冷冻胚胎移植周期中内膜形态及内膜厚度对妊娠结局的预测价值分析

目的:评价内膜厚度及内膜形态对于体外受精-胚胎移植中冷冻胚胎解冻复苏移植的临床妊娠结局的预测价值。方法:回顾性分析1521个冷冻胚胎解冻复苏移植周期,将患者按子宫内膜厚度分为4组,子宫内膜≤6 mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm,根据子宫内膜形态分为A型内膜、B型内膜、C型内膜。分别比较不同内膜厚度分组及不同内膜形态分组患者的年龄,移植胚胎数目、内膜准备方案构成比、移植胚胎类型(卵裂期胚胎、囊胚)构成比及各组间的临床妊娠率和活产率。采用ROC曲线分析子宫内膜厚度、形态对临床妊娠结局的预测价值。使用逐步回归分析内膜厚度、形态、年龄及移植胚胎类型与妊娠结局的相关性。结果:纳入1521个解冻复苏周期中按内膜厚度分为4组,各组周期数分别为96周期、454周期、893周期、78周期,各组间平均年龄分别为34.1±5.5岁、33.3±5.4岁、32.5±5.2岁、33.7±6.0岁(P0.05)。内膜厚度≤6 mm组临床妊娠率为31.3%,子宫内膜≤6mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm组临床妊娠率分别为48.5%、51.8%、47.4%(P0.05)。子宫内膜≤6 mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm组间活产率分别为18.8%、37.7%、44.6%、39.7%(P0.05)。A型、B型及C型内膜组周期数分别为920周期、189周期及412周期,三组间平均年龄分别为32.3±5.1、33.0±5.7、34.2±5.5岁(P0.05)。A型/B型及C型内膜组临床妊娠率分别为51.2%、46.6%及46.4%,三组间活产率分别为42.1%、36.0%及37.1%,三组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。子宫内膜厚度ROC曲线下面积为0.534(95%可信区间0.505-0.564),子宫内膜形态ROC曲线下面积为0.526(0.476-0.955)。逐步回归分析纳入内膜厚度、内膜形态、年龄、胚胎类型4个可变量,女方年龄(OR=0.929,P0.001),移植胚胎中囊胚比例(OR=1.595,P0.001)与临床妊娠率明显相关,内膜厚度(OR=1.054,P=0.05)及内膜形态(OR=0.864)与临床妊娠率无相关性。结论:虽然子宫内膜薄临床妊娠率下降,但是子宫内膜厚度与内膜形态不能够预测体外受精-胚胎移植解冻复苏周期临床妊娠率,患者年龄以及移植胚胎的发育潜能才是预测临床妊娠率的参考指标。     

年轻POR女性拮抗剂方案与长方案的新鲜移植周期临床妊娠结局的比较分析

目的:比较分析拮抗剂方案与长方案对年轻卵巢低反应(POR)女性体外受精(IVF)新鲜移植周期临床妊娠结局的影响,以探讨拮抗剂方案的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2014年1月至2017年6月在广东省妇幼保健院生殖中心行体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)治疗的204例妇女213个IVF新鲜移植周期的临床资料。按随机数字表法分为拮抗剂组83例(84治疗周期)与长方案组121例(129治疗周期),比较两组一般资料、实验室资料、促排卵资料及妊娠结局的差异。结果:拮抗剂组的窦卵泡计数(AFC)、抗苗勒氏激素(AMH)水平、促性腺激素(Gn)使用天数、Gn总量、HCG日雌二醇(E2)水平、HCG日内膜厚度、移植日内膜厚度、获卵数、成熟卵子数及正常受精数低于长方案组,基础FSH/LH、Gn启动量高于长方案组(P0.05),但两组优质胚胎数、移植胚胎数、移植囊胚比例、冷冻胚胎数、胚胎种植率及早期自然流产率比较均无统计学差异(P0.05)。拮抗剂组和长方案组的临床妊娠率较高,分别为58.14%和63.10%,但是两组临床妊娠率比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:给予年轻POR患者两种方案均可获得较满意的IVF新鲜移植周期临床妊娠结局,拮抗剂方案获卵数较长方案少,但是其优势在于Gn使用量更少,使用时间更短。     

