Equine non-invasive time-lapse imaging and blastocyst development.
Abstract: In this study we examined the timeline of mitotic events of invitro-produced equine embryos that progressed to blastocyst stage using non-invasive time-lapse microscopy (TLM). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryos were cultured using a self-contained imaging incubator system (Miri®TL; Esco Technologies) that captured brightfield images at 5-min intervals that were then generated into video for retrospective analysis. For all embryos that progressed to the blastocyst stage, the initial event of extrusion of acellular debris preceded all first cleavages and occurred at mean (±s.e.m.) time of 20.0±1.1h after ICSI, whereas 19 of 24 embryos that did not reach the blastocyst stage demonstrated debris extrusion that occurred at 23.8±1.1h, on average 4h longer for this initial premitotic event (P<0.05). Embryos that failed to reach the blastocyst stage demonstrated a 4-h delay compared with those that reached the blastocyst stage to reach the 2-cell stage (P<0.05). All embryos that reached the blastocyst stage expressed pulsation of the blastocyst with visible expansion and contraction at approximate 10-min intervals, or five to six times per hour. Using a logit probability method, we determined that 2- and 8-cell stage embryos could reasonably predict which embryos progressed to the blastocyst stage. Together, the results indicate that TLM for equine embryo development is a dynamic tool with promise for predicting successful embryo development.
Publication Date: 2019-10-22 PubMed ID: 31630727DOI: 10.1071/RD19260Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the timeline of cell division events in horse embryos that develop into a blastocyst, using non-invasive time-lapse microscopy. The study also explores the timing and potential indicators of successful embryo development.
Research Methodology
- The research team used a non-invasive imaging technique, time-lapse microscopy (TLM), to study in-vitro-produced equine (horse) embryos. These embryos were created using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a method where a single sperm cell is injected directly into an egg.
- The embryos were cultured in an enclosed imaging incubation system, named the Miri®TL, developed by Esco Technologies. This system took brightfield images at 5-minute intervals, which were then turned into video for analysis.
Key Findings
- The study found that for all embryos that developed into the blastocyst stage (a stage of early embryonic development), the first event of extrusion of acellular debris (ejecting cellular waste) occurred around 20 hours after the ICSI procedure.
- In contrast, embryos that did not reach the blastocyst stage showed debris extrusion around 4 hours later, on average.
- Embryos that failed to develop into blastocysts also showed a 4-hour delay in reaching the 2-cell stage compared to embryos that did progress to the blastocyst stage.
- The study found consistent pulsation of the blastocyst, with visible expansion and contraction approximately every 10 minutes, in all embryos that reached the blastocyst stage.
- Using a logit probability method (a type of statistical analysis), the researchers determined that the 2-and 8-cell stage embryos could reasonably predict which embryos would develop into the blastocyst stage.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, this study suggests that TLM can be an effective tool for predicting successful horse embryo development. The ability to track and predict developmental milestones provides potential for enhancing in-vitro fertilization success rates and optimising horse breeding programs.
Cite This Article
APA
Meyers S, Burruel V, Kato M, de la Fuente A, Orellana D, Renaudin C, Dujovne G.
(2019).
Equine non-invasive time-lapse imaging and blastocyst development.
Reprod Fertil Dev, 31(12), 1874-1884.
https://doi.org/10.1071/RD19260 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA; and Corresponding author. Email: smeyers@ucdavis.edu.
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blastocyst / cytology
- Blastocyst / ultrastructure
- Cells, Cultured
- Embryo Culture Techniques / veterinary
- Embryo, Mammalian
- Embryonic Development / physiology
- Female
- Horses / embryology
- Male
- Microscopy / methods
- Microscopy / veterinary
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / methods
- Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
- Time Factors
- Time-Lapse Imaging / methods
- Time-Lapse Imaging / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Hannan MA, Watanabe H, Takeyama A, Yoshida S, Wudamu D, Lkhagvasuren N, Claes A, Stout TAE, Cheong SH, Haneda S, Nambo Y. In vitro embryo production via ovum pick-up (OPU) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in pure and crossbred Japanese Hokkaido native ponies. J Reprod Dev 2025 Jun 6;71(3):191-194.
- Zeng W, Xiao D, Chen R, Lu Y, Liang W, Sun H. A novel method for gas mixing and distribution in multi-chamber embryo incubators. Technol Health Care 2024;32(S1):169-181.
- De Coster T, Zhao Y, Tšuiko O, Demyda-Peyrás S, Van Soom A, Vermeesch JR, Smits K. Genome-wide equine preimplantation genetic testing enabled by simultaneous haplotyping and copy number detection. Sci Rep 2024 Jan 23;14(1):2003.
- de la Fuente A, Scoggin C, Bradecamp E, Martin-Pelaez S, van Heule M, Troedsson M, Daels P, Meyers S, Dini P. Transcriptome Signature of Immature and In Vitro-Matured Equine Cumulus-Oocytes Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Sep 6;24(18).
- Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 4;11(8).
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