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Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2026; 61 Suppl 3(Suppl 3); e70269; doi: 10.1111/rda.70269

Recent Advances and Emerging Applications in Embryo Vitrification for Livestock.

Abstract: Vitrification has progressively supplanted conventional slow freezing as the method of choice for embryo cryopreservation in both human medicine and animal production, particularly for in vitro-produced embryos and for species or developmental stages highly sensitive to conventional freezing. By combining very high cooling and warming rates with concentrated cryoprotectant solutions and minimal sample volumes, it largely prevents intracellular ice formation and, in experienced hands, consistently yields post-warming survival and developmental rates that exceed those obtained with traditional controlled-rate freezing. In this review, we synthesize recent technical and biological advances in embryo vitrification, with particular attention to cryoprotectant formulations, carrier devices, cooling-rate control and current strategies to enhance cryotolerance. For the main livestock species-cattle, horses, pigs and small ruminants-we outline the present state of this technology, highlighting where vitrification has become routine practice and where adoption remains limited or experimental. Despite the clear progress achieved, implementation in field conditions is still heterogeneous, and truly standardized, species-adapted protocols-ideally amenable to automation and direct transfer-are yet to be fully established.
© 2026 The Author(s). Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2026-10-01 PubMed ID: 42817019PubMed Central: PMC13627854DOI: 10.1111/rda.70269Google 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.

Overview

  • This article reviews the recent advancements and applications of embryo vitrification, a modern technique for preserving embryos in livestock, highlighting its technical improvements and current use in various animal species.

Introduction to Embryo Vitrification

  • Vitrification is a cryopreservation method that involves ultra-rapid cooling and warming combined with high concentrations of cryoprotectants.
  • This approach prevents the formation of ice crystals inside cells, which is a major cause of damage during traditional freezing techniques.
  • It has become the preferred method for cryopreserving embryos in both human medicine and animal agriculture, particularly for embryos produced in vitro or those sensitive to freezing.

Technical Advances in Embryo Vitrification

  • Recent developments have focused on key components of the vitrification process:
  • Cryoprotectant Formulations: Optimizing the types and concentrations of cryoprotectants to balance toxicity and protective effects.
  • Carrier Devices: Innovations in devices that hold embryos during vitrification to ensure minimal volume and rapid heat transfer.
  • Cooling Rate Control: Methods to achieve and maintain ultra-high cooling and warming rates to avoid ice formation.
  • Enhancement of Cryotolerance: Strategies to increase the embryo’s resistance to the stresses of vitrification, improving post-thaw viability and development.

Species-Specific Applications in Livestock

  • The review covers main livestock species where vitrification is applied:
  • Cattle: Vitrification is becoming routine for certain embryo types, improving post-thaw survival and pregnancy rates.
  • Horses: Application is more variable, with some success but also ongoing challenges in standardizing protocols.
  • Pigs: Vitrification is particularly important for in vitro-produced embryos, which are highly sensitive to traditional freezing.
  • Small Ruminants: Usage is expanding but still somewhat experimental compared to cattle.

Current Challenges and Future Outlook

  • Despite progress, vitrification protocols are not yet universally standardized across species or fully adapted to practical field conditions.
  • Adoption in commercial or farm settings is still inconsistent, partly due to technical complexity and variability in methods.
  • Future aims include:
    • Developing species-specific protocols that are highly standardized and reproducible.
    • Creating methods amenable to automation and simplifying the process for direct embryo transfer without extensive handling.
    • Enhancing the robustness of vitrification to facilitate broader use in livestock reproduction and breeding programs.

Summary

  • Embryo vitrification represents a significant improvement over traditional slow freezing techniques, offering higher survival and developmental rates post-thaw.
  • Technical improvements and better understanding of biological factors have propelled its adoption, especially in in vitro-produced embryos and sensitive species.
  • While already routine in some contexts, more work is needed to fully realize vitrification’s potential for widespread use in livestock production.

Cite This Article

APA
(2026). Recent Advances and Emerging Applications in Embryo Vitrification for Livestock. Reprod Domest Anim, 61 Suppl 3(Suppl 3), e70269. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70269

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 61 Suppl 3
Issue: Suppl 3
Pages: e70269
PII: e70269

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Vitrification
  • Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Livestock / embryology
  • Horses

Grant Funding

  • MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 / Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
  • PID2022-138666OB-I00 / Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
  • PID2022-137645OB-I00 / Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
  • PREP2022-000437 / Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
  • PREP2022-000404 / Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
  • 23014/GERM/25 / Fundación Séneca
  • 22959/FPI/25 / Fundación Séneca

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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