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Somfai T, Ogata K, Takeda K, Hirao Y. Bulk vitrification of in vitro produced bovine zygotes without reducing developmental competence to the blastocyst stage. Cryobiology 2022; 106:32-38. [PMID: 35523314 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of mammalian zygotes can be advantageous since it enables their flexile use in time and space for alternative purposes such as genome editing. Here we report a simple, quick and inexpensive vitrification protocol for in vitro produced bovine zygotes which enables their bulk preservation. Slaughterhouse-derived oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation and fertilization (IVF). Ten h after IVF, cumulus-enclosed zygotes were equilibrated in 2% (v/v) ethylene glycol + 2% (v/v) propylene glycol for 13-15 min then vitrified in groups of 52-100 in 2 μL microdrops of 17.5% (v/v) ethylene glycol + 17.5% (v/v) propylene glycol supplemented with 0.3 M sucrose and 50 mg/mL polyvinylpyrrolidone. The presence of cumulus cells is important for the success of the process. Therefore, we applied a modified IVF protocol using a short (30 min) co-incubation interval which allowed zygote culture with attached cumulus cells until vitrification and even reduced polyspermy rates without affecting the total fertilization rate. Vitrified zygotes were similar to their non-vitrified counterparts in terms of survival, post-warming development to the blastocyst stage and blastocyst quality measured by cell numbers and cryo-survival. In conclusion, our vitrification protocol integrated with the modified IVF system enabled the quick cryopreservation of bovine zygotes in large groups without reducing their developmental competence to the blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Somfai
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901, Japan.
| | - Kazuko Ogata
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901, Japan
| | - Kumiko Takeda
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901, Japan
| | - Yuji Hirao
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0901, Japan
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Angel-Velez D, De Coster T, Azari-Dolatabad N, Fernandez-Montoro A, Benedetti C, Bogado Pascottini O, Woelders H, Van Soom A, Smits K. New Alternative Mixtures of Cryoprotectants for Equine Immature Oocyte Vitrification. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113077. [PMID: 34827809 PMCID: PMC8614364 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Oocyte cryopreservation allows female gametes to be conserved for long periods, which would be of benefit for mares of high genetic merit, but its efficiency is not satisfactory yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to optimize a vitrification protocol for equine oocytes using a systematic approach. We performed a side-by-side comparison of different cryoprotective agents (CPAs) during the vitrification and warming of equine oocytes. In the first experiment, a fixed mixture of CPAs that enter the oocyte was used, and three sugars were compared, which cannot penetrate the oocyte but provide protection through an osmotic effect. In the second experiment, one sugar from the first experiment was selected to compare three mixtures of CPAs that enter the oocyte. Overall, the embryo development was reduced after oocyte cryopreservation when compared to fresh oocytes. Yet, we were able to produce embryos with all six cryoprotective agent mixtures, and we identified one promising combination of cryoprotectants, consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and galactose, that resulted in blastocyst rates in the same range as the fresh control group. Abstract Equine oocyte vitrification would benefit the growing in vitro embryo production programs, but further optimization of the protocol is necessary to reach clinical efficiency. Therefore, we aimed to perform a direct comparison of non-permeating and permeating cryoprotective agents (CPAs) during the vitrification and warming of equine immature oocytes. In the first experiment, cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were vitrified comparing sucrose, trehalose, and galactose in combination with ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In the second experiment, the COCs were vitrified using three mixtures of permeating CPAs in a 50:50 volume ratio (ethylene glycol-dimethyl sulfoxide (ED), propylene glycol-ethylene glycol (PE), and propylene glycol-dimethyl sulfoxide (PD)) with galactose and warmed in different galactose concentrations (0.3 or 0.5 mol/L). Overall, all the treatments supported blastocyst formation, but the developmental rates were lower for all the vitrified groups in the first (4.3 to 7.6%) and the second (3.5 to 9.4%) experiment compared to the control (26.5 and 34.2%, respectively; p < 0.01). In the first experiment, the maturation was not affected by vitrification. The sucrose exhibited lower cleavage than the control (p = 0.02). Although the galactose tended to have lower maturation than trehalose (p = 0.060) and control (p = 0.069), the highest numerical cleavage and blastocyst rates were obtained with this CPA. In the second experiment, the maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were similar between the treatments. Compared to the control, only the ED reached similar maturation (p = 0.02) and PE similar cleavage (p = 0.1). The galactose concentration during warming did not affect the maturation, cleavage, or blastocyst rates (p > 0.1), but the PE-0.3 exhibited the highest blastocyst rate (15.1%) among the treatments, being the only one comparable to the control (34.2%). As such, PE–galactose provides a valuable option for equine immature oocyte vitrification and should be considered for the future optimization of the protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Angel-Velez
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Research Group in Animal Sciences—INCA-CES, Universidad CES, Medellin 050021, Colombia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +32-4-5614-4543
| | - Tine De Coster
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Nima Azari-Dolatabad
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Andrea Fernandez-Montoro
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Camilla Benedetti
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
- Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Henri Woelders
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Katrien Smits
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium; (T.D.C.); (N.A.-D.); (A.F.-M.); (C.B.); (O.B.P.); (A.V.S.); (K.S.)
