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Sala-Ayala L, Martínez-Boví R, Querol-Paajanen A, Cuervo-Arango J. The effect of uterine massage and number of embryo flushing attempts on embryo recovery in mares. Theriogenology 2024; 224:94-101. [PMID: 38759609 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.017] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the effect of the embryo flushing technique and the number of flushing attempts performed by operators of different experience on embryo recovery (ER). Ten non-lactating mares were inseminated with the same stallion in six cycles each (n = 60). Embryo flushing (EF) was performed 7-9 days after ovulation by three operators (OP; 20 EF cycles each): OP1 had performed >500 EF before the study, while OP2 and 3 had performed 0 EF. Each EF was performed with 2 flushing attempts (FA) using 1L of ringer's lactate "in-and-out" using two EF techniques: 1) uterine massage (UM): continuous ballottement and massage of the uterus per rectum during ringer lactate recovery, 2) gravity flow (GF): the ringer lactate was allowed to flow back without massaging the uterus. In both groups, 20 IU of oxytocin were administered at the second FA and the ringer lactate was allowed to remain in the uterus for 3 min before recovery. An extra FA was performed in each group using 0.5 L of ringer lactate and uterine massage. More embryos (P < 0.05) per ovulation were recovered in the UM (17/33, 0.51) than in the GF group (8/36, 0.22). For the UM group, 16/17 embryos (94.1 %) were recovered in the first FA, while only one embryo in the second FA (1/17, 5.9 %). In the GF group, 4 embryos were recovered in each FA. No embryo was found in the extra FA in the UM group, while seven additional embryos were found in the GF group (5/7 flushed by OP1; P < 0.05). The overall ER per cycle was 70, 40, and 45 % for OP1, 2 and 3, respectively. In conclusion, highest embryo recovery is achieved in EF performed with UM, with the majority of embryos being flushed in the first FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sala-Ayala
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Martínez-Boví
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Aurora Querol-Paajanen
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Cuervo-Arango
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain.
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Martínez-Boví R, Sala-Ayala L, Querol-Paajanen A, Plaza-Dávila M, Cuervo-Arango J. Effects of repeated embryo flushing without PGF 2α administration on luteal function, percentage of unwanted pregnancy and subsequent fertility in mares. Equine Vet J 2024; 56:796-805. [PMID: 38403412 DOI: 10.1111/evj.14073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PGF2α is commonly given at the end of embryo flushing (EF) to shorten the interval to the next oestrus and ovulation. OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of repeated EF on plasma progesterone concentration, percentage of mares with endometritis, unwanted pregnancy and subsequent fertility in mares flushed without the use of PGF2α. STUDY DESIGN Controlled experiments. METHODS Nine mares were inseminated in seven consecutive cycles (n = 63), to either perform an EF (n = 54) 7-9 days after ovulation or left pregnant (n = 9). PGF2α was not used to induce oestrus. Ultrasound examination and blood sampling were performed just before the EF and 72 h later to determine changes in progesterone concentration and signs of endometritis. RESULTS The overall percentage of positive EF/pregnancy was 55.5% (30/54) and 66.7% (6/9), respectively. The likelihood of pregnancy/positive EF in the first three cycles was 55.5% (15/29). This was not different (p > 0.1) from the fertility of the last four cycles (69.4%, 25/36). In five EF cycles (9.3%), mares had signs of endometritis and early luteolysis (progesterone <2 ng/mL) 72 h after EF. The reduction in progesterone concentration by 72 h after EF was greater (p < 0.05) for Day 9 (-2.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL) than Day 7 (-1.0 ± 0.8 ng/mL) or Day 8 (-1.3 ± 1.1 ng/mL) cycles. The progesterone concentration in non-flushed mares did not vary significantly during the sampled period (Day 7-12). There were 5 cycles in which the donor mare remained pregnant after the EF, although four were from a single mare. MAIN LIMITATIONS The mare population was limited to barren and maiden mares. The cycle order and operator allocation to each EF were not randomised. CONCLUSIONS EF induces a subtle, but significant reduction in progesterone concentrations compared with non-EF cycles. However, the percentage of mares with EF-induced full luteolysis is low (9.3%). The fertility of mares after repeated EF without administration of PGF2α was unaffected; however, there is a considerable risk of unwanted pregnancy (5/27 = 18.5%) in donors from which an embryo was not recovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Martínez-Boví
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Sala-Ayala
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Aurora Querol-Paajanen
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Plaza-Dávila
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Cuervo-Arango
- Equine Fertility Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
