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Animals
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Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted...
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Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 16095

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jesús Dorado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: sperm analysis; sperm selection; gamete and embryo cryopreservation; equine reproduction; canine reproduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Manuel Hidalgo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: sperm analysis; sperm selection; gamete and embryo cryopreservation; equine reproduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Isabel Ortiz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
Interests: sperm; oocyte; embryo; cryopreservation; equine; donkey; in vitro fertilization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Andrés Gambini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires 1417, Argentina
Interests: oocyte activation; in vitro embryo development; equine reproduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) relies on the appropriate selection, manipulation, culture and conservation of gametes (the sperm and the egg), and embryos. From artificial insemination to in vitro embryo production, biotechnologies applied to reproduction have significantly impacted domestic animal production and the preservation of endangered species. This Special Issue will present original studies aiming to improve the selection and manipulation of gametes and embryos to increase developmental competence in different animal species that approach this challenge from a range of perspectives and areas, including sperm selection methods, novel oocyte activation protocols, in vitro fertilization, improvements in oocyte maturation and embryo culture, cryopreservation, etc., and focus on relevant aspects related to ARTs. We invite contributions that provide new insights and key points concerning assisted reproduction as a crucial tool in animal production and conservancy.

Dr. Jesús Dorado
Dr. Manuel Hidalgo
Dr. Isabel Ortiz
Dr. Andrés Gambini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sperm
  • oocyte
  • embryo
  • ICSI
  • endargered species
  • ARTs
  • cloning
  • SCNT
  • developmental competence

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 187 KiB  
Editorial
Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies
by Andrés Gambini, Isabel Ortiz, Manuel Hidalgo and Jesús Dorado
Animals 2023, 13(17), 2761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172761 - 30 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1440
Abstract
We are delighted to present this Special Issue, which is dedicated to the paramount subject of gametes and embryo selection and conservation for improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies)

