Transfer of Bovine Embryos Produced in Vivo or in Vitro: Survival and Fetal Development1

Abstract

The objectives of the present experiment were to compare survival after transfer of bovine embryos produced in vivo with those produced in vitro and to examine the physical characteristics of fetuses produced from these transfers. Embryos produced in vivo (Holstein x Angus) were recovered from uterine flushings of superovulated heifers 7 days after first artificial insemination, and embryos produced in vitro (Holstein x beef breeds) were collected 7 days after insemination. Embryos were paired by source (in vivo, in vitro), stage (compact morula, blastocyst), and quality grade (excellent = 1, good = 2), and transferred nonsurgically to recipient heifers on Day 7 (+/- 1 day) of the estrous cycle. Pregnancy status was monitored by determination of serum progesterone concentrations, ultrasonography, and palpation through 7 mo of gestation, at which time fetuses were recovered. In comparison with grade 1 embryos produced in vivo, the risk of embryonic death after transfer was similar for grade 2 embryos produced in vivo (p = 0.56) and for grade 1 embryos produced in vitro (p = 0.88). By contrast, grade 2 embryos produced in vitro were at greater (p = 0.04) risk of embryonic death. Embryo loss was associated (p = 0.01) with increased serum concentrations of progesterone in recipients at the time of transfer. At 7 mo of gestation, fetuses from embryos produced in vitro were heavier (p = 0.02) than fetuses from embryos produced in vivo and had skeletal measurements that were disproportionate (p < or = 0.04) to body weight.

Embryo viability, duration of gestation and birth weight in sheep after transfer of in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized zygotes cultured in vitro or in vivo

“…Thompson et al (1995) (Wilmut and Sales, 1981) or to the oviducts of progesterone treated ewes (Kleemann et al, 1994) causes enhanced fetal growth. In cattle, in vitro procedures also affect fetal growth (Behboodi et al, 1995;Farin and Farin, 1995), but not duration of gestation (Behboodi et al, 1995), while cloning by nucleus transfer affects both (Willadsen et al, 1991;Wilson et al, 1995). The numbers of lambs and variation in birth weights in this study do not allow further conclusions regarding the possible relations between the type of manipulation, birth weight and duration of gestation.…”

“…This finding is supported by studies in cattle (Behboodi et al, 1995;Farin and Farin, 1995 (Willadsen et al, 1991;Wilson et al, 1995 (Behboodi et al, 1995). Thompson et al (1995) (Wilmut and Sales, 1981) or to the oviducts of progesterone treated ewes (Kleemann et al, 1994) causes enhanced fetal growth.…”

Birth Weight and Gestation Length of Japanese Black Calves Following Transfer of Embryos Produced in Vitro with or without Co-Culture.

“…Techniques that can lead to a predisposition to fetal oversize include embryo culture [14,15], embryo-somatic cell co-culture [3] and asynchronous embryo transfer [16], but the causal factors have not been identified. It is thought that the nature of these abnormalities is associated with the biological differences between in vivo-and in vitro-produced embryos [18].…”

“…It is thought that the nature of these abnormalities is associated with the biological differences between in vivo-and in vitro-produced embryos [18]. Farin and Farin [3] have reported that at 7 months of gestation, fetuses from IVP embryos produced by co-culture with oviductal epithelial cells in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% estrous cow serum were heavier than fetuses from IVD embryos. We found no significant differences of birth weight and gestation length between IVP-Co and IVP-NON-Co calves, though the birth weight and gestation length of calves born after transfer of both IVP embryos was heavier and longer than those born after transfer of IVD embryos in Japanese Black cattle.…”

Serum free embryo culture medium improves in vitro survival of bovine blastocysts to vitrification

“…In general, the longer in vitro culture, the more deviation occurs relative to embryos recovered in vivo; this phenomenon appears to be exacerbated when in vitro oocyte maturation and in vitro fertilization procedures precede embryo culture [5,6]. Darker cytoplasm, lower density, swollen blastomeres, slower www.theriojournal.com growth rate, and high thermal sensitivity [7,8] make in vitro produced embryos more sensitive to cryopreservation, yielding lower pregnancy rates [9] than in vivo recovered embryos.…”