183 IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION: A TOOL TO PRESERVE THE THREATENED WOOD BISON (BISON BISON ATHABASCAE)

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
M. Anzar ◽  
R. J. Mapletoft ◽  
G. Mastromonaco ◽  
...  

In vitro embryo production is being developed as a tool to restore genetic diversity and eliminate endemic disease in wood bison. In a recent study in wood bison, we found that more oocytes reached maturity after 30 h v. 24 h of in vivo maturation following hCG treatment (Cervantes et al. 2014 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 26, 199). An additional 4 h of in vitro maturation after an in vivo maturation period of 30 h also had a positive effect on developmental competence. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that extending the in vivo maturation time (i.e. extending the interval between hCG treatment and cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) collection) from 30 to 34 h will improve in vitro embryo production in wood bison. Follicular wave development was synchronised among female wood bison (n = 28, 6 to 10 years old) by transvaginal follicular ablation. The study was done in 4 replicates (n = 7 bison per replicate). Bison were given FSH 1 day (300 mg) and 3 days (100 mg) after ablation for ovarian superstimulation, and hCG (2500 IU) 5 days after ablation to induce COC maturation in vivo. Bison were divided randomly into 2 groups (n = 14/group) in which COC were collected transvaginally at either 30 h or 34 h after hCG treatment. Expanded COC from the 30 h group were fertilised after 4 h of in vitro maturation, while expanded COC from the 34 h group were fertilised immediately. Oocytes and sperm were co-incubated (Day 0 = day of fertilization) for 18 h at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 in air and high humidity. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in 4-well dishes containing 500 μL well–1 of CR1aa medium at 38.5°C, 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2 and high humidity, and assessed on Days 3, 7, and 8 (Day 0 = day of fertilization). Data were compared between groups by Chi-squared analysis. No effect of replicate was found. Compared to the 30 h group, the 34 h group had a greater cleavage rate [55/74 (74%) v. 49/86 (57%); (P < 0.05)], and a greater blastocyst rate on Day 7 [25/74 (34%) v. 9/86 (10%); (P < 0.05)] and Day 8 [(40/74 (54.1%) v. 32/86 (37.2%); (P < 0.05)]. We concluded that an extended period of in vivo maturation is beneficial for embryo production after in vitro fertilization in wood bison. We thank Vetoquinol Canada for providing FSH (Folltropin-V) and hyaluronan (MAP-5) and thank Merck Animal Health for hCG (Chorulon).

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 213
Author(s):  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
M. Anzar ◽  
R. J. Mapletoft ◽  
G. Mastromonaco ◽  
...  

Reproductive technologies are being developed to help conserve the genetic diversity of wood bison, a threatened species. To date, the efficiency of in vitro embryo production in bison is very low and appears to be related to inadequate in vitro conditions for oocyte maturation. Recently, we have attempted to circumvent the problem by inducing oocyte maturation in vivo and found that more than one-third of superstimulated oocytes collected 30 h after administration of hCG were at metaphase II (Cervantes et al. 2013 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 25, 283; Cervantes et al. 2014 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 26, 199). We hypothesise that additional maturation time in vitro, after in vivo maturation, will allow the remaining oocytes to reach the MII stage, and thus improve in vitro embryo production in wood bison. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an additional 4 h of in vitro maturation on the developmental competence of oocytes collected 30 h after hCG treatment. Wood bison cows (n = 24) were superstimulated by the administration of 300 mg of FSH (Folltropin-V) diluted in 0.05% hyaluronan on the day of follicular wave emergence and 100 mg of FSH in hyaluronan 2 days later. Bison were administered 2500 IU of hCG (Chorulon) IM 2 days after the last dose of FSH. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration was performed 30 h after hCG treatment to collect cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC). Expanded COC (with no evidence of degeneration) were selected and assigned randomly to 2 groups (n = 38 COC/group) in which IVF was done immediately, or after 4 h of in vitro maturation in TCM 199 with 5% calf serum, 5 μg mL–1 pLH, 0.5 μg mL–1 pFSH, and 0.05 μg mL–1 gentamicin, at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 and high humidity. In vitro fertilization (Day 0) was done with frozen-thawed wood bison semen (dose 5 × 106 sperm mL–1) in Brackett-Oliphant medium at 38.5°C, 5% CO2, and high humidity. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in CR1aa plus 5% calf serum, at 38.5°C and in 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 and high humidity. Cleavage was recorded on Day 3, and blastocyst formation was recorded on Days 7 and 8. Cleavage and blastocyst rates (calculated from the total number of oocytes submitted to IVF) were compared between groups by chi-square analysis. No difference was detected between groups (immediate fertilization v. after an additional 4 h in vitro) in cleavage rate on Day 3 (55.3 v. 60.5%, respectively, P = 0.82), or blastocyst rate on Day 7 (13.2 v. 23.7%, respectively, P = 0.37). However, the blastocyst rate on Day 8 was higher in the COC group exposed to an additional 4 h of in vitro maturation (18.4 v. 44.7%, respectively, P = 0.03). Results support the hypothesis that an additional short period of in vitro maturation improves the developmental competence of oocytes collected after 30 h of in vivo maturation.We thank Bioniche Animal Health for providing FSH (Folltropin-V) and hyaluronan (MAP-5), and Merck Animal Health for hCG (Chorulon).


