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Theriogenology2022; 187; 215-218; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.019

Success rate in a clinical equine in vitro embryo production program.

Abstract: In vitro embryo production (IVEP) via Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has become a popular breeding technique in Warmblood mares because of the high success rate and several practical advantages. IVEP offers a solution for a variety of reproductive issues including, but not limited to, sub-fertility in stallions or mares, poor quality or scarce frozen semen, difficulty in synchronizing donor and recipient mares, and inefficient use of recipient mares. In 515 OPU-ICSI sessions performed in our facility in 2021, a mean of 25.9 antral follicles were aspirated yielding an average 13.8 immature oocytes, which were shipped overnight to a specialized ICSI laboratory (Avantea). One or more blastocysts (range: 0-13 blastocysts) were produced from 78% of procedures with a mean of 2.12 blastocysts per session; the likelihood of pregnancy after transfer of a cryopreserved thawed IVP blastocysts in 2021 (n = 781) was 77.7%. Several donor mare, recipient mare, stallion and embryonic factors influence the likelihood of producing an in vitro blastocyst or achieving pregnancy. Approximately 60% of the transferred IVP blastocysts yield a foal; moreover, neither gestation length nor the health of foals is noticeably influenced by IVEP. On the other hand, a skewed sex ratio towards colts is apparent among IVEP foals resulting from day 7 but not day 8 embryos, suggesting that male embryos develop more rapidly in vitro. Although serious complications after OPU are uncommon, owners should be aware of their existence, because some complications can be life-threating.
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-24 PubMed ID: 35623226DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.019Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 analyzes the success rate of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in warmblood mares, a process involving ovum pick-up (OPU) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It asserts that approximately 60% of the transferred IVEP blastocysts yield a foal and that the likelihood of pregnancy from this process was 77.7% in 2021.

Methodology

  • In this research, the authors conducted 515 OPU-ICSI sessions in their facility during 2021.
  • In each session, an average of 25.9 antral follicles were aspirated, which resulted in approximately 13.8 immature oocytes.
  • The immature oocytes were then shipped overnight to a specialized ICSI laboratory (Avantea) for further processing.

Results

  • Out of the 515 sessions conducted, one or more blastocysts were produced in approximately 78% of the procedures.
  • The average yield was 2.12 blastocysts per session.
  • The likelihood of pregnancy after the transfer of a cryopreserved thawed in vitro production (IVP) blastocyst was observed to be 77.7%.

The Implication of Donor Mare, Recipient Mare, Stallion, and Embryonic Factors

  • The research indicates that several factors can impact the likelihood of producing an in vitro blastocyst or achieving pregnancy.
  • These factors include the health and reproductive status of the donor mare and recipient mare, the quality of the stallion’s sperm, and certain embryonic conditions.

Outcome of the IVEP Process

  • Approximately 60% of the transferred IVP blastocysts resulted in a foal.
  • The research found no noticeable impact on gestation length or the health of foals due to the IVEP process.
  • However, a skewed sex ratio towards colts was found in IVEP foals resulting from day 7 embryos, indicating that male embryos develop more rapidly in vitro.

Potential Complications

  • While the research observes that serious complications after OPU are rare, it urges owners to be aware of potential risks, as some complications can be life-threatening.

Cite This Article

APA
Claes A, Stout TAE. (2022). Success rate in a clinical equine in vitro embryo production program. Theriogenology, 187, 215-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.019

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 1879-3231
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 187
Pages: 215-218

Researcher Affiliations

Claes, A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: a.claes@uu.nl.
Stout, T A E
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Oocytes
  • Pregnancy
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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