Cryopreservation of Oocyte in Livestock: Principles, Techniques and Updated Outcomes

Abstract

Many biotechnologies are currently used in livestock breeding with the aim of improving reproductive efficiency and increasing the rate of genetic progress in production animals. The term “cryopreservation” refers to methods that allow biological samples to be frozen and then warmed again without losing their vitality. Cryopreservation is a process that freezes and stores fertilized oocytes for later use, such as gametes, embryos, and primordial germ cells; it is a component of assisted reproductive technology. While some procedures still employ slow-freezing methods, the majority now use vitrification, or extremely rapid freezing, for both oocytes and embryos since it reduces the possibility of harm because there is not as much ice crystal formation as there is with slow-freezing methods. Vitrification has proven to be useful in a variety of applications, including the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos in agriculturally significant or endangered animal species, such as pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, etc., after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in human embryology clinics.