Effect of embryo transfer technique on the likelihood of pregnancy in the mare: a comparison of conventional and Wilsher’s forceps-assisted transfer.

This research study investigates whether the technique used to transfer horse embryos impacts the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy. The study results suggest that a Wilsher technique, specifically designed for less experienced operators, has a significantly higher success rate than the traditional manual transfer technique.

Overview of the Study

• The researchers designed this study with the goal of comparing the likelihood of successful horse embryo transfers (ET) using two different methods: a manual technique and the Wilsher technique.
• The embryos were transferred over a span of three years with 179 transfers performed manually by experienced veterinarians and 170 transfers conducted by less experienced operators using the Wilsher technique.

Comparing Outcome of the Two Techniques

• Embryo transfer outcomes were evaluated based on the number of successful pregnancies and the instances of pregnancy loss during the first pregnancy examination. The successful pregnancies and pregnancy losses were then compared within and between the two groups.
• The study found that the rate of successful pregnancies was significantly higher with the Wilsher technique (92.3 percent) than with the manual method (70.9 percent).
• The frequency of pregnancy loss did not significantly differ between the two techniques, registering approximately 9.1 percent for the Wilsher technique and 7.9 percent for the manual technique.

Impact of Operator Experience

• The study also examined the role that the operator’s skill played in the outcomes. Results showed a significant operator effect for the manual technique, with the success rate varying from 50.9 percent to 79.7 percent depending on the operator.
• However, in the Wilsher group, no significant operator effect was observed, indicating that this technique could yield high success rates irrespective of the operator’s experience level.

Summary of Results

• The study concluded that the Wilsher embryo transfer technique yielded higher pregnancy rates (over 90 percent), regardless of the operator’s experience, making it a more effective method for less experienced veterinarians.