281 ALGINATE-ENCAPSULATED BOVINE EMBRYOS SUPPORT IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF A SMALL NUMBER OF EMBRYOS

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kobayashi ◽  
M. Sakatani ◽  
S. Kobayashi ◽  
M. Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Alginate ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Rate Of Development ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
In Vivo Culture ◽  
Vitro Development

Ova are genetic resources that can be obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries or live cows by ovum pickup (OPU). However, the number of oocytes recovered by OPU is low. Previous studies show that embryos cultured in large numbers have better developmental competence than those in small numbers in mice, sheep, and cattle. Therefore, to improve development of small numbers of embryos, co-culture with other types of embryos is an efficient way. However, it is necessary to distinguish the desired embryos from the co-cultured embryos. Recently, encapsulation of embryos using calcium-alginate was reported to be useful for handling and in vivo culture of porcine embryos (Iwamoto et al. 2003 Theriogenology 59, 261). In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-culture of embryos encapsulated with calcium-alginate on development of small numbers of embryos. In vitro-matured and fertilized zygotes from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were used for the experiment, and data were analyzed by Student t-test. Encapsulation was carried out by putting the 1% sodium alginate solution containing zygotes slowly into 0.1% calcium chloride solution (microcapsule). We used the microcapsule for the following experiments. In Experiment 1, twenty zygotes were cultured in CR1aa containing 5% FCS with a capsule containing 20 zygotes or without (control) a microcapsule. The rate of cleavage (capsule: 80.0% vs. control: 72.1%) and development to blastocyst stage (capsule: 31.7% vs. control: 33.7%) were not significantly different. This result indicates that the microcapsule is not toxic to embryo development. In Experiment 2, five zygotes were co-cultured with 15 zygotes (microcapsule), and culture of five zygotes without capsules served as a control. The rate of cleavage (co-culture: 81.4% vs. control: 80.0%) was not significantly different, but the rate of development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the co-culture (47.1%) than in the control (30.6%). This result indicates that co-culture with a microcapsule including zygotes enhances the development of small numbers of embryos. In Experiment 3, five zygotes derived from a single cow were encapsulated, and four microcapsules from different cows were cultured in the same droplet. The microcapsules could be distinguished by the inclusion of different numbers of glass beads with the zygotes. Culture of five zygotes without capsules was assigned as a control. The rate of cleavage (co-culture: 75.6% vs. control: 69.6%) was not significantly different, but the rate of development to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the co-culture (30.6%) than for the control (17.8%). These results indicate that co-culture with bovine embryos encapsulated with calcium-alginate may improve development of small numbers of embryos.

301 EFFECT OF CO-CULTURE WITH DIFFERENT STAGE EMBRYOS ON DEVELOPMENT OF ALGINATE-ENCAPSULATED SMALL NUMBER BOVINE EMBRYOS

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 266
Author(s):  
S. Kobayashi ◽  
M. Sakatani ◽  
Y. Inaba ◽  
S. Kobayashi ◽  
K. Imai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Alginate Gel ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Calcium Alginate Gel ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
The Individual

