Anti-Müllerian Hormone and OPU-ICSI Outcome in the Mare

Abstract

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) reflects the population of growing follicles and has been related to mammalian fertility. In the horse, clinical application of ovum pick-up and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (OPU-ICSI) is increasing, but results depend largely on the individuality of the mare. The aim of this study was to assess AMH as a predictor for the OPU-ICSI outcome in horses. Therefore, 103 mares with a total follicle count above 10 were included in a commercial OPU-ICSI session and serum AMH was determined using ELISA. Overall, the AMH level was significantly correlated with the number of aspirated follicles and the number of recovered oocytes (p < 0.001). Mares with a high AMH level (≥2.5 µg/L) yielded significantly greater numbers of follicles (22.9 ± 1.2), oocytes (13.5 ± 0.8), and blastocysts (2.1 ± 0.4) per OPU-ICSI session compared to mares with medium (1.5–2.5 µg/L) or low AMH levels (<1.5 µg/L), but no significant differences in blastocyst rates were observed. Yet, AMH levels were variable and 58% of the mares with low AMH also produced an embryo. In conclusion, measurement of serum AMH can be used to identify mares with higher chances of producing multiple in vitro embryos, but not as an independent predictor of successful OPU-ICSI in horses.

Do the blood anti‐Müllerian hormone concentrations in young females correlate with the ovarian follicular population later in life in water buffalo?

“…The relationship between AMH and AFP levels has also been demonstrated in horses (Claes et al., 2016; Papas et al., 2021), goats (Monniaux et al., 2011), sheep (Lahoz et al., 2012) and, more recently, in female bovines and water buffalo (Baldrighi et al., 2014). Most of the existing studies investigating AMH in farm animals were carried out in the adult phase, where the plasma concentrations of this hormone have been considered a potential tool to identify the follicular reserve (Umer, Zhao, et al., 2019), thus improving the selection of females for use in biotechniques such as multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and in vitro embryo production (IVEP) (Batista et al., 2014; Guerreiro et al., 2014).…”

“…The relationship between AMH and AFP levels has also been demonstrated in horses (Claes et al, 2016;Papas et al, 2021), goats (Monniaux et al, 2011), sheep (Lahoz et al, 2012) and, more recently, in female bovines and water buffalo (Baldrighi et al, 2014).…”

Genome-wide equine preimplantation genetic testing enabled by simultaneous haplotyping and copy number detection

“…Embryos were produced in vitro as described previously 98 , 99 , separating oocytes and embryos per donor. Briefly, oocytes retrieved from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries from four mares of unknown identity were kept for ~ 15 to 18 h in holding medium (Emcare, Manhattan, KS, USA) at room temperature (22 °C) prior to IVM.…”

New Alternative Mixtures of Cryoprotectants for Equine Immature Oocyte Vitrification

“…The supernatant was removed again, and the sperm pellet was resuspended in 300 μL of G-MOPS and kept at room temperature until used for ICSI. Mature oocytes (MII), indicated by an extruded polar body, were injected by piezo drill, and presumptive zygotes were cultured as described by Papas et al, 2021 [ 4 ]. Cleavage rate was evaluated 2 or 3 days after ICSI, and blastocyst development was monitored daily from day 7 until 10 post ICSI.…”

“…It has gained increased interest during the last few years in the horse, especially as a complement for assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), like ovum pick-up (OPU), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and cloning. The application of these ARTs has increased dramatically due to the rise in their efficiency and the consistent pregnancy rates that can be achieved [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Gamete cryopreservation would further increase ICSI flexibility by allowing to postpone the decision on the fertilizing stallion.…”