Effect of different shipping temperatures (∼22 °C vs. ∼7 °C) and holding media on blastocyst development after overnight holding of immature equine cumulus-oocyte complexes.
Abstract: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an important tool for equine embryo production in both clinical and research settings. In clinical ICSI programs, immature equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are often collected at the mare's location and shipped to the ICSI laboratory. To simplify shipment and aid scheduling of subsequent procedures, COCs can be held overnight at room temperature (∼22 °C) before placement into maturation culture, with no detrimental effect on meiotic or developmental competence. A recent study indicated that it might be possible to hold COCs overnight at cold (∼4 °C) temperatures. If so, this might allow longer holding periods that would ease shipping requirements. In this study, we compared oocyte maturation rates, as well as cleavage and blastocyst rates after ICSI, for COCs held at either room or cold temperatures overnight before the onset of in vitro maturation. In Exp. 1, COCs were shipped overnight in a commercial embryo holding medium, ViGRO (Vg), in insulated containers designed to hold at either room temperature (RT, ∼22 °C) or cold temperatures (Cold, ∼7 °C). Subsequent rates of in vitro maturation, cleavage and blastocyst formation were significantly higher in the RT treatment (39%, 90% and 41%, respectively) than in the Cold treatment (23%, 60% and 17%, respectively, P < .05). In Exp. 2, we compared Vg medium with a second commercial embryo holding medium, SYNGRO (Sy). There was no significant difference between Vg and Sy groups in any evaluated parameter within either RT or Cold treatments. Within each medium group and for both media combined, the rates of in vitro maturation, cleavage and blastocyst formation were significantly higher in the RT treatment (42%, 81% and 42%, respectively for the combined media) than in the Cold treatment (29%, 54% and 10%, respectively for the combined media, P < .05). We conclude that shipment of immature equine COCs at cold temperatures (∼7 °C) is detrimental to subsequent in vitro maturation and embryo production.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-02-02 PubMed ID: 29428846DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.044Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study analyzes the effects of different shipping temperatures (approximately 22°C versus about 7°C) and holding mediums on the development of equine blastocysts. The results demonstrate the harmful impact of colder shipping temperatures on in vitro maturation and formation of embryos.
Objective of the Study
The research conducts a comparative analysis of two shipping temperatures and two holding mediums on the development of immature equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) – essential components in embryo production. These COCs were stored overnight before in vitro maturation and the results were studied.
Methodology
- The study was comprised of two experiments. In the first, COCs were shipped overnight in ViGRO – a commercial embryo holding medium in insulated containers holding at either room temperature (about 22°C) or cold temperatures (around 7°C).
- The second experiment compared effects of ViGRO medium with another commercial embryo holding medium, SYNGRO, across the same room and cold temperatures.
Findings
- In the first experiment, the rates of in vitro maturation, cell cleavage, and blastocyst formation were significantly higher in the room temperature treatment versus the cold temperature treatment.
- In the second experiment, there was no significant difference observed in any evaluated parameters between using ViGRO and SYNGRO holding mediums within both room and cold temperature treatments. However, the same higher success rates were noted in the room temperature treatments for both mediums.
Conclusion
- Based on the results, the researchers concluded that shipping equine COCs at colder temperatures (~7°C) negatively affects the subsequent in vitro maturation and embryo production process.
- Although commercial holding media differ, the detrimental effect of colder shipping temperatures were consistent, suggesting that room temperature (~22°C) is a notably more effective method for shipping equine COCs overnight.
Cite This Article
APA
Diaw M, Salgado RM, Canesin HS, Gridley N, Hinrichs K.
(2018).
Effect of different shipping temperatures (∼22 °C vs. ∼7 °C) and holding media on blastocyst development after overnight holding of immature equine cumulus-oocyte complexes.
Theriogenology, 111, 62-68.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.044 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, TX, USA. Electronic address: khinrichs@cvm.tamu.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blastocyst
- Cold Temperature
- Culture Media
- Cumulus Cells / physiology
- Horses
- In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / veterinary
- Oocytes / physiology
- Specimen Handling
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Huijsmans TERG, Hassan HA, Smits K, Van Soom A. Postmortem Collection of Gametes for the Conservation of Endangered Mammals: A Review of the Current State-of-the-Art. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 15;13(8).
- Martinez de Andino EV, Brom-de-Luna JG, Canesin HS, Rader K, Resende HL, Ripley AM, Love CC, Hinrichs K. Intrafollicular oocyte transfer in the horse: effect of autologous vs. allogeneic transfer and time of administration of ovulatory stimulus before transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019 Jun;36(6):1237-1250.
- Gostage J, Domingo-Lopez DA, Tarpey R, Duffy GP, Levey RE. From cold chain to ambient: Benefits, risks, and evidence across cell therapy logistics. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2025 Dec 11;33(4):101613.
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