1
|
Ferré LB, Kjelland ME, Taiyeb AM, Campos-Chillon F, Ross PJ. Recent progress in bovine in vitro-derived embryo cryotolerance: Impact of in vitro culture systems, advances in cryopreservation and future considerations. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:659-676. [PMID: 32144939 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation of in vitro-derived bovine embryos is a crucial step for the widespread reproduction and conservation of valuable high-merit animals. Given the current popularity of bovine in vitro embryo production (IVP), there is a demand for a highly efficient ultra-low temperature storage method in order to maximize donor ovum pickup (OPU) turn-over, recipient availability/utilization and domestic/overseas commercial trading opportunities. However, IVP bovine embryos are still very sensitive to chilling and cryopreservation, and despite recent progress, a convenient (simple and robust) protocol has not yet been developed. At the moment, there are two methods for bovine IVP embryo cryopreservation: slow programmable freezing and vitrification. Both of the aforementioned techniques have pros and cons. While controlled-rate slow cooling can easily be adapted for direct transfer (DT), ice crystal formation remains an issue. On the other hand, vitrification solved this problem but the possibility of successful DT commercial incorporation remains to be determined. Moreover, simplification of the vitrification protocol (including warming) through the use of an in-straw dilution without the use of a microscope is a prerequisite for its use under farm conditions. This review summarizes the bovine IVP embryo cryopreservation achievements, strengths and limitations of both freezing systems and prospective improvements to enhance cryosurvival, as well as perspectives on future directions of this assisted reproductive technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis B Ferré
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael E Kjelland
- Conservation, Genetics & Biotech, LLC, Valley City, ND, USA.,Mayville State University, Mayville, ND, USA
| | - Ahmed M Taiyeb
- Conservation, Genetics & Biotech, LLC, Valley City, ND, USA.,Barz IVF Center for Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment, Kurdistan, Iraq
| | - Fernando Campos-Chillon
- Animal Science Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | - Pablo J Ross
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cavusoglu T, Popken J, Guengoer T, Yilmaz O, Uyanikgil Y, Ates U, Baka M, Oztas E, Zakhartchenko V. Ultra-Structural Alterations in In Vitro Produced Four-Cell Bovine Embryos Following Controlled Slow Freezing or Vitrification. Anat Histol Embryol 2015; 45:291-307. [PMID: 26293816 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cryopreservation is the process of freezing and preserving cells and tissues at low temperatures. Controlled slow freezing and vitrification have successfully been used for cryopreservation of mammalian embryos. We investigated the effect of these two cryopreservation methods on in vitro produced four-cell stage bovine embryos which were classified according to their quality and separated into three groups. The first group was maintained as untreated controls (n = 350). Embryos of the second (n = 385) and the third (n = 385) groups were cryopreserved either by controlled slow freezing or by vitrification. Embryos in groups 2 and 3 were thawed after 1 day. Hundred embryos were randomly selected from the control group, and 100 morphologically intact embryos from the second and third group were thawed after 1 day and cultured to observe the development up to the blastocyst stage. The blastocyst development rate was 22% in the control group, 1% in the slow-freezing group and 3% in the vitrification group. Remaining embryos of all three groups were examined by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy with subsequent histological staining procedures. Cryopreservation caused degenerative changes at the ultra-structural level. Compared with vitrification, slow freezing caused an increased mitochondrial degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization, disruption of the nuclear and plasma membrane integrity, organelle disintegration, cytoskeletal damage, a reduced thickness of the zona pellucida and a formation of fractures in the zona pellucida. Further studies are required to understand and decrease the harmful effects of cryopreservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Cavusoglu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.,Cord Blood, Cell-Tissue Application and Research Center, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - J Popken
- Division of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Grosshadernerstrasse 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - T Guengoer
- Department of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Hackerstr. 27, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - O Yilmaz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.,Cord Blood, Cell-Tissue Application and Research Center, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Y Uyanikgil
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.,Cord Blood, Cell-Tissue Application and Research Center, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - U Ates
