Effect of asynchronous transfer and oestrogen administration on survival and development of porcine embryos.

Results indicate that recovery of embryos on Days 11 and 13 of pregnancy was reduced for Day 5 embryos transferred to recipients on Day 6 of their oestrous cycle and was greatly reduced when embryos were transferred to recipients on Day 7 of the cycle (P less than 0.01). Administration of oestradiol-17 beta on Day 11 of the recipient's cycle did not appear to affect embryo development on Day 13. Day 6 embryos transferred to recipients on Day 8 of the oestrous cycle deteriorated rapidly within 24 h of transfer; there was no recovery of embryos from the uterus after 36 h. Treatment of pregnant gilts with 1 mg oestradiol-17 beta (i.v.) on Day 10.5 resulted in total embryonic loss by Day 23, but pregnancy rates of gilts treated with oestradiol-17 beta on Day 12 were similar to those of vehicle-treated gilts (60.6 vs. 71.4%).     

Endoscopic embryo collection and embryo transfer into the oviduct and the uterus of pigs

We describe the first complete embryo transfer program, including flushing of embryos from the oviducts via the uterine horns, transfer of embryos into the Fallopian tubes or the uterine horns and recording of the number of piglets born live. The described procedure is minimally invasive and allows the use of pigs simultaneously for embryo collection and production of normal pregnancies. A 30 degrees forward oblique endoscope provided optimal visualization of the reproductive organs and free access to the organs for embryo flushing and transfer. In contrast to surgical and nonsurgical methods, endoscopy allows to pre-examine the genital tract for reproductive abnormalities and successful ovulation. A total of 95 prepuberal gilts or cyclic sows were used in this trial. Embryos or oocytes were collected from hormonally treated pigs via endoscopy(n = 17) on Day 3 and via laparotomy or post mortem after slaughter (control group, n = 38) on Day 3 and 6 after insemination. One (unilateral collection, n = 7) or both oviducts (bilateral collection, n = 10) were flushed endoscopically. We recovered 114 (average 16/pig) and 279 (average 28/pig) oocytes or embryos with fertilization rates of 89% and 72%, respectively. In the control group 834 oocytes or embryos were collected at Day 3 and 6 after insemination (fertilization rate 64%, total 534 embryos, 33 at 2-, 367 at 4-, 2 at 8-cell stage, 24 morulae and 108 blastocysts). Of 836 embryos recovered by endoscopy, surgery or slaughter 528 Day 3 embryos at 2- to 4-cell stage were transferred into (one) oviducts (n = 27 pigs, about 20/pig) resulting in 9 pregnant pigs diagnosed at Day 28 by sonography. Of the 9, 8 carried a total of 49 piglets to term. A total of 195 Day 6 embryos were transferred into uterine horns (n = 12 pigs, about 16/pig), resulting in 5 pregnant pigs carrying a total of 38 offspring to term. The use of endoscopy in assisted reproduction of pigs has the advantages of allowing easy access to the ovary, oviduct and uterus, clear view of the organ manipulation without exposure and exteriorization of viscera during surgery.     

Viability and development of 'tube-locked' mouse embryos

'Tube-locked' morulae and blastocysts were recovered from the ampulla of the oviduct of centchroman-treated mice between Days 4 and 12 post coitum and transferred to the uteri of pseudopregnant female mice. Pregnancy and implantation rates were lower and the post-implantation resorption rate was higher in the treated than in the control group. There was little difference in the pregnancy or implantation rates between embryos recovered on Days 4 or 12 post coitum, but the resorption rate increased with increasing duration of embryos in the oviducts and was 100% for the Day-12 embryos. The resorption rate was similar even when these embryos were transferred to the sterile uterine horn of unilaterally pregnant mice. Centchroman did not produce any deleterious effect on embryos which survived until Day 19 of pregnancy in foster mothers. The average fetal weight was also comparable to those of control fetuses.     

