Pregnancy Rates Following Low-Temperature Storage of Large Equine Embryos Before Vitrification.
Abstract: Satisfactory pregnancy rates can now be achieved following the cryopreservation of large equine embryos. Nonetheless, its wide application might be limited by the fact that the cryopreservation of large equine embryos requires a specialized micromanipulation equipment and micromanipulation/vitrification skills. Alternatives should be developed to increase its utilization and widespread application in the commercial equine industry. To determine if large equine embryos are able to remain viable during transport from farms to specialized centers for embryo cryopreservation, we evaluated pregnancy rates following the low-temperature storage of large equine embryos before vitrification. Grade 1 embryos (n = 37) were randomly assigned to six treatments consisting of day of collection (Day 7 or 8 after ovulation) and cooling for 0, 12, or 24 hours before vitrification in a factorial design. Pregnancy rates of Day 7 embryos cooled for 12 and 24 hours were 55.5% and 75%, respectively. Pregnancy rates of Day 8 embryos cooled for 12 and 24 hours were 0 and 16.6%, respectively. Day 7 cooled embryos resulted in higher pregnancy rate compared with Day 8 cooled embryos (64.7% and 7.7%, respectively; P < .05). Pregnancy rate comparison of cooled embryos grouped by diameter showed that embryos 550 μm (71.4% and 12.5% respectively; P < .05). In conclusion, Day 7 equine embryos up to 550 μm can be cooled to temperatures of 9-12°C for 12 or 24 hours before vitrification and result in satisfactory pregnancy rates.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-02-16 PubMed ID: 30973146DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.01.009Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper is about studying the viability and pregnancy rates of large equine embryos post low-temperature storage before vitrification (a method of freezing for storage), aimed at expanding its usage in the commercial equine industry.
Objective and Methodology
The focus of this research is to discern if large equine embryos can stay viable during transport from the farms to specialized centers where they would undergo cryopreservation. The scientists evaluated the pregnancy rates following the process of storing the embryos at low temperatures before vitrification. The embryos tested were those of Grade 1 quality, with a total of 37 embryos being experimented upon.
Treatment Process
- The embryos were randomly subjected to six varying treatment plans that factored in the day of embryo collection (Day 7 or 8 after ovulation) and the duration of cooling before vitrification (0, 12, or 24 hours).
- Embryos collected on Day 7 and cooled for 12 and 24 hours yielded pregnancy rates of 55.5% and 75% respectively.
- On the other hand, embryos collected on Day 8 and cooled for 12 and 24 hours had lower pregnancy rates of 0 and 16.6% respectively.
- Comparison of Day 7 and Day 8 cooled embryos showed a much higher pregnancy rate for the former group (64.7% versus 7.7%)
- When grouped by size, embryos with diameters less than 550 μm showed a higher pregnancy rate compared to those larger than 550 μm (71.4% versus 12.5%)
Findings
Conclusion
Based on the outcomes of the experiment, it was concluded that equine embryos of approximately 550 μm, collected on the seventh day after ovulation, can be cooled to temperatures between 9-12°C for 12 or 24 hours before undergoing the process of vitrification, yielding satisfactory pregnancy rates. This discovery has the potential of offering a practical solution for the larger application of embryo preservation in the commercial equine industry, especially during transportation from farms to specialized preservation centers.
Cite This Article
APA
Diaz FA, Gutierrez EJ, Cramer E, Paccamonti DL, Gentry GT, Bondioli KR.
(2018).
Pregnancy Rates Following Low-Temperature Storage of Large Equine Embryos Before Vitrification.
J Equine Vet Sci, 64, 12-16.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2018.01.009 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA. Electronic address: fdiaz2@lsu.edu.
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction, Opelousas, LA.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA.
- Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Clinton, LA.
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Gutierrez-Castillo E, Ming H, Foster B, Gatenby L, Mak CK, Pinto C, Bondioli K, Jiang Z. Effect of vitrification on global gene expression dynamics of bovine elongating embryos. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021 Mar;33(5):338-348.
- Mahmood K, Ali Channa A, Ghafoor A, Riaz A. Factors affecting the efficiency of equine embryo transfer (EET) in polo mares under subtropical conditions of Pakistan. PLoS One 2024;19(2):e0298066.
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