Biopsy of bovine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro does not affect pregnancy rates

2017 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regivaldo Vieira de Sousa ◽  
Célia Regina da Silva Cardoso ◽  
Guilberth Butzke ◽  
Margot Alves Nunes Dode ◽  
Rodolfo Rumpf ◽  
...  
2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 244 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Chiasson ◽  
J. A. Carter ◽  
K. R. Bondioli ◽  
R. A. Godke ◽  
G. T. Gentry

Incomplete zona hatching or failure of the zona to rupture compromises post-transfer embryo viability and conceptus development. Assisted hatching prior to the transfer of frozen-thawed bovine embryos has been proposed as a means to increase recipient pregnancy rates. The objective of this study was to determine if laser-assisted hatching would improve in vivo derived frozen-thawed bovine embryo hatching rates. In Exp. 1, direct-transfer beef cattle embryos were air-thawed for 15 s, placed in a 30°C water bath for 15 s, then held in TALP-HEPES, evaluated for stage and grade (1 = good to 3 = poor) and randomly applied to treatments. Embryos (n = 156) received either 2 or 3 symmetrical rents 40% through the outer zona surface using the XYClone diode laser (Hamilton Thorne, Beverly, MA, USA) at 90% power with a 600 μs pulse (Treatment A) or remained zona intact (Treatment B). Embryos were then cultured in vitro in CR1aa supplemented with 10% calf serum at 39°C in 5% CO2 and 5% O2 for 4 d. Embryo hatching rates were 47% for Treatment A and 53% for Treatment B. In Exp. 2, in vivo produced, nonsurgically collected direct-transfer Hereford embryos (n = 64) were utilized. In Exp. 3, in vivo produced nonsurgically collected glycerol frozen Brangus embryos (n= 46) were utilized. Embryos utilized in Exp. 2 and 3 were air-thawed for 15 s, placed in a 30°C water bath for 15 s, and then held in 1 M sucrose for 7 min. Embryos were then held in phosphate-buffered saline with 10% calf serum (Exp. 2) or ViGRO Holding Plus (Bioniche, Pullman, WA, USA) (Exp. 3), evaluated for stage and grade before being randomly assigned to either Treatment A or B. Embryos received either 3 symmetrical rents 40% through the outer zona surface using the XYClone laser at 90% power with a 600-μs pulse (Treatment A) or remained zona intact (Treatment B). Embryos were transferred nonsurgically (1 embryo/female) by the same technician into synchronized mixed breed recipient beef cows on Day 7 of the estrous cycle. Pregnancy status was determined at 35 days and 60 days via ultrasonography. In Exp. 2, treatment did not affect 60 day pregnancy rates across embryo grades 1, 2, and 3. Also, treatment did not affect pregnancy rates at 35 or 60 days (41% and 28% for Treatment A and 44% and 41% for Treatment B, respectively). Likewise, there was no difference in calving rate for recipients confirmed pregnant at 60 days for Treatment A (89%) and Treatment B (77%). In Exp. 3, treatment did not affect 60 day pregnancy rates across embryo grades 1, 2, and 3. Pregnancy rates at 35 and 60 days were not affected by treatment (65% and 65% for Treatment A and 76% and 59% for Treatment B, respectively). Calving rates for those recipients in Exp. 3 were not available at the time of abstract preparation. Based on the data presented herein, it does not appear that laser-assisted hatching with the XYClone laser increases the number of in vivo derived frozen-thawed embryos that hatch following in vitro culture or increase pregnancy rates after transfer to recipient cattle.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Menges ◽  
H. Wei ◽  
D. Faber ◽  
D. Kraemer ◽  
C. Long

In vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos are known to produce a lower pregnancy rate when compared to conventional in vivo-produced embryos. The inability of the IVP embryo to hatch from the zona pellucida (ZP) after embryo transfer is thought to be one contributing factor. This study was designed to evaluate the utilization of a microscope objective-mounted laser to cut the ZP to assist hatching prior to transfer into the recipient. Preliminary data were acquired to evaluate the effect of laser treatment on in vitro development and blastomere survival following treatment. In six replicates, bovine oocytes were in vitro-matured, fertilized, and cultured as per standard laboratory procedures (TransOva Genetics, Sioux Center, IA, USA). On Days 5, 6, and 7 of in vitro culture, embryos were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: no treatment (Control; n = 63), sham ZP cut (Sham; n = 68), or ZP cut (Cut; n = 70). Control embryos were immediately returned to the incubator following selection. Sham embryos were exposed to all conditions as Cut except laser-assisted hatching. The XYClone� system is a 300-mW, class 1 laser that emits a 3.5-µm beam at a wavelength of 1480 nm (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). This laser was used to produce the Cut group, using a pulse strength of 90% and pulse length of 600 µs. Embryos were returned to culture until Day 8 when rates of embryonic development and the percentage of live cells were determined. Chi-square was used to analyze all data. No significant effect of treatment or day of exposure was noted in either the total number of developing embryos or the ratio of live cells in each embryo. Mean live cells ranged from 89 to 96% across all treatments regardless of day of treatment. To investigate IVP embryo viability after laser-assisted hatching, commercially produced embryos (TransOva Genetics, Sioux Center, IA, USA) were randomly divided into two groups on the day of transfer, Control or Cut. The ZP of treated embryos were cut with slightly reduced laser exposure of 80% pulse strength and pulse length of 500 µs on Day 7, immediately prior to transfer into estrus-synchronized recipients. Pregnancy rates were determined via ultrasonagraphy at Day 30 (n = 337) and, due to the commercial nature of this project, only a subset of the Day 30 pregnant cows was checked at Day 60 (n = 289). The 30-day pregnancy rates were 49.2% and 54.1% for Control (n = 189) and Cut (n = 148) embryos, respectively, and were not statistically different (P > 0.05). However, at Day 60, the pregnancy rates for the Control (45.7%; n = 166) and Cut groups (57.7%; n = 123) were statistically different (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that laser-assisted hatching using the XYClone system can improve 60-day pregnancy rates for in vitro-produced embryos.


2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.K. de Souza ◽  
L.P. Salles ◽  
A.A.M. Rosa e Silva

2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-128
Author(s):  
Sabine Wohlres-Viana ◽  
Mariana Cortes Boite ◽  
João Henrique Moreira Viana ◽  
Marco Antonio Machado ◽  
Luiz Sérgio de Almeida Camargo

The objectives of this work were to identify and to evaluate possible differences on gene expression of aquaporins and Na/K-ATPases transcripts between embryos in vivo and in vitro produced. For each group, 15 blastocysts distributed in three pools were used for RNA extraction followed by amplification and reverse transcription. The resulting cDNAs were submitted to Real-Time PCR, using the GAPDH gene as endogenous control. It was not possible to identify AQP1 transcripts. Relative expression of AQP3 (1.33 ± 0.78) and AQP11 (2.00 ± 1.42) were not different in blastocysts in vitro and in vivo produced. Na/K-ATPase α1 gene (2.25 ± 1.07) was overregulated whereas Na/K-ATPase β2 transcripts 0.40 ± 0.30) did not differ among blastocysts produced in vitro from those produced in vivo. Transcripts for gene AQP1 are not present in bovine blastocysts. In vitro culture system does not alter expression of genes AQP3, AQP11 and Na/K-ATPase β2 genes, however, it affects expression of Na/K-ATPase α1.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona E. Pedersen ◽  
Øzen Banu Øzdas ◽  
Wenche Farstad ◽  
Aage Tverdal ◽  
Ingrid Olsaker

In this study the synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) system with bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) co-culture is compared with an SOF system with common protein supplements. One thousand six hundred bovine embryos were cultured in SOF media supplemented with BOEC, fetal calf serum (FCS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Eight different culture groups were assigned according to the different supplementation factors. Developmental competence and the expression levels of five genes, namely glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1), heat shock protein 70 (HSP), connexin43 (Cx43), β-actin (ACTB) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), analysed as mRNA by using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, were measured on bovine embryos cultured for 9 days. Gene expression of these in vitro-produced embryos was compared with the gene expression of in vivo-produced embryos. There was no significant difference found in embryo developmental competence between the Day 9 embryos in BOEC co-culture, FCS and BSA supplements in SOF media. However, differences in gene expression were observed. With respect to gene expression in in vivo and in vitro embryos, BOEC co-culture affected the same genes as did supplementation with FCS and BSA. HSP was the only gene that differed significantly between in vitro and in vivo embryos. When the different in vitro groups were compared, a significant difference between the BOEC co-culture and the FCS supplementation groups due to Glut-1 expression was observed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Small ◽  
M. Colazo ◽  
D. Ambrose ◽  
R. Mapletoft ◽  
J. Reeb ◽  
...  