冻融胚胎移植中三种不同内膜准备方法的妊娠结局比较

目的：比较三种不同内膜准备方法中复苏胚胎移植的妊娠结局。方法：对因女方输卵管因素不孕的248个冻融囊胚移植周期的临床资料进行回顾性分析。将内膜准备方法分为自然周期组、全激素替代周期组和半激素替代周期组三种,分别对各组的着床率、临床妊娠率、生化妊娠率和早期流产率进行分析比较。结果：自然周期组的子宫内膜厚度显著高于全激素周期组和半激素替代周期组（P〈0．05）,差异有统计学意义。而这三组病人在年龄、不孕年限和移植胚胎数目上则均无明显差异（P〉0．05）。另外,三种内膜准备方法的着床率、临床妊娠率、早期流产率及生化妊娠流产率亦无显著性差异（P〉O．05）。结论：冻融胚胎移植中,对于排卵正常患者我们建议采用自然周期法更为经济、方便。而对于月经周期不正常,排卵障碍的病人应依实际情况采用全激素周期或半激素周期方案。     

腹腔镜剔除术与传统手术对卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿患者卵巢储备及生育功能的影响

目的:对比分析腹腔镜囊肿剔除术与传统手术对卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿患者卵巢储备功能及生育功能的影响。方法:选择我院诊治的卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿患者100例,随机分为观察组与对照组,每组各50例。对照组采用传统手术治疗,即囊肿抽吸加囊壁电凝术,观察组采用腹腔镜卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿剔除术进行治疗,两组在手术后进行促排卵治疗。观察和比较两组的窦卵泡数、血清促卵泡生成素水平、给予促性腺激素释放激素激动剂支数、给予促性腺激素释放激素激动剂天数以及HCG注射日血清雌二醇水平,并采用超声检测两组的好胚数、卵子数、冷冻数、妊娠率、移植数以及分娩率。结果:观察组的窦卵泡数以及HCG注射日血清雌二醇水平明显高于对照组(P0.05),血清促卵泡素水平以及给予促性腺激素释放激素激动剂的支数明显低于对照组(P0.05)。此外,观察组的好胚数、卵子数、冷冻数、妊娠率、移植数以及分娩率均较对照组明显升高(P0.05)。结论:相比于传统手术,腹腔镜卵巢剔除术对患者卵巢储备功能和生育功能的影响较小,安全性较高,不影响患者的再次妊娠及分娩。     

子宫内膜容受性检测技术在反复种植失败患者冻融胚胎移植中的应用价值及其临床妊娠的影响因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨子宫内膜容受性检测（ERT）技术在反复种植失败患者冻融胚胎移植（FET）中的应用价值,并分析其临床妊娠的影响因素。方法：回顾性分析2019年10月~2022年4月期间海南省妇女儿童医学中心收治的150例反复种植失败患者的临床资料,根据是否接受ERT技术分为ERT组（n=78,接受ERT技术）和无ERT组（n=72,未接受ERT技术）。按照反复种植失败患者是否临床妊娠分为临床妊娠组和未临床妊娠组。采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归模型分析临床妊娠的影响因素。结果：两组异位妊娠率组间对比未见统计学差异（P>0.05）。ERT组临床妊娠率、活产率高于无ERT组,移植日内膜厚度大于无ERT组,移植胚胎数少于无ERT组,流产率低于无ERT组（P<0.05）。所有患者按照是否临床妊娠分为临床妊娠组（n=85）和未临床妊娠组（n=65）。单因素分析结果显示：临床妊娠与年龄、移植胚胎类别、移植胚胎数量、总周期数、FSH、子宫内膜厚度、子宫内膜类型有关（P<0.05）,而与体质量指数（BMI）、不孕年限、不孕类型、胚胎冷冻保存时间无关（P>0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：年龄偏大、FSH偏高是临床妊娠的危险因素,而移植胚胎类别为囊胚、移植胚胎数量偏多是临床妊娠的保护因素（P<0.05）。结论：ERT技术用于反复种植失败患者FET中,可有效改善患者的临床妊娠。年龄、FSH、移植胚胎类别、移植胚胎数量是临床妊娠的影响因素。     