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63
Author(s):  
Jesus Manuel Palomino ◽  
Gabriela F. Mastromonaco ◽  
Miriam P. Cervantes ◽  
Reuben J. Mapletoft ◽  
Muhammad Anzar ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 122-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam P. Cervantes ◽  
J. Manuel Palomino ◽  
Muhammad Anzar ◽  
Reuben J. Mapletoft ◽  
Gabriela F. Mastromonaco ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
H. Tribulo ◽  
J. Carcedo ◽  
R. Tribulo ◽  
J. Menajovsky ◽  
B. Bernal ◽  
...  

An experiment was designed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro embryo production following the use of frozen–thawed conventional or Y-sexed semen from a Brangus bull with known high fertility. For in vivo embryo production, Brangus heifers (n = 12) were superovulated twice in a crossover design and inseminated with sexed or conventional semen. On Day 0, all heifers received an intravaginal progesterone device (DIB 1 g, Syntex S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina) and 2.5 mg oestradiol benzoate and 50 mg progesterone (Progestar, Syntex S.A.) by intramuscular injection (IM). On Day 4, heifers were superstimulated with 200 mg of NIH-FSH-P1 Folltropin-V (Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) in twice-daily decreasing doses over 4 days. In the a.m. and p.m. of Day 6, all heifers received PGF2a (Ciclase, Syntex) and DIBs were removed in the p.m.. In the a.m. of Day 8, heifers received 100 μg de Gonadolerin (Gonasyn, Syntex S.A.) and were randomly allocated to receive either one straw of conventional semen (24 × 106 sperm per dose) 12 and 24 h later or two straws of sexed semen (2.4 × 106 sperm per dose) 18 and 24 h after GnRH. Ova/embryos were collected nonsurgically on Day 15 and evaluated following IETS recommendations. Means were compared by t-test. Mean ( ± s.e.m.) number of ova/embryos, fertilized ova, and transferable embryos were 14.8 ± 2.7, 9.4 ± 1.8, and 7.1 ± 1.7 v. 16.8 ± 3.1, 9.9 ± 2.5, and 8.1 ± 2.0 for donors inseminated with conventional or sexed semen, respectively (P > 0.6). For in vitro production, oocytes were obtained from 50 ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration (OPU) sessions that was performed at random stages of the oestrous cycle and without superstimulation in 22 Brangus cows and heifers. Oocytes were classified and matured in TCM-199 medium with NaHCO3 and supplemented with 1% fetal bovine serum. Semen samples from the same bull used for in vivo embryo production were selected using Percoll and capacitated in Fert medium and used at a final concentration of sperm/mL for nonsexed semen and 2 × 106 sperm mL–1 for sexed semen. After 16 h (sexed) or 18 h (conventional) in Fert medium, zygotes were denuded and cultured in SOF supplemented with 0.4% BSA under oil at 37°C, 5% CO2 and saturated humidity for 7 days. The total number of oocytes matured and fertilized was 528 and 318 for conventional and sexed semen, respectively. Means were compared by t-test and proportions by chi-squared test. Mean (± s.e.m.) number of cleaved zygotes and blastocysts produced per OPU session did not differ between conventional (11.0 ± 1.4 and 7.1 ± 1.0) and sexed (8.7 ± 0.8 and 4.9 ± 0.7; P > 0.2) semen. However, the proportion of cleaved zygotes and blastocysts produced were significantly higher (P < 0.05) with conventional semen (61.2%; 329/538 and 39.4%; 212/538) than with sexed semen (54.4%; 173/318 and 30.8%; 98/318), respectively. In conclusion, comparable number of embryos can be obtained in vivo with sexed or conventional semen from a bull with proven high fertility. However, the proportion of blastocysts produced in vitro is likely to be reduced following the use of sexed as compared with conventional semen from the same bull.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
M. Anzar ◽  
R. J. Mapletoft ◽  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
G. P. Adams

