Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up (Lopu): From Animal Production to Conservation

Abstract

Laparoscopic Ovum PickUp (LOPU) is the most reliable and efficient technique for collecting high quality oocytes from live animals in certain species or age groups, allowing its use for In Vitro Embryo Production (IVEP) and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). In order to maximize the number and quality of oocytes collected by donor, it is necessary to synchronize estrus and stimulate follicular growth using hormonal protocols that vary according to species. There are 2 big categories of applications for the LOPU-IVEP technology in production animals, those in which it acts as an alternative to MOET (competitive applications) and those in which it doesn't compete with MOET as it cannot be done in those categories (non competitive applications). In wild animals, LOPU can play an important role in conservation programs for endangered species when associated with effective IVEP and has been done in several species. It has commercial application in sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes calves. Repeating LOPU procedures in the same female does not cause sequels with impact on the female's reproductive life, even when performed on prepubertal or wild animals.

Evolución de la aspiración folicular para producción in vitro de embriones en rumiantes

“…Actualmente, la DIV, es el principal método utilizado para generar embriones en pequeños rumiantes. La colección de embriones se realiza por el método quirúrgico de laparotomía, sin embargo, está técnica tiene varios inconvenientes, entre los que destacan las adherencias, el trauma postoperatorio, y el tiempo prolongado entre un procedimiento y otro (Jorge-Neto et al, 2018), lo cual hace que solamente se pueda repetir el proceso de 4 a 5 veces en la gran mayoría de las donadoras.…”

“…Esta herramienta es altamente repetible, poco invasiva (ya que no genera adherencias) y con poco tiempo de ejecución (15 minutos aproximadamente por donadora). El periodo entre procedimientos puede ser de 14 días, lo cual es considerablemente menor comparado con los 60 días para obtener embriones mediante DIV (Jorge-Neto et al, 2018). Sin embargo, se requiere de personal altamente capacitado y de un laboratorio de producción in vitro de embriones.…”

“…ABANICO Generalidades de la LOPU La LOPU es una técnica muy confiable y eficiente para colectar ovocitos de alta calidad de animales vivos, y en algunos casos animales de edad avanzada, lo que permite su uso para la PIV. Esta técnica tiene aplicación en ovinos, caprinos, bovinos, búfalos (Jorge-Neto et al, 2018;Baldassarre, 2021) y cérvidos (Locatelli et al, 2006;Baldasssarre, 2021). La repetición de la LOPU en la misma donadora no causa secuelas con impacto en la vida reproductiva de la hembra, incluso cuando se realiza en animales prepúberes o silvestres.…”

Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up Followed by In Vitro Embryo Production and Transfer in Assisted Breeding Programs for Ruminants

“…In that regard, LOPU quickly became the method of choice for sourcing immature oocytes for in vitro embryo production in sheep [ 1 , 9 , 10 ] and goats [ 3 , 11 , 12 ]. Furthermore, LOPU has also been identified as the method of choice for sourcing oocytes from deer and other wild ruminants in conservation programs [ 13 , 14 ]. Finally, oocyte collection by LOPU has also been used for accelerated genetic gain in prepubertal dairy cattle and buffalo [ 2 , 5 , 15 ].…”

In Vitro Production of Embryos from Prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo: Problems, Progress and Potential

“…However, in species that are too small for oocyte collection via OPU (e.g., sheep, goat, deer), a laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) procedure was developed in the early 90s [ 10 ]. Since then, it has been refined and adapted for use in a wide range of both domestic and wild species [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The LOPU approach has several advantages over OPU, including that the ovary is viewed directly with a depth of field, rather than on a two-dimensional sonogram, enabling superficial follicles to be aspirated accurately without risking injury to the ovarian stroma [ 19 ].…”