Transuterine embryo migration in recipient cattle

Transuterine migration of bovine embryos following fertilization in vivo is apparently rare, but little is known about migration following embryo transfer. We studied heifers receiving either 1 or 2 in vitro produced embryos to determine 1) the incidence of transuterine migration, 2) the timing of migration and 3) the random or systematic occurrence of the event. In 4 experiments, 436 heifers received embryos and 218 of these were pregnant at necroscopy on either Day 14, Day 18, Day 26 or Day 60 of pregnancy. Overall, 43/218 (20%) of the heifers had embryos that had migrated. The frequency of migration was higher in twin (30/68) than in single (13/150) embryo transfers of pregnant recipients (44 vs 9%; P<0.001), and in contralateral (9/15) than in ipsilateral (33/170) transfers (60 vs 19%; P<0.001). Among the heifers that received embryos by ipsilateral transfer, the migration rate was similar to that in heifers pregnant with a singleton after the transfer of either 1 (2/48) or 2 (4/60) embryos (4 vs 7%, NS). The migration rate was highest at Day 26 (12/37) in heifers receiving twin embryos by ipsilateral transfer but was similar at all other stages of pregnancy (15/111, 32 vs 14%; P<0.01). Migration was first observed by Day 14, and it appears that either further migration occurred over the next 12 d or that migration was associated with a higher survival rate from Day 14 to Day 26. The low migration rate evident at Day 60 suggests that migration by Day 26 was associated with increased embryo or fetal death by Day 60. The data suggest that embryo migration is probably independent for each of a pair of surviving embryos. We conclude that in cattle embryo migration is embryo-dependent, but this capability is dormant unless more than 1 embryo is present in a uterine horn or the embryos are transferred to the contralateral uterine horn. The relationship between migration and embryo survival remains unclear.     

Immunosuppressive activity associated with early pregnancy in the bovine

Immunosuppressive activity was assessed in uterine flushings (UF) and uterine vein serum and plasma from nonpregnant and early-pregnant cows, and in media from the short-term culture of Day 18 bovine embryos. The preparations were tested for their ability to inhibit [3H] thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation into phytohemagglutinin-stimulated bovine lymphocytes. On Days 2-3 (called Day 3), Days 9-10 (called Day 10), and Days 17-19 (called Day 18) of the estrous cycle (estrus = Day 0) and pregnancy, untreated and superovulated cows were anesthesized and jugular vein and uterine vein blood was collected. The uteri were removed and flushed to obtain UF and embryos. Uterine flushings were concentrated and tested for immunosuppressive activity at 400 micrograms uterine protein/ml culture fluid. Uterine flushings from both Day 18 pregnant and Day 18 nonpregnant cows were immunosuppressive (8/8), whereas Day 10 UF were usually not immunosuppressive (7/10). Day 3 UF were usually stimulatory or only marginally suppressive (8/8). Uterine vein serum and plasma from Day 18 cows were not suppressive when compared to jugular vein serum or plasma from the same cow; neither were Day 18 uterine vein serum or plasma suppressive when compared to those same samples taken from Day 3 cows. Embryo culture media obtained from the 48-h culture of Day 18 embryos was consistently suppressive. The activity was lost after dialysis in 1000-Mr cut-off tubing, removed by charcoal, and reduced by protease digestion. These results suggest two mechanisms whereby the embryo could escape immune rejection: 1) the progesterone-induced secretion of a uterine immunosuppressive substance(s) and 2) the production by the embryo of a low molecular weight immunosuppressive substance(s).     

Failure to maintain interspecific pregnancy after transfer of Dall's sheep embryos to domestic ewes