Previous studies show that embryos cultured in large numbers have better developmental competence than those in small numbers in mice, sheep, and cattle. We have reported that co-culture of bovine embryos encapsulated in calcium-alginate gel (microcapsule) improves the development of embryos cultured in small numbers (Kobayashi et al. 2006 Reprod. Fertil. Devel. 18, 248). This method is beneficial for culture of small numbers of embryos such as OPU-derived embryos by recognizing the individual donor cows with abattoir-derived unidentified IVF embryos. In the previous study, we used the same stage embryos for co-culture of encapsulated embryos. However, in the case of unavailability of the same stage embryos, encapsulated embryos may be co-cultured with different stage embryos. Effect of different stage embryos on co-culture of encapsulated embryos is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of co-culture of different stage embryos on development of encapsulated small number embryos. In vitro-matured and fertilized zygotes from abattoir derived ovaries were used for the experiment. Small numbers of zygotes were encapsulated by alginate-gel microcapsule to distinguish from co-cultured embryos. Encapsulation was carried out by putting the 1% sodium alginate solution containing zygotes slowly into 0.1% calcium chloride solution (microcapsule). The embryos used for co-culture were produced by IVF 1-3 days before preparation of encapsulated zygotes (Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3). Five encapsulated zygotes were cultured with 15 embryos for co-culture in one droplet (100 �L) made by CR1aa + 5% CS, at 38.5�C, CO2 in air. Encapsulated zygotes co-cultured with the same stage of zygotes were assigned as a control (Day 0). The rates of cleavage on Day 2 and development to blastocyst stage on Day 9 were recorded. Data were analyzed by Student&apos;s t-test. No significant difference was observed in the rate of cleavage in all experimental groups compared with control (Day 1: 72.5&percnt; (n &equals; 80) vs. control: 75.7&percnt; (n &equals; 70); Day 2: 76.3&percnt; (n &equals; 80) vs. control: 82.5&percnt; (n &equals; 80); and Day 3: 78.7&percnt; (n &equals; 75) vs. control: 70.8&percnt; (n &equals; 65). There was not a significant difference in the rate of development to the blastocyst stage in all experimental groups compared with control (Day 1: 42.5&percnt; vs. control: 44.3&percnt;; Day 2: 43.8&percnt; vs. control: 38.8&percnt;; Day 3: 44.0&percnt; vs. control: 35.4&percnt;). These results indicate that co-culture of different stages of embryos can normally support the development of small numbers of encapsulated embryos. These methods are useful to improve the development of small numbers of embryos derived from OPU-IVF embryos without synchronization of the developmental stage of co-cultured embryos.

Effect of Two-step Vitrification on Developmental Competence of in vitro and in vivo Produced Bovine Embryos

2010 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. S55-S61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslava Hlavicová ◽  
Miloslava Lopatářová ◽  
Svatopluk Čech
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Hatching Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Quality Grade ◽  
Friesian Cattle

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of two-step vitrification on survival rate of bovine embryos produced in vitro (method A) and in vivo (method B) from Holstein-Friesian cattle. The embryos suitable for vitrification were frozen by a two-step technique, using increasing concentrations of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG). After thawing, the quality grade and developmental stage of embryos was assessed. In vitro developmental competence of embryos of different quality grade obtained by method B (n = 82) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to method A (n = 98). The best results were detected when we vitrified the embryos of the grade 1 quality; namely, the hatched blastocyst stage was reached by 6.9% (2/29) of embryos retrieved by method A and by 36.7% (11/30) of embryos retrieved by method B (p < 0.01). In the case of developmental competence of embryos at different developmental stages we reached significantly better results (p < 0.001) when we vitrified the embryos produced by method B (n = 84) in comparison with method A (n = 67). We noted a higher hatching rate at the stage of expanded blastocyst; namely, the hatched blastocyst stage was reached by 7.4% (2/27) of embryos produced by method A and by 30.8% (8/26) of embryos produced by method B (p < 0.05). In general, the hatched blastocyst stage was reached by 15.1% (50/331) of all thawed embryos retrieved by method A and B. In conclusion, when we applied two-step vitrification on the grade 1 quality embryos at the stage of expanded blastocyst produced in vitro or at the stage of morula produced in vivo we achieved the highest hatching rates.

Effects of bovine oviduct epithelial cells, fetal calf serum and bovine serum albumin on gene expression in single bovine embryos produced in the synthetic oviduct fluid culture system

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona E. Pedersen ◽  
Øzen Banu Øzdas ◽  
Wenche Farstad ◽  
Aage Tverdal ◽  
Ingrid Olsaker
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Fetal Calf Serum ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Glut 1 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oviduct Fluid

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.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs from Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Bovine Embryos as Early Biomarkers of Developmental Competence

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 8888
Author(s):  
Bárbara Melo-Baez ◽  
Yat S. Wong ◽  
Constanza J. Aguilera ◽  
Joel Cabezas ◽  
Ana C. F. Mançanares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Maternal Communication

