scholarly journals Challenges and Considerations during In Vitro Production of Porcine Embryos

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2770
Author(s):  
Paula Chen ◽  
Bethany Redel ◽  
Karl Kerns ◽  
Lee Spate ◽  
Randall Prather

Genetically modified pigs have become valuable tools for generating advances in animal agriculture and human medicine. Importantly, in vitro production and manipulation of embryos is an essential step in the process of creating porcine models. As the in vitro environment is still suboptimal, it is imperative to examine the porcine embryo culture system from several angles to identify methods for improvement. Understanding metabolic characteristics of porcine embryos and considering comparisons with other mammalian species is useful for optimizing culture media formulations. Furthermore, stressors arising from the environment and maternal or paternal factors must be taken into consideration to produce healthy embryos in vitro. In this review, we progress stepwise through in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture in pigs to assess the status of current culture systems and address points where improvements can be made.

Metabolomics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Érika Cristina dos Santos ◽  
Camila Bruna de Lima ◽  
Kelly Annes ◽  
Marcella Pecora Milazzotto

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 743-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Leandro Figueiredo de Vasconcellos ◽  
Mylenne Calciolari Pinheiro da Silva ◽  
Carlos Marcelo Ribeiro ◽  
Elke Jurandy Bran Nogueira Cardoso

Actinobacteria are capable of playing several different roles in soil ecosystems. These microorganisms affect other organisms by producing secondary metabolites and are responsible for the degradation of different complex and relatively recalcitrant organic compounds. In our survey of actinobacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Araucaria angustifolia, five culture media (AI, WYE, YCED, MSSC and LNMS) were compared for their effectiveness in isolating these microorganisms. When summing up all the isolates randomly obtained, we got 103 isolates. After isolation, the phosphate-solubilizing ability and the "in vitro" production of indole-acetic acid and chitinases were evaluated. The AI medium was ineffective for actinobacteria isolation, when it was compared with the other four culture media. Indole-acetic acid and chitinase were produced by respectively 36% and 24% of the strains tested. However, only 2% of the 103 strains presented some phosphate-solubilizing ability. These results demonstrate the biotechnological potential of these microorganisms.


Author(s):  
O. M. Sharan ◽  
V. Yu. Stefanyk ◽  
S. G. Shalovylo

New literature data on research aimed at improving the in vitro production of sheep embryos presents in the article. An analysis of the achievements of scientists from different countries to increase the efficiency of the main stages of embryo production in vitro: maturation of oocytes in vitro, their in vitro fertilization and in vitro embryo culture. In the literature experience has shown that the efficiency of oocyte maturation in vitro is significantly influenced by the experience and qualifications of scientists, the age of the egg donor, the improvement of the environment by adding roscovitin to inhibit meiosis, α-linolenic acid, cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) and sericin to accelerate nuclear maturation and increase the number of oocytes of the second meiotic metaphase (MII). The main factors influencing the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization have been identified, and the parameters of the limited time of fertilization ability of sperm and the ability of oocytes to fertilize, which is called the “fertile span”, have been determined. The main effective medium that increases the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization – synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) with the addition of heparin and serum of cattle or sheep. The main parameters of sheep embryo culture in vitro are presented with the definition of the most commonly used media and their influence on embryonic development. Potential ways to improve the production of sheep embryos in vitro with the determination of morphological evaluation of categories of oocytes, methods of synchronization of their maturation in vitro are also highlighted. At the same time, literature data on the synchronization of oocyte-cumulus complexes with the use of a large number of inhibitors of meiotic division are presented, which according to many scientists may be a key factor in improving the efficiency of sheep embryo production in vitro. In addition, the results of studies of many scientists on the expansion of the fertile gap of oocytes of sheep cultured in vitro using certain biologically active substances were analyzed. In conclusion, the prospect of using the technology of in vitro production of sheep embryos in biomedical research is highlighted.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mullaart ◽  
F. Dotinga ◽  
C. Ponsart ◽  
H. Knijn ◽  
J. Schouten

Improving the efficiency of the in vitro production (IVP) process is very important because it results in more embryos to be used in breeding programs or as commercial service. At CRV, a culture medium consisting of SOF with amino acids and BSA is used. In the past, richer culture media were used with 10% fetal calf serum combined with BRL cell co-culture. Although the efficiency of the IVP process of these media was good, these rather high serum concentrations were quite often related to large offspring syndrome (LOS). The switch to a culture system without serum resulted in a significant reduction in LOS but also in a reduction of embryo yield. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of adding low amounts of serum to the culture medium on efficiency of embryo production. Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were recovered from ovaries 6 to 8 h upon slaughter. The COC were matured in vitro in TCM199/FCS/LH/FSH supplemented with cysteamine (0.1 mM). Subsequently, matured oocytes were fertilised with frozen-thawed gradient-separated semen and further cultured for 7 days in SOFaaBSA. The SOF medium contained either 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0% oestrus cow serum (ECS). Embryos development was scored at Day 7. Three replicates were performed and results were analysed by chi-square analyses. The results clearly show that adding ECS significantly improved embryo production (Table 1). Interestingly, already very low amounts (0.1%) of serum gave a significant increase in embryo percentage. In conclusion, addition of very low amounts of ECS (0.1%) is beneficial for embryo production, resulting in significantly higher embryo production (from 19 to 27%). In a subsequent field trial with OPU-derived embryos, the effect of addition of 0.1% ECS on birth weight (LOS) of the calves has to be investigated. Table 1.Percentage of blastocysts at Day 7 after culture in SOF medium with different amounts of serum