Over a 3-year period, 32 Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) embryos were transferred into 24 domestic sheep (O. aries) recipients and 4 were transferred into 2 Dall's sheep recipients. In the first year, none of the 10 O. aries recipients was diagnosed pregnant. In the following 2 years, 9 (37%) of the domestic sheep recipients were pregnant on Day 18, 8 (33%) on Day 40, 6 (25%) on Day 90 and 4 (16%) on Day 120; 1 aborted at Day 125 and another at Day 145. Pregnancies were established only in ewes that had previously been recipients of Dall's sheep embryos. The 2 remaining pregnant sheep were treated with progesterone from Day 125 until the fetuses were determined to be dead at Day 145. Both of the Dall's sheep recipients (Year 2) established pregnancies; 1 live Dall's sheep lamb was born 174 days after mating. No differences in serum progesterone, oestrone, prostaglandin F-2 alpha metabolites or cortisol concentrations could be detected during pregnancy between recipients carrying Dall's sheep embryos, recipients receiving progesterone treatment or domestic ewes carrying domestic sheep pregnancies. Six fetuses were necropsied (1 at Day 125 and 5 at Day 145-146): all fetuses were premature and had various degrees of hydranencephaly. No significant differences were found when cotyledon numbers were compared among domestic ewes carrying Dall's sheep lambs. Dall's sheep ewes lambing naturally and domestic ewes lambing naturally. These results demonstrate that the transfer of Dall's sheep embryos to domestic ewes results in the establishment but subsequent loss of pregnancy and that these losses occur throughout gestation.     

Morphologic and histologic comparisons between in vivo and nuclear transfer derived porcine embryos

Nuclear transfer (NT) is an inefficient but invaluable tool of the biotechnology industry. This study looked at abnormalities associated with peri-implantation NT porcine embryos. Four experimental groups were examined: nonpregnant animals, in vivo pregnant animals, NT recipients, and manipulation control embryos (MC). Embryos (Day 10, 12, or 14) were evaluated for embryonic disc diameter, gross morphology, nucleoli density, and mitotic figure index. Day 12 (P < or = 0.03) and Day 14 (P < or = 0.01) NT embryos had increased numbers of nucleoli, and Day 14 NT embryos had an increased (P < or = 0.03) mitotic index compared to in vivo and MC embryos. In vivo produced Day 14 embryos had increased (P < or = 0.01) disk diameters when compared to other embryos except for MC Day 14, which also showed increases (P < or = 0.01) in disk diameter except when compared to in vivo produced Day 12 and Day 14 embryos. In vivo produced Day 12 had greater (P < or = 0.03) disk diameters when compared to NT and MC embryos except for MC Day 14, and in vivo produced Day 14 embryos, which had a significantly increased (P < or = 0.01) disk diameter. In vivo produced Day 14 embryos were morphologically more advanced (P < or = 0.01) than Day 14 NT and MC counterparts. NT embryos develop at a slower rate than their in vivo produced counterparts. The increase in nucleoli and mitotic index of NT embryos suggest the cell cycle may be affected or the NT embryos are employing other means to compensate for slow development. The techniques used during NT also appear to compromise embryo development.     

Determination of early pregnancy in ewes utilizing transrectal ultrasonography

Transrectal ultrasonography was used in ewes to determine the earliest day at which pregnancy could be detected, the number of embryos present, and the pattern of growth of the embryos. Twenty-one ewes were placed with 2 fertile rams and 20 ewes with 2 vasectomized rams. All ewes were treated to synchronize estrus and were observed for estrus twice daily. The 36 ewes that showed synchronized estrus were separated from the rams following mating. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed daily from estrus (Day 0) to Day 25 for all ewes and on Days 30, 35 and 40 post breeding for the 20 ewes mated to fertile rams. A 7.5 MHz transducer (human prostate, linear array) was utilized, with the ewes in dorsal recumbency in a tilting squeeze chute. Extraembryonic fluid and membranes were observed in the uterine horns ipsilateral to corpora lutea by Day 15 post breeding in all 17 ewes subsequently diagnosed as pregnant. Rhythmic pulsations (heartbeat) within the embryonic vesicles were first detected on Day 18 or 19. At least 1 embryo was detected by Day 20 in all the pregnant ewes, but not all the embryos were counted accurately until Day 25 (main effect of day; P < 0.05). Two ewes each had an embryo which died (absence of previously observed heartbeat) by Day 25 or Day 40, respectively, but each maintained the remaining embryos to term. The pattern of embryonic growth, as determined by crown-rump lengths on Days 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40, did not differ with the number of embryos carried (n = 1 to 4). In conclusion, transrectal ultrasonography was found to provide a rapid, accurate means for the early detection of pregnancy in ewes.     

