Effects of superovulation on repeated ultrasound guided oocyte collection and in vitro embryo production in pregnant heifers

The reproductive performance of cloned cattle was investigated by assessing the efficiency of transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pickup (OPU) and embryo production in vitro. Fetal fibroblasts from the endangered species, German Blackpied Cattle, had been used for nuclear transfer to produce three live cloned offspring (Lucas-Hahn et al. 2002 Theriogenology 57, 433). In the three cloned animals at 12–20 months of age, OPU was performed once per week and the total number of collected oocytes was recorded. In the case of Blondie, the procedure was terminated due to too small ovaries associated with insufficient function. Oocytes suitable for IVF were matured in vitro for 24 h and fertilized in vitro with the semen of a fertile bull. Oocytes derived from abbatoir ovaries were processed in parallel as controls. Embryos were in vitro-cultured in SOFaaBSA medium. Cleavage and developmental rates up to the morula/blastocyst stage were recorded in all groups. Statistical significance was tested using ANOVA and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. The results are presented in Table 1. Embryos from clones had lower cleavage and blastocyst rates compared to those derived from abattoir oocytes. However, results may have been confounded by potential OPU effects. Some of the blastocysts produced from Blacky (n = 5) and Paula (n = 2) were transferred to recipients. Two pregnancies resulted from the Paula transfers. The two male calves were delivered normally. After the completion of this experiment, all three cloned animals were artificially inseminated, became pregnant, delivered healthy calves, and are pregnant again at present. Further studies are needed to explore the fertility of cattle derived from somatic cloning. Table 1. OPU and in vitro embryo production in cloned cattle

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106 COMPARISON OF IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION IN PANAMA USING HOLSTEIN OOCYTES WITH BOS INDICUS SEXED SEMEN FROM DONORS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS: FIELD DATA

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv28n2ab106 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 183

Author(s):

S. J. R. Rodriguez ◽

Y. E. Ramirez ◽

E. Gomes ◽

L. F. Nasser ◽

J. H. F. Pontes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Embryo Development ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Embryo Production ◽

University Of Illinois ◽

Oocyte Collection ◽

Sexed Semen ◽

The Usa ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production ◽

The University

The objective of this work was to compare in vitro embryo production of Bos taurus × Bos indicus cross embryos using oocytes from Holstein donors under different production and environment systems. This study also examined the possibility for in vitro production using oocytes imported and transported fresh between the USA and Panama. All animals were mature Holstein cows going through a normal lactation. The first group of donors was from the University of Illinois dairy herd and went through 3 ovum pickup sessions. The second group of donors were Holstein cows already adapted to Panama and went through 10 ovum pickup sessions. The Panamanian herd of Holstein donors were born and raised in Panama in an area of mountains, on average 1300 m above sea level. This environment does not have the typical hot and humid tropical weather seen in other regions of Panama. Both groups of donors were aspirated without stimulation during the years 2013 and 2014. Oocytes recovered from donors in Illinois were imported fresh under a special sanitary research protocol between Panama and the University of Illinois. The transport of fresh oocytes from the USA to Panama was done using a portable incubator set at 39°C (Minutube of America). Oocytes were matured during transport in 5-mL tubes (~30–35 oocytes per tube) containing 400 µL of maturation media (TCM-199) that had been equilibrated with 5% CO2. Oocytes recovered from donors in Panama were matured using the same media. For both groups, oocytes were inseminated 24 h after ovum pickup using sexed semen from the same bull. All embryo production procedures followed the protocols of the In vitro Brasil™ commercial system. At 72 h postinsemination, cleavage was evaluated. On Day 7 after insemination, embryo development to the blastocyst stage (early to expanded) was recorded. Data were analysed using Chi-squared. As shown in Table 1, there was no effect of oocyte collection location on embryo development. These results indicate that it is possible to produce a viable in vitro-produced embryo using fresh oocytes collected and transported from different countries. This work opens the possibility to access superior genetics and improve herds in countries seeking to increase their production systems and potentially improve their quality of life. Table 1.Effect of oocyte collection location on embryo development This project was supported by Programa de Competitividad ProCom Senacyt, Panama.