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Lewis N, Schnauffer K, Hinrichs K, Morganti M, Troup S, Argo C. Morphokinetics of early equine embryo development in vitro using time-lapse imaging, and use in selecting blastocysts for transfer. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1851-1861. [PMID: 31634434 DOI: 10.1071/rd19225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of time-lapse imaging (TLI) in the evaluation of morphokinetics associated with invitro developmental competence is well described for human, cattle and pig embryos. It is generally accepted that embryos that complete early cleavage sooner are more likely to form blastocysts and that timing of later events, such as blastocyst formation and expansion, are predictive of implantation potential and euploid status. In the horse, morphokinetics as a predictor of developmental competence has received little attention. In this study we evaluated the morphokinetics of early equine embryo development invitro for 144 oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and report the timings of blastocyst development associated with ongoing pregnancy for the first time. There was a tendency for time of cytoplasmic extrusion and first cleavage to occur earlier in the embryos that went on to form blastocysts (n=19) compared with those that arrested, and for first cleavage to occur earlier in blastocysts that established pregnancies that were ongoing (n=4) compared with pregnancies that were lost (n=2). TLI was clinically useful in identifying blastocysts when evaluation of morphology on static imaging was equivocal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Lewis
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Neston CH64 7TE, UK; and Present address: Equine Fertility Solutions, Navan Road, Dublin 7, Ireland; and Corresponding author.
| | - Karen Schnauffer
- Reproductive Health Group, Daresbury Park, Daresbury, Cheshire WA4 4GE, UK
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Stephen Troup
- Reproductive Science Consultancy, 3A Kennerley's Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5EQ, UK
| | - Caroline Argo
- North Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK
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Immonen I, Cuervo-Arango J. Effect of Timing of Postovulatory Insemination Relative to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin/Buserelin Treatment With 1 Straw of Frozen-Thawed Semen on Mare Fertility. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 87:102900. [PMID: 32172904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The reproductive management of mares for frozen semen artificial insemination (AI) can be costly and labor intensive. Predicting the exact time of ovulation can be challenging even when ovulation-inducing drugs are used. The main objective of this retrospective study was to determine whether there was an effect of interval between examinations to detect ovulation on likelihood of pregnancy and early embryonic loss in mares after postovulatory breeding with a single straw of frozen/thawed semen. The second objective was to determine the efficacy of two different drugs (human chorionic gonadotropin vs. buserelin) for timely induction of ovulation. The length of the interval from penultimate check to ovulation had no significant effect on pregnancy or embryo loss rates (4 hours: 34.1% and 13.3% vs. 8 hours: 26.1% and 0% and 16 hours: 34.5% and 10%, respectively) nor did the ovulation-inducing drug used, number of the cycle, or the stallion. In conclusion, there appears to be no advantage of checking mares for ovulation during the late evening and night hours when using a postovulatory AI protocol and ovulation-inducing drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Immonen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Production Animal Medicine, Equine Reproduction, Helsinki University, Finland
| | - Juan Cuervo-Arango
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Cantero de Letur S.L., Letur, Spain.
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Wilsher S, De Rijck M, Rigali F, Allen WR. The effects of endometrial damage on placental and fetal development in a mare. EQUINE VET EDUC 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.13157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Wilsher
- Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah United Arab Emirates
| | - M. De Rijck
- Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah United Arab Emirates
| | - F. Rigali
- Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah United Arab Emirates
| | - W. R. Allen
- Sharjah Equine Hospital Sharjah United Arab Emirates
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Ortiz-Rodriguez JM, Ortega-Ferrusola C, Gil MC, Martín-Cano FE, Gaitskell-Phillips G, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Hinrichs K, Álvarez-Barrientos A, Román Á, Peña FJ. Transcriptome analysis reveals that fertilization with cryopreserved sperm downregulates genes relevant for early embryo development in the horse. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213420. [PMID: 31237882 PMCID: PMC6592594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination with cryopreserved spermatozoa is a major assisted reproductive technology in many species. In horses, as in humans, insemination with cryopreserved sperm is associated with lower pregnancy rates than those for fresh sperm, however, direct effects of sperm cryopreservation on the development of resulting embryos are largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in gene expression between embryos resulting from fertilization with fresh or cryopreserved sperm. Embryos were obtained at 8, 10 or 12 days after ovulation from mares inseminated post-ovulation on successive cycles with either fresh sperm or frozen-thawed sperm from the same stallion, providing matched embryo pairs at each day. RNA was isolated from two matched pairs (4 embryos) for each day, and cDNA libraries were built and sequenced. Significant differences in transcripts per kilobase million (TPM) were determined using (i) genes for which the expression difference between treatments was higher than 99% of that in the random case (P < 0.01), and (ii) genes for which the fold change was ≥ 2, to avoid expression bias in selection of the candidate genes. Molecular pathways were explored using the