Xenogenous fertilization of equine oocytes following recovery from slaughterhouse ovaries and in vitro maturation.
Abstract: The in vitro production (IVP) of equine embryos using currently available protocols has met limited success; therefore investigations into alternative approaches to IVP are justified. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of xenogenous fertilization and early embryo development of in vitro matured (IVM) equine oocytes. Follicular aspirations followed by slicing of ovarian tissue were performed on 202 equine ovaries obtained from an abattoir. A total of 667 oocytes (3.3 per ovary) were recovered from 1023 follicles (recovery rate, 65%). Oocytes underwent IVM for 41 +/- 2 h (mean +/- S.D.), before being subjected to xenogenous gamete intrafallopian transfer (XGIFT). An average of 13 +/- 0.8 oocytes and 40x10(3) spermatozoa per oocyte were transferred into 20 oviducts of ewes. Fourteen percent of transferred oocytes (36/259) were recovered between 2 and 7 days post-XGIFT and 36% of those recovered displayed embryonic development ranging from the 2-cell to the blastocyst stage. Fertilization following XGIFT was also demonstrated by the detection of zinc finger protein Y (ZFY) loci. Ligation of the uterotubal junction (UTJ), ovarian structures, or the duration of oviductal incubation did not significantly affect the frequency of embryonic development or recovery of oocytes/embryos after XGIFT. In conclusion, equine embryos can be produced in a smaller non-equine species that is easier for handling.
Publication Date: 2003-12-10 PubMed ID: 14662137DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00221-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study explores the feasibility of cross-species fertilization for equine oocytes, obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries, which are matured in a lab, aiming to find a more successful method for in vitro horse embryo production.
Research Objective and Process
- The main objective of this research was to assess the possibility and success rate of xenogenous, or cross-species, fertilization and early embryo development of lab-matured equine oocytes.
- The study required follicular aspirations and slicing of ovarian tissue from 202 horse ovaries sourced from a slaughterhouse.
- A total of 667 oocytes were recovered from 1023 follicles, a success rate of approximately 65%.
In Vitro Maturation and Xenogenous Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (XGIFT)
- The successful in vitro maturation (IVM) process, which spanned 41 hours on average, was applied to the recovered oocytes before proceeding to the next stage.
- The matured oocytes were then subjected to xenogenous gamete intrafallopian transfer (XGIFT), a novel technique for fertilizing an egg cell with sperm from a different species.
- The study transferred an average of 13 matured oocytes and 40,000 spermatozoa per oocyte into the oviducts of 20 ewes.
Fertilisation Results and Conclusions
- 14% of the transferred oocytes were recovered between 2 and 7 days post-XGIFT, and 36% of the recovered oocytes showed signs of embryonic development, ranging from the 2-cell to the blastocyst stage.
- The success of fertilization was further supported by detecting the presence of zinc finger protein Y (ZFY) loci, a key marker in the genetic process.
- Other factors such as ligation (tying off) of the uterotubal junction (UTJ) or ovarian structures didn’t significantly impact the frequency of embryonic development or recovery of oocytes/embryos after XGIFT.
- The study concluded that equine embryos can indeed be produced in a non-equine species that is more manageable in a laboratory setting.
Cite This Article
APA
Wirtu G, Bailey TL, Chauhan MS, Parker NA, Dascanio JJ, Gwazdauskas FC, Ley WB.
(2003).
Xenogenous fertilization of equine oocytes following recovery from slaughterhouse ovaries and in vitro maturation.
Theriogenology, 61(2-3), 381-391.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(03)00221-8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Center for Reproductive Excellence using Assisted Technology and Endocrinology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA. gwirtu1@lsu.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blastocyst / physiology
- Embryo Transfer / veterinary
- Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
- Embryonic and Fetal Development
- Female
- Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer / methods
- Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer / veterinary
- Horses
- Oocyte Donation / veterinary
- Oocytes / growth & development
- Oocytes / physiology
- Ovary / cytology
- Sheep
- Tissue and Organ Harvesting / methods
- Tissue and Organ Harvesting / veterinary
Citations
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