The objective was to evaluate the effect of pLH treatment on pregnancy rates in recipients receiving in vivo- or in vitro-produced bovine embryos. Heifers (n=37) and lactating (n=28) and non-lactating (n=150) beef cows were treated at random stages of the cycle with 100μg GnRH i.m. (Cystorelin, Merial Canada Inc., Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada) on Day −9, 500μg cloprostenol i.m. (PGF; Estrumate, Schering Plough Animal Health, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada) on Day —2 and GnRH on Day 0 (66h post-PGF; without estrus detection). Cattle were placed at random, by class, into three groups: no further treatment (Control; n=71), or 12.5mg pLH (Lutropin-V, Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) on Day 5 (n=72) or on Day 7 (n=72) after the second GnRH. On Day 7, cattle with a CL &gt;10mm in diameter (determined ultrasonically) received in vivo-produced, fresh (Simmental) or frozen (Holstein), or in vitro-produced frozen (Holstein) embryos (embryo type balanced among groups). Embryos were cryopreserved in 10% ethylene glycol; in vivo-produced frozen embryos were thawed 5 to 10s in air, 15s in a water-bath at 30°C and then “direct-transferred” nonsurgically. In vitro-produced frozen embryos (donated by IND Lifetech Inc., Delta, British Columbia, Canada) were thawed in a water-bath at 27°C for 10s and placed in ViGro Holding Plus medium (AB Technology, Pullman, WA, USA) at room temperature, evaluated and then transferred nonsurgically. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography on Day 35. Data were analyzed with CATMOD, chi-square and GLM procedures (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA.). Twenty cattle (9.3%) did not receive embryos; five heifers had cervical problems, and five heifers and 10 cows did not have a CL &gt;10mm. Overall, 7.1% of the recipients had two CL on the day of embryo transfer. There was no effect (P&gt;0.05) of treatment, embryo type (or interaction) or class of recipient on pregnancy rate (overall, 44.1%, 86/195; Table 1). Similarly, mean (±SD) CL diameter and luteal area did not differ (P&gt;0.05) among groups or between pregnant and open recipients (overall, 22.0±3.4mm and 352.0±108.7mm, respectively). However, recipients with a CL diameter ≥18mm tended (P&lt;0.1) to have a higher pregnancy rate (45.8 vs 25.0%). In a subset of 40 recipients examined ultrasonically on Day 12, 50% of those treated on Day 5 and 70% of those treated with pLH on Day 7 had two CL. In summary, overall pregnancy rate in GnRH-synchronized recipients receiving in vitro- or in vivo-produced embryos by nonsurgical transfer was 44.1%. Embryo survival to Day 35 was not affected by type of embryo or treatment with pLH 5 or 7 days after ovulation. Table 1 Pregnancy rate in recipients on Day 35 based on pLH treatment and embryo-type


Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Corcoran ◽  
T Fair ◽  
S Park ◽  
D Rizos ◽  
O V Patel ◽  
...  

In vivo-derived bovine embryos are of higher quality than those derivedin vitro. Many of the differences in quality can be related to culture environment-induced changes in mRNA abundance. The aim of this study was to identify a range of mRNA transcripts that are differentially expressed between bovine blastocysts derived fromin vitroversusin vivoculture. Microarray (BOTL5) comparison betweenin vivo- andin vitro-cultured bovine blastocysts identified 384 genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that were differentially expressed; 85% of these were down-regulated inin vitrocultured blastocysts, showing a much reduced overall level of mRNA expression inin vitro- compared within vivo-cultured blastocysts. Relative expression of 16 out of 23 (70%) differentially expressed genes (according toPvalue) were verified in new pools ofin vivo- andin vitro-cultured blastocysts, using quantitative real-time PCR. Most (10 out of 16) are involved in transcription and translation events, suggesting that the reason whyin vitro-derived embryos are of inferior quality compared within vivo-derived embryos is due to a deficiency of the machinery associated with transcription and translation.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1359
Author(s):  
Jordana S. Lopes ◽  
Estefanía Alcázar-Triviño ◽  
Cristina Soriano-Úbeda ◽  
Meriem Hamdi ◽  
Sebastian Cánovas ◽  
...  