Technologies are being developed to conserve the genetic diversity of wood bison. Knowledge of the characteristics of in vivo and in vitro maturation of the cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) are needed in wood bison to design efficient in vitro embryo production protocols. The objectives were to (1) determine the optimal interval after hCG treatment for in vivo maturation of COC in superstimulated wood bison, and (2) compare the characteristics of COC after in vitro and in vivo maturation. Ovarian synchronization was induced in 25 bison during October and November by giving a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin followed 8 days later by follicular ablation (Day –1). Ovarian superstimulation was induced with FSH (Folltropin-V) given i.m. on Day 0 (300 mg) and Day 2 (100 mg). A second luteolytic dose of prostaglandin was given on Day 3. Bison were assigned randomly to 5 groups (n = 5/group). The COC were collected by transvaginal follicle aspiration on Day 4 and were either assessed immediately (0 h, control), or matured in vitro for 24 or 30 h (in vitro maturation), or collected on Day 5 (in vivo maturation), 24 or 30 h after bison were given 2000 IU of hCG i.m. on Day 4. In vitro maturation was done in TCM-199 with 5% calf serum, 5 μg mL–1 LH, 0.5 μg mL–1 FSH, and 0.05 μg mL–1 gentamicin, at 38.5°C and in a 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere. Nuclear maturation was classified as germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), or metaphase II (MII) with anti-lamin AC/DAPI staining. Groups were compared by analysis of variance and Fisher's exact test (Table 1). A mean (±s.e.m.) of 7.3 ± 1.7 COC were collected per bison, with no difference among groups. The COC in the control (0 h) group were at the nonexpanded GV stage. Cumulus cells were more expanded after in vivo than in vitro maturation, and the percentage of fully expanded COC was the highest in the 30-h in vivo maturation group (87%; P < 0.05). The greatest number of oocytes reached MII stage after 24 h of in vitro maturation, and 30 h of in vivo maturation. In conclusion, nuclear maturation occurred more quickly in vitro compared with in vivo, but the degree and incidence of cumulus expansion was greater after in vivo maturation. The competence of oocytes to undergo fertilization and develop into embryos remains to be investigated. Table 1.Cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation of wood bison oocytes


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
G. P. Adams ◽  
M. Anzar ◽  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
G. F. Mastromonaco

This study was done to determine the feasibility of in vitro embryo production in wood bison during the anovulatory season, without ovarian superstimulation or follicle wave synchronization, to simulate collection conditions in a wild or field setting. The experiment provided the opportunity to compare embryo development using 2 different maturation media and incubator systems. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration during May from non-superstimulated bison. Compact COC were allocated to 2 groups and matured in standard maturation medium using a portable gassed incubator, or in commercial medium using a portable non-gassed incubator. In the former (Standard), the COC were placed in a round-bottomed tube containing TCM-199 medium with 5% calf serum, 5 μg mL−1 LH, 0.5 μg mL−1 FSH, and 0.05 μg mL−1 gentamicin, and the tube was placed in a portable incubator with 5% CO2. In the latter (Commercial), COC were placed in a round-bottom tube containing the commercial medium (Boviteq, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada), and placed in a portable incubator without CO2. After 24 h of maturation, oocytes were fertilized in vitro (Day 0) in Brackett-Oliphant medium at 38.5°C in a conventional incubator with 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in CR1aa plus 5% calf serum, at 38.5°C and in 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 and high humidity. Cleavage was recorded on Day 3 and embryo development was recorded on Day 7. Cleavage and transferable embryo rates (calculated from the total number of oocytes submitted to IVF) were compared between groups by chi-squared test. No difference in cleavage rates was observed between Standard and Commercial treatment groups [68.1 (32/47) v. 79.2% (57/72), respectively; P = 0.25], nor in morula plus blastocyst rates on Day 7 (36.2 v. 45.8%, respectively; P = 0.39). However, the rate of transferable embryos (grade 1 and grade 2) on Day 7 was higher in the Commercial group (38.9 v. 12.8%; P < 0.01). Of the COC in the Commercial group, a higher number of morula plus blastocyst were observed to be compact good COC (>3 layers of cumulus cells) than compact regular COC (1-3 layers of cumulus cells) (66.7 v. 31.0% respectively; P < 0.05), along with a higher number of transferable embryos on Day 7 (60.0 v. 23.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, wood bison oocytes collected during the anovulatory season from non-superstimulated, non-synchronized bison and matured in vitro using portable incubators were competent to develop to the morula and blastocyst stages following IVF and culture. These results are important for future plans that require transporting oocytes from remote collection sites to the IVF laboratory, particularly with respect to the effectiveness of commercial maturation media which does not require CO2 supplementation. Research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
M. W. von der Porten ◽  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
G. P. Adams

