Postnatal consequences of assisted reproductive technologies in cattle

Abstract

Experiments in mice and clinical observations in humans are indicative that adult phenotype can be altered in offspring derived from embryos that were subjected to culture or that were produced by the combination of in vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryonic development (in vitro production; IVP). The most commonly observed changes are in body and organ size, growth rate, cardiovascular function and regulation of glucose homeostasis. In cattle, IVP is associated with increased birth weight and neonatal death loss but little is known about the long-term consequences of embryo technologies.Recently, postnatal characteristics were compared between females born as a result of artificial insemination, IVP using conventional semen, IVP using reverse X-sorted semen, and multiple ovulation -embryo transfer. Females born following IVP using reverse X-sorted semen produced less milk, milk fat, and milk protein than females in the other three groups, which were similar to each other. These results point out the importance of 1) examining other data sets to examine long-term impact of assisted reproductive technologies on adult physiology and performance and 2) evaluating whether use of sexed semen alters the adult phenotype when used for artificial insemination.

Long term effects of ART: What do animals tell us?

“…Although human studies are globally reassuring for the health of IVP offspring, the data presented above plead for a constant vigilance on procedures and effects of ART. Sometimes, effects are just overlooked, as exemplified in the bovine industry where only recent data indicates that current procedures are still associated with increased fetal weight (Hansen & Siqueira, ; Siqueira et al, ). In addition, the effects of some commonly used techniques has still not been evaluated.…”

25 years after Dolly: Update on long‐term effects of embryo biotechnologies

“…To date, and since the removal of serum and co‐culture from embryo culture conditions that were shown to be related to the occurrence of LOS, adverse neonatal and adult health outcomes associated with IVP embryos are not much reported by the bovine industry, although an increase in birth weight is still observed (Hansen, 2020; Rivera et al, 2022), associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality among IVP embryo‐derived ruminant offspring (Bonilla et al, 2014; Rivera, 2020; Sinclair et al, 2000). Commonly observed phenomena include increases in placenta, body and organ size, perturbations in growth rate, cardiovascular function and glucose homeostasis regulation (Hansen & Siqueira, 2017). Production characteristics, carcass weight and fertility do not seem affected by IVP, although it has been suggested that milk yield tends to be lower in cows born after IVP using reverse X‐sorted semen compared with IVP controls (Hansen & Siqueira, 2017).…”

“…Commonly observed phenomena include increases in placenta, body and organ size, perturbations in growth rate, cardiovascular function and glucose homeostasis regulation (Hansen & Siqueira, 2017). Production characteristics, carcass weight and fertility do not seem affected by IVP, although it has been suggested that milk yield tends to be lower in cows born after IVP using reverse X‐sorted semen compared with IVP controls (Hansen & Siqueira, 2017). Not only did these females produce less milk, but milk fat and milk protein contents were also decreased (Bonilla et al, 2014; Hansen & Siqueira, 2017).…”

“…Production characteristics, carcass weight and fertility do not seem affected by IVP, although it has been suggested that milk yield tends to be lower in cows born after IVP using reverse X‐sorted semen compared with IVP controls (Hansen & Siqueira, 2017). Not only did these females produce less milk, but milk fat and milk protein contents were also decreased (Bonilla et al, 2014; Hansen & Siqueira, 2017). In males, in a highly managed situation, no effect of IVP was observed on semen production of 1‐year‐old bulls or on embryo production results in 1‐year‐old females (van Wagtendonk‐de Leeuw, 2006) although recent data demonstrate upregulation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis and differences in the expression of genes involved in energy regulation between IVP and control male calves (Rabaglino et al, 2021, 2022).…”