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Rodrigues LT, Segabinazzi LG, Oliveira SN, Frasson M, Papa FO. Two successful embryo transfers of mini-donkey embryos in Brazilian Northeastern jennies using an alternative method: Case report. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1470-1474. [PMID: 34375469 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy rates after embryo transfer (ET) are disappointing in donkey species. This study aims to report two successful ET of mini-donkey embryos using Brazilian Northeastern jennies as recipients. Eighteen embryo flushes were performed 9 days post-ovulation in two non-pregnant mini-donkeys jennies (11 and 7 cycles per jenny). Eleven embryos (61%, 11/18) were collected and transferred to Brazilian Northeastern jennies 4-6 days post-ovulation by conventional (n = 6) or an alternative (n = 5) technique. The alternative method consisted of inserting a Polansky equine vaginal speculum smeared with lubricant in the vagina of the recipient jenny. The arms of the speculum were extended to allow the visualization of the cervix. Then, using an adapted crafted, elongated, toothed tissue grasping forceps, the external cervical os was held, and the cervix was gently pulled backward, aiming to straight the cervical canal. The ET gun was inserted through the vagina and cervix by visual inspection, and the embryo was released into the uterine lumen. All embryos collected were Grade 1 and classified as Expanded Blastocysts. No jennies become pregnant after conventional ET (0/6), whereas two recipient jennies (40%, 2/5) become pregnant and delivered offspring in the following year after ET using the alternative technique. In conclusion, Brazilian Northeastern jennies can be used as embryo recipients using the alternative method proposed in the present study. However, further investigations are needed to improve the knowledge and results of ET in donkey species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas T Rodrigues
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Lorenzo Gtm Segabinazzi
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil.,Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Sidnei N Oliveira
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Mariana Frasson
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Frederico O Papa
- Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
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Dorado J, Bottrel M, Ortiz I, Díaz-Jiménez M, Pereira B, Consuegra C, Carrasco JJ, Gómez-Arrones V, Domingo A, Hidalgo M. Factors Affecting Embryo Recovery Rate, Quality, and Diameter in Andalusian Donkey Jennies. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10111967. [PMID: 33114673 PMCID: PMC7693601 DOI: 10.3390/ani10111967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Embryo transfer has been successfully used for the conservation of equine endangered species, but a number of factors may affect the outcome of these techniques in mares. However, only a few studies have evaluated these factors in donkeys. The present study was conducted to determine which factors affect the recovery rate, morphological quality, and diameter in embryos from Andalusian donkey jennies. According to our results, the factors affecting embryo recovery rate were donor jenny, donor age, successive cycle within donor, number of flushings, and jack. Day of flushing and number of flushings had an effect on embryo diameter, whereas donor jenny and day of flushing had an effect on embryo quality. The knowledge of these factors is crucial to achieve a higher efficiency of embryo transfer in endangered donkey breeds. Abstract Embryo transfer and the vitrification of embryos could be used for the conservation and recovery of endangered donkey breeds. It is important to develop techniques that optimize recovery rates and the cryotolerance of donkey embryos. This study evaluates factors affecting the recovery rate, quality, and diameter of embryos obtained from donor jennies as a starting point for the use of vitrification and embryo transfer in the conservation of the Andalusian donkey. A total of 100 embryos were recovered out of 124 estrous cycles (80.6%). The donor jenny affected the rates of positive flushings (PFR; p = 0.040) and embryo recovery (ERR; p < 0.05) as well as embryo quality (p = 0.004). ERR was also affected by the number of flushings (p < 0.001), donor age (p < 0.05), successive cycle within donor (p < 0.001), and jacks (p < 0.05). Number of flushings (p < 0.001) and jack (p < 0.05) had a significant effect on PFR, whereas the day of flushing influenced the developmental stage (p < 0.001), embryo quality (p < 0.05), and diameter of embryos (p < 0.001). The number of flushings significantly influenced the diameter (p = 0.038) and embryo developmental stage (p = 0.001), whereas the developmental stage was statistically different between herds (p = 0.020). The factors influencing the success of this assisted reproductive technique were donor jenny, donor age, successive cycle within donor, day of flushing, number of flushings, and jack. The identification of these key points is crucial to achieve a higher efficiency of embryo transfer and vitrification processes, before considering their application in the conservation of endangered donkey breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Dorado
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-957-212-136
| | - M. Bottrel
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
| | - I. Ortiz
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
| | - M. Díaz-Jiménez
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
| | - B. Pereira
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
| | - C. Consuegra
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
| | - J. J. Carrasco
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain; (J.J.C.); (V.G.-A.); (A.D.)