Cleavage, development and competence of sheep embryos fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization

More abnormal fertilization has been found in sheep oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) than after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although the birth of a normal lamb has been reported, the efficiency of blastocyst production is low. We therefore evaluated the cleavage, development and viability of sheep embryos obtained from ICSI, IVF and sham injection. In vitro matured oocytes either injected or inseminated with spermatozoa were assessed for cleavage 1 and 4 d after injection or insemination, and for development to blastocyst after 7 d of culture. A total of 699 oocytes was injected (ICSI); 198 (30.6%) were activated and 55 (8.5%) developed to the blastocyst stage. Of the 17 recipient ewes with 1, 2, 3 or 4 embryos, 15 (88.2%) were pregnant on Day 18; of these 17 recipients, 7 (41.1%) and 6 (35.2%) ewes remained pregnant on Days 45 and 110, respectively. Two normal lambs were born, one ewe died on Day 110 with 2 normal male fetuses, another ewe aborted on Day 90 and 4 pregnancies were maintained. A total of 517 oocytes was inseminated (IVF); 296 (62%) were activated and 90 (18.8%) reached the blastocyst stage. A total of 19 ewes received 1, 2, 3 or 4 embryos; of these, 13 (68.4%) were pregnant on Day 18, 8 (42.1%) ewes remained pregnant on each of Days 45 and 110. Three ewes delivered 5 lambs. Five pregnancies were maintained. A total of 156 oocytes was sham injected, 38 (24.3%) were activated and no blatocysts were obtained after culture. The results of this study showed that blastocysts obtained after ICSI are potentially viable and are not a result of parthenogenesis.     

Early pregnancy associated thrombocytopenia as an initial response to pregnancy in cattle

This study was conducted to determine if early pregnancy-associated thrombocytopenia exists in cattle as has been demonstrated in mice and in humans. Three experiments were designed to compare peripheral platelet counts in pregnant versus nonpregnant animals. In Experiment 1 heifers (n = 25) were artificially inseminated 12 h after the onset of estrus. Peripheral platelet counts in 19 pregnant versus 6 nonpregnant heifers did not reveal any significant differences between groups after insemination. In Experiment 2 embryos were collected nonsurgically from superovulated cows (n =18) on Days 6 to 7 after estrus. Platelet counts were monitored every 12 h after the first insemination until 60 h after the second insemination. Platelet counts and the number of embryos collected nonsurgically from these superovulated donors did not show any significant correlations (P>0.05). Ten recipient heifers synchronized to donor animals received either an unfertilized ovum or a good quality embryo via nonsurgical transfer into the uterus. There were no significant reductions in platelet counts after transfer. In Experiment 3 platelet counts were monitored daily in four pregnant and five nonpregnant recipient heifers between Day 0 and Day 30 after embryo transfer on Day 8 of the cycle. The platelet counts did not reveal any significant differences between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups throughout Days 0 to 30. These results indicate that early pregnancy-associated thrombocytopenia cannot be demonstrated in cattle. Peripheral platelet counts cannot be used as an indicator of early pregnancy in cattle.     

Intrauterine growth retardation in endothelial nitric oxide synthase-deficient mice is established from early stages of pregnancy

