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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Monozygotic multiple pregnancies after transfer of single in...
Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(2); 258-261; doi: 10.1111/evj.13146

Monozygotic multiple pregnancies after transfer of single in vitro produced equine embryos.

Abstract: Monozygotic multiple pregnancy is rare in horses, but may be more common after transfer of an in vitro produced (IVP) embryo. Objective: To determine the occurrence, incidence, characteristics and outcome of monozygotic siblings arising from in vivo and IVP equine embryos. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: A total of 496 fresh in vivo and 410 frozen-thawed IVP blastocysts, produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of in vitro matured oocytes from Warmblood mares, were transferred into recipient mares. The likelihoods of pregnancy and multiple pregnancy were calculated, and the clinical features and outcome of any multiple pregnancy were recorded. Results: The likelihood of pregnancy after transfer of a single IVP or in vivo embryo was 62% (254/410) and 83% (413/496) respectively. The incidence of multiple pregnancy was 1.6% (4/254) and 0% (0/413) for IVP and in vivo blastocysts, respectively. More specifically, three IVP blastocysts yielded twin embryo propers/fetuses, and one IVP conceptus developed three distinct embryonic bodies. Interestingly, only one embryonic vesicle was detected at all ultrasonographic examinations prior to embryo proper development. Multiple embryonic bodies only became apparent at later scans to check for an embryo proper and heartbeat, or when the recipient mare aborted. Two twin pregnancies aborted spontaneously at 3 and 9 months, respectively, while the heartbeat was lost from all three embryos in the triplet pregnancy before day 35 of gestation. Twin reduction by per rectum compression of one fetal thorax was attempted at day 50 of gestation in the fourth case; however, both fetuses were lost. Conclusions: Small number of cases. Conclusions: In vitro embryo production resulted in a higher incidence of multiple monozygotic pregnancy, which could only be diagnosed after development of the embryo proper and is likely to result in pregnancy loss later in gestation if left untreated.
© 2019 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-04 PubMed ID: 31232484PubMed Central: PMC7027474DOI: 10.1111/evj.13146Google 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 paper explores the occurrence of naturally uncommon monozygotic multiple pregnancies in horses, particularly how likely they are after transferring a single in vitro produced (IVP) embryo. The research further investigates their characteristics and possible effects.

Methodology

  • The study involved a retrospective case series with a total of 496 fresh in vivo and 410 frozen-thawed IVP blastocysts.
  • The IVP embryos were procured using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of in vitro mature existing oocytes from Warmblood mares, which were then transferred into recipient mares.
  • The probabilities of pregnancy and multiple pregnancies were determined, and any clinical characteristics and outcomes of multiple pregnancies were documented.

Results

  • The study found a 62% likelihood of pregnancy after a single IVP embryo transfer and an 83% likelihood following an in vivo embryo transfer
  • Multiple pregnancies were only found in the cases using IVP embryos with an incidence rate of 1.6%, while in vivo embryos had none.
  • Additionally, only one embryonic vesicle was seen in all ultrasound examinations before the development of a proper embryo. The presence of multiple embryos became evident only in later scans or when the recipient horse miscarried.
  • Two twin pregnancies resulted in miscarriages at 3 and 9 months, respectively, while the heartbeat of all three embryos in the triplet pregnancy was lost before the 35-day gestational period. In the fourth case, despite attempting twin reduction at the 50th day of gestation, both fetuses were lost.

Conclusion

  • Though limited by the small number of cases, the research concluded that in vitro embryo production leads to a higher occurrence of multiple monozygotic pregnancies.
  • Such pregnancies could only be diagnosed after the development of the proper embryo and are likely to result in a pregnancy loss later in the gestation period if not treated.

Cite This Article

APA
Dijkstra A, Cuervo-Arango J, Stout TAE, Claes A. (2019). Monozygotic multiple pregnancies after transfer of single in vitro produced equine embryos. Equine Vet J, 52(2), 258-261. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13146

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 258-261

Researcher Affiliations

Dijkstra, A
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Cuervo-Arango, J
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Stout, T A E
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Claes, A
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst
  • Embryo Transfer / veterinary
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro / veterinary
  • Horses
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Multiple
  • Retrospective Studies

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This article includes 18 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Peere S, Van den Branden E, Broothaers K, Polfliet E, Smits K, Govaere J. Birth of a Healthy Monozygotic Twin Foal with Hydrops and a Dead Co-Twin. Vet Sci 2024 Dec 13;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11120649pubmed: 39728989google scholar: lookup
  2. Meinecke B, Meinecke-Tillmann S. Lab partners: oocytes, embryos and company. A personal view on aspects of oocyte maturation and the development of monozygotic twins. Anim Reprod 2023;20(2):e20230049.
    doi: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0049pubmed: 37547564google scholar: lookup
  3. Umair M, Scheeren VFDC, Beitsma MM, Colleoni S, Galli C, Lazzari G, de Ruijter-Villani M, Stout TAE, Claes A. In Vitro-Produced Equine Blastocysts Exhibit Greater Dispersal and Intermingling of Inner Cell Mass Cells than In Vivo Embryos. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Jun 1;24(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms24119619pubmed: 37298570google scholar: lookup
  4. Salem SE, Sinnott A, Roach JM, Verheyen KLP, de Mestre AM. Mixed-Effects Modelling of the Risk Factors Associated with Multiple Pregnancies in Thoroughbred Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 20;12(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12141841pubmed: 35883388google scholar: lookup
  5. Garcia-Ispierto I, López-Gatius F. Benefits and Risks of Preventing Twin Pregnancies. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 11;11(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11010148pubmed: 33440763google scholar: lookup
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