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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2018; 53 Suppl 2; 4-13; doi: 10.1111/rda.13259

Assisted reproductive techniques in mares.

Abstract: A wide variety of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) are available to aid in managing aspects of equine reproduction. Embryo recovery and transfer can be used to obtain more than one foal per mare per year, and to obtain foals from mares that cannot carry a foal to term. Oocyte recovery and either transfer to the oviduct of an inseminated recipient mare (oocyte transfer), or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo culture can be used to obtain foals from mares with some types of subfertility, such as problems of the tubular tract. ICSI can be used to obtain foals when sperm number or quality is low. Because of its ease of use for the mare owner and efficiency, oocyte recovery and ICSI is being used in some cases for management of normally fertile mares and stallions. Oocytes can be recovered from live mares by the referring veterinarian, and shipped overnight to a laboratory for ICSI, without any decrease in oocyte or embryo viability. In case of unexpected death of a mare, ovaries or oocytes can be transported to the ICSI laboratory for production of embryos. Embryos produced both in vitro and in vivo can be biopsied to determine their genetic makeup before they are transferred. Equine embryos can be vitrified successfully; collapse of the blastocoele cavity allows efficient vitrification of expanded blastocysts. In contrast, cryopreservation of unfertilized equine oocytes still has low success. Genetics of valuable animals can be preserved via nuclear transfer (cloning) and several commercial companies offer this service clinically.
© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-22 PubMed ID: 30238661DOI: 10.1111/rda.13259Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the various assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) that can assist in areas of equine reproduction. The authors detail how these techniques can be utilized to produce multiple foals from a single mare each year, manage subfertility issues in mares, and ensure the propagation of valuable genetic traits.

Assisted Reproductive Techniques in Equine Reproduction

  • The study explores numerous ARTs that help in equine reproduction. These include embryo recovery and transfer, oocyte recovery, oocyte transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and embryo culture.
  • Using ARTs like embryo recovery and transfer, a mare can potentially yield more than one foal per year. This is especially beneficial for mares that are unable to carry a foal to term naturally.
  • Oocyte recovery and subsequent transfer to the oviduct of a mare that has been inseminated (referred to as oocyte transfer) can lead to the birth of foals from mares with specific subfertility issues, such as troubles in the tubular tract.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and its Applications

  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is another ART technique that facilitates horse reproduction when sperm number or quality is poor.
  • ICSI is also utilized for managing normal fertility in both mares and stallions due to its efficiency and easiness to use.
  • Oocytes can be retrieved from live mares by the veterinarian and shipped overnight to a laboratory for ICSI without any reduction in oocyte or embryo viability.
  • If a mare dies unexpectedly, the ovaries or oocytes can also be sent to the ICSI laboratory for the production of embryos.

Genetic Testing and Preservation

  • The genetic makeup of both in vitro and in vivo produced embryos can be determined via a biopsy, which is performed before the embryos are transferred.
  • While vitrification, a process of cryopreservation, is successful for equine embryos, cryopreservation of unfertilized equine oocytes typically yields low success rates.
  • Genetics of valuable animals can be preserved through nuclear transfer or cloning. Several commercial companies offer this service clinically.

Cite This Article

APA
Hinrichs K. (2018). Assisted reproductive techniques in mares. Reprod Domest Anim, 53 Suppl 2, 4-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13259

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 53 Suppl 2
Pages: 4-13

Researcher Affiliations

Hinrichs, Katrin
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst
  • Cloning, Organism / veterinary
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Embryo Transfer / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horses / embryology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Male
  • Nuclear Transfer Techniques / veterinary
  • Oocytes
  • Pregnancy
  • Preimplantation Diagnosis
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
  • Vitrification

Grant Funding

  • American Quarter Horse Foundation
  • Clinical Equine ICSI Program, Texas A&M University
  • Link Equine Research Endowment Fund, Texas A&M University

Citations

This article has been cited 27 times.
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