The current study aimed to determine effects of deficiencies in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 3 on embryo and fetal development by in vivo, noninvasive, real-time ultrasonographic assessment of phenotypic changes in Nos3-knockout pregnant mice and their wild-type counterparts. From Day 4.5 of pregnancy onwards, embryonic vesicle diameters, crown-rump lengths, and trunk diameters were obtained by serial scanning of seven adult pregnant female mice, strain B6.129P2-Nos3(tm1Unc)/J, N9 generation backcrossing with C57BL/6J mice, homozygous for the disruption of the endothelial NOS gene (group Nos3(-/-)), and 12 pregnant, wild-type C57BL/6J mice (group Nos3(+/+)). All the measurements increased in both genotypes throughout gestation. However, embryo length and width were significantly larger in Nos3(+/+) than in Nos3(-/-) mice from Day 8.5, and both longitudinal and transverse diameters of the entire gestational sacs were larger in Nos3(+/+) mice from Day 10.5. Assessment of the relative growth of embryos/fetuses and gestational annexes showed different patterns among Nos3(-/-) and Nos3(+/+) mice. Throughout pregnancy, the distance between the external limit of the gestational sac and the embryo in Nos3(+/+) mice diminished in longitudinal sections, or remained unaffected in transverse sections. In Nos3(-/-) mice, there were significant increases (P < 0.005) in the differences between embryo and gestational vesicle measurements in both longitudinal and transversal curves from Days 5.5 to 14.5, but from Day 14.5 of pregnancy onward, the changes were not significant. The results demonstrate that the processes of fetal growth retardation in the Nos3(-/-) mice are established from early pregnancy stages.     

Production of live piglets following cryopreservation of embryos derived from in vitro-matured oocytes

We have successfully produced healthy piglets following cryopreservation of embryos derived from oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro. The appropriate timing of cryopreservation pretreatment (removal of cytoplasmic lipid droplets [delipation] and vitrification) was initially determined using parthenogenetic embryos derived from in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes. Viable embryos were obtained at the highest rate when embryos were delipated at the four- to eight-cell stages (Day 2 of embryo culture) and were vitrified approximately 15 h later (Day 3) by means of the minimum volume cooling method. After cryopreservation of embryos derived from oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro under the most appropriate conditions, 401 embryos were transferred to five recipient gilts, and the recipients all became pregnant. At autopsy of one of the recipients, which had received 47 embryos, eight fetuses (17.0%) were found. Three recipients each gave birth to two to four piglets (1.4%-6.0%). These results demonstrate that normal offspring can be produced from vitrified porcine embryos derived from IVM oocytes by a strategic combination of delipation and vitrification at the early cleavage stages. This approach has great potential in the reproduction of micromanipulated porcine embryos, such as cloned and sperm-injected embryos, produced from IVM oocytes.     

In vitro and in vivo development of mouse morulae encapsulated in 2% sodium alginate or 0.1% poly-l-lysine

In Experiment 1, development of zona pellucida-intact (ZPI) morulae was measured every 24 hours for 120 hours after encapsulation in 2% sodium alginate (ALG) or 0.1% poly-L-lysine (PLL). Encapsulation significantly reduced development to hatched blastocysts at 48 and 72 hours. Developmental stages and diameters of ZPI and zona pellucida-free (ZPF) unencapsulated and encapsulated morulae were measured every 24 hours for 72 hours in Exeriment 2. At 72 hours, the percentage of ZPI embryos developing to expanded blastocysts, their diameters and their nuclear counts were not different from each other or from ZPF embryos. In Experiment 3, ZPI morulae encapsulated in ALG or PLL were transferred into recipients. Five of six recipients that received unencapsulated embryos (n=71) delivered 16 live pups. None of the recipients of encapsulated embryos delivered offspring; therefore, a final experiment was performed to examine fetal development on Day 10 of gestation. The percentage of pregnant recipients was similar for all 3 treatments: unencapsulated (71.4%), ALG (87.5%) and PLL (87.5%). However, the presence of viable fetuses was higher for unencapsulated embryos (42.1%) than for ALG (17%) and PLL (14.6%) embryos. These results suggest that encapsulation did not detrimentally affect embryonic size or cellular development in vitro; however, mortality occurred in vivo due to an asynchronous condition between the uterine environment and the embryos.     