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Bilim University School of Medicine, 34349, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - M Baka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.,Cord Blood, Cell-Tissue Application and Research Center, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey
| | - E Oztas
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06010, Ankara, Turkey
| | - V Zakhartchenko
- Department of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, Hackerstr. 27, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang ZQ, Zhou GB, Hou YP, Yan CL, Zhu SE. Effect of In-Straw Thawing on In Vitro- and In Vivo-Development of Vitrified Mouse Morulae. Anim Biotechnol 2007; 18:13-22. [PMID: 17364440 DOI: 10.1080/10495390601091040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
For the purpose of ascertaining parameters to embryo transfer on some domestic animals, mouse morulae were used as a model to investigate the effect of in-straw thawing on in vitro and in vivo-development of vitrified embryos. Embryos were vitrified in 0.25 ml straws preloaded with dilution solution (0.5 M Sucrose) and thawed in the straw by mixing the vitrification solution (Ethylene glycol + Ficoll 70 + Sucrose) and the dilution solution at 25 degrees C. The embryos were randomly divided into six groups and expelled from the straws after they had been suspended in the in-straw mixture for 3 min, 5 min, 8 min, 12 min, 16 min, and 20 min, respectively, and then they were collected under a microscope for in vitro culture or direct transfer. The in vitro developmental rates of the embryos were 92.3% to 98.4% and hatching rates were 64.1% to 75.6% for the groups of 3 min to 16 min, showing no significant differences with those of nonfrozen controls (100%, 76.2%; P > 0.05). While embryos were suspended in the straw for 20 min, the developmental rate (86.6%) and hatching rate (52.4%) were significant lower than those of the control (100%, 76.2%; P < 0.01). When the 168 frozen-thawed embryos (in-straw thawing for 5 min) and 168 fresh embryos were transferred, respectively, the proportion of live fetuses in the pregnant recipients between them (58.7% vs. 54.5%) showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The data indicate that vitrification with EFS30 and suspension in the in-straw mixture for 3 min to 16 min, when thawing, did not affect the in vitro developmental rate and hatching rate. Moreover, the in vivo developmental rate between vitrified embryos and fresh embryos did not differ significantly. It can be concluded that this method is fit for nonsurgical embryo transfer in some domestic animals with a suggestion that the operation of embryo transfer should be accomplished within 16 min.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Qiang Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Embryonic Biotechnology, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Effect of Storage Times on Sperm Function, Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) and Correlations Between Fertility and SCSA in Boars. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2006. [DOI: 10.5187/jast.2006.48.6.785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
5
|
Walker DJ, Campos-Chillon LF, Seidel GE. Vitrification of In Vitro-produced Bovine Embryos by Addition of Ethylene Glycol in One-step. Reprod Domest Anim 2006; 41:467-71. [PMID: 16984354 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00699.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to simplify two-step addition of cryoprotectant for vitrification of bovine embryos by developing a one-step procedure. Survival was calculated as a percentage of non-vitrified controls developed from the same batch of oocytes. In experiment 1, bovine blastocysts were vitrified following one- or two-step addition of cryoprotectant. Exposure of embryos to cryoprotectant in one-step resulted in survival rates not significantly lower (p > 0.1) than those obtained by two-step addition (85% vs 98%, respectively). Based on these results, experiments 2-4 were designed to test one-step addition of cryoprotectant more rigorously. Experiment 2 exposed day 7 blastocysts to 6, 7 or 8 M ethylene glycol for 2.5 or 3.5 min. At 24 h post-vitrification, survival of embryos was similar, irrespective of ethylene glycol concentration or exposure time (6 M 38%, 7 M 51%, 8 M 59%; 2.5 min 54%, 3.5 min 45%). In experiment 3, blastocysts were exposed to 7 M ethylene glycol for shorter times (30 or 60 s); 30 s exposure resulted in decreased survival (8% vs 31%, p < 0.05). Experiment 4 concerned one-step addition of cryoprotectant to day 6 bovine morulae, exposed to 7 M ethylene glycol for 1 or 1.5 min. There was no difference in survival between exposure times of 1 or 1.5 min (28% vs 45%, respectively; p > 0.1). It is unclear why many embryos survive vitrification with one-step addition of cryoprotectant, but others do not. Although, one-step addition of cryoprotectant simplifies the vitrification procedure, survival rates were inadequate for routine cryopreservation of in vitro-produced bovine embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D J Walker
- Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Martínez AG, Valcárcel A, de las Heras MA, de Matos DG, Furnus C, Brogliatti G. Vitrification of in vitro produced bovine embryos: in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Anim Reprod Sci 2002; 73:11-21. [PMID: 12220815 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(02)00121-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of different vitrification solutions to cryopreserve in vitro produced bovine blastocysts was evaluated based upon in vitro development of embryos in culture and on in vivo development of embryos transferred into recipients. In the first experiment, ethylene glycol + glycerol (Eg + Gly) + different sucrose concentrations were evaluated. There were no significant differences in development rates among solutions. As for hatching, the Eg + Gly + 0.1 M sucrose group had a greater rate as compared with Eg + Gly + 0 M sucrose and Eg + Gly + 0.5 M sucrose groups in the evaluations of Day 6, Day 7 and Day 6 + Day 7 embryos; and, Eg + Gly + 0.3 M sucrose group had a greater rate as compared with the Eg + Gly + 0 M sucrose and Eg + Gly + 0.5 M sucrose groups in evaluations of Day 6 and Day 6 + Day 7 embryos. There were no significant differences in development and hatching rates between Day 6 and 7 in in vitro produced bovine embryos within each treatment group. There were significant differences in nuclei number after vitrification between Eg + Gly + 0.1 M and Eg + Gly + 0 M sucrose groups and the Eg + Gly + 0.5 M sucrose group. Pregnancy after 60 days of transfer and calving rates showed a difference between in vivo produced embryos freshly transferred and in vitro produced embryos vitrified with Eg + Gly + 0.3 M. There were no significant differences in gestation length and sex ratio between treatments. As for birth weight, there were significant differences between fresh in vivo produced embryos and all treatments of in vitro produced embryos. There were significant differences in dystocial parturition between in vivo produced embryos and all treatments with in vitro produced embryos. These results demonstrate that vitrification can be used successfully in the cryopreservation of in vitro produced bovine embryos, and that it might be considered for use in commercial programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A G Martínez
- Centro de Investigaciones Reproductivas Pérez Companc, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Al-Katanani YM, Drost M, Monson RL, Rutledge JJ, Krininger CE, Block J, Thatcher WW, Hanse PJ. Pregnancy rates following timed embryo transfer with fresh or vitrified in vitro produced embryos in lactating dairy cows under heat stress conditions. Theriogenology 2002; 58:171-82. [PMID: 12182360 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)00916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Timed embryo transfer (TET) using in vitro produced (IVP) embryos without estrus detection can be used to reduce adverse effects of heat stress on fertility. One limitation is the poor survival of IVP embryos after cryopreservation. Objectives of this study were to confirm beneficial effects of TET on pregnancy rate during heat stress as compared to timed artificial insemination (TAI), and to determine if cryopreservation by vitrification could improve survival of IVP embryos transferred to dairy cattle under heat stress conditions. For vitrified embryos (TET-V), a three-step pre-equilibration procedure was used to vitrify excellent and good quality Day 7 IVP Holstein blastocysts. For fresh IVP embryos (TET-F), Holstein oocytes were matured and fertilized; resultant embryos were cultured in modified KSOM for 7 days using the same method as for production of vitrified embryos. Excellent and good quality blastocysts on Day 7 were transported to the cooperating dairy in a portable incubator. Nonpregnant, lactating Holsteins (n = 155) were treated with GnRH (100 microg, i.m., Day 0), followed 7 days later by prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha, 25 mg, i.m.) and GnRH (100 microg) on Day 9. Cows in the TAI treatment (n = 68) were inseminated the next day (Day 10) with semen from a single bull that also was used to produce embryos. Cows in the other treatments (n = 33 for TET-F; n = 54 for TET-V) received an embryo on Day 17 (i.e. Day 7 after anticipated ovulation and Day 8 after second GnRH treatment). The proportion of cows that responded to synchronization based on plasma progesterone concentrations on Day 10 and Day 17 was 67.7%. Pregnancy rate for all cows on Day 45 was higher (P < 0.05) in the TET-F treatment than for the TAI and TET-V treatments (19.0 +/- 5.0,6.2 +/- 3.6, and 6.5 +/- 4.1%). For cows responding to synchronization, pregnancy rate was also higher (P < 0.05) for TET-F than for other treatments (26.7 +/- 6.4, 5.0 +/- 4.3, and 7.4 +/- 4.7%). In the TET-F treatment group, cows producing more milk had lower (P < 0.05) pregnancy rates than cows producing less milk. In conclusion, ET of fresh IVP embryos can improve pregnancy rate under heat stress conditions, but pregnancy rate following transfer of vitrified embryos was no better than that following TAI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y M Al-Katanani