Wood bison are a species threatened by endemic brucellosis and tuberculosis. Reproductive technologies are being developed in an effort to ensure the genetic diversity of wild wood bison, and to prevent disease transmission to healthy bison, livestock, and humans. For the purposes of IVF, recent results revealed that cumulus cell expansion was more extensive in in vivo- v. in vitro-matured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC), and more oocytes reached maturity after 30 v. 24 h of in vivo maturation following hCG treatment (Cervantes et al. 2013 Reprod. Fert. Develop. 25, 283). An experiment was designed to determine the effects of an additional 4 h of in vivo maturation on follicle development, unwanted ovulation, and COC collection efficiency. Wood bison cows (n = 28) underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle ablation to induce emergence of a new follicular wave (Day 0 = day of wave emergence, 1 day after ablation) during the non-breeding season. Bison were given FSH diluted in hyaluronan IM on Days 0 (300 mg) and 2 (100 mg), and 2500 IU hCG IM on Day 4. Bison were then assigned randomly to 2 groups (n = 14 per group) in which transvaginal oocyte collection was done at either 30 or 34 h after hCG treatment. The number and size of follicles available for aspiration (i.e. = 5 mm) was compared between groups by Student's t-test. Binomial data (COC collection rate and ovulation rate) were compared by chi-square, and the proportion of cows that ovulated was compared using a Fisher's exact test. Ovulation was defined as the sudden disappearance of follicles ≥10 mm from the hCG treatment to the time of COC collection. The numbers of follicles ≥5 mm and ≥10 mm at the time of COC collection were not different between the 30 and 34 h groups (19.0 ± 1.4 v. 17.4 ± 2.4, and 9.5 ± 1.2 v. 7.7 ± 1.8), nor was the average size of follicles = 5 mm (9.9 ± 0.2 v. 9.8 ± 0.2 mm). The number of follicles aspirated was similar between the 30 and 34 h groups (16.4 ± 1.4 v. 13.4 ± 2.1), but the pre-collection ovulation rate was lower in the 30 h group (12/89 [13.5%] v. 47/147, [32.0%]; P = 0.003), as was the proportion of bison that ovulated (3/14 v. 10/14, P = 0.02). The COC collection rate was lower in the 30 v. 34 h group (64.3% v. 78.2%; P = 0.003), but the total number of COC collected per bison was similar (10.6 ± 1.7 v. 10.5 ± 1.5). Although waiting for 34 h before COC collection resulted in a larger proportion of unwanted ovulations, a greater collection efficiency in the 34 h group resulted in a similar number of COC collected per bison. We conclude that the 30 to 34 h in vivo maturation window provides flexibility for the purposes of oocyte collection and immediate in vitro fertilization in wood bison.We thank Bioniche Animal Health for providing FSH (Folltropin-V) and hyaluronan (MAP-5), and Merck Animal Health for hCG (Chorulon).


2016 ◽  
Vol 173 ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam P. Cervantes ◽  
J. Manuel Palomino ◽  
Muhammad Anzar ◽  
Reuben J. Mapletoft ◽  
Gregg P. Adams

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 283
Author(s):  
M. P. Cervantes ◽  
M. Anzar ◽  
R. J. Mapletoft ◽  
J. M. Palomino ◽  
G. P. Adams