Killing of preimplantation mouse embryos by main ingredients of cleansers AS and LAS

When main ingredients of cleansers, alcohol sulfate (AS) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), were applied to the dorsal skin of pregnant JCL:ICR mice during preimplantation period (days 0-2), significant numbers of embryos collected from the oviducts and uteri on day 3 showed severe deformity or remained at the morula stage. Most of abnormal embryos were fragmented or remained at the 1-8 cell stages, and they were either dead or dying. Even when these abnormal embryos were cultivated in the detergent-free medium, they were not recovered, while most growth-retarded embryos (morula) could grow and hatch with one or two days lag by the further in vitro cultivation. Similar results were observed with commercially obtained kitchen detergent and hair shampoo, although such embryocidal effects were not detected with natural soap and distilled water. Fertilized eggs may be specifically sensitive to synthetic detergents. Very low doses of X-rays also induced significant yields of abnormal embryos. Major difference between X-rays and detergents was that X-ray-induced abnormality appeared at the morula or blastocyst stage, while detergent-induced one did at the earlier stages.     

Inequality in function of the right and left ovaries and uterine horns of the mouse

Inequality in function of the left and right ovaries and uterine horns of mice was evaluated in three separate experiments. In Exp. 1, the effect of position in the reproductive tract on various reproductive characteristics was evaluated in 158 pregnant hybrid mice. Ovulation rate, number of fetuses, total fetal weight and total placental weight were higher (P less than 0.05) on the right than the left on Day 18 of pregnancy (vaginal plug = Day 1). In Exp. 2, the effect of previous sham or unilateral ovariectomy (right or left) in mated Swiss-Webster mice was compared with unoperated mated controls (N = 17-24/treatment). In control mice, ovulation rate, total fetal weight and ovarian weight were higher (P less than 0.05) on the right than left side. Surgery (sham or unilateral, ovariectomy) decreased (P less than 0.005) ovulation rates, number of fetuses, ovarian weights, total fetal weight and total placental weight on Day 18 of pregnancy. Unilateral ovariectomy decreased (P less than 0.05) ovulation rates and ovarian weights more than did sham operation. Ovulation rates were higher (P less than 0.01) when the left ovary was manipulated or removed rather than the right ovary. For Exp. 3, pairs of 8 hybrid mouse embryos each (morulae and blastocysts) were surgically transferred to the left and right uterine horns of the same (bilateral, N = 15) or different (unilateral, N = 28) Swiss-Webster recipients. In almost all incidences, embryo survival (to Day 18 of pregnancy) was twice as high (P less than 0.05) in right than left uterine horns. We conclude that the left and right ovaries and uterine horns are not equal in function in Swiss-Webster and a hybrid strain of mice.     

Co-culture of mouse embryos with oviduct and uterine cells prepared from mice at different days of pseudopregnancy

Oviduct and uterine cell cultures were prepared from mice at different days of pseudopregnancy and their effects on the development of 1- and 8-cell mouse embryos in co-culture were examined. One-cell mouse embryos in co-culture with oviduct cells from 20 h to 120 h after hCG had a mean (+/- s.e.) cell number of 70.1 +/- 3.6, significantly (P less than 0.001) higher compared with those cultured in Whittingham's T6 medium supplemented with 5% fetal calf serum (T6 + 5% FCS) (30.4 +/- 1.6). Transfer of embryos, at 96 h after hCG, to synchronous pseudopregnant recipients showed that more embryos in oviduct co-culture formed fetuses than those cultured in T6 + 5% FCS. Co-culture of 1-cell embryos with uterine cells did not confer an advantage in cell numbers over T6 + 5% FCS. However, more 8-cell embryos formed blastocyst outgrowths after 100 h in co-culture with uterine cells prepared from mice at Day 3 of pseudopregnancy than with uterine cultures prepared from mice at Day 1 of pseudopregnancy or oviduct cells. In addition, there was further improvement when the Day 3 uterine co-cultures were supplemented with 1 or 10 ng progesterone/ml. These results highlight the importance of the oviduct and uterine cells during the different stages of preimplantation embryo development.     