During early development, embryos secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that participate in embryo–maternal communication. Among other molecules, EVs carry microRNAs (miRNAs) that interfere with gene expression in target cells; miRNAs participate in embryo–maternal communication. Embryo selection based on secreted miRNAs may have an impact on bovine breeding programs. This research aimed to evaluate the size, concentration, and miRNA content of EVs secreted by bovine embryos with different developmental potential, during the compaction period (days 3.5–5). Individual culture media from in vitro–produced embryos were collected at day 5, while embryos were further cultured and classified at day 7, as G1 (conditioned-culture media by embryos arrested in the 8–16-cells stage) and G2 (conditioned-culture media by embryos that reached blastocyst stages at day 7). Collected nanoparticles from embryo conditioned culture media were cataloged as EVs by their morphology and the presence of classical molecular markers. Size and concentration of EVs from G1 were higher than EVs secreted by G2. We identified 95 miRNAs; bta-miR-103, bta-miR-502a, bta-miR-100, and bta-miR-1 were upregulated in G1, whereas bta-miR-92a, bta-miR-140, bta-miR-2285a, and bta-miR-222 were downregulated. The most significant upregulated pathways were fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, lysine degradation, gap junction, and signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells. The characteristics of EVs secreted by bovine embryos during the compaction period vary according to embryo competence. Embryos that reach the blastocyst stage secrete fewer and smaller vesicles. Furthermore, the loading of specific miRNAs into the EVs depends on embryo developmental competence.

scholarly journals In vivo culture of bovine embryos and quality assessment of in vivo vs. in vitro produced embryos

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Havlicek ◽  
M. Lopatarova ◽  
S. Cech ◽  
R. Dolezel ◽  
T. Huber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
In Vivo Culture ◽  
Blastocyst Rate ◽  
Culture Procedure ◽  
Recovery Methods

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.

42 DEVELOPMENT OF PIG EMBRYOS CLONED FROM DONOR CELLS TREATED WITH TRICHOSTATIN A

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Li ◽  
Y. Du ◽  
P. M. Kragh ◽  
S. Purup ◽  
K. Villemoes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trichostatin A ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Fibroblast Cells ◽  
Embryonic Genome ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Deacetylase Inhibitor ◽  
Vitro Development

Development to the blastocyst stage following nuclear transfer is dependent on the donor cell's ability to reprogram its genome to a totipotent state. Reprogramming of the transferred somatic nuclei must be completed by the time normal activation of the embryonic genome occurs (Solter 2000 Nat. Rev. Genet. 1, 199–207). Recently, Enright et al. (2003 Biol. Reprod. 69, 896–901) reported that in vitro development of cloned cow embryos was improved by treatment of donor cells with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, TrichostatinA (TSA). So far, there are no reports available for adult pig fibroblast cells treated with TSA. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the development of handmade cloned embryos in pig could be improved by using TSA-treated donor cells. Adult pig fibroblast cells were treated with 100, 150, or 200 nm TSA for 24 h, compared to untreated controls, and were then used as donor cells. The cells were electrofused with handmade enucleated pig oocytes separately and were activated with calcium ionophore and cycloheximide. They were subsequently cultured in porcine zygote medium 3 (PZM-3; Yoshioka et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 66, 112–119) using the well of the well system (WOW; Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256–264). Experiments were repeated 4 times and the data were analyzed with AVEDEV and t-test in Excel (Microsoft Excel 2007). The cleavage rates and the total cell numbers per blastocyst were similar between groups (P > 0.05), as shown in Table 1. However, the cloned blastocyst rate using donor cells treated with 100 nm TSA was higher than in the other groups (69.9 ± 4.7% v. 43.6 ± 4.3%, 43.1 ± 5.8%, or 46.6 ± 3.6%; P < 0.05), as shown in Table 1. These data suggest that proper TSA treatment for donor cells before somatic cloning improves the rate of development of porcine handmade cloned embryos to the blastocyst stage. Further research is needed to examine the in vivo development of embryos reconstructed with TSA-treated donor cells. Table 1. Developmental ability of cloned pig embryos derived fromTSA-treated donor cells

58 HISTONE DEACETYLASES INHIBITOR, SCRIPTAID, IS BENEFICIAL TO THE REPROGRAMMING OF SOMATIC NUCLEI FOLLOWING NUCLEAR TRANSFER

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
J. G. Zhao ◽  
J. W. Ross ◽  
Y. H. Hao ◽  
D. M. Wax ◽  
L. D. Spate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Untreated Group ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Reconstructed Embryos