促排卵过程中添加重组人生长激素对卵巢储备功能低下患者IVF-ET结局的影响及妊娠结局的影响因素探讨

摘要 目的：探讨促排卵过程中添加重组人生长激素（r-hGH）对卵巢储备功能低下（DOR）患者体外授精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）结局的影响,并分析妊娠结局的影响因素。方法：选择2021年1月至2022年1月徐州市中心医院拟接受IVF-ET治疗的DOR患者60例、徐州医科大学附属沭阳医院拟接受IVF-ET治疗的DOR患者36例,共计96例,采用随机数字表法分为两组,每组48例,对照组予以常规促排卵治疗,观察组促排卵过程中添加r-hGH治疗,比较两组促排卵、体外受精、胚胎移植以及妊娠相关指标。此外,根据妊娠结局将所有患者分成妊娠成功组和妊娠失败组,采用多因素Logistic回归分析IVF-ET结局的影响因素。结果：观察组胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组与对照组注射重组人促卵泡激素（Gn）天数、Gn用量、人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）日雌二醇（E2）水平、HCG日黄体生成素（LH）水平、HCG日子宫内膜厚度、获卵数、成熟卵数、受精率、卵裂率、可移植胚胎数、优质胚胎数、移植胚胎数、早期流产率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。单因素分析结果显示：妊娠失败组女方平均年龄大于妊娠成功组,基础卵泡刺激素（FSH）水平、IVF周期≥2个的患者比例高于妊娠成功组,促排卵应用了r-hGH的患者比例低于妊娠成功组,HCG日子宫内膜厚度小于妊娠成功组,基础窦卵泡数（AFC）个数、成熟卵数、优质胚胎数少于妊娠成功组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：女方年龄≥35岁、基础FSH≥14.40 IU/L、HCG日子宫内膜厚度＜10 mm、基础AFC＜5.5个是DOR患者IVF-ET妊娠失败的危险因素,而促排卵应用r-hGH治疗是保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：促排卵过程中增加r-hGH治疗可提高DOR患者IVF-ET胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率。女方年龄、基础FSH和AFC、HCG日子宫内膜厚度、r-hGH治疗均与IVF-ET妊娠结局有关。     

电针结合红外线照射对反复着床失败患者子宫内膜容受性、胚胎移植及妊娠情况的影响

目的:观察电针结合红外线照射对反复着床失败(RIF)患者子宫内膜容受性、胚胎移植及妊娠情况的影响。方法:选取102例于2015年5月-2018年5月在我院行复苏胚胎移植的RIF患者,按照随机数字表法将患者分为电针结合红外线照射治疗组(A组,38例)、安慰针刺组(B组,34例)及空白对照组(C组,30例)。比较三组治疗前后血清雌二醇、孕酮水平,于治疗前后检测子宫内膜容受性超声学指标,包括子宫内膜厚度、内膜容积、血管血流指数(VFI)、内膜血流指数(FI)、阻力指数(RI),比较三组胚胎移植及妊娠情况。结果:三组治疗前后血清雌二醇、孕酮水平比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。治疗后A组子宫内膜厚度、内膜容积大于治疗前及B组、C组,VFI、FI高于治疗前及B组、C组,RI低于治疗前及B组、C组(P0.05)。三组移植胚胎数、生化妊娠率、临床妊娠率比较无统计学差异(P0.05),A组胚胎着床率高于B组、C组(P0.05)。结论:电针结合红外线照射治疗RIF患者可以改善子宫内膜容受性,提高胚胎着床率。     

