Special Issue "In Vitro Embryo Production in Ruminants"

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ignacio Contreras
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University of Sassari/Researcher Marie-Curie European Fellowships, Italy
Interests: embryo development; maternal–embryo relationships; ovarian function; estrus synchronization
Dr. Sandra Soto
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
Interests: embryo development; oocyte; sperm reservoir; melatonin; biphasic in vitro maturation; in vitro fertilization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Assisted reproductive technologies applied to ruminants, such as multiovulation, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and in vitro fertilization (IVF), have been useful tools to accelerate the genetic progress in these species. Despite the effort to improve the IVF outcome in small and large ruminants in terms of embryo yield and quality, there are still many challenges to overcome. Further optimization of these technologies will potentially lead to their widespread application in ruminant breeding programs. This includes enhancing oocyte and sperm selection procedures, as well as designing optimal culture media and protocols for oocyte maturation, IVF, and embryo culture. Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to highlight state-of-the-art advances in IVF—including review and research articles—applied to small and large ruminants. Finally, we hope that this Special Issue will raise interest in the fascinating field of IVF.

Dr. Ignacio Contreras
Dr. Sandra Soto
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 papers will be 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 monthly 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 1800 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

  • oocyte
  • in vitro maturation
  • in vitro fertilization
  • blastocyst yield
  • small ruminants
  • large ruminants

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

Article
Heat Shock Protein 70 Improves In Vitro Embryo Yield and Quality from Heat Stressed Bovine Oocytes
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1794; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061794 - 16 Jun 2021
Viewed by 522
Abstract
Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a chaperon that stabilizes unfolded or partially folded proteins, preventing inappropriate inter- and intramolecular interactions. Here, we examined the developmental competence of in vitro matured oocytes exposed to heat stress with or without HSP70. Bovine oocytes were [...] Read more.
Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a chaperon that stabilizes unfolded or partially folded proteins, preventing inappropriate inter- and intramolecular interactions. Here, we examined the developmental competence of in vitro matured oocytes exposed to heat stress with or without HSP70. Bovine oocytes were matured for 24 h at 39 °C without (group C39) or with HSP70 (group H39) and at 41 °C for the first 6 h, followed by 16 h at 39 °C with (group H41) or without HSP70 (group C41). After insemination, zygotes were cultured for 9 days at 39 °C. Cleavage and embryo yield were assessed 48 h post insemination and on days 7, 8, 9, respectively. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR in oocytes, cumulus cells and blastocysts. In C41, blastocysts formation rate was lower than in C39 and on day 9 it was lower than in H41. In oocytes, HSP70 enhanced the expression of three HSP genes regardless of incubation temperature. HSP70 at 39 °C led to tight coordination of gene expression in oocytes and blastocysts, but not in cumulus cells. Our results imply that HSP70, by preventing apoptosis, supporting signal transduction, and increasing antioxidant protection of the embryo, protects heat stressed maturing bovine oocyte and restores its developmental competence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Embryo Production in Ruminants)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Reproductive Seasonality Affects In Vitro Embryo Production Outcomes in Adult Goats
Animals 2021, 11(3), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030873 - 18 Mar 2021
Viewed by 566
Abstract
Reproductive seasonality may have a considerable influence on the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in seasonal species. This study evaluated the effect of season on cleavage, blastocyst rates and quality of in vitro produced (IVP) goat embryos. In total, 2348 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) [...] Read more.
Reproductive seasonality may have a considerable influence on the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in seasonal species. This study evaluated the effect of season on cleavage, blastocyst rates and quality of in vitro produced (IVP) goat embryos. In total, 2348 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and subjected to the same IVP system throughout 1.5 years (49 replicates). The odds ratio (OR) among seasons was calculated from values of cleavage and blastocyst rates in each season. Cleavage rate was lower (p < 0.05) in spring (anestrus), in comparison with either autumn (peak of breeding season) or summer, while the winter had intermediate values. Furthermore, lower OR of cleavage was observed in spring. Blastocyst formation rate (from initial number of COCs) was higher (p < 0.05) in autumn (52 ± 2.5%) when compared with the other seasons (combined rates: 40 ± 1.9%). Moreover, its OR was higher (p < 0.05) in autumn compared to all other seasons and impaired in the spring compared to winter (OR: 0.54) and summer (OR: 0.48). Embryo hatchability and blastocyst cell number were similar (p > 0.05) among seasons. In conclusion, the breeding season leads to improved oocyte developmental competence, resulting in higher cleavage and blastocyst yield, whereas embryo quality remained similar throughout the years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Embryo Production in Ruminants)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

Review
In Vitro Production of Embryos from Prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo: Problems, Progress and Potential
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082275 - 01 Aug 2021
Viewed by 722
Abstract
Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) coupled with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in prepubertal cattle and buffalo accelerates genetic gain. This article reviews LOPU-IVEP technology in prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo. The recent expansion of genomic-assisted selection has renewed interest and demand [...] Read more.
Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) coupled with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in prepubertal cattle and buffalo accelerates genetic gain. This article reviews LOPU-IVEP technology in prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo. The recent expansion of genomic-assisted selection has renewed interest and demand for prepubertal LOPU-IVEP schemes; however, low blastocyst development rates has constrained its widespread implementation. Here, we present an overview of the current state of the technology, limitations that persist and suggest possible solutions to improve its efficiency, with a focus on gonadotropin stimulations strategies to prime oocytes prior to follicular aspiration, and IVEP procedures promoting growth factor metabolism and limiting oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Embryo Production in Ruminants)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