Research

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11 pages, 281 KiB  
Article
Cryopreservation and Transfer of Sheep Embryos Recovered at Different Stages of Development and Cryopreserved Using Different Techniques
by Marina I. Selionova, Magomet M. Aibazov and Ekaterina K. Zharkova
Animals 2023, 13(14), 2361; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13142361 - 20 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2419
Abstract
This article presents data from experiments to determine the cryoresistance of Charollais sheep embryos, depending on the stage of embryo development and the method of freezing, as well as the results of embryo transfer. The study design consisted of a study on the [...] Read more.
This article presents data from experiments to determine the cryoresistance of Charollais sheep embryos, depending on the stage of embryo development and the method of freezing, as well as the results of embryo transfer. The study design consisted of a study on the cryopreservation of ewe embryos at different developmental stages (early, 2–8 blastomeric and late, at the morula/blastocyst stage), two cryopreservation protocols (slow freezing and ultra-fast vitrification), and embryo transfer of cryo- and fresh embryos. Embryos from Charollais sheep donors (n = 12) were recovered after induction of superovulation. The embryos were recovered surgically (laparotomy) on days 2 and 6 after insemination. Before there was transfer to recipients, part of embryos was cryopreserved using standard slow freezing and ultra-fast vitrification methods. The average ovarian response was 7.54 ovulations per donor, and 5.83 embryos per donor were collected. No effect of the cryopreservation method and embryo development stage on the preservation of the morphological structure of embryos was found. There were no significant differences in the survival rate of cryoembryos at different development stages, frozen using different techniques, and after transfer to recipients. Differences in cryoresistance between embryonic developmental stages in favor of the morula/blastocyst stage were found (survival after thawing 86.4% vs. 75.0% in early embryos). At different stages of development, the survival rate of fresh embryos (45.8%) compared to cryopreserved ones (30.2%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05), while among fresh ones, the best survival rate (50.0%) was observed after the transfer of morules and blastocysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
10 pages, 2569 KiB  
Article
Meiotic Development of Canine Oocytes from Poly-Ovular and Mono-Ovular Follicles after In Vitro Maturation
by Igor Astudillo, Karla Aspee, Jaime Palomino, Oscar A. Peralta, Victor H. Parraguez and Monica De los Reyes
Animals 2023, 13(4), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040648 - 13 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2438
Abstract
Poly-ovular follicles are defined as those with more than one oocyte present in single follicles. The occurrence frequency of this follicle type is higher in canines than that in other species. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro meiotic maturation of dog [...] Read more.
Poly-ovular follicles are defined as those with more than one oocyte present in single follicles. The occurrence frequency of this follicle type is higher in canines than that in other species. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro meiotic maturation of dog oocytes from this follicle type in comparison to those from mono-ovular follicles of various sizes (small antral, medium antral, and large antral) considering different phases of the estrus cycle (anestrus, proestrus, estrus, and diestrus). Canine oocytes were obtained separately from the poly-ovular and mono-ovular antral follicles from the ovaries of adult females. In each experimental replicate, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from poly-ovular and mono-ovular follicles were incubated in supplemented TCM-199 at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2 for 72 h. After culturing, the meiotic development of each oocyte was evaluated using epifluorescence microscopy. Meiotic stages were classified into germinal vesicle (GV), germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), first metaphase (MI), and second metaphase (MII). Data were evaluated using an analysis of variance. Oocytes from poly-ovular follicles at all phases exhibited a higher (p < 0.05) percentage of oocytes arrested at the GV stage than those from mono-ovular follicles, showing the highest rate of GV in small antral follicles during anestrus. In contrast, there were no differences in MII rates (p < 0.05) in oocytes from mono-ovular and poly-ovular follicles during the estrus and diestrus phases in all sizes evaluated, with the highest MII rate in estrus. These results suggest that oocytes from poly-ovular follicles can resume meiosis at a slower rate than those from mono-ovular follicles; however, the maturation in vitro of such oocytes is possible. Furthermore, the relationship between the maturation capacity of oocytes from both poly-ovular and mono-ovular follicles depends on the ovarian cycle and follicular development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
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12 pages, 590 KiB  
Article
Damage to Sorubim cuspicaudus Sperm Cryopreserved with Ethylene Glycol
by Víctor Atencio-García, Denia Padilla-Izquierdo, Juana Robles-González, Martha Prieto-Guevara, Sandra Pardo-Carrasco and José Espinosa-Araujo
Animals 2023, 13(2), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020235 - 9 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2444
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate cryo-injury during the cryopreservation in Sorubim cuspicaudus sperm with ethylene glycol (EG) at different rates (6, 8, 10%). Fresh, prefrozen, and post-thawed sperm quality as motility total, velocities, mitochondria damage (Mit-d), membrane damage (Mem-d), and DNA fragmentation (DNA-f), [...] Read more.
The study aimed to evaluate cryo-injury during the cryopreservation in Sorubim cuspicaudus sperm with ethylene glycol (EG) at different rates (6, 8, 10%). Fresh, prefrozen, and post-thawed sperm quality as motility total, velocities, mitochondria damage (Mit-d), membrane damage (Mem-d), and DNA fragmentation (DNA-f), were examined. The Mit-d, Mem-d, and DNA-f were evaluated through flow cytometry. High motility (>95%) and a low percentage of Mem-d (1.0 ± 0.5%), Mit-d (1.4 ± 0.9%), and DNA-f (2.4 ± 0.8%) were recorded for fresh semen. Prefrozen semen increases in Mit-d and DNA-f were observed compared to fresh semen (p < 0.05). In thawed semen, increased Mit-d (2.6 to 3-fold), Mem-d (6 to 1-fold), and DNA-f (3.3 to 6.6-fold) compared to prefrozen was observed. Thawed semen showed Mit-d (34 to 37-fold), Mem-d (24.5 to 26.6-fold) and DNA-f (13 to 18.5-fold) increased high. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that mitochondria, membrane, and DNA integrity undergo significant damage during both pre-freezing and freezing/thawing with EG inclusion percentages from 6 to 10% that affect its fertilizing capacity, which is reduced to half of that obtained with fresh semen. It is suggested that a cryoprotective solution composed of 6% EG, 6% glucose, and 5% skimmed milk powder is a useful protocol for the cryopreservation of S. cuspicaudus semen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
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12 pages, 1599 KiB  
Article
Preimplantation Developmental Competence of Bovine and Porcine Oocytes Activated by Zinc Chelation
by Juan P. Cabeza, Juan Cámera, Olinda Briski, Minerva Yauri Felipe, Daniel F. Salamone and Andrés Gambini
Animals 2022, 12(24), 3560; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243560 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3035
Abstract
After sperm-oocyte fusion, intracytoplasmic rises of calcium (Ca) induce the release of zinc (Zn) out of the oocyte (Zn sparks). Both phenomena are known to play an essential role in the oocyte activation process. Our work aimed to explore different protocols for activating [...] Read more.
After sperm-oocyte fusion, intracytoplasmic rises of calcium (Ca) induce the release of zinc (Zn) out of the oocyte (Zn sparks). Both phenomena are known to play an essential role in the oocyte activation process. Our work aimed to explore different protocols for activating bovine and porcine oocytes using the novel zinc chelator 1,10-phenanthroline (PHEN) and to compare developmental rates and quality to bovine IVF and parthenogenetic ionomycin-induced embryos in both species. Different incubation conditions for the zinc chelator were tested, including its combination with ionomycin. Embryo quality was assessed by immunofluorescence of SOX2, SOX17, OCT4, and CDX2 and total cell number at the blastocyst stage. Even though blastocyst development was achieved using a zinc chelator in bovine, bypassing calcium oscillations, developmental rates, and blastocyst quality were compromised compared to embryos generated with sperm-induced or ionomycin calcium rise. On the contrary, zinc chelation is sufficient to trigger oocyte activation in porcine. Additionally, we determined the optimal exposure to PHEN for this species. Zinc chelation and artificial induction of calcium rise combined did not improve developmental competence. Our results contribute to understanding the role of zinc during oocyte activation and preimplantation embryo development across different mammalian species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
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Review