促性腺激素释放激素激动剂与维生素E对子宫内膜异位症不孕患者血清TNF-α及IL-6水平的影响

目的:探讨促性腺激素释放激素激动剂联合维生素E对子宫内膜异位症伴不孕女性血清肿瘤坏死因子(TNFα)及白介素-6(IL-6)水平的影响。方法:收集我院治疗的84例子宫内膜异位症伴不孕患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组42例。对照组患者给予促性腺激素释放激素激动剂治疗,实验组患者在对照组基础上给予维生素E治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后血清TNF-α及IL-6水平、妊娠率以及临床疗效。结果:与治疗前比较,两组患者治疗后血清IL-6及TNF-α水平均下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组比较,实验组患者治疗后血清TNF-α及IL-6水平较低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组患者治疗总有效率(92.86%)高于对照组(78.57%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组患者妊娠率(71.43%)高于对照组(54.76),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:促性腺激素释放激素激动剂联合维生素E能够降低子宫内膜异位症伴不孕女性血清TNF-α及IL-6水平,提高患者的妊娠率,临床效果较好。     

促性腺激素释放激素激动剂与维生素E 对子宫内膜异位症不孕患者血清 TNF-alpha及IL-6水平的影响

目的：探讨促性腺激素释放激素激动剂联合维生素E 对子宫内膜异位症伴不孕女性血清肿瘤坏死因子（TNFα）及白介素-6 （IL-6）水平的影响。方法：收集我院治疗的84 例子宫内膜异位症伴不孕患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组42 例。对照组患者 给予促性腺激素释放激素激动剂治疗,实验组患者在对照组基础上给予维生素E 治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后血清 TNF-α及IL-6 水平、妊娠率以及临床疗效。结果：与治疗前比较,两组患者治疗后血清IL-6 及TNF-琢水平均下降,差异具有统计 学意义(P<0.05);与对照组比较,实验组患者治疗后血清TNF-α及IL-6 水平较低,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组患者治疗 总有效率(92.86%)高于对照组(78.57%),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组患者妊娠率(71.43%)高于对照组(54.76),差异具有 统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：促性腺激素释放激素激动剂联合维生素E 能够降低子宫内膜异位症伴不孕女性血清TNF-α及IL-6 水平,提高患者的妊娠率,临床效果较好。     

极严重少弱精症患者的新鲜周期移植中卵裂球数目对妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨极严重少弱精症患者的新鲜周期移植中卵裂球数目对妊娠结局的影响。方法:回顾性分析392个新鲜胚胎移植周期,这些胚胎根据移植天数分为第二天移植(Day2)组68周期和第三天移植(Day3)组324周期,其中Day2组根据卵裂球数分为3个(A组,3周期),3～5个(B组,57周期),5个(C组,8周期),Day3组根据卵裂球数分为7个(D组,33周期),7～9个(E组,242周期),9个(F组,49周期)。每个组又根据胚胎评级分为三个亚组,亚组1均为移植1～2级的胚胎(A1～F1),亚组2均为移植3～4级的胚胎(A2～F2),亚组3为一个1～2级和一个3～4级移植胚胎(A3～F3)。综合比较各组和相应亚组之间的种植率,临床妊娠率,流产率及活产率的差别。结果:①在day2组中,ABC三组的胚胎种植率,临床妊娠率,流产率及活产率均无统计学差异(P0.05)。在Day3组中,E组的胚胎种植率,临床妊娠率及活产率均高于D组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。而D组和F组及E组和F组之间差异均无统计学意义。②在相同卵裂球数组中,不同的胚胎分级各亚组之间(如B1,B2,B3间)的胚胎种植率,临床妊娠率,流产率及活产率均无统计学差异。不同卵裂球数其相应的同一亚组之间(A1,B1,C1等)上述妊娠结局指标无统计学差异。结论:严重少弱精形成的胚胎优先推荐第二天卵裂球数为3～5个及第三天卵裂球数为7～9个的优质胚胎进行移植。     