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a promising technology with potential applications in both agriculture and regenerative medicine. The reprogramming of differentiated somatic nuclei into totipotent embryonic state following NT is not efficient and the mechanism is currently unknown. However, accumulating evidence suggests that faulty epigenetic reprogramming is likely to be the major cause of low success rates observed in all mammals produced through SCNT. It has been demonstrated that increased histone acetylation in reconstructed embryos by applying histone deacetylases inhibitor (HDACi) such as trychostatin A (TSA) significantly enhanced the developmental competence in several species in vitro and in vivo. However TSA has been known to be teratogenic. Compared with TSA, Scriptaid is a low toxic but more efficient HDACi (Su GH et al. 2000 Cancer Res. 60, 3137–3142). The objectives of this study were: 1) to investigate and optimize the application Scriptaid to the NT using Landrace fetal fibroblast cells (FFCs) as donor; 2) investigate the effect of increased histone acetylation on the developmental competence of reconstructed embryos from NIH mini inbred FFCs in vitro and in vivo. The reconstructed embryos were treated with Scriptaid at different concentrations (0 nm, 250 nm, 500 nm and 1000 nm) after activation for 14 to 16 h. IVF embryos without treatment were produced as an additional control. Developmental rates to the 2-cell and blastocyst stage were determined. Developmental potential was determined by transferring Day 1 NT zygotes to the oviducts of surrogates on the day of, or one day after, the onset of estrus. Experiments were repeated at least 3 times and data were analyzed with chi-square tests using SAS 6.12 program (SAS institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The percentage blastocyst of cloned embryos using Landrace FFCs as donors treated with 500 nm Scriptaid was the highest and was significantly higher than untreated group (25% v. 11%, P < 0.05). Percent cleaved was not different among four treatment groups. We used 500 nm Scriptaid for 14 to 16 h after activation for all subsequent experiments. Developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was significantly increased in cloned embryos derived from NIH mini inbred FFCs after treating with Scriptaid (21% v. 9%, P < 0.05), while the blastocyst rate in IVF group was 30%. Embryo transfer (ET) results showed that 5/6 (Transferred embryos No. were 190, 109, 154, 174, 152, and 190, respectively) surrogates (83%) became pregnant resulting in 2 healthy piglets from 2 litters (recipients received 190 and 154 embryos, respectively) in the Scriptaid treatment group, while no pregnancies were obtained in the untreated group from 5 ET (Embryos transferred No. are 140, 163, 161, 151 and 151, respectively). These results suggest that 500 nm Scriptaid treatment following activation increase both the in vitro and in vivo development of porcine SCNT embryos from NIH mini inbred FFCs and the hyperacetylation might actually improve reprogramming of the somatic nuclei after NT. Funding from the National Institutes of Health National Center for Research Resources RR018877.

55 EFFECT OF FUSION-ACTIVATION INTERVAL AND EMBRYO AGGREGATION ON IN VITRO AND IN VIVO DEVELOPMENT OF CLONED BOVINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY HANDMADE CLONING

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
R. P. C. Gerger ◽  
F. Forell ◽  
J. C. Mezzalira ◽  
F. Zago ◽  
F. K. Vieira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
In Vitro Development ◽  
Cloned Bovine ◽  
Vitro Development ◽  
Handmade Cloning ◽  
Activation Intervals