Methods of producing wood bison embryos in vivo and in vitro are being developed in an effort to preserve the genetic diversity of this threatened species. Previous data from our laboratory suggest that oocytes collected 24 h after LH treatment had not yet achieved nuclear maturation. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the optimal interval of time after hCG treatment required for in vivo maturation of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) in wood bison, and (2) to compare the maturational characteristics of COC after in vitro v. in vivo maturation. Follicular wave emergence was synchronized among bison cows (n = 25) by follicular ablation (Day –1) from May to June. Ovarian superstimulation was induced with FSH IM diluted in 5 mg mL–1 of hyaluronan (MAP-5, Bioniche, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) given on Day 0 (300 mg) and Day 2 (100 mg). Superstimulated cows were assigned randomly to 5 groups (n = 5/group): COC collected on Day 4 with no maturation (control), or matured in vitro for 24 or 30 h, or collected 24 or 30 h after treatment with 2000 IU of hCG IM on Day 4. The COC were collected by transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. In vitro maturation was done in TCM-199 with 5% calf serum, 5 µg mL–1 of LH, 0.5 µg mL–1 of FSH, and 0.05 µg mL–1 of gentamicin, at 38.5°C and in 5% CO2. To assess nuclear maturation, oocytes were stained with anti-lamin AC/DAPI (4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole). Nuclear stages were classified as germinal vesicle (GV), GV breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI), or metaphase II (MII). Comparisons among groups were made by ANOVA and Fisher’s exact test (Table 1). A mean (± SEM) of 7.6 ± 0.6 COC was collected per bison; no differences were observed among groups (P = 0.37). Cumulus cell expansion was more extensive after in vivo than in vitro maturation, and the percentage of fully expanded COC was highest in the in vivo 30-h group (97%; P < 0.05). No COC were expanded in the control (0 h) group, and none reached MI. Maximal nuclear maturation was achieved in vitro by 24 h; that is, there was no difference in the proportion of MII-stage COC at 24 versus 30 h. However, between 24 and 30 h of in vivo maturation, the percentage of nuclear stages GV + GVBD decreased from 54 to 24% (P < 0.05), whereas nuclear stages MI + MII increased from 39 to 74% (P < 0.05). In conclusion, nuclear maturation occurred earlier in vitro versus in vivo, but the consequences of this difference are unknown. Although more than one-third of oocytes matured in vivo for 30 h were mature enough to permit immediate IVF, whether additional in vivo maturation time would be beneficial to fertilization rates remains to be tested. Table 1.Nuclear status of wood bison oocytes after in vitro or in vivo maturation Thanks to Bioniche Canada.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Guyader-Joly ◽  
S. Ponchon ◽  
C. Gonzalez ◽  
B. Marquant-Le Guienne ◽  
L. Clément ◽  
...  

This study was initiated to evaluate maternal influence on in vivo and in vitro bovine embryo production and identify animals with contrasted phenotypes for reproductive parameters. Nine Montbéliard cows raised on the same farm and with various genetic origins were included in the study. In vivo-derived embryos were collected nonsurgically from superovulated cows on day 7 after AI (34 collections). Immature oocytes were collected by ovum pickup from the same (superovulated) cows (36 sessions) then matured, fertilized (day 0) with the same bull, and cultured in vitro until day 7 on Vero cell monolayers in B2 medium. Grade 1 to 3 in vivo and grade 1 and 2 in vitro produced embryos deemed viable according to IETS criteria. The mean numbers of blastocysts and viable blastocysts per session per cow were, respectively, 8.3 ± 5.5 and 4.8 ± 3.6 in the in vivo system and 2.5 ± 2.6 and 1.8 ± 2.2 in the in vitro system. Individual cow data of in vivo and in vitro embryo production were analyzed by ANOVA (GLM program in SAS; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Results are presented in Table 1: mean ± SD. Quantity and quality of produced embryos varied significantly among females, and production in vivo and in vitro was not systematically related. Contrasted phenotypes were identified according to their viable blastocyst rates in both systems (in vivo: no viable/recovered; in vitro: no viable/inseminated). Two females presented a relatively high percentage of viable blastocysts in both systems (over 30% in vitro and over 70% in vivo, Table 1). On the contrary, 2 females showed low percentages of blastocysts in the 2 systems (<10% in vitro and <50% in vivo). For most other females, the percentage of in vivo-produced blastocysts was relatively high (>50%), but in vitro development rates were low. Only one female (C3) presented the inverse situation. Oocytes collected from animals with contrasted phenotypes will be analysed for gene expression to identify marker genes associated with oocyte developmental competence. Table 1. This study was conducted with financial support of ‘Genanimal’ – French Ministry of Research (#03P409) and Apis-Gene.


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