According to the International Embryo Technology Society, the number of bovine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization technology is increasing every year. However, despite the large volumes of their production, the effectiveness of this method is still low and needs to be improved. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two commercial media – Origio Sequential Series (Origio, Denmark) and a panel of products manufactured by Minitube (Germany) in terms of oocyte maturation and development of bovine embryos in vitro. At the first stage of the study, a comparative evaluation of oocyte maturation media was performed: based on TCM 199 (Minitube) and Universal (Origio) culture media. At the second stage, the protocols for culturing bovine embryos were compared: Minitube and the two-stage Origio culture protocol with changing media. Therewith, it was found that the use of TCM 199 medium for oocyte maturation is more effective compared to Universal. Thus, at 48 hours of cultivation (the initial stage of embryo development), 64.3 ± 1.0 and 60.3 ± 1.4% of 2-8 cell embryos were obtained, and on Day 8 – 25.3 ± 1.0 and 20.0 ± 0.6% of blastocysts, respectively. The results of a comparison of bovine embryo culture protocols showed that when using both Minitube and Origio media, the percentage of division and the percentage of resulting embryos corresponded to their known values. It was found that the Minitube cultivation protocol is more effective than Origio. At 48 hours, the number of embryos obtained using the Minitube culture protocol was 1.3% higher compared to Origio, on Day 6 – by 7.8%, and on Day 8 – by 3.8%. The results obtained are a necessary component of the development of successful processes to produce bovine embryos in vitro with further implementation in the ruminant reproduction biotechnology

The wide use of cell technologies in clinical practice requires a large amount of cell material, which has led to improvement in culture conditions, making it possible to obtain more cell material in a shorter period of time. Thus, the purpose of our paper was to study the effects of different concentrations of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), a fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2),| a growth hormone (rhGH), and Biolaminin 521 LN (LN 521) on the proliferative activity and genetic stability of stem cell cultures derived from the cat bone marrow, adipose tissue, and myocardium. Cell cultures for the experiment were obtained from the adipose tissue, bone marrow, and myocardium of a cat. Differences were found in the effects of the various growth promoters on the proliferative activity of cells in the culture. The IGF-1 demonstrated a positive effect on the proliferative activity of all cultures. The addition of the rhGH to the bone marrow-derived cell culture increased the size of the cells and decreased the proliferation index relative to the control group. The addition of the growth factors to the culture medium did not significantly increase the number of cells with altered karyotype in any of the cultures relative to the control group.

The use of biotechnological reproduction methods is a relevant issue since the embryo transfer, obtained after stimulating superovulation, can accelerate reproduction and improve the number of cattle. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various schemes for stimulating superovulation in cows of the Ukrainian black-pock dairy breed. Therewith, the study analysed the ovarian response to the drug “FSH-Super” under different introduction schemes: Step-up (gradual increase in the dose) and Step-down (gradual dose reduction) and recorded the number of embryos suitable for transplantation. Donor cows were administered the drug “Estrofan” to synchronise the sexual cycle. After 7 days, the drug “Ovarelin” was injected, and after another 7 days, the injection of the drug “Estrofan” was repeated in the same dose. Stimulation of superovulation began on the 10th day of the sexual cycle with the drug “FSH-super” in the form of eight gradually increasing (Step-up) and gradually decreasing (Step-down) doses within 4 days. Artificial insemination was performed 12 and 24 hours after the start of oestrus. During the study, it was discovered that in the group of cows with gradual dose reduction of the drug “FSH-Super”, 83.3% reacted with superovulation, and in the group with the gradual increase – only 71.4%. Therewith, the number of yellow bodies on two ovaries in a donor cow averages 15.6 and 9.2, respectively. An average of 12.4 and 7.8 embryos (Step-down and Step-up) were obtained from the donor, of which 7.8 and 4.2 are suitable for transplantation, respectively. However, in the group of cows with gradually decreasing doses, a higher number of embryos unsuitable for transplantation was obtained – 4.6 and unfertilised oocytes – 2.6, compared with the group of donors with gradually increasing doses, where these indicators are 3.6 and 1.0, respectively. Thus, the use of the drug “FSH-super” to donor cows according to the step-down introduction scheme allows getting more embryos suitable for transplantation. This will allow managing the biotechnological aspects of cattle reproduction and effectively and in a controlled manner accelerate the breeding process in farms of various forms of ownership, fixing the desired genotype in the herd

Laminitis or rheumatic inflammation of the hooves is inflammation of the hoof lamina, in which the connection between the coffin bone and the horny shoe is disrupted as a result of the destruction of the connection between the leaves of the horny wall with the leaves of the base of the hoof skin. The pathogenesis of this disease is quite complex and contradictory. Some authors associate it with the accumulation of biogenic amines in the hoof tissues, while others point to the violation of lamellar microcirculation and the effect of tissue metalloproteinases on the leaves of the horny wall and the base of the hoof skin. Treating horses with laminitis is not an easy task, due to the complex pathogenesis of the disease. Thus, the search for modern treatments of horses with laminitis is an urgent and timely task. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma on the course of chronic laminitis in horses. The object of the study was a castrated stallion of a Ukrainian riding breed, 8 years old, with a clinical manifestation of chronic laminitis with detachment of the hoof wall along the border line on the left forelimb. Materials and methods. Autologous mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from adipose tissue. A culture of mesenchymal stem cells of adipose tissue in the amount of 12 million cells was injected into the palmar medial digital artery of the injured limb. The introduction was repeated three times, while the cells were suspended in 3 cm3 of phosphate-buffered saline. The third injection of cells was performed in combination with autologous platelet-rich plasma. Results: Active recovery of the hoof wall was observed on the injured forelimb. Coronary fistulas and damage of the hoof joint capsule were healed. The shape of the hoof wall and sole began to normalize. The pulsation of the arteries of the toes has become less pronounced. No corona edema was observed in the area. Conclusion. Under the influence of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich blood plasma, tissue structures of the injured hoof had restored as the clinical and functional state of the injured limb; at the same time, the x-ray picture of the hoof worsens, which is accompanied by irreversible processes in the hoof tissues and its deformation.

The studies were conducted on 2-3 months old males of C57BL/6 mice, weighing 20-24 g. Our work aimed at studying the func onal state of the organs of the immune system in mice a er administra on of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells of adipose ssue origin. Obtaining and cul va ng mesenchymal stem cells were carried out in a sterile laminar box with compliance of asepsis and an sep c condi ons.