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Benham HM, McCollum MP, Nol P, Frey RK, Clarke PR, Rhyan JC, Barfield JP. Production of embryos and a live offspring using post mortem reproductive material from bison (Bison bison bison) originating in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Theriogenology 2020; 160:33-39. [PMID: 33171350 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Bison from Yellowstone National Park (YNP) have an important genetic history. As one of the few wild herds of bison with no evidence of cattle DNA introgression and a large enough population to maintain genetic diversity, they are considered a conservation priority for the species. Unfortunately, there is a high prevalence of the zoonotic disease brucellosis in the herd. Part of the management strategy for controlling the disease and herd size in YNP is to remove bison from the population during the winter migration out of the park. This interagency management cull provides an opportunity to collect a large number of oocytes from a wild bison population for genetic banking and research purposes. During the winters of 2014-2018, which is the nonbreeding season for bison, oocytes were collected post mortem and used to determine the effects of donor reproductive maturity and pregnancy status on oocyte quality and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, and to demonstrate the feasibility of producing healthy offspring. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were placed into an in vitro embryo production (IVP) system, and on days 7, 7.5, and 8 of in vitro culture (Day 0 = day of in vitro fertilization) embryos were assessed for developmental stage and quality prior to vitrification. Embryos were then stored in liquid nitrogen until the breeding season when a subset were warmed, cultured for 6 h, evaluated for survival, and transferred to healthy bison recipients. There were no significant differences in the ability of recovered COCs to support blastocyst development based on female reproductive maturity or pregnancy status (juvenile 79/959 (8.2%) vs sexually mature 547/6544 (8.4%); non-pregnant 188/2302 (8.2%) vs pregnant 556/6122 (9.1%)). Following the transfer of 15 embryos to 10 recipients, one healthy female calf was born. This work demonstrates that live offspring can be generated from COCs collected from YNP bison post mortem in the non-breeding season, and that gamete recovery can be a valuable tool for conservation of valuable genetics for this species while mitigating diseases like brucellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley M Benham
- Colorado State University, Department of Biomedical Science, 1683 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Matthew P McCollum
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Pauline Nol
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Rebecca K Frey
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), Montana, USA
| | - P Ryan Clarke
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), Montana, USA
| | - Jack C Rhyan
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS), National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Jennifer P Barfield
- Colorado State University, Department of Biomedical Science, 1683 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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Meyers S, Burruel V, Kato M, de la Fuente A, Orellana D, Renaudin C, Dujovne G. Equine non-invasive time-lapse imaging and blastocyst development. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1874-1884. [PMID: 31630727 DOI: 10.1071/rd19260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study we examined the timeline of mitotic events of invitro-produced equine embryos that progressed to blastocyst stage using non-invasive time-lapse microscopy (TLM). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryos were cultured using a self-contained imaging incubator system (Miri®TL; Esco Technologies) that captured brightfield images at 5-min intervals that were then generated into video for retrospective analysis. For all embryos that progressed to the blastocyst stage, the initial event of extrusion of acellular debris preceded all first cleavages and occurred at mean (±s.e.m.) time of 20.0±1.1h after ICSI, whereas 19 of 24 embryos that did not reach the blastocyst stage demonstrated debris extrusion that occurred at 23.8±1.1h, on average 4h longer for this initial premitotic event (P<0.05). Embryos that failed to reach the blastocyst stage demonstrated a 4-h delay compared with those that reached the blastocyst stage to reach the 2-cell stage (P<0.05). All embryos that reached the blastocyst stage expressed pulsation of the blastocyst with visible expansion and contraction at approximate 10-min intervals, or five to six times per hour. Using a logit probability method, we determined that 2- and 8-cell stage embryos could reasonably predict which embryos progressed to the blastocyst stage. Together, the results indicate that TLM for equine embryo development is a dynamic tool with promise for predicting successful embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Meyers
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA; and Corresponding author.
| | - V Burruel
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - M Kato
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - A de la Fuente
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - D Orellana
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - C Renaudin
- Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - G Dujovne
- Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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5
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Bottrel M, Hidalgo M, Mogas T, Pereira B, Ortiz I, Díaz-Jiménez M, Consuegra C, Morató R, Dorado J. One-step warming does not affect the in vitro viability and cryosurvival of cryotop-vitrified donkey embryos. Theriogenology 2020; 152:47-52. [PMID: 32361488 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two warming protocols (three-step vs. one-step dilution) on embryo quality, post-warming embryo survival and embryo cell viability of donkey embryos vitrified by the Cryotop method. Twenty, Day 7-8, grade 1-2 donkey embryos were measured, morphologically evaluated and vitrified using the Cryotop technique. Embryos were then randomly warmed using two different warming procedures: (i) W3 (three-step dilution; n = 11): embryos were warmed in 1 M, 0.5 M and 0 M sucrose, and (ii) W1/0.5 (one-step dilution; n = 9): embryos were warmed directly in 0.5 M sucrose. After 3 and 24 h of warming, the embryos were measured and evaluated for their morphology, developmental stage and viability (Propidium Iodide-Hoechst 33,342 dyes). Although both treatments decreased embryo quality after warming (P < 0.05), no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between protocols in terms of post-warming embryo quality, diameter and embryo survival. Greater percentages of dead cells (P < 0.001) were observed when embryos were warmed directly in 0.5 M sucrose (one-step dilution) when compared to the three-step protocol. The percentage of ruptured embryos was 27.3% and 0% in W3 and W1/0.5 protocols (P = 0.0893), respectively. In conclusion, warming Cryotop-vitrified donkey embryos directly in 0.5 M sucrose had no negative effects on embryo quality and post-warming embryo survival. Moreover, one-step protocol may help to prevent rupture when donkey embryos warmed directly in 0.5 M sucrose. These results observed in vitro must be verified by embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bottrel
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - M Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - T Mogas
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - B Pereira
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - I Ortiz
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - M Díaz-Jiménez
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - C Consuegra
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - R Morató
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - J Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain.
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Campos-Chillon LF, Owen CM, Altermatt JL. Equine and Bovine Oocyte Maturation in a Novel Medium Without CO2 Gas Phase. J Equine Vet Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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7
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Juanpanich T, Suttirojpattana T, Takayama M, Liang Y, Dochi O, Parnpai R, Imai K. Survival and developmental competence of bovine embryos at different developmental stages and separated blastomeres after vitrification in different solutions. Anim Sci J 2017; 89:42-51. [PMID: 28856787 DOI: 10.1111/asj.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Generating techniques to enhance the success of blastomere separation is important for bovine economy, because it increases the number of transferable embryos. This study aimed to identify the optimum cryoprotectants for the vitrification of bovine embryos and the separation of blastomeres at different stages. In experiment 1, expanded blastocysts were vitrified in two different vitrification solutions, either (1) ethylene glycol (EG) + propylene glycol (PG) or (2) EG. The survival rate of blastocysts in the EG + PG was higher than that of the EG. In experiment 2, intact two-cell and eight-cell stage embryos were vitrified in the same solutions used in experiment 1. The EG + PG produced more dead embryos than the EG (P < 0.05). In the EG, the rate of blastocyst formation was similar for the vitrified two- and eight-cell embryos and the non-vitrified ywo-cell embryos. In experiment 3, separated blastomeres of two- and eight-cell embryos were vitrified in EG. There was no difference in the rate of blastocyst formation and total number of cells between the two vitrified groups. In summary, at the blastocyst stage, EG + PG was superior, based on both survival rates and cell numbers; however, at the 2-8 cell stage, the use of EG alone was better than the other groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theesit Juanpanich
- Embryo Technology and Stem cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.,Graduate School of Dairy Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tayita Suttirojpattana
- Embryo Technology and Stem cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Mari Takayama
- Graduate School of Dairy Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yuanyuan Liang
- Embryo Technology and Stem cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Osamu Dochi
