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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Factors Affecting Embryo Recovery Rate, Quality, and Diamete...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(11); doi: 10.3390/ani10111967

Factors Affecting Embryo Recovery Rate, Quality, and Diameter in Andalusian Donkey Jennies.

Abstract: Embryo transfer and the vitrification of embryos could be used for the conservation and recovery of endangered donkey breeds. It is important to develop techniques that optimize recovery rates and the cryotolerance of donkey embryos. This study evaluates factors affecting the recovery rate, quality, and diameter of embryos obtained from donor jennies as a starting point for the use of vitrification and embryo transfer in the conservation of the Andalusian donkey. A total of 100 embryos were recovered out of 124 estrous cycles (80.6%). The donor jenny affected the rates of positive flushings (PFR; p = 0.040) and embryo recovery (ERR; p < 0.05) as well as embryo quality (p = 0.004). ERR was also affected by the number of flushings (p < 0.001), donor age (p < 0.05), successive cycle within donor (p < 0.001), and jacks (p < 0.05). Number of flushings (p < 0.001) and jack (p < 0.05) had a significant effect on PFR, whereas the day of flushing influenced the developmental stage (p < 0.001), embryo quality (p < 0.05), and diameter of embryos (p < 0.001). The number of flushings significantly influenced the diameter (p = 0.038) and embryo developmental stage (p = 0.001), whereas the developmental stage was statistically different between herds (p = 0.020). The factors influencing the success of this assisted reproductive technique were donor jenny, donor age, successive cycle within donor, day of flushing, number of flushings, and jack. The identification of these key points is crucial to achieve a higher efficiency of embryo transfer and vitrification processes, before considering their application in the conservation of endangered donkey breeds.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-26 PubMed ID: 33114673PubMed Central: PMC7693601DOI: 10.3390/ani10111967Google 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.

The research article investigates the variables influencing the rate at which embryos are recovered, their quality, and diameter from Andalusian donkey jennies for potential use in preserving endangered donkey breeds through embryo transfer and vitrification.

Introduction and Study Objectives

The study aimed at understanding and optimizing the techniques used in the recovery and cryopreservation of embryos from Andalusian donkey jennies. The main objective was to identify specific factors that influence the success rate, quality, and diameter of the recovered embryos as these are foundational in enhancing the efficiency of embryo transfer and vitrification techniques.

Methodology and Findings

  • The study involved extracting 100 embryos across 124 estrous cycles, making a recovery rate of about 80.6%.
  • Various determinant keys were found to affect the positive flushing rates (PFR), embryo recovery rates (ERR), and the quality of the embryos. These factors included the donor jenny (P=0.040 for PFR and P<0.05 for ERR and quality), the number of flushings performed (P<0.001 for ERR and PFR), the age of the donor (P<0.05 for ERR), the sequential cycle of the donor (P<0.001 for ERR), and the individual jack (male donkey) involved (P<0.05 for ERR and PFR).
  • The day of flushing greatly influenced the developmental stage (P<0.001), the quality (P<0.05), and the diameter of the embryos (P<0.001).
  • Notably, the number of flushing episodes had a significant influence on the diameter (P=0.038) and the developmental stage (P=0.001) of the embryos.
  • The developmental stage differed statistically among herds (P=0.020).

Conclusion

The study concluded that the key variables influencing the success of the embryo recovery process were the donor jenny, donor’s age, successive cycle of the donor, day of flushing, number of flushings, and the particular jack. Understanding how these factors interact in influencing the ERR, PFR, and embryo quality is crucial in enhancing the efficiency of the methods utilized. This knowledge is vital for the conservation and recovery efforts aiming to preserve threatened donkey populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Dorado J, Bottrel M, Ortiz I, Díaz-Jiménez M, Pereira B, Consuegra C, Carrasco JJ, Gómez-Arrones V, Domingo A, Hidalgo M. (2020). Factors Affecting Embryo Recovery Rate, Quality, and Diameter in Andalusian Donkey Jennies. Animals (Basel), 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10111967

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Dorado, J
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
Bottrel, M
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
Ortiz, I
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
Díaz-Jiménez, M
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
Pereira, B
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
Consuegra, C
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.
Carrasco, J J
  • Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain.
Gómez-Arrones, V
  • Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain.
Domingo, A
  • Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain.
Hidalgo, M
  • Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain.

Grant Funding

  • AGL2013-42726-R / Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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