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. García ◽  
Y. Ducolomb ◽  
S. P. Miranda-Castro ◽  
J. F. De la Torre-Sánchez ◽  
S. Romo

Chitosan is a partially deacetylated polymer obtained from the alkaline deacetylation of chitin, which is a glucose-based unbranched polysaccharide widely distributed in nature as the main component of exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects. Chitosan has a variety of physicochemical and biological properties resulting in numerous applications. In addition to its lack of toxicity and allergenicity, its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity make it a very attractive substance for diverse applications as a biomaterial in pharmaceutical and medical fields. Chitosan stimulates cell growth and it has been used in fibroblast culture, increasing cell proliferation. For these reasons, it is important to evaluate if this polymer has a positive effect on embryo production. The aim of this study was to evaluate porcine oocyte maturation and embryo development, comparing the effect of supplementing different concentrations of chitosan to the maturation (MM) and development media (DM). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated from ovarian follicles of slaughtered sows. The COC were matured in supplemented TCM-199 (MM) and incubated for 44 h. All incubations were performed at 38.5°C, with 5% CO2 in air and humidity at saturation. After maturation IVF was performed, frozen-thawed semen from the same boar was used and gametes were co-incubated in MTBM for 7 h. Then, putative zygotes were cultured in NCSU-23 (DM) for 144 h. The following experiments were performed: 1) addition of 0 (control), 35, 50, 100, and 150 ppm chitosan to the MM (n = 1353), 2) addition of 0, 50, 100, and 150 ppm chitosan to the DM (n = 739), 3) addition of 0, 50, 100, and 150 ppm of chitosan to the MM first and then the same concentrations to the DM (n = 702). When chitosan was added to the MM, the highest percentage of matured oocytes (metaphase II) was obtained in the 50 ppm treatment (87%, P < 0.05) when compared with the control, 100, and 150 ppm groups (78, 78, and 82%, respectively). Regarding the percentage of blastocysts, there were no differences when comparing the treatment and the control groups (ranging from 12 to 13%). After addition of chitosan to the putative zygotes in the DM, the percentage of morulae in the 150 ppm treatment was significantly increased with regard to the other groups (54 v. 46%, respectively, P < 0.05). When adding chitosan to both MM and DM, there was no effect on embryo development. It is concluded that the addition of chitosan to the MM at a concentration of 50 ppm significantly improved oocyte maturation and a concentration of 150 ppm in the DM increased the percentage of morulae. Chitosan had a positive effect on oocyte maturation and embryo development. These results justify further investigations to find out if chitosan can be useful as a supplement for chemically defined media.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew B. Wheeler ◽  
Sherrie G. Clark ◽  
David J. Beebe

Several modifications have been made to in vitro production (IVP) systems to allow more efficient production of viable porcine embryos. Although in vitro production of pig embryos has been studied for over 30 years, the overall blastocyst production rate remains low. The low blastocyst rate is due to several factors, including polyspermic oocyte penetration, low rate of male pronucleus formation and less than optimal in vitro culture systems. These conditions are all inherent problems in porcine IVP and many of the mechanisms involved remain unknown. Considerable research has examined culture medium and the techniques used during the various stages of in vitro production. However, changes to the physical culture system used during IVF have remained unchanged until recently. The present paper will summarise selected developments in fertilisation and embryo culture media composition and focus on the development of modified equipment to improve the conditions used during the IVP of porcine oocytes and embryos.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Herrick ◽  
M. L. Conover-Sparman ◽  
R. L. Krisher

The development of efficient systems for in vitro production of porcine embryos has been hampered by a high incidence of polyspermic fertilization. A recently developed single-medium system for porcine in vitro maturation (IVM), IVF and in vitro embryo culture (IVC) (Purdue Porcine Medium; PPM) was modified with elevated bicarbonate (44 mM) and reduced calcium concentrations (1.7 mM) for IVF (PPMfert.2). Oocyte penetration was evaluated after maturation in PPMmat (0.5 mg mL−1 hyaluronan, 0.6 mM cysteine, 10 ng mL−1 epidermal growth factor (EGF), 0.1 U mL−1 porcine LH and FSH, and 1 × Minimal Essential Medium (MEM) vitamins) and fertilization (5 h with 5 × 105 sperm mL−1) in either PPMfert.2 or mTBM (20 mM Tris, 0.0 mm bicarbonate, 7.5 mM calcium). Embryonic development (cleavage and blastocyst stages) was assessed after culture in PPM1 and PPM2. Although penetration was lower in PPMfert.2 (69.9%) compared with mTBM (83.9%), 48.8% of penetrated oocytes were fertilized normally in PPMfert.2 compared with only 27.8% normal fertilization in mTBM. More oocytes cleaved in PPMfert.2 (77.9% v. 53.7%), but development to the blastocyst stage was not different between treatments (14.1% v. 14.3%). Further work is needed to improve embryonic development, but reduced polyspermic penetration is an important step in the optimization of the PPM system for in vitro porcine embryo production.


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