- Graduate School of Dairy Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Rangsun Parnpai
- Embryo Technology and Stem cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Kei Imai
- Graduate School of Dairy Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
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Hinrichs K. A journey through people, places, and projects in equine assisted reproduction. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1-10. [PMID: 27158129 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A research study is a product of not only a question and its pursuit but also the people, places, and facilities available at the time. My work in equine assisted reproduction has progressed from embryo transfer to oocyte maturation, oocyte transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo biopsy, embryo vitrification, and cloning, as a result of collaborations with an array of remarkable people. This is a summary of some of the stories behind the studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hinrichs
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
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Uchikura A, Matsunari H, Nakano K, Hatae S, Nagashima H. Application of hollow fiber vitrification for cryopreservation of bovine early cleavage stage embryos and porcine morula-blastomeres. J Reprod Dev 2016; 62:219-23. [PMID: 26875691 PMCID: PMC4848581 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel hollow fiber vitrification (HFV) method was applied to materials that have previously been difficult
to cryopreserve, thereby expanding the potential application of this method. The results showed that zona-free
porcine morulae and their isolated blastomeres remained viable even after vitrification. The rate of
development to blastocysts after vitrification was similar for zona-free and zona-intact morulae (21/23, 91.3%
for both). Vitrified blastomeres had a developmental potential equal to that of non-vitrified blastomeres
(blastocyst formation rate after reaggregation: 16/17, 94.1% for both). The HFV method was also effective for
the cryopreservation of in vitro matured/fertilized bovine embryos at the 2- to 4-cell, 8- to
16-cell and morula stages. The blastocyst formation rates of vitrified embryos (66.1–82.5%) were similar to
those of non-vitrified embryos (74.5–82.5%). These results indicate that this novel HFV method is an effective
tool for embryo cryopreservation that can enhance current practices in reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayuko Uchikura
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
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Guignot F, Reigner F, Perreau C, Tartarin P, Babilliot JM, Bed'hom B, Vidament M, Mermillod P, Duchamp G. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis in Welsh pony embryos after biopsy and cryopreservation1,2. J Anim Sci 2015; 93:5222-31. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Roberts MA, London K, Campos-Chillón LF, Altermatt JL. Presumed monozygotic twins develop following transfer of an in vitro-produced equine embryo. J Equine Sci 2015; 26:89-94. [PMID: 26435682 PMCID: PMC4591415 DOI: 10.1294/jes.26.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
An equine embryo produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was trans-cervically transferred to a recipient mare and pregnancy was confirmed via ultrasound examination on days 11, 12 and 15. On days 20 and 22, a single embryonic proper with a heartbeat was observed. On day 29, two embryos proper appeared during ultrasound examination, each possessing a heartbeat. Subsequent examinations on days 35 and 39 revealed continued viability and development of both embryos proper. On day 49, demise of both fetuses was present. Although no DNA analysis or post-partum examinations were performed, it is presumed that the fetuses were monozygotic twins based on membrane classification by ultrasound imaging as well as development occurring after the transfer of a single in vitro-produced embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Ann Roberts
- Department of Animal Science, California Polytechnic State University, CA 93407, U.S.A
| | - Kelly London
- Department of Animal Science, California Polytechnic State University, CA 93407, U.S.A
| | | | - Joy Lynn Altermatt
- Department of Dairy Science, California Polytechnic State University, CA 93407, U.S.A
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12
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Ganji R, Nabiuni M, Faraji R. Development of mouse preantral follicle after in vitro culture in a medium containing melatonin. CELL JOURNAL 2015; 16:546-53. [PMID: 25685745 PMCID: PMC4297493 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2015.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective Improvements in cancer treatment have allowed more young women to survive. However, many cancer patients suffer from ovarian failure. Cryopreservation is one
of the solutions for fertility restoration in these patients. The cryopreservation of isolated
follicles is a more attractive approach in the long term. Many endocrine and paracrine
factors can stimulate the granulosa cells of preantral follicles to proliferate. Melatonin acts
as direct free radical scavenger and indirect antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the
direct effects of melatonin on follicle development and oocyte maturation by exposing in
vitro cultured mouse vitrified-warmed ovarian follicles to melatonin.