Measurement of early pregnancy factor activity for monitoring the viability of the equine embryo

The viability of embryos before flushing from donor mares (n = 5) and after transfer to recipient mares (n = 7) was monitored in mare serum by detecting early pregnancy factor (EPF) using the rosette inhibition test (RIT). The EPF activity was measured in donor mares before and after natural mating at natural estrus; after ovulation on Days 2, 5 and 8; and after embryo flushing (Day 8) on Days 8, 9, 10 and 13 after ovulation. The collected embryos were transferred immediately after flushing. The EPF activity in recipient mares were measured on the day of transfer and after embryo transfer on Days 1, 2, 3 and 5. Pregnancy was confirmed on Day 12 to 14 after embryo transfer. The mean EPF activity of donor mares was increased to the pregnant level (> an RI titer score of 10) on Day 2 after ovulation. Two days after flushing the embryos, the EPF activity of donor mares had decreased to the nonpregnant level. Among the 7 recipient mares, 3 mares were diagnosed pregnant on Day 12 after embryo transfer with ultrasound. The EPF activity of the pregnant recipient mares was increased above the minimum level observed in pregnant mares on Days 2 to 3 after transfer. However, among the nonpregnant recipient mares after embryo transfer, the EPF activity of 3 mares remained at the pregnant level only 2 to 3 d and then declined to the nonpregnant level. In one recipient mare, EPF activity did not reach the pregnant level throughout the sample collection. The results of this study indicated that equine EPF can be detected in serum of pregnant mares as early as Day 2 after ovulation. From our observation, we conclude that the measurement of EPF activity is useful for monitoring the in vivo viability of equine embryos and early detection of embryonic death.     

Luteotrophic influence of early bovine embryos and the relationship between plasma progesterone concentrations and embryo survival

This study was carried out to evaluate the luteotrophic influence of early (before Day 7 as well as after Day 7; Day 0=estrus) bovine embryos and the relationship between plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations and embryo survival. Virgin Holstein dairy heifers (n=325) from a single herd were randomly allocated to be nonbred, bred by artificial insemination (AI) or by embryo transfer (ET). Bred heifers were either treated with 1500 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on Day 7 of the estrous cycle or received no hCG treatment. Plasma P4 concentrations on Days 0, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21 were similar in pregnant AI- and ET-bred heifers and, this was observed in both hCG-treated and untreated females. Nonbred, AI- and ET-bred nonpregnant heifers (both hCG-treated and untreated) presented similar plasma P4 concentrations. Plasma P4 concentrations of pregnant heifers significantly deviated from those of nonpregnant and nonbred heifers on Day 17. In hCG-treated heifers, plasma P4 concentrations and Day 28 pregnancy rate were significantly higher in females with an induced accessory corpus luteum (CL) than in those females without an induced accessory CL. Treatment with hCG, although inducing the formation of accessory CL and significantly increasing plasma P4 concentrations had no significant effect on Day 28 pregnancy rate. In conclusion, this study does not support the existence of any peripherally detectable luteotrophic influence from early embryos (Days 5-7). Plasma P4 was only significantly related to embryo survival on Day 17, the time of expected onset of luteolysis.     

The effects of cryopreservation and transfer on embryonic development in the common marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus

Embryos were collected at the 4-10-cell stage from the oviducts (Day 4; Day 1 = ovulation) or as morulae (Day 7) from the uterus of marmosets and frozen in 1.5 M-DMSO (Days 4 and 7) or 1.0 M-glycerol (Day 4 only), using a slow freezing and thawing technique. Of 22 Day-4 embryos frozen in DMSO, 18 were recovered and 16 of these were transferred to 10 synchronized recipients; 7 recipients became pregnant compared with all 7 control recipients receiving 10 unfrozen embryos. Fifteen frozen-thawed morulae were transferred to 9 Day-6 recipients; the pregnancy rate (55.6%) was lower than for control embryos (85.7%). Embryos frozen in glycerol suffered severe osmotic stress during glycerol addition and removal. Of 8 recipients, 3 (37.5%) became pregnant but only one fetus was carried to term. These results on embryo collection, freezing and transfer in the marmoset have important implications for developing improved methods for freezing human embryos and the breeding of endangered primates.