Influence of a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor administered at embryo transfer on pregnancy rates of recipient cows

Elevated uterine luminal concentrations of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) have been negatively associated with embryo quality and pregnancy rates. Two studies were performed in cows to determine PGF(2alpha) release from uterine endometrium following embryo transfer and to investigate administration of flunixin meglumine (FM), a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, on pregnancy rates following embryo transfer. In Experiment 1, blood samples were collected prior to and after embryo transfer from the posterior vena cava via saphenous vein cannulation. Serum profiles of PGF(2alpha) indicated that manipulation of the reproductive tract during embryo transfer was followed by increased release of PGF(2alpha) from the uterine endometrium. In Experiment 2, estrus (day=0) was synchronized in recipient animals and a single embryo transferred 7 days after estrus. At the time of non-surgical embryo transfer, animals were randomly assigned to receive either FM (FM; n=1300) or remain untreated (control (CON); n=797). Data collected at transfer included stage of embryo development, embryo quality, technician, and transfer quality score. Overall pregnancy rates of cows receiving FM (65%) were higher than control cows (60%; P<0.02). Pregnancy rates following transfer of quality 1 (good) embryos did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. However, pregnancy rates of quality 2 (fair) embryos were higher in animals receiving FM than in CON (P<0.01). Moreover, pregnancy rates of transferred morula- and blastocyst-stage embryos were higher in FM-treated than in controls (P<0.06 and P<0.04, respectively). In conclusion, uterine release of PGF(2alpha) is elevated following embryo transfer and administration of a PGF(2alpha) synthesis inhibitor at the time of embryo transfer improved pregnancy rates in cows.     

移植胚胎数目对高龄不孕患者IVF—ET结局的影响

目的：探讨移植胚胎数目对高龄不孕患者IVF—ET结局的影响。方法：根据移植胚胎个数将年龄超过35岁的不孕患者338个周期分为单胚胎移植组（I组）,2个胚胎移植组（Ⅱ组）,3个胚胎移植组（Ⅲ组）。分析患者IVF治疗情况并按年龄分层比较三组患者的IVF-ET结局。结果：高龄不孕患者行IVF,随年龄增加,获卵数、优质胚胎率和临床妊娠率降低,流产率呈增高趋势。Ⅰ组的妊娠率9．43％,显著低于Ⅱ组（24．24％）和Ⅲ组（31．37％）（P〈0．05）。对于40岁以下的患者,移植3个胚胎的妊娠率与移植2个胚胎差无异,但显著高于移植1个胚胎（P〈0．05）。增加40岁以上患者移植胚胎的数目,妊娠率未出现有统计学意义的升高。三组的胚胎种植率分别为9．43％,12．12％和12．2％,无统计学差异。Ⅲ组中多胎率12．5％（6／48）,其中35-36岁年龄段多胎率16．67％（5／30）。结论：高龄不孕患者可移植的胚胎数目随年龄增加和获卵数目降低而降低。其中较年轻者（35-36岁年龄段）,移植3个胚胎,对妊娠率提高无明显效果,但多胎发生显著增加。     

A hierarchical Bayesian approach to modeling embryo implantation following in vitro fertilization

