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Transfer of Preimplantation Pig Embryos following in Vitro Culture for 24 or 48 Hours¹

University of Missouri³, Columbia 65201

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the viability of 258 pig ova cultured in vitro for 24 or 48 hr by transfer to 19 recipient gilts. One- to four-cell ova were recovered from donor gilts and cultured in droplets of Brinster's medium under oil. A humidified gas mixture of 5% CO₂ and 95% air flowed through the incubator which was maintained at 37 C.

In Experiment I, a total of 69 ova was transferred to six unmated gilts after a 24 hr in vitro culture period. At recovery, 63 ova were at the two-cell stage, and at transfer 59 were at the four-cell stage. Five of six (83%) recipient gilts had an average of 7.6 (63%) normal embryos at slaughter on days 26 to 33 post-estrus.

In Experiment II, a total of 189 ova were transferred to 13 unmated gilts following a 48 hr in vitro culture period. Fifty-three percent of the ova were recovered at the two-cell stage and the remainder were recovered either as one-(21%) or four-cell (26%) ova. After 48 hr in culture 77% of the ova were transferred at the four- or six-cell stage of development. Two gilts (15%) were pregnant and slaughtered 28 and 34 days post-estrus. Fifteen of 29 (52%) ova transferred to the two pregnant recipients were present as normal embryos. The reduced pregnancy rate in Experiment II may have been due to factors other than the increased length of the culture period. During the course of Experiment I, 12 of 28 ova maintained in culture from the same donors as those which were transferred developed to the blastocyst stage after 96 to 120 hr in culture. None of the 97 ova cultured for 72 additional hr after Experiment II ova were transferred reached the blastocyst stage.

¹ Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 7587. Approved by the Director.

² Present address: Route 2, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

³ Department of Animal Husbandry.