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0910, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rizos D, Ward F, Boland MP, Lonergan P. Effect of culture system on the yield and quality of bovine blastocysts as assessed by survival after vitrification. Theriogenology 2001; 56:1-16. [PMID: 11467505 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00538-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a bovine in vitro culture system on blastocyst yield and quality after vitrification. In Experiment 1, IVM/IVF zygotes were cultured in either synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) in 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2; or TCM199-granulosa cells (TCM199-GCM) in 5% CO2 in air. In vivo blastocysts were used as a control. Culture in SOF resulted in a significantly higher blastocyst yield on both Day 7 (31.3 vs 13.2%, P < 0.001) and 8 (36.8 vs 23.7%, P < 0.001) than did culture in TCM199-GCM. After vitrification, survival at 72 h of in vivo blastocysts was significantly higher than both in vitro groups, while significantly more blastocysts produced in TCM199-GCM survived compared to those produced in SOF (0, 43.5, 78.3% for SOF, TCM199-GCM and in vivo, respectively P < 0.01). In Experiment 2, SOF-GCM proved to be the best post-warming culture system of those tested and was adopted as the post-warming medium for all subsequent experiments. In Experiment 3, zygotes were cultured in SOF or SOF-GCM, in either 5% CO2 in air, or 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2. In agreement with Experiment 1, culture in SOF in 5% O2 resulted in significantly more blastocysts at Day 7 (26.4 vs 17.3%, P < 0.01) and Day 8 (31.5 vs 23.2%, P < 0.01) than did culture in SOF-GCM. However, survival at 72 h post vitrification was significantly higher for SOF-GCM (44 vs 8.3%, P < 0.001). Increasing the O2 concentration to 20% significantly reduced the blastocyst eld from SOF (31.5 vs 17.3%, P < 0.001). In addition, the quality of blastocyst produced was reduced in terms of survival post vitrification (8.3 vs 0%, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no difference in blastocyst yield (23.2 vs 25.2%) or survival (44.0 vs 36.9%) in SOF-GCM, irrespective of O2 concentration. Experiment 4 examined the duration of exposure to GCM necessary to acquire improved blastocyst quality. Zygotes were cultured in SOF; SOF until Day 3, followed by SOF-GCM for the remainder of the culture; SOF until Day 5, followed by SOF-GCM for the remainder of the culture; or SOF-GCM for the entire culture. Survival at 72 h post vitrification was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Groups 2 (50.0%, 13/26) and 4 (55.3%, 26/47) than in Groups 1 (21.7%, 10/46) and 3 (10.8%, 4/37). In conclusion, culture system can affect blastocyst yield and quality and crytolerance is a useful indicator of blastocyst quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Rizos
- Department of Animal Science and Production, University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm, Newcastle, County Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nguyen BX, Sotomaru Y, Tani T, Kato Y, Tsunoda Y. Efficient cryopreservation of bovine blastocysts derived from nuclear transfer with somatic cells using partial dehydration and vitrification. Theriogenology 2000; 53:1439-48. [PMID: 10898213 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(00)00286-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Preservation by vitrification of Day 7 and Day 8 bovine blastocysts derived from nuclear transfer with cumulus cells was compared with preservation of in vitro fertilized blastocysts. In Experiment 1, embryos were vitrified in PBS containing 60% ethylene glycol. In Experiment 2, they were vitrified in combination with partial dehydration using a solution of 39% ethylene glycol + 0.7 M sucrose and 8.6% Ficoll. In Experiment 1, survival and hatching rates were 44 and 95% for nuclear transferred embryos, and 78 and 55% for in vitro fertilized embryos, respectively. In Experiment 2, survival and hatching rates were 93 and 95% for nuclear transfer embryos, and 77 and 85% for in vitro fertilized embryos, respectively. It is concluded that Day 7 and Day 8 bovine blastocysts derived from cumulus cells could be cryopreserved without the loss of viability by a simple and efficient method using a combination of partial dehydration and vitrification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- B X Nguyen
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, College of Agriculture Kinki University, Nara, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
SAKAGUCHI M, YOTSUSHIMA K, KAKEI T, NAKAHARA H, TAKAHASHI S, IMAI H, IZAIKE Y. Cloned Calves Produced by Transfer of Reconstituted Embryos Derived from Fibroblast Cells of a Female Fetus. J Reprod Dev 2000. [DOI: 10.1262/jrd.46.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Minoru SAKAGUCHI
- Hokkaido National Agricultural Experiment Station, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo 062-8555, Japan
| | - Kenji YOTSUSHIMA
- Toyama Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Fuchu-machi, Toyama 939-2622, Japan
| | - Tomoko KAKEI
- Toyama Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station, Fuchu-machi, Toyama 939-2622, Japan
| | - Hitoshi NAKAHARA
- Okayama Prefectural Center for Animal Husbandry and Research, Asahi-machi, Okayama 709-3494, Japan
| | - Seiya TAKAHASHI
- National Institute of Animal Industry, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | - Hiroshi IMAI
- National Institute of Animal Industry, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
- Department of Animal Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki IZAIKE
- National Institute of Animal Industry, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| |
Collapse
|