The increasing use of in vitro embryo production (IVP) followed by embryo transfer (ET), alongside with cryopreservation of embryos, has risen concerns regarding the possible altered pregnancy rates, calving or even neonatal mortality. One of the hypotheses for these alterations is the current culture conditions of the IVP. In an attempt to better mimic the physiological milieu, embryos were produced with female reproductive fluids (RF) as supplements to culture medium, and another group of embryos were supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as in vitro control. Embryos were cryopreserved and transferred while, in parallel, an in vivo control (artificial insemination, AI) with the same bull used for IVP was included. An overview on pregnancy rates, recipients’ hormonal levels, parturition, and resulting calves were recorded. Results show much similarity between groups in terms of pregnancy rates, gestation length and calves’ weight. Nonetheless, several differences on hormonal levels were noted between recipients carrying AI embryos especially when compared to BSA. Some calving issues and neonatal mortality were observed in both IVP groups. In conclusion, most of the parameters studied were similar between both types of IVP derived embryos and the in vivo-derived embryos, suggesting that the IVP technology used was efficient enough for the safe production of calves.


2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Havlicek ◽  
M. Lopatarova ◽  
S. Cech ◽  
R. Dolezel ◽  
T. Huber ◽  
...  

Routine access to the bovine oviduct for in vivo culture accomplishes various demands on embryo production for scientific as well as commercial purposes. The experiments conducted in the present study focused on the efficiency of recovery methods after temporary in vivo culture of bovine embryos in oviducts of the homologous species using transvaginal endoscopy (Experiment I) and on the quality assessment of recovered blastocysts (Experiment II). In Experiment I in vitro matured oocytes were fertilized, cultured for 1 to 3 days and transferred unilaterally into the ipsilateral oviducts of 54 heifers by the means of transvaginal endoscopy. After 4 to 6 days of in vivo culture embryos were re-collected either by non-surgical flushing of uterine horns (U-group) or by combined flushing of the oviducts and uterine horns (OU-group). In total the recovery rate was 38.4% (780/2029). After flushing at day seven, 106 blastocysts (blastocyst rate: 13.6% ) were found. The additional 24 h of in vitro culture (day eight) resulted in 153 blastocysts (blastocyst rate: 19.6% ). The recovery rate in the OU-group was twice as efficient as in the U-group (390/1358 vs. 390/671, P &lt; 0.01). The recovery rates among the different stages of transferred embryos did not differ significantly; likewise cross-effects among the stages and the recovery methods were non-significant. The recovery methods (P &lt; 0.001) and the interaction between the recovery methods and the stages of transferred embryos (P &lt; 0.01) had an influence on blastocyst yields on day seven (U-group 37/1358 vs. OU-group 69/671) and day eight (U-group 48/1358 vs. OU-group 105/671). In Experiment II embryo quality was assessed by the survival rate of blastocysts after freezing in ethylene glycol. Day seven embryos were produced in vitro (in vitro group D7) or by IVM/IVF followed by a combined culture procedure (2 to 3 days in vitro prior to 4&nbsp;to 5 days in vivo) (in vivo group D7) or after superovulation and collection at day seven (superovulation group). Embryos from in vitro group D7 re-expanded only for 6 h after thawing, embryos from in vivo group D7 and superovulation group were alive for 24 h and 72 h of culture, respectively. Only embryos derived by superovulation showed hatching activity. Blastocysts from the in vitro group D7 and the in vivo group D7 that were held in culture medium for additional 24 h (day eight) showed an analogous post-thawing culture behaviour. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that some embryos transferred for in vivo culture remain in the oviduct even at day seven. Hence, combined flushing of oviducts and uterine horns after in vivo culture in the bovine oviduct is necessary for effective embryo re-collection. The quality of recovered embryos after temporary in vivo culture assessed by cryotolerance was in-between those produced in vitro or recovered after superovulation.


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