Materials and Methods In an experimental study, preantral follicles with diameter of
150-180 µm were isolated from prepubertal mouse ovaries. Follicles were vitrified and
thawed using cryolock method. They were then cultured individually for 7 days in droplets
supplemented with 0, 10 and 100 pM melatonin, while ovulation was induced using epidermal growth factor (EGF) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The survival rate of
follicles and nuclear maturation of ovulated oocytes were determined.
Results At the end of culture, significant increases in follicle survival (p<0.001) and in diameter (p<0.05) were noticed in 10 pM melatonin group compared to control group. In the 100
pM group, survival rate was not affected by melatonin. It was revealed that after induction of
ovulation, total number of metaphase II oocytes in treatment groups were not influenced by
melatonin (p>0.05).
Conclusion Culture of mouse vitrified-warmed preantral follicles in a medium supplemented with 10 pM melatonin increased the number of surviving follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Ganji
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nabiuni
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Faraji
- Reproductive Health Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran
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Zhang X, Catalano PN, Gurkan UA, Khimji I, Demirci U. Emerging technologies in medical applications of minimum volume vitrification. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2012; 6:1115-29. [PMID: 21955080 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.11.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell/tissue biopreservation has broad public health and socio-economic impact affecting millions of lives. Cryopreservation technologies provide an efficient way to preserve cells and tissues targeting the clinic for applications including reproductive medicine and organ transplantation. Among these technologies, vitrification has displayed significant improvement in post-thaw cell viability and function by eliminating harmful effects of ice crystal formation compared to the traditional slow freezing methods. However, high cryoprotectant agent concentrations are required, which induces toxicity and osmotic stress to cells and tissues. It has been shown that vitrification using small sample volumes (i.e., <1 µl) significantly increases cooling rates and hence reduces the required cryoprotectant agent levels. Recently, emerging nano- and micro-scale technologies have shown potential to manipulate picoliter to nanoliter sample sizes. Therefore, the synergistic integration of nanoscale technologies with cryogenics has the potential to improve biopreservation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Zhang
- Bio-Acoustic-MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratory, Center for Bioengineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Isachenko E, Rahimi G, Mallmann P, Sanchez R, Isachenko V. Novel Approaches to the Cryopreservation of Human Spermatozoa: History and Development of the Spermatozoa Vitrification Technology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1177/205891581100200207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cryobiology is very intensively applied in reproductive and veterinary medicine for preservation of gametes, embryos and reproductive tissues. Sub-zero temperatures combined with appropriate cryoprotective agents preserve the physiological and reproductive functions of the cells making long-term storage possible without loss of viability. With the use of cryoprotective agents it has become possible to develop cryopreservation techniques, such as the slow conventional freezing and vitrification that are in use in the present times. In slow controlled-rate conventional freezing extracellular ice crystals are formed whereas in vitrification no ice crystals are formed. Glass formation is compatible with the survival of the cell and the preservation of its intracellular structures provided the type(s) and concentrations of cryoprotectant used are not chemo- or osmotoxic. However, irrespective of the type of cooling method employed the cryosurvival of cells and tissues is influenced by the size and maturity of cells, amounts of intracellular water, quality and quantity of intracellular lipids, type of cells, their function and morphology. The intracellular milieu of cryopreserved cells and tissues remain less understood. The application of nanotechnology may help reveal and help advance our knowledge of the cryobiological principles involved in cryosurvival. At this moment the methods of cryopreservation that merit further investigation are vitrification and lyophilization. Vitrification is cheap if reagents are prepared in-house and the procedure can be performed rapidly. It has been successfully applied for gametes and embryos (of different stages of development), and reproductive cells/tissues, somatic cells and stem cells. However, vitrification is more demanding technically and requires operation and storage at sub-zero temperatures. On the other hand lyophilization deserves further investigation because it is a cheaper form of cryopreservation that may enable cryostorage at less demanding temperatures of 4°C and may even allow transport at ambient temperature. These possibilities are explored in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Isachenko
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gohar Rahimi
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Mallmann
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Raul Sanchez
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Vladimir Isachenko
- Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 50931 Cologne, Germany
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Choi Y, Velez I, Riera F, Roldán J, Hartman D, Bliss S, Blanchard T, Hayden S, Hinrichs K. Successful cryopreservation of expanded equine blastocysts. Theriogenology 2011; 76:143-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2010] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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