Effects of slow freezing and vitrification on embryo development in domestic cat

Mokrousova, Valentina; Okotrub, Konstantin A.; Brusentsev, E. Yu.; Kizilova, Elena A.; Суровцев, Н. В.; Amstislavsky, S. Ya.

doi:10.1111/rda.13776

Cited by 13 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Cryopreservation of lion gametes was not the focus of this study but has been performed successfully for both sperm and oocytes [ 15 , 19 , 41 ]. As with domestic cats, however, the resulting embryos of cryopreserved oocytes have a reduced development potential [ 4 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], and further research is needed to improve freezing techniques.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current State of In Vitro Embryo Production in African Lion (Panthera leo)

Zahmel

Simonsen

Stagegaard³

et al. 2022

Animals

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In the last 30–40 years, in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of domestic cat oocytes have been established as part of the panel of assisted reproduction technologies. As a representative of wild felids, the African lion is not yet considered endangered. Nevertheless, the zoo population management of the African lion itself as well as other closely related felids would benefit from the establishment of an IVF system. Here, we aimed to investigate the transferability of domestic cat IVF technology to the African lion. From the ovaries of 42 lionesses aged between 0.75 and 15 years, a total of 933 IVF-suitable oocytes were retrieved and subjected to IVM and IVF. The overall maturation rate was 40.6% and 18.9% of these oocytes cleaved after fertilization, respectively. Embryos were generated by intracytoplasmic sperm cell injection as well as co-culture with epididymal sperm. Improvements in the model system also led to an improved outcome with in vitro produced embryos in the lion. Compared to domestic cats, the transportation of gonads to a specialized laboratory was time-consuming and influenced oocyte quality negatively. In conclusion, the domestic cat IVF system is adoptable for the African lion, although success rates are still lower.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current State of In Vitro Embryo Production in African Lion (Panthera leo)

Zahmel

Simonsen

Stagegaard³

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…On the other hand, studies performed in equine and donkey embryos showed that controlled-rate slow freezing seemed to be the most appropriate cryopreservation method [76,77]. Studies on other animal species such as rabbit and cat embryos did not present any difference in survival from the processes of vitrification or controlled-rate slow freezing [78,79]. The literature on other animal species embryo cryopreservation presents contradictory results.…”

Section: Controlled-rated Slow Freezing Versus Vitrification: Advanta...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquaporins and Animal Gamete Cryopreservation: Advances and Future Challenges

Ribeiro

Carrageta

Bernardino

et al. 2022

Animals

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Cryopreservation is globally used as a method for long-term preservation, although freeze-thawing procedures may strongly impair the gamete function. The correct cryopreservation procedure is characterized by the balance between freezing rate and cryoprotective agents (CPAs), which minimizes cellular dehydration and intracellular ice formation. For this purpose, osmoregulation is a central process in cryopreservation. During cryopreservation, water and small solutes, including penetrating cryoprotective agents, cross the plasma membrane. Aquaporins (AQPs) constitute a family of channel proteins responsible for the transport of water, small solutes, and certain gases across biological membranes. Thirteen homologs of AQPs (AQP0-12) have been described. AQPs are widely distributed throughout the male and female reproductive systems, including the sperm and oocyte membrane. The composition of the male and female gamete membrane is of special interest for assisted reproductive techniques (ART), including cryopreservation. In this review, we detail the mechanisms involved in gamete cryopreservation, including the most used techniques and CPAs. In addition, the expression and function of AQPs in the male and female gametes are explored, highlighting the potential protective role of AQPs against damage induced during cryopreservation.

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