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is considered a method of last resort for treating infertility. Oocytes taken from a woman are fertilized in vitro, and one or more resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus, with the hope that at least one will implant and result in pregnancy. Successful implantation depends on both embryo viability and uterine receptivity. This has led to the development of the EU model for embryo implantation, wherein uterine receptivity is characterized by a latent binary variable U and embryo viability is characterized by a latent binomial variable E representing the number of viable embryos among those selected for transfer. The observed number of implantations is the product of E and U. Zhou and Weinberg (1998) developed a regression formulation of the EU model in which embryo viabilities are independent within patients. We extend their methodology to a Bayesian hierarchical framework that allows for correlation between the embryo viabilities and gives explicit characterization of patient-level heterogeneity. When some subjects have zero implantations, the likelihood for the hierarchical EU model is relatively flat and therefore using prior information for key parametersis needed. This provides a key motivation for adopting a Bayesian approach. The model is used to assess the effect of hydrosalpinx on embryo implantation in a cohort of 288 women undergoing IVF-ET because of tubal disease. Hydrosalpinx is a build-up of fluid in the Fallopian tubes, which sometimes leaks to the uterus and may reduce the likelihood of implantation. The EU model is well suited to this question because hydrosalpinx is thought to affect implantation by reducing uterine receptivity only. Our analysis indicates substantial subject-level heterogeneity with respect to embryo viability, suggesting the utility of a multi-level model.     

A model for implantation: coculture of blastocysts and uterine endometrium in mice

One of the limitations in embryo implantation research is the lack of an available in vitro model that faithfully replicates embryo-uterine interactions. In previous studies, embryos were cultured on a monolayer of either uterine epithelial cells or extracellular matrix substratum on which embryos could adhere and outgrow. However, these models failed to display embryonic invasion, primarily because of the shortage of critical structural and molecular supports that are available in vivo. In the present study, we used intact mouse uterine endometrium collected on Day 4 of pregnancy and placed in contact with blastocysts to initiate coculture experiments in a defined medium at the air-liquid interface. The culture medium was composed of Ham F-12/Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (1:1), 30% fetal calf serum, 63.5 nmol/L of progesterone, 7.14 nmol/L of estradiol-17beta, 100 mug/ml of insulin, and 20 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor, whereas the incubation condition was mixed air of 50% oxygen, 5% carbon dioxide, and 45% nitrogen with a humidity of greater than 90% at 37 degrees C. Our observations from 24 h of culture clearly demonstrated that embryos were capable of attachment to the uterine endometrium and displayed partial invasion into the endometrial stroma. Interestingly, no outgrowth of trophoblasts on the surface of uterine endometrium was seen, but embryos exhibited a pole-specific attachment. Overall, this model is capable of demonstrating a true invasion of embryo within the endometrial stroma and may be suitable in studies related to early embryo implantation.     

Effect of maternal age on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)

This is a retrospective, observational study to evaluate the effect of maternal age on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). 11830 IVF-ET cycles from 10268 women were included. Four groups of different maternal age periods were compared. The groups were 21?C30 years old group (4549 cycles), 31?C35 years old group (4424 cycles), 36?C40 years old group (2429 cycles), and over 40 years old group (428 cycles). The mean starting dose of Gn and mean total dose of Gn in each cycle were significantly higher (P<0.01), while the mean retrieved oocyte number was significantly lower (P<0.01) in groups of higher maternal age period than those in each of the lower groups. The biochemical pregnancy rate and the clinical pregnancy rate were significantly lower (P<0.01), while the miscarriage rate was significantly higher (P<0.01) in groups of higher maternal age period than those in the lower groups. No difference was found in two-pronuclear zygotes (2PN) rate and good quality embryo rate among different groups. Birth defect rate was also comparable in the born babies in different groups. In the group with patients?? age over 40 years old, the pregnancy rate was 26.87%, the clinical pregnancy rate was 19.39%, while the miscarriage rate after clinical pregnancy was 36.14%. To draw the conclusion, patients with higher maternal age had worse IVF outcomes. In women of fertile age, patients between 20 and 30 years old have the best IVF outcomes. Patients over 40 years old have poor IVF outcome and high miscarriage rate, which suggested the necessity of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS).     