Despite the apparent success of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the efficiency in development to term remains low, with a high rate of losses occurring throughout pregnancy due to faulty reprogramming and conceptus abnormalities. As the ideal fusion-activation interval for optimal nuclear reprogramming after cloning is still ill-defined, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of 2 distinct fusion-activation intervals and embryo aggregation on in vitro development of cloned bovine embryos. Bovine COCs from slaughterhouse ovaries were used after IVM for the production of cloned embryos by handmade cloning, according to our established procedures (Ribeiro et al. 2009 Cloning Stem Cells, in press). Following cumulus and zona removal, oocytes were manually bisected, with hemi-cytoplasts selected by DNA staining. Two hemi-cytoplasts and an adult skin somatic cell were attached and fused with a 15V AC pre-pulse for 5 s, followed by a double 1.2 kV cm-1 DC pulse for 20 μs. Reconstructed embryos were activated in ionomycin exactly at 2 or 4 h post-fusion (2 hpf or 4 hpf), followed by an incubation in 6-DMAP for 4 h. Cloned embryos from both fusion-activation intervals were in vitro-cultured in the well of the well (WOW) system for 7 days, allocating one (1 × 100%) or two (2 × 100%) cloned embryos per WOW. Grade 1 Day-7 blastocysts were transferred to synchronous recipients. Cleavage (Day 2) and blastocyst (Day 7) rates, on a per WOW basis, and pregnancy (Days 30 and 150) rates were compared using the chi-square or the Fisher test, with results from 9 replications summarized in Table 1. Increasing the fusion-activation interval to 4 h decreased cleavage but not blastocyst rates in 1 × 100% embryos. Also, blastocyst rates were lower in 1 × 100% embryos activated 2 h post-fusion. In general, cleavage and blastocysts rates for 2 × 100% embryos (91.5 and 46.0%) were higher than for 1 × 100% embryo counterparts (74.4 and 31.3%), respectively, regardless of the activation time. In addition, blastocyst rates for 4 hpf-activated embryos (50.3%), based on cleavage, were higher than for 2 hpf-activated embryos (38.3%), irrespective of the aggregation scheme. Nonetheless, despite differences in in vitro development, pregnancy rates and conceptus development in the first half of pregnancy were similar between groups. A longer fusion-activation interval (4 hpf) or embryo aggregation (2 × 100%) increased blastocyst yield but did not improve in vivo development and pregnancy maintenance following the transfer to female recipients in cattle. Table 1.In vitro and in vivo development of cloned bovine embryos This study was supported by FAPESP and CAPES, Brazil.

35 EFFECTIVENESS OF MICROWELL-BASED IN VITRO CULTURE SYSTEMS FOR BOVINEZONA-FREE CLONED EMBRYOS

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
C. Feltrin ◽  
M. Machado ◽  
L. M. V. Queiroz ◽  
M. A. S. Peixer ◽  
P. F. Malard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Aggregation State ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
In Vitro Development ◽  
Vitro Development

In vitro embryo production by handmade cloning (HMC) usually requires individual embryo culture, because zona-free embryos cannot be grouped in standard in vitro culture (IVC) protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental potential of bovine embryos produced by HMC (Ribeiro et al. 2009 Cloning Stem Cells 11, 377–386) after in vitro culture (IVC) in 3 microwell (WOW) systems. After in vitro maturation, oocytes were denuded and incubated in demecolcine (Ibáñez et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 1249–1258), followed by zona pellucida removal, oocyte bisection, embryo reconstruction, electrofusion, and chemical activation. Cloned embryos were allocated to 1 of 3 IVC groups: cWOW: conventional microwells (250 μm, round; Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256–264); mWOW: modified microwells (130 μm, conical; Feltrin et al. 2006 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 18, 126); and WOW-PDMS: microwells in polydimethylsiloxane chips (170 μm, cylindrical with microchannels); IVF embryos were used as controls (Bertolini et al. 2004 Reproduction 128, 341–354). Cleavage (Day 2), blastocyst (Day 7), and pregnancy (Day 30) rates were analysed by the chi-square test, for P < 0.05. Results are shown in Table 1. Cleavage rates were similar between groups, but development to the blastocyst stage was higher in IVF controls than cloned embryo groups. Among cloned embryo groups, blastocyst rate was higher in the mWOW group than the conventional and the PMDS-based microchannels. Nevertheless, in vivo development to Day 30 of pregnancy was not different between cloned groups. Our results for in vitro embryo development indicated that the mWOW provided more suitable conditions for embryo development to the blastocyst stage when compared with cWOW or even WOW-PDMS. Among some possible reasons include the physical advantage of a smaller microwell that may better mimic the constraining effect of the zona pellucida on the developing embryo. That may also provide greater blastomere stability, favouring the aggregation state during the first rounds of cleavages, also aiding compaction and subsequent cavitation. The narrower microwell system appeared to have promoted better in vitro development than the conventional and the DMPS-based microwell systems, with no impact on subsequent in vivo development. However, the IVC in the WOW-PDMS system supported reasonable rates of development, in accordance with the current literature. Table 1.In vitro development of bovine IVF and cloned embryos produced after the in vitro culture in distinct IVC systems

Temporal expression of transcripts related to embryo quality in bovine embryos cultured from the two-cell to blastocyst stage in vitro or in vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 972-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Corcoran ◽  
Dimitrios Rizos ◽  
Trudee Fair ◽  
Alex C.O. Evans ◽  
Patrick Lonergan
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Quality ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Bovine Embryos ◽  
Temporal Expression
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document