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18 pages, 361 KiB  
Review
Postmortem Collection of Gametes for the Conservation of Endangered Mammals: A Review of the Current State-of-the-Art
by Tim E. R. G. Huijsmans, Hiba Ali Hassan, Katrien Smits and Ann Van Soom
Animals 2023, 13(8), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081360 - 15 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3353
Abstract
The collection of gametes from recently deceased domestic and wildlife mammals has been well documented in the literature. Through the utilization of gametes recovered postmortem, scientists have successfully produced embryos in 10 different wildlife species, while in 2 of those, offspring have also [...] Read more.
The collection of gametes from recently deceased domestic and wildlife mammals has been well documented in the literature. Through the utilization of gametes recovered postmortem, scientists have successfully produced embryos in 10 different wildlife species, while in 2 of those, offspring have also been born. Thus, the collection of gametes from recently deceased animals represents a valuable opportunity to increase genetic resource banks, obviating the requirement for invasive procedures. Despite the development of several protocols for gamete collection, the refinement of these techniques and the establishment of species–specific protocols are still required, taking into account both the limitations and the opportunities. In the case of wildlife, the optimization of such protocols is impeded by the scarcity of available animals, many of which have a high genetic value that must be protected rather than utilized for research purposes. Therefore, optimizing protocols for wildlife species by using domestic species as a model is crucial. In this review, we focused on the current advancements in the collection, preservation, and utilization of gametes, postmortem, in selected species belonging to Equidae, Bovidae, and Felidae, both domestic and wildlife. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selection and Conservation of Gametes and Embryos for Improving Assisted Reproductive Technologies)
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