Effect of dietary protein on embryo recovery rate and quality in superovulated heifers

For almost 3 decades, superovulation and embryo transfer have been used in cattle breeding to increase the number of offspring from genetically superior female animals. Several factors including nutrition affect the number of transferable embryos recovered. We compared the effects of two different dietary protein levels easily achieved in practical conditions on embryo number and quality in superovulated heifers. Finnish Ayrshire heifers (n = 37) were allocated to isoenergic diets containing either 14% (D14) or 18% (D18) crude protein (CP). Estruses were synchronized, and the heifers were subsequently superovulated and inseminated using a standard FSH-protocol. Embryos were collected 7 days after inseminations (71-72 days after the beginning of the treatment period) by uterine flushing. The number of corpora lutea, and the number and quality of embryos were determined. Protein feeding did not affect superovulatory response, the number of embryos or the number of transferable embryos recovered. Proportionally more poor-quality embryos were found in group D14 than in group D18 (20.2% versus 13.2%, respectively, P = 0.053). It is concluded that a long-term moderate increase in the content of crude protein fed to energy-adequate heifers does not seem to affect superovulatory response and the number of embryos recovered, but it may be advantageous to the quality of embryos.     

Effects of inbreeding on ovarian responses and embryo production from superovulated Mantiqueira breed cows

The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the effects of different levels of inbreeding on ovarian response and embryo production from superovulated cows. One hundred and thirteen Mantiqueira cows (a medium-size, Bos taurus native dairy cattle breed), with inbreeding coefficients ranging from 0 to 30%, were allocated into five classes of inbreeding and subjected to superovulation treatment. At induced estrus, cows were mated with Mantiqueira bulls (with minimal inbreeding). Six to eight days after mating, the cows were slaughtered, ovarian structures counted and embryos recovered by flushing the uterine horns and oviducts. Sire, season, age, weight, parity and age at first calving of donors did not significantly affect ovarian response or embryo production and quality. There were no effects of inbreeding class on number of total corpora lutea (CL) or number of CL present in the right ovary. However, the number of CL in the left ovary was reduced (P<0.05) in cows with Class 5 (>9%) of inbreeding. The number of transferable, but not the number of non-transferable embryos or the total number of embryos from cows with Class 5 of inbreeding, was lower (P<0.05) than those of cows from Classes 0 to 4 (<9%) of inbreeding. There was a quadratic decrease in the number of transferable embryos as inbreeding coefficient increased (Y=11.077+0.34X-0.0529X(2); R(2)=0.91, P<0.01), but no significant linear or quadratic effect of inbreeding on total number of embryos or number of non-transferable embryos. In conclusion, an inbreeding coefficient>9% reduced the quality of bovine embryos at the initial stage of development.     

Good quality sheep embryos produced by superovulation treatment without the use of progesterone devices

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) is a very important tool for the genetic improvement and preservation of endangered livestock. However, the success of a MOET programme highly depends on the number of transferable embryos in response to a superovulation treatment. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the number and quality of embryos produced during natural oestrus under porcine FSH treatment without the use of progesterone devices to more traditional protocols. Forty Sarda sheep were divided into 2 groups: without sponges (WS) (n = 20) and with sponges (S) containing 40mg FGA for 12 d (n = 20) (control group); 350 I.U. of porcine FSH per sheep was administered in eight decreasing doses twice daily starting four days after estrus was detected (Day 0) in group WS and 48 h before sponge removal in group S. A single i.m. dose of 125 μg of cloprostenol was administered on Day 6 after estrus in group WS to induce luteolysis. Sheep were naturally mated 24 h after cloprostenol injection or sponge removal. Seven days after mating, an inguinal laparotomy was performed and the number of corpora lutea (CL) recorded. Embryos were recovered surgically by flushing each uterine horn. A total of 38 fresh and 22 vitrified embryos were transferred in pairs into 3 groups of recipients seven days after estrus detection: fresh embryos from group S (S-F) (n = 9), fresh embryos from group WS (WS-F) (n = 10) and vitrified embryos from group WS (WS-V) (n = 11). Data on the number of corpora lutea (CL), recovered ova and embryos (OER), and quality 1-2 and 3 embryos (EQ_1-2, EQ₃) per ewe were analyzed by ANOVA. Recovery (RR), fertility (FR) and quality 1-2 embryo (Q_1-2R) rates per treatment were analyzed by a Chi Square analysis. A Chi Square analysis was also applied to pregnancy rate (PR), lambing rate (LR) and twinning rate (TR) of fresh and vitrified embryos in order to analyze embryo transfer results. Among all superovulation variables analysed, results show statistically significant differences in mean number of CL/ ewe (9.3 ± 3.9 vs 7 ± 3.2), RR (67% vs 80 %) and FR (100% vs 80%) (P < 0.05) between WS and S groups respectively. There were no significant differences in PR (78%, 70% and 82%), LR (67%, 60% and 59%) and TR (71%, 71% and 44.4%) among S-F, WS-F and WS-V groups respectively. In conclusion, it is possible to produce a good number of transferable embryos during natural oestrus avoiding the use of sponges.     

