Enabling global genetic transport: This technology could aid in transportation of genetic material across international borders.
- Increasing selection pressure within herds: This could potentially lead to stronger and healthier livestock over time.
- Breeding-line regeneration or proliferation: It could assist in breeding new generations or increasing the population of particular species or breeds.
- Aids in genetic rescue methodologies: It could help conserve endangered species or breeds by maintaining a stock of their genetic material.
However, despite its potential, the article notes that further work is needed for these benefits to be fully realized.
Cite This Article
APA
Dobrinsky JR.
(2002).
Advancements in cryopreservation of domestic animal embryos.
Theriogenology, 57(1), 285-302.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00672-0 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Germplasm & Gamete Physiology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, BARC-East, B200, R22, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. bigjohn@anri.barc.usda.gov
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic / embryology
- Animals, Domestic / genetics
- Cattle / embryology
- Cattle / genetics
- Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
- Cryopreservation / methods
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Cryoprotective Agents
- Cytoskeleton / physiology
- Embryo Transfer / veterinary
- Female
- Freezing
- Goats / embryology
- Goats / genetics
- Horses / embryology
- Horses / genetics
- Lipid Metabolism
- Male
- Sheep / embryology
- Sheep / genetics
- Swine / embryology
- Swine / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Uchikura A, Matsunari H, Maehara M, Yonamine S, Wakayama S, Wakayama T, Nagashima H. Hollow fiber vitrification allows cryopreservation of embryos with compromised cryotolerance. Reprod Med Biol 2020 Apr;19(2):142-150.
- Brogliato C, Romanini J, Berton CZ, Suganuma CH, Vellez LT, Yoshida IH, Barbosa CP. Expansion and herniation: evaluation of the best pregnancy rate predictor after quarter laser assisted hatching in frozen blastocyst transfers. JBRA Assist Reprod 2020 May 1;24(2):170-172.
- Martinez CA, Cambra JM, Nohalez A, Parrilla I, Roca J, Vazquez JL, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Gil MA, Martinez EA, Cuello C. Prevention of hatching of porcine morulae and blastocysts by liquid storage at 20 °C. Sci Rep 2019 Apr 17;9(1):6219.
- Drake AC, Lee Y, Burgess EM, Karlsson JOM, Eroglu A, Higgins AZ. Effect of water content on the glass transition temperature of mixtures of sugars, polymers, and penetrating cryoprotectants in physiological buffer. PLoS One 2018;13(1):e0190713.
- Miyamoto Y, Noguchi H, Yukawa H, Oishi K, Matsushita K, Iwata H, Hayashi S. Cryopreservation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cell Med 2012 Jan;3(1-3):89-95.
- Herrid M, Vajta G, Skidmore JA. Current status and future direction of cryopreservation of camelid embryos. Theriogenology 2017 Feb;89:20-25.
- Spate LD, Murphy CN, Prather RS. High-throughput cryopreservation of in vivo-derived swine embryos. PLoS One 2013;8(6):e65545.
- Li R, Murphy CN, Spate L, Wax D, Isom C, Rieke A, Walters EM, Samuel M, Prather RS. Production of piglets after cryopreservation of embryos using a centrifugation-based method for delipation without micromanipulation. Biol Reprod 2009 Mar;80(3):563-71.
- Sun X, Li Z, Yi Y, Chen J, Leno GH, Engelhardt JF. Efficient term development of vitrified ferret embryos using a novel pipette chamber technique. Biol Reprod 2008 Nov;79(5):832-40.
- Mullen SF, Rosenbaum M, Critser JK. The effect of osmotic stress on the cell volume, metaphase II spindle and developmental potential of in vitro matured porcine oocytes. Cryobiology 2007 Jun;54(3):281-9.
- Akkoç T. In Vıtro Productıon of Bovıne Blastocysts and Cryopreservatıon Technıques. Adv Exp Med Biol 2025;1499:51-70.
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