DAVID webserver, followed by network analyses using STRING, with a threshold of 0.700 for positive interactions. The transcriptional profile of embryos obtained with frozen-thawed sperm differed significantly from that for embryos derived from fresh sperm on all days, showing significant down-regulation of genes involved in biological pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation, DNA binding, DNA replication, and immune response. Many genes with reduced expression were orthologs of genes known to be embryonic lethal in mice. This study, for the first time, provides evidence of altered transcription in embryos resulting from fertilization with cryopreserved spermatozoa in any species. As sperm cryopreservation is commonly used in many species, including human, the effect of this intervention on expression of developmentally important genes in resulting embryos warrants attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M. Ortiz-Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Cristina Ortega-Ferrusola
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - María C. Gil
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco E. Martín-Cano
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Gemma Gaitskell-Phillips
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Heriberto Rodríguez-Martínez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Katrin Hinrichs
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | | | - Ángel Román
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Fernando J. Peña
- Laboratory of Equine Reproduction and Equine Spermatology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Cuervo-Arango J, Claes A, Stout T. Small day 8 equine embryos cannot be rescued by a less advanced recipient mare uterus. Theriogenology 2019; 126:36-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Claes A, Cuervo‐Arango J, Broek J, Galli C, Colleoni S, Lazzari G, Deelen C, Beitsma M, Stout TA. Factors affecting the likelihood of pregnancy and embryonic loss after transfer of cryopreserved in vitro produced equine embryos. Equine Vet J 2018; 51:446-450. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Claes
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - J. Cuervo‐Arango
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - J. Broek
- Department of Farm Animal Health Section of Epidemiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - C. Galli
- Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies Avantea Cremona Italy
- Fondazione Avantea Cremona Italy
| | - S. Colleoni
- Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies Avantea Cremona Italy
| | - G. Lazzari
- Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies Avantea Cremona Italy
- Fondazione Avantea Cremona Italy
| | - C. Deelen
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - M. Beitsma
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
| | - T. A. Stout
- Department of Equine Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands
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Cuervo-Arango J, Claes A, Stout T. Horse embryo diameter is influenced by the embryonic age but not by the type of semen used to inseminate donor mares. Theriogenology 2018; 115:90-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Neuhauser S, Handler J. Pregnancy Outcome Using Highly Concentrated, Cooled Stored Stallion Semen and Different Dilution Protocols With Autologous Seminal Plasma Before Insemination. J Equine Vet Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Panzani D, Rota A, Marmorini P, Vannozzi I, Camillo F. Retrospective study of factors affecting multiple ovulations, embryo recovery, quality, and diameter in a commercial equine embryo transfer program. Theriogenology 2014; 82:807-14. [PMID: 25085596 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Revised: 06/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duccio Panzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Rota
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Iacopo Vannozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Camillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
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Lindahl J, Dalin AM, Stuhtmann G, Morrell JM. Stallion spermatozoa selected by single layer centrifugation are capable of fertilization after storage for up to 96 h at 6°C prior to artificial insemination. Acta Vet Scand 2012; 54:40. [PMID: 22788670 PMCID: PMC3537575 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-54-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the challenges faced by equine breeders is ensuring delivery of good quality semen doses for artificial insemination when the mare is due to ovulate. Single Layer Centrifugation (SLC) has been shown to select morphologically normal spermatozoa with intact chromatin and good progressive motility from the rest of the ejaculate, and to prolong the life of these selected spermatozoa in vitro. The objective of the present study was a proof of concept, to determine whether fertilizing ability was retained in SLC-selected spermatozoa during prolonged storage. Findings Sixteen mares were inseminated with SLC-selected sperm doses that had been cooled and stored at 6°C for 48 h, 72 h or 96 h. Embryos were identified in 11 mares by ultrasound examination 16–18 days after presumed ovulation. Conclusion SLC-selected stallion spermatozoa stored for up to 96 h are capable of fertilization.
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Newcombe JR, Cuervo-Arango J. The Relationship Between the Positive Identification of the Embryo Proper in Equine Pregnancies Aged 18-28 Days and its Future Viability: A Field Study. J Equine Vet Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.09.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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