Retrospective study of factors affecting multiple ovulations,embryo recovery,quality, and diameter in a commercial equine embryo transfer program

In this study, 198 donor mares of different breeds, ages, and reproductive category were inseminated with fresh, cooled and frozen or frozen and cooled semen at the embryo transfer station or in private artificial insemination centers during 10 breeding seasons. The results of this activity were retrospectively analyzed by Pearson Chi-square test and logistic regression to evaluate factors affecting multiple ovulations, embryo recovery, embryo quality, and embryo diameter. Out of the 661 cycles, 937 ovulations were recorded (mean ovulations/cycle: 1.42 ± 0.58). Ovulation rate and incidence of multiple ovulations were significantly affected by age, breed, and reproductive category. Uterine flushings for embryo recovery were performed between 7 and 10 days after ovulation and resulted in the recovery of 338 embryos (51.1% embryos/cycle and 36.1% embryos/ovulation, respectively). At least one embryo was recovered in 298 flushings (45.1%). The factors affecting embryo recovery were age, breed, reproductive category, type of semen, number of ovulations, and location of artificial insemination. Flushing protocol and day of flushing had no effect on embryo recovery. Age, type of semen, number of ovulations, and day of flushing had a significant influence on embryo diameter (N = 215). None of the factors included in the model had an effect on embryo quality distribution.     

Embryo recovery rate and recipients’ pregnancy rate after nonsurgical embryo transfer in donkeys

Sixty-three embryos were recovered out of 83 estrous cycles (75.9%) and 98 ovulations (64.3%) of five Pantesca jennies, 2 to 5 yr old, naturally mated or artificially inseminated with fresh semen. Embryo recovery rate was influenced by number of ovulations per cycle (133% and 63% for double and single ovulations, respectively), by the day of embryo recovery attempt (12%, 83%, and 75% at Days 7, 8, and 9 after ovulation, respectively), and by the repetition of the embryo recovery attempt on successive cycles (60%, 79%, and 100% for cycles 1 to 7, 8 to 14, and 15 to 24, respectively). All recovered embryos but three were classified as good or excellent. Of 58 nonsurgical embryo transfers to Ragusana jenny recipients, 13 (22.4%), 10 (17.2%), and 9 (15.5%) resulted in a pregnancy at Days 14, 25, and 50, respectively. Recipients’ pregnancy rate was not influenced by the evaluated parameters: embryo quality and age, media employed to wash embryos, days after ovulation of the recipient, experience of the operator. Between 14 and 50 d of pregnancy, 4 of 13 (30.7%) embryos were lost with an influence of the days from ovulation of the recipient: recipients at Days 5 or 6 kept all pregnancies (N = 7), whereas recipients at Days 7 or 8 lost 3 of 4 pregnancies, as one of the two recipients at Day 3. More studies are needed before embryo transfer could be considered a reliable tool to preserve endangered donkey breeds.