| | - V. Gómez-Arrones
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain; (J.J.C.); (V.G.-A.); (A.D.)
| | - A. Domingo
- Equine Reproduction Center, Centro de Selección y Reproducción Animal, (CENSYRA-Extremadura Government), 06007 Badajoz, Spain; (J.J.C.); (V.G.-A.); (A.D.)
| | - M. Hidalgo
- Veterinary Reproduction Group, Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain; (M.B.); (I.O.); (M.D.-J.); (B.P.); (C.C.); (M.H.)
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Rossini JB, Rodriguez J, Bresnahan DR, Stokes JE, Carnevale EM. Autogenous transfer of intracytoplasmic sperm injection-produced equine embryos into the uterus of the oocyte donor during the same oestrous cycle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1912-1916. [PMID: 31581979 DOI: 10.1071/rd19253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses usually involves the transfer of embryos into recipient mares, resulting in substantial cost increases. This is essential when subfertile mares are oocyte donors; but some donors are fertile, with ICSI compensating for limited or poor-quality spermatozoa. Fertile oocyte donors could carry pregnancies, eliminating the need for a recipient. We assessed the potential of using oocyte donors as recipients for their own ICSI-produced embryos during the same cycle. Donors in oestrus and with large dominant follicles were administered ovulation-inducing compounds to cause follicle and oocyte maturation. Maturing oocytes were collected, cultured and fertilised using ICSI. At 6 or 7 days after ICSI, developing blastocysts were transferred into respective donors' uteri, and pregnancy rates were determined. Twenty follicles were aspirated from nine mares and 12 oocytes were collected. After ICSI, 10 of the 12 oocytes (83%) cleaved, and eight (67% of injected oocytes) developed into blastocysts for transfer. Five pregnancies resulted from the eight transferred embryos (pregnancy rate 62% per embryo and 42% per sperm-injected oocyte). Following this synchronisation regime, ICSI-produced embryos can be transferred into oocyte donors' uteri during the same cycle, allowing donors to carry pregnancies after assisted fertilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Rossini
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - J Rodriguez
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; and Present address: Vista Equine Colorado, 5412 E County Road 32E, Fort Collins, CO 80528, USA
| | - D R Bresnahan
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; and Present address: Department of Animal Science, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA 30149-5003, USA
| | - J E Stokes
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
| | - E M Carnevale
- Equine Reproduction Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3101 Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA; and Corresponding author.
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Abstract
In industrialized countries, the donkey population had a dramatic decrease during the last century and this has brought almost all European donkey breeds to risk. Embryo technologies have already been employed as a tool for the conservation of endangered equid species (e.g. Equus Przewalskii). Today it is possible to obtain pregnancies after the transfer of donkey embryos in synchronized recipients, even though embryo transfer is not widely used as a reproductive technique in this species. So far, very few foals are born after transfer of cryopreserved embryos. To date, no pregnancies have been reported from in vitro fertilization studies. The use of the donkey as a dairy animal, as well as the increased importance of the conservation of endangered donkey breeds, could be the engine for the development and spread of embryo technologies in this species. However, funding from national and international research agencies in this field is still scarce, especially in Europe.
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Canisso IF, Panzani D, Miró J, Ellerbrock RE. Key Aspects of Donkey and Mule Reproduction. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2019; 35:607-642. [PMID: 31672204 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Donkeys are nonseasonal, polyestrous, territorial, and nonharem breeders. Although there are many similarities between horses and donkeys, there are also reproductive features that differ, from the longer cervix in the jenny to spermatogenic efficiency in the jack. Mules display reproductive cyclic activity but are rarely fertile. Frozen donkey semen has high pregnancy rates in mares, but lower rates in jennies. This article reviews key aspects of donkey and mule reproductive physiology, reproductive medicine, and assisted reproductive techniques that are useful for practitioners offering assisted reproductive techniques, and also for practitioners with the occasional client with a basic reproductive question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Federico Canisso
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
| | - Duccio Panzani
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa 56122, Italy
| | - Jordi Miró
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robyn E Ellerbrock
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Panzani D, Rota A, Tesi M, Fanelli D, Camillo F. Update on Donkey Embryo Transfer and Cryopreservation. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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