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Home / Equine Research Bank / Theriogenology / Ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and somatic c...
Theriogenology2013; 81(1); 138-151; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.008

Ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle, buffalo and horses: from the research laboratory to clinical practice.

Abstract: Assisted reproductive techniques developed for cattle in the last 25 years, like ovum pick up (OPU), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and somatic cell nuclear transfer, have been transferred and adapted to buffalo and horses. The successful clinical applications of these techniques require both the clinical skills specific to each animal species and an experienced laboratory team to support the in vitro phase of the work. In cattle, OPU can be considered a consolidated technology that is rapidly outpacing conventional superovulation for embryo transfer. In buffalo, OPU represents the only possibility for embryo production to advance the implementation of embryo-based biotechnologies in that industry, although it is still mainly in the developmental phase. In the horse, OPU is now an established procedure for breeding from infertile and sporting mares throughout the year. It requires ICSI that in the horse, contrary to what happens in cattle and buffalo, is very efficient and the only option because conventional IVF does not work. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is destined to fill a very small niche for generating animals of extremely high commercial value. The efficiency is low, but because normal animals can be generated it is likely that advancing our knowledge in that field might improve the technology and reduce its cost.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-11-28 PubMed ID: 24274418DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.008Google 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.

This research paper discusses the transfer and adaptation of assisted reproductive techniques– ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and somatic cell nuclear transfer- from cattle to buffalo and horses. These processes, though still being developed in some species, have led to advancements in embryo production and treatment of infertility.

Ovum Pick Up (OPU)

  • The procedure called Ovum Pick Up (OPU) which was originally developed for cattle has also been adapted for buffalo and horses. OPU involves extracting eggs directly from a female’s ovaries.
  • In cattle, OPU is a well-established technique that has been effectively used for embryo transfer and is slowly outdistancing the older superovulation technique.
  • In buffalo, OPU presents the only known process capable of advancing embryo generation, crucial for developing embryo-based technologies, despite still being at a developmental phase.
  • In horses, OPU is a proven solution for fertility issues and for breeding sporting mares throughout the year.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a procedure where a single sperm cell is injected directly into the egg’s cytoplasm. This technique is part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process.
  • While it is beneficial for both cattle and buffalo, ICSI is a crucial procedure in horses as traditional IVF techniques are not effective. In horses, ICSI is seen as both efficient and the only viable option for successful fertilization outside the body.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

  • Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) involves transferring the nucleus from a body cell into an egg having its nucleus removed. The resultant embryo is then transferred into a surrogate mother.
  • Though SCNT is less efficient compared to other techniques, it remains a method of choice for generating animals of high commercial value. As it naturally produces normal animals, advancement in knowledge might result in technology improvements and cost reduction.

Skills and Experience Needed

  • Successful application of these assisted reproductive techniques calls for both specific clinical skills for each species and an experienced lab team to support the in vitro stage of the work.

Summary

  • The paper presents how the transfer and adaptation of OPU, ICSI, and SCNT from cattle to buffalo and horses have played an instrumental role in advancement of assisted reproductive techniques. Through the continuous improvement and gaining more expertise in these technologies, it is likely that these techniques become more accessible and cost effective in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Galli C, Duchi R, Colleoni S, Lagutina I, Lazzari G. (2013). Ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle, buffalo and horses: from the research laboratory to clinical practice. Theriogenology, 81(1), 138-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.008

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 1879-3231
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 81
Issue: 1
Pages: 138-151

Researcher Affiliations

Galli, Cesare
  • Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, 26100 Cremona, Italy; Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy; Fondazione Avantea, Cremona, Italy. Electronic address: cesaregalli@avantea.it.
Duchi, Roberto
    Colleoni, Silvia
      Lagutina, Irina
        Lazzari, Giovanna

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Buffaloes / embryology
          • Cattle / embryology
          • Female
          • Horses / embryology
          • Nuclear Transfer Techniques / veterinary
          • Oocyte Retrieval / methods
          • Oocyte Retrieval / veterinary
          • Pregnancy
          • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / methods
          • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary

          Citations

          This article has been cited 38 times.
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