Reproductive efficiency of adult and prepubertal goats subjected to repeated follicular aspiration

Surgical Description of Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up in Buffalo Calves

The technique of laparoscopic oocyte aspiration has been increasingly used in animals; however, there are few records of its use in buffaloes. To describe this technique, six suckling Murrah buffaloes aged between 3 and 5 months were used. Three laparoscopic ovum pick-ups were performed in each animal, with intervals of 15 days between surgeries, completing a total of 18 procedures. The technique used three surgical ports with optics and a high-definition video camera. The introduction of the first portal and insufflation of the abdomen was performed through the open technique, with aspiration using a 20 G needle transabdominally and a vacuum pump calibrated at 50 mmHg. The mean complete surgical time from anesthesia to the removal of the animal from the litter was 49 ± 9.8 min. There were 27.8% cases of insufflation on the wrong side of the omentum. The oocyte recovery rate of 60.3% remained within the normal range. However, the rate of viable oocytes recovered was low, with only 40.8% of those recovered undergoing in vitro embryo production (IVEP). These data demonstrate that this simple, minimally invasive technique is an excellent reproductive tool for the genetic improvement of buffalo species.

Collection and in vitro maturation of Mazama gouazoubira (brown brocket deer) oocytes obtained after ovarian stimulation

In vitro production of embryos has gained prominence as a tool for use in wildlife conservation programmes in situ and ex situ. However, the development of this technique depends on steps that include ovarian stimulation, collection and oocyte maturation. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of an ovarian stimulation protocol for follicular aspiration, the efficiency of videolaparoscopy for follicular aspiration and test a medium for in vitro oocyte maturation for the species Mazama gouazoubira. Five females were submitted to repeated ovarian stimulation (hormone protocol using controlled internal drug release), and estradiol benzoate on D0 and eight injections of follicle-stimulating hormone, once every 12 h, from D4 onwards at 30-day intervals. Fourteen surgical procedures were performed in superstimulated females, resulting in the collection of 94 oocytes and an average of 17.1 ± 9.1 follicles observed, 13.5 ± 6.6 follicles aspirated and 7.2 ± 3.7 oocytes collected per surgery. After collection, the oocytes were submitted to in vitro maturation for 24 h and stained with Hoechst 33342 dye to evaluate their nuclear status; 64.5% of the oocytes reached MII and 16.1% were spontaneously activated by parthenogenesis. The nuclear status of oocytes that did not undergo in vitro maturation was evaluated; 80.9% were found to be immature.

L-OPU in Goat and Sheep-Different Variants of the Oocyte Recovery Method

Simple summary

In this study, minimally invasive laparoscopic methods of recovering oocytes in goat and sheep (L-OPU, laparoscopic ovum pick-up) were developed and improved. Applying the laparoscopic technique allows animal welfare to be significantly improved while still maintaining high effectiveness of the method. The method allows a high number of good quality oocytes to be obtained and additionally reduces the invasiveness of the method and tissue damage which occurs during the operation to a minimum. It requires a short time and allows animals to return to the herd immediately after the operation has been completed. Additionally, it also gives the opportunity for maximum use of the animal’s genetic capability. The limitation of using the L-OPU method in goats is its variable and changing effectiveness. That is why it is crucial to develop an effective and repeatable method. The study compared several variants of the method including varying techniques of conducting the operation, various tools for recovering oocytes, and different plans of hormonal stimulation. As a result, an optimal method of recovering oocytes was developed. The research may be of great importance in improving the welfare of animals and increasing the effectiveness of biotechnological methods used in goat and sheep breeding as well as in the area of research.

Abstract

The laparoscopic method of recovering oocytes in goats and sheep is one of the minimally invasive methods used in the biotechnology of animal reproduction. It allows for good quality oocytes that are suitable for in vitro maturation and fertilization to be recovered. The limitation of using the laparoscopic ovum pick-up (L-OPU) method in goat and sheep is its changing effectiveness and the lack of repeatability of results, as well as the varying effectiveness of different variants of the method. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective non-invasive techniques allowing for multiple good quality oocyte recovery that would be suitable for in vitro maturation and fertilization. In this study, four different L-OPU variants were described in goats and sheep. Various techniques of recovering oocytes were discussed, including the techniques of conducting the operation, various tools for recovering oocytes, and different plans of hormonal stimulation. Recovery rates were 35% (Variant I), 57% (Variant II), 72% (Variant III), and 67% (Variant IV). After evaluation, 94% (both Variant I and II), 93% (Variant III), and 84% (Variant IV) of the oocytes were qualified for in vitro maturation. The results of the study show that the proposed technique of laparoscopic recovery of oocytes allows a sufficient number of ovarian cells suitable for in vitro culture to be obtained and as a consequence it makes them useful in in vitro maturation/in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) programs or cloning. The method allows for a fast and effective conduct of the operation in a living donor with minimal invasiveness while preserving the excellent condition of animals.

