HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wright, R. W. Articles by Bondioli, K. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wright, R. W., Jr. Articles by Bondioli, K. R.

Aspects of in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Culture in Domestic Animals^1,2,

Washington State University^,2, Pullman 99164

Abstract

Various aspects of the major components of in vitro fertilization and embryo culture in domestic farm animals are discussed. An examination of the spermatozoa and oocyte incubation media showed no media or protein supplement to be superior in promoting in vitro fertilization in cattle, sheep or swine. Generally, ovulated oocytes or activated follicular oocytes were penetrated by sperm more frequently than were immature oocytes. Spermatozoa that were incubated in vivo or in the oviducts of a different species generally achieved higher oocyte penetration than did spermatozoa incubated in vitro. In most in vitro fertilization studies, an in vivo component was introduced, generally oocyte or sperm maturation, which served to confound analysis of the in vitro results. Furthermore, the relatively low level of success and high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities with in vitro fertilization in other species require that careful and complete studies analyzing the components of in vitro fertilization in domestic farm animals be conducted. The culture of embryos from domestic farm animals is detailed, with emphasis on in vitro conditions and rate of success. As with laboratory animals, bovine, ovine, porcine and caprine embyos of fewer than eight cells are more difficult to culture to the blastocyst stage than are older embryos. When placed in culture, morulae from these species commonly form blastocysts, and in vitro hatching has been reported, except for caprine embyos. Embryo development has been reported to occur in a variety of culture conditions, media and supplements and gaseous atmospheres. Culture in sealed tubes yields results equal to those reported for microdrops of media under paraffin oil. Ham's F-10 medium appears to be the medium of choice for bovine embyros, with a variety of simple media working about equally well for ovine, porcine and caprine embryos. There appears to be little advantage in supplementing media with more than 10% heat-treated serum, but optimal concentrations of bovine serum albumin remain to be determined. A reduced oxygen atmosphere of 5% C0₂, 5% O₂, 90% N₂ is at least equal and, in some species, superior to 5% C0₂ in air in promoting embryo development.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 5708. College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State Univ., Pullman. Project 0313.

² Financial support for authors' research has come from the National Institute of Health Biomedical Research Support Grant, State of Washington Biomedical Research Grant, Washington State Pork Producers Council, Select Sires, Inc. and USDA Animal Health and Disease Program.

² Financial support for authors' research has come from the National Institute of Health Biomedical Research Support Grant, State of Washington Biomedical Research Grant, Washington State Pork Producers Council, Select Sires, Inc. and USDA Animal Health and Disease Program

³ The authors express their sincere appreciation to Jean Grammer, Frank Kuzan, Gary Lindner, Alfred Menino, Jr. and Shannon Shaffer for their contributions to the results included in this paper.