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Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration for production of embryos <i>in vitro</i>

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.5194/aab-45-99-2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 99-108

Author(s):

J. A. Carter ◽

S. Bellow ◽

M. Meintjes ◽

O. Perez ◽

E. Ferguson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Embryo Research ◽

Ultrasound Guided ◽

Cyclic Activity ◽

Embryo Production ◽

Early Postpartum ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production ◽

Oocyte Aspiration

Abstract. reproductive potential in genetically valuable animals (BEAL et al., 1992). Now that repeatable oocyte retrieval methods are being fine-tuned, it is likely these procedures will become routinely used to obtain oocytes for further gamete and embryo research and also by seedstock producers for in vitro embryo production from farm animals in the commercial sector. The use of transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration and IVF procedure does offer an alternative to cattle producers who have genetically valuable cows that for some reason are unable to produce viable embryos through standard embryo collection procedures. This technology can be used on oocytes harvested from older ovulating or nonovulating cows, females with physical injuries (e.g., fractured leg) and problem cows having an abnormal cervix. Good success has been reported using IVF procedures on oocytes obtained from supplemental follicles of cows with cystic ovarian disease. With IVF the potential exists for more embryos to be produced in a shorter period of time, since the procedure can be repeated on the same cow 3 to 4 times or more a month. At this station, we are harvesting oocytes from early postpartum (< 40 days) beef and dairy cattle, before the female begins cyclic activity. The approach allows the opportunity to produce one or more extra calves from the cow before she is mated for a natural pregnancy. Currently, transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration is now being used to harvest valuable oocytes from minor farm animal breeds, from domestic females representing rare bloodlines, clinically infertile females and reproductively senescent cows. Research continues to find applications for this technology, including harvesting oocytes from young prepubertal heifers and early postpartum beef cows for in vitro embryo production. The use of ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration should not be overlooked to obtain oocytes for in vitro embryo production and to aid in germplasm preservation of endangered exotic species.

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Transvaginal ultrasound-guided cumulus oocyte complexes aspiration and in vitro embryo production in suckled beef and lactating dairy cattle on pasture-based management conditions

Animal Reproduction Science ◽

10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.10.001 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 129 (1-2) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M.H. Ratto ◽

O.A. Peralta ◽

G. Mogollon ◽

P. Strobel ◽

J. Correa

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Ultrasound Guided ◽

Embryo Production ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production ◽

Lactating Dairy Cattle

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Pregnancy obtained in a late gestational mare by in vitro embryo production

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd19305 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (12) ◽

pp. 1926

Author(s):

Lino Fernando Campos-Chillon ◽

Jan Martin ◽

Joy L. Altermatt

Keyword(s):

Transvaginal Ultrasound ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Follicular Growth ◽

Ultrasound Guided ◽

Embryo Production ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production

Recently, the demand for invitro embryo production in the horse has increased worldwide. Most clinical transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up (OPU) procedures are performed in non-pregnant donor mares, and few experimental studies have described invitro embryo production from oocytes of pregnant donors 21–150 days in gestation. This report discusses OPU, follicular growth and invitro embryo production in a pregnant mare during late gestation.

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Ovarian stimulation protocols for oocyte collection and in vitro embryo production from 8 to 9 week old lambs

Theriogenology ◽

10.1016/0093-691x(95)92357-f ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 203 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

C.R. Earl ◽

B.J. Irvine ◽

J.M. Kelly ◽

J.P. Rowe ◽

D.T. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Stimulation ◽

Embryo Production ◽

Oocyte Collection ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production

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Variation in ultrasound guided oocyte recovery in nellore cows per session and in vitro embryo production

Theriogenology ◽

10.1016/s0093-691x(99)91997-0 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

pp. 438 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M.R Watanabe ◽

Y.F Watanabe ◽

P.H Franceschini ◽

A Dayan ◽

R.B Lôbo

Keyword(s):

Ultrasound Guided ◽

Embryo Production ◽

Oocyte Recovery ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production

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Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up Followed by In Vitro Embryo Production and Transfer in Assisted Breeding Programs for Ruminants

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010216 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 216

Author(s):

Hernan Baldassarre

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Commercial Application ◽

Embryo Production ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Embryo Recovery ◽

Marker Selection ◽

Holstein Calves ◽

In Vitro Embryo Production

The potential of laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) followed by in vitro embryo production (IVEP) as a tool for accelerated genetic programs in ruminants is reviewed in this article. In sheep and goats, the LOPU-IVEP platform offers the possibility of producing more offspring from elite females, as the procedure is minimally invasive and can be repeated more times and more frequently in the same animals compared with conventional surgical embryo recovery. On average, ~10 and ~14 viable oocytes are recovered by LOPU from sheep and goats, respectively, which results in 3–5 transferable embryos and >50% pregnancy rate after transfer. LOPU-IVEP has also been applied to prepubertal ruminants of 2–6 months of age, including bovine and buffalo calves. In dairy cattle, the technology has gained momentum in the past few years stemming from the development of genetic marker selection that has allowed predicting the production phenotype of dairy females from shortly after birth. In Holstein calves, we obtained an average of ~22 viable oocytes and ~20% transferable blastocyst rate, followed by >50% pregnancy rate after transfer, declaring the platform ready for commercial application. The present and future of this technology are discussed with a focus on improvements and research needed.

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