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 Menino, A. R. Articles by England, D. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Menino, A. R., Jr. Articles by England, D. C.

Comparison of In Vitro Development of Embryos Collected from the Same Gilts at First and Third Estrus¹

Oregon State University⁴ Corvallis 97331-6702

Abstract

In vitro development of embryos collected from the same gilts mated at first and third estrus was compared. Embryos from one to eight cells were collected from gilts 36 to 48 h after detection of estrus. Embryos were cultured for 8 d in Whitten's medium in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air at 37°C and were observed daily. No differences were detected among percentages of one- to eight-cell embryos developing into morulae from gilts in first or third estrus (P > .05). Similar percentages of one- to two-cell embryos from gilts mated at first and third estrus developed into blastocysts (45.8 and 55.2%, respectively), expanded blastocysts (10.4 and 24.1%, respectively) and hatching blastocysts (4.2 and 3.4%, respectively; P > .05). Fewer three- to eight-cell embryos from gilts in first estrus than from gilts in third estrus developed into blastocysts (63.4 and 91.1%) and expanded blastocysts (14.6 and 55.6%; P < .01). Similar percentages of embryos with abnormal morphology were observed among morulae developing from one- to eight-cell embryos collected from gilts mated at first and third estrus (14.9 and 9.9%, respectively; P > .05). In contrast, more morphologically abnormal embryos were observed among blastocysts developing from gilts mated at first estrus than at third estrus (31.2% and 14.0%, respectively; P < .05). The results suggest that the reduced in vitro development of embryos collected from gilts mated at first estrus may be due to an aberration in blastocoel formation and expansion.

¹ This research was supported by a grant from the National Pork Producers Council. Technical paper no. 8659, Oregon Agric. Exp. Sta.

² Present address: Oregon Reg. Primate Res. Center, Beaverton 97006.

³ Present address: Tian Jin Inst. of Anim. Husb. and Vet. Sci., Yang Zhuang Da Di Tian Jin, People's Republic of China.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci.