Methods for collecting follicular oocytes from mares.
Abstract: A series of experiments was conducted to develop a procedure for consistent, repeatable collection of oocytes from the preovulatory follicle of the mare. In one experiment, in situ follicular aspiration with a needle and syringe was performed on 19 mares. From 37 aspirations, four oocytes were recovered (10% recovery rate). In a second experiment, ovaries were visualized via standing flank laparotomy during which two different aspiration techniques were used. Use of a needle and syringe as in the first experiment resulted in successful oocyte recovery in one of seven (14%) attempts. Aspiration via a continuous irrigation vacuum system (CIV), developed for use during laparotomy, resulted in collection of oocytes from six of 10 (60%) attempts. In the third experiment, oocytes were recovered from seven of 18 (38%) attempts at in situ follicular aspiration using a double-lumen needle attached to the CIV. In each experiment, some mares were subjected to stimulation of follicular maturation by exogenous hormones. Oocyte recovery was significantly increased in treated mares as compared with nontreated mares. Results indicate that collection of equine follicular oocytes by in situ aspiration is possible with moderate success. Oocytes apparently are not physically damaged by the procedure, as most retained either the corona radiata or the entire cumulus cell mass.
Publication Date: 1988-01-01 PubMed ID: 16726422DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(88)80024-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research conducted a set of experiments aiming to create a predictable and repeatable method for the collection of oocytes from preovulatory follicles in mares. Through a series of different aspiration techniques – in situ follicular aspiration with a needle and syringe, standing flank laparotomy, and a continuous irrigation vacuum system – the study found that oocyte collection is indeed possible with moderate success, with hormonal stimulation improving the rates of recovery.
Study Design and Objectives
- The study aimed to devise a method for the consistent and repeatable collection of oocytes from the preovulatory follicles of mares.
- A total of three experiments were conducted using different oocyte collection techniques, namely in situ follicular aspiration with a needle and syringe, standing flank laparotomy, and a continuous irrigation vacuum system (CIV).
- Some mares in each experiment were given exogenous hormones to stimulate follicular maturation to assess its effects on oocyte recovery.
Findings from Different Experiments
- In the first experiment, the needle and syringe aspiration performed on 19 mares resulted in an oocyte recovery rate of 10%, with four oocytes recovered from 37 aspirations.
- The second experiment involved standing flank laparotomy on the mares to visualize the ovaries and compare oocyte recovery between the needle and syringe method and the CIV method. The needle and syringe method yielded a 14% success rate in oocyte recovery, while the CIV method resulted in a 60% success rate.
- In the third experiment, a double-lumen needle attached to the CIV was used for in situ follicular aspiration, with a success rate of 38% for oocyte recovery.
Effects of Hormonal Stimulation
- In each experiment, some mares were subjected to hormonal stimulation to promote follicular maturation.
- The results suggest that the use of exogenous hormones significantly enhances the success rate of oocyte collection in mares.
Conclusions
- This paper concludes that oocyte collection from equine follicular oocytes through in situ aspiration is moderately successful.
- The oocytes did not seem to sustain any physical damage during the procedure as they retained either the corona radiata or the entire cumulus cell mass.
- Hence, while the method can still be improved upon, the research provides a significant contribution to the field of equine reproduction and can be valuable in treating fertility issues in mares.
Cite This Article
APA
Vogelsang MM, Kreider JL, Bowen MJ, Potter GD, Forrest DW, Kraemer DC.
(1988).
Methods for collecting follicular oocytes from mares.
Theriogenology, 29(5), 1007-1018.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(88)80024-4 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Dept. of Animal Science Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Ishak GM, Bashir ST, Dutra GA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Cavinder CA, Feugang JM, Gastal EL. In vivo antral follicle wall biopsy: a new research technique to study ovarian function at the cellular and molecular levels. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018 Jul 28;16(1):71.
- Cuervo-Arango J, Sala-Ayala L, Márquez-Moya A, Martínez-Boví R. The Influence of Aspiration Pressure, Follicle Flushing Method and Needle Rotation During Single-Operator OPU Technique on Oocyte Recovery and Embryo Production in the Mare. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 14;15(6).
- Wu X, Li D, Chen Y, Wu Y, Abudureyimu G, Zhang W, Deng K, Huang Z, Lin J, Wang L. Study on the Technology of Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up and In Vitro Embryo Production in Chongming Goats. Biology (Basel) 2024 Sep 6;13(9).
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