Brief Report
Ultrasonic Cutting of Frozen Semen Straws to Optimize the Use of Spermatozoa for In Vitro Fertilization
Animals 2020, 10(11), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112152 - 19 Nov 2020
Viewed by 577
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to establish conditions for using technology that can potentially enhance the efficiency of bovine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen semen. Frozen semen from selected bulls can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen [...] Read more.
The objective of the present study was to establish conditions for using technology that can potentially enhance the efficiency of bovine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen semen. Frozen semen from selected bulls can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen as genetic resources; however, these resources are considered consumable because they cannot be regenerated. Therefore, to optimize the utilization of frozen semen, as many oocytes as possible should be fertilized with one straw. However, a sufficient number of prepared oocytes might not be available for one experiment, which can limit the use of the total spermatozoa population. Thus, an economical method for producing embryos needs to be established by optimizing technology for transplantable embryos. In this study, the utilization of frozen semen was increased by dividing the straw with an ultrasonic cutter. The post-thaw survival rate of uncut straws from Korean Proven Bulls did not differ from that of half cuttings. When ultrasonic cutting was applied to frozen semen, spermatozoa could be prepared for IVF trials at least four times, and blastocysts were produced. Therefore, cutting frozen semen with an ultrasonic cutter represents a potentially useful tool to expand genetic resources from excellent breeding stocks. This approach could also be valuable in the field of IVF of endangered species or rare breeds for their preservation, as well as in ovum pick-up (OPU) techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Embryo Production in Ruminants)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: The negative impact of single embryo culture on the quality of bovine blastocysts
Authors: Ewelina Warzych
Affiliation: Poznan Univ Life Sci, Dept Genet & Anim Breeding, Wolynska 33, PL-60637 Poznan, Poland

Title: In vitro production of wisent (Bison bonasus) embryos for protection and preservation of this species.
Authors: AM Duszewska; K. Barłowska; W.Olech
Affiliation: Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland
Abstract: Wisent or European bison (Bison bonasus) belongs to the same family (Bovidae) as domestic cattle and bison. Wisent is the largest mammal in Europe and is called the “Forest Emperor". Wisent is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List and is therefore protected by international law. Achievements in reproductive biotechnology have opened new possibilities in ex situ conservation of the Wisent. Therefore, the research aimed to develop a strategy for the protection and preservation of the European bison through the use of the following procedures: isolation and in vitro maturation of oocytes, in vitro fertilization of matured oocytes, in vitro embryo culture and embryo cryopreservation. This study concluded that immature oocytes must be cultured in vitro for 30 hours to achieve maturity for fertilization. Bison embryos reach the stage of morula and early blastocyst between 8 and 9 days after fertilization. The embryos at these stages can be vitrified using commercial kit commonly used in domestic cattle. Moreover, it was found that thawed embryos kept their developmental potential after their transfer to recipients of another species (Bos taurus), although early resorptions of the foetuses were observed. This study shows that obtaining Wisent embryos in vitro, and then their cryopreservation to create a Wisent embryo bank, can be applied and implemented in the ex situ conservation strategy of the Wisent (European bison).

Title: Reproductive seasonality affects in vitro embryo production outcomes in adult goats
Authors: Joanna M.G. Souza-Fabjan; Lucas F.L. Correia; Ribrio I.T.P. Batista; Yann Locatelli; Vicente J.F. Freitas; Pascal Mermillod
Affiliation: Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Cep, 24230-340, Niterói, RJ, Brazil Laboratório de Fisiologia e Controle da Reprodução, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement (INRAE), UMR7247, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Nouzilly, France
Abstract: Reproductive seasonality may have a considerable influence on the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in seasonal species. This study evaluated the effect of season on cleavage, blastocyst rates and quality of in vitro produced (IVP) goat embryos. In total, 2348 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries and subjected to the same IVP system throughout 1.5 year (49 replicates). The odds ratio (OR) among seasons were calculated from values of cleavage and blastocyst rates in each season. Cleavage rate was lower (P<0.05) in spring (anestrus), in comparison with either autumn (peak of breeding season) or summer, while the winter had intermediate values. Indeed, lower OR of cleavage was observed in spring. Blastocyst formation rate (from initial number of COC) was higher (P<0.05) in the autumn (52±2.5%) as compared with other seasons (combined rates: 40±1.9%). Moreover, its OR was higher (P<0.05) in autumn compared to all other seasons and impaired in the spring compared to winter (OR: 0.54) and summer (OR: 0.48). Embryo hatchability and blastocyst cell number were similar (P>0.05) among seasons. In conclusion, the breeding season leads to improved oocyte developmental competence, resulting in higher cleavage and blastocyst yield, whereas embryo quality remained similar throughout the year.

Back to TopTop