Birth of first foals through embryo transfer after artificial insemination using frozen semen in Japan.
Abstract: Until now, there have been no reports of foals born through embryo transfer after artificial insemination using frozen semen in Japan. The aims of this study were to develop a riding crossbred horse and evaluate the prospects of embryo transfer technology in multiplying horse population. In both donor and recipient mares, luteolysis was induced by the administration of 0.1 mg Cloprostenol to synchronize the onset of estrus, and ovulation was induced by administering 2000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or 0.75 mg Deslorelin. Frozen semen from an Irish Connemara pony stallion was used to breed a Hokkaido native pony mare by deep-horn artificial insemination (dose, 400 × 106 sperm). A non-surgical technique was used to collect embryos from the donor mare at day 7 post-ovulation and transfer them transcervically into the uterus of recipient mares (n = 4) immediately after collection. Weekly blood samples were collected from the recipients throughout pregnancy. A total of four embryos were recovered from seven collection attempts (57% recovery) from a donor mare in a single breeding season. Three of the four transferred embryos maintained successful pregnancy and delivered a healthy live foal (75% birth). A normal progesterone profile was observed throughout gestation in recipient mares. In conclusion, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, this study describes the birth of foals through non-surgical transcervical embryo transfer in Japan after artificial insemination using frozen semen. We expect that this new crossbreed (Connemara pony × Hokkaido native pony) will be a good riding breed.
Publication Date: 2020-01-26 PubMed ID: 31983706PubMed Central: PMC7175392DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2019-117Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study reports the first successful births of foals in Japan through the process of embryo transfer after artificial insemination using frozen semen. The authors aimed to use this new technology to develop a unique crossbred horse and to evaluate the potential uses of embryo transfer technology for horse breeding in the future.
Methodology
- In an attempt to develop a riding crossbred horse, the researchers combined eggs from a Hokkaido native pony mare and frozen semen from an Irish Connemara pony stallion.
- The mares’ reproductive cycles were synchronized through hormone therapy. The hormone Cloprostenol was administered to induce luteolysis, the breakdown of the corpus luteum which triggers the onset of estrus or ‘heat’ in mares. Ovulation was then initiated by administering human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or Deslorelin.
- Following this, the mares were artificially inseminated using a technique called ‘deep-horn insemination’, which involves placing the semen into the depths of the uterine horn that is nearest to the dominant follicle on the ovary.
Post-Insemination Process
- Embryos were collected from the donor mare seven days after ovulation using a non-surgical technique and were immediately transferred transcervically (via the cervix) into the uterus of the recipient mares.
- Throughout the pregnancy, weekly blood samples were collected from the recipient mares to monitor progesterone levels, as an indicator of health and successful progression of pregnancy.
Results and Conclusion
- From seven embryo collection attempts in one breeding season, the team successfully recovered four embryos, giving a recovery rate of 57%.
- Of the four embryos transferred to recipient mares, three resulted in successful pregnancies and the births of healthy foals, translating to a birth rate of 75%.
- Healthy progesterone levels were maintained throughout the gestation period in the recipient mares, further confirming the success of the experiment.
- With positive initial results, the researchers believe this new breed, the Connemara pony and Hokkaido native pony cross, will be a beneficial riding breed. The successful birth of these foals also highlights the potential of non-surgical transcervical embryo transfer in Japan after artificial insemination using frozen semen.
Cite This Article
APA
Hannan MA, Haneda S, Murata K, Takeuchi S, Cheong SH, Nambo Y.
(2020).
Birth of first foals through embryo transfer after artificial insemination using frozen semen in Japan.
J Reprod Dev, 66(2), 193-197.
https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.2019-117 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Gono University, Savar 1344, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, NY 14853, USA.
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cryopreservation / veterinary
- Embryo Transfer / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Japan
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
References
This article includes 20 references
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