Ovum pick-up and in vitro maturation in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca-Linnaeus, 1766)

We tested FSHp, eCG and FSHp + eCG to establish ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro maturation method in spotted paca. Eight healthy adult females were subjected to each of four treatments to stimulate ovarian follicular growth. All females were subjected to a hormonal protocol using a single dose of 45 mg of injectable progesterone and single intramuscular injection of 0.075 mg d-cloprostenol on day 6. Ovarian stimulation was carried out as follows: in Group TFE (FSHp and eCG), animals were treated with a single dose of 80 mg of FSHp and 200 IU of eCG intramuscularly on day 6 after the application of progesterone; in Group TF (FSHp), they were treated with a single dose of 80 mg of FSHp intramuscularly on day 6 after application of progesterone; in Group treatment eCG, they were treated with 200 IU of eCG intramuscularly on day 6 after application of progesterone; and in Group TC (saline solution), 1 ml of saline solution was administered to control does. The OPU was performed between 22 and 26 hr after gonadotropin treatments. All recovered oocytes were placed into maturation media and incubated for 24 hr. There were no differences among the mean number of observed follicles, aspirated follicles and oocytes recovered per treatment. Oocyte maturation rates did not differ among groups, except, TF and treatment eCG oocytes had greater maturation rates than TC oocytes. In this study, gonadotropin administration failed to superovulate treated does and increase oocyte retrieval efficiency. Despite the feasibility of the procedure, further studies are needed to develop and refine hormonal protocols for oocyte recovery and in vitro maturation in this species.

Comparison of two surgical approaches for Laparoscopic Ovum Pick Up in Ewes

ABSTRACT The present study had as an aim to evaluate a right lateral access as an alternative method to laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) in sheep. Twenty-four Santa Ines ewes were randomly assigned in two groups with twelve animals each: RLD - positioned in right lateral decubitus, with 10º head-down tilt; and DD - positioned in dorsal decubitus with 35º head-down tilt. The following parameters were evaluated every 10 minutes during the procedure: total surgical time (ST), visualized follicles (VF), aspirated follicles (AF), recovered oocytes (RO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR) and end tidal CO2 pressure (EtCO2). Pre and postoperative arterial hemogasometry parameters (PaO2, PaCO2, pH, CHCO3 and BE) were also evaluated; and serum fibrinogen levels (SFL) on postoperative period. The values of VF, AF, RO, fR, PaO2, pH, CHCO3, BE and SFL were similar between groups, although ST, HR, MAP, EtCO2 and PaCO2 were higher in LG. Regarding operative periods, PaO2 and pH were lower after surgery (PaO2: 79.1±16.4; 79.2±11.7mmHg; pH: 7.30±0.09; 7.32±0.08) in both groups when compared to preoperative (PaO2: 80.1±14.3; 83.4±10.5 mmHg; pH: 7.38±0.05; 7.39±0.05) while PaCO2 (43.6±4.6; 41.9±5.4mmHg) and CHCO3 (22.8±1.5; 22.7±3.0mmol/L) increased (PaCO2: 54.3±10.9; 46.9±6.3mmHg; CHCO3: 24.8±3.4; 24.4±2.7mmol/L) postoperative. This alternative decubitus presented is a viable procedure and did not differ in oocyte recovery rates in ewes. However, entails cardiorespiratory major alterations compared to conventional procedure, making its practical applicability limited.

Laparoscopic ovum pick-up in spotted paca ( Cuniculus pacas )

ABSTRACT The aim of this work is study the laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LapOPU) technique in spotted paca, describing surgery details, complications and oocyte recovery rate. Nine healthy adult non-pregnant captive females were used, in a total of 39 procedures. When the surgical plane of anaesthesia was achieved, the females were positioned at 20º Trendelenburg. Three 6mm trocars were placed on right and left inguinal and hypogastric regions. Abdomen was inflated with CO2 and the intra-abdominal pressure was stablished in 10mmHg. Follicular punctures were performed moving the ovaries with atraumatic forceps. For punctures, an 18-gauge 3.5 inch long needle attached to a vacuum system with pressure not exceeding 65mmHg was used. Oocytes were recovered into 50mL centrifuge tubes with media composed of PBS supplemented with 10 IU/mL of heparin and kept at 36°C. R Software was used for statistical analysis. Data normality distribution (Shapiro test) and variances homoscedasticity (Bartlett test) were tested and descriptive statistics (mean±SD) was used to present the results. It was only possible to perform LapOPU in 30 of 39 laparoscopies (76.92%). The surgical total time was 37.34 ± 18.53 minutes. The total number of visualized follicles, aspirated follicles, and retrieved oocytes were 502, 415, and 155, respectively. And the same parameters per animal were: 14.34 ± 12.23, 11.86 ± 10.03, and 4.43 ± 4.69 respectively. Oocyte recovery rate was 32.56 ± 27.32%. In conclusion, caudal positioning of portals with slight triangulation allows good viewing of the abdominal cavity and eases the manipulation of the ovaries. Thus this described LapOPU technique is feasible in spotted paca and easy to perform.