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Pasquariello R, Bogliolo L, Di Filippo F, Leoni GG, Nieddu S, Podda A, Brevini TAL, Gandolfi F. Use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to shorten the generational interval in ruminants: current status and perspectives. Theriogenology 2024; 225:16-32. [PMID: 38788626 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.026] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The challenges posed by climate change and increasing world population are stimulating renewed efforts for improving the sustainability of animal production. To meet such challenges, the contribution of genomic selection approaches, in combination with assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), to spreading and preserving animal genetics is essential. The largest increase in genetic gain can be achieved by shortening the generation interval. This review provides an overview of the current status and progress of advanced ARTs that could be applied to reduce the generation time in both female and male of domestic ruminants. In females, the use of juvenile in vitro embryo transfer (JIVET) enables to generate offspring after the transfer of in vitro produced embryos derived from oocytes of prepubertal genetically superior donors reducing the generational interval and acceleration genetic gain. The current challenge is increasing in vitro embryo production (IVEP) from prepubertal derived oocytes which is still low and variable. The two main factors limiting IVEP success are the intrinsic quality of prepubertal oocytes and the culture systems for in vitro maturation (IVM). In males, advancements in ARTs are providing new strategies to in vitro propagate spermatogonia and differentiate them into mature sperm or even to recapitulate the whole process of spermatogenesis from embryonic stem cells. Moreover, the successful use of immature cells, such as round spermatids, for intracytoplasmic injection (ROSI) and IVEP could allow to complete the entire process in few months. However, these approaches have been successfully applied to human and mouse whereas only a few studies have been published in ruminants and results are still controversial. This is also dependent on the efficiency of ROSI that is limited by the current isolation and selection protocols of round spermatids. In conclusion, the current efforts for improving these reproductive methodologies could lead toward a significant reduction of the generational interval in livestock animals that could have a considerable impact on agriculture sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Pasquariello
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Luisa Bogliolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Filippo
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Nieddu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Podda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Tiziana A L Brevini
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gandolfi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
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Song Y, Zhang N, Yue Y, Chen D, Chou C, An L, Cheng L, Zhang J, Tian J. Field outcomes of laparoscopic ovum pick-up combined with in vitro embryo production in sheep: Effects of long-acting recombinant ovine FSH pre-stimulation, collection frequency, and donor breed. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2024; 87:106826. [PMID: 38043389 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2023.106826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) combined with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) is a technology platform that improves the utilization rate of the elite ewe's ovarian oocytes and increases the number of obtained offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of FSH pre-stimulation, serial oocyte collection, and breed on LOPU-IVEP under field conditions. Donors were randomly assigned to five groups (group A: decreasing doses of pituitary FSH (p-FSH); group B: constant doses of p-FSH; group C: two doses of long-acting recombinant ovine FSH (ro-FSH); group D: single administration of a long-acting ro-FSH in; group E: no FSH stimulation). Oocyte yield following LOPU (average recovered oocytes: 20.9 ± 0.5; average viable oocytes: 17.2 ± 0.4) and oocyte developmental competence (average blastocysts: 7.0 ± 0.2) in group C were significantly better than these of group D and group E, and similar to these of groups A and B. Meanwhile, there were no differences in oocyte yield and developmental capacity using repeated LOPU session at 1-, 2-, and 3-month intervals (p > 0.05). Finally, we compared LOPU-IVEP outcomes among five sheep breeds. The results indicated that East Friesian × Chinese Mongolian crossbred sheep and purebred East Friesian sheep had the more recovered oocytes and viable oocytes compared with the Suffolk, Dorper, and Texel breeds, and average number of blastocysts in East Friesian × Chinese Mongolian sheep group was also highest among the groups (8.1 ±0.3, p < 0.05). In summary, the results of this study indicate long-acting ro-FSH pre-stimulation combined with 12 times LOPU sessions over one year maximizes embryo production of elite donor ewes under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Song
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Yuan Yue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dayong Chen
- Inner Mongolia Sino Sheep Technology Co. Ltd., Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia 011800, China
| | - Chunjuan Chou
- Inner Mongolia Sino Sheep Technology Co. Ltd., Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia 011800, China
| | - Lei An
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Xilingol Vocational College, Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia 026000, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China.
| | - Jianhui Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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Baruselli PS, de Abreu LÂ, de Paula VR, Carvalho B, Gricio EA, Mori FK, Rebeis LM, Albertini S, de Souza AH, D’Occhio M. Applying assisted reproductive technology and reproductive management to reduce CO 2-equivalent emission in dairy and beef cattle: a review. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230060. [PMID: 37720728 PMCID: PMC10503887 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Methane emission from beef and dairy cattle combined contributes around 4.5-5.0% of total anthropogenic global methane. In addition to enteric methane (CH4) produced by the rumen, cattle production also contributes carbon dioxide (CO2) (feed), nitrous oxide (N2O) (feed production, manure) and other CH4 (manure) to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) budget of beef and dairy production systems. The relative contribution in standard dairy systems is typically enteric CH4 58%, feed 29% and manure 10%. Herds with low production efficiency can have an enteric CH4 contribution up to 90%. Digestibility of feed can impact CH4 emission intensity. Low fertility herds also have a greater enteric CH4 contribution. Animals with good feed conversion efficiency have a lower emission intensity of CH4/kg of meat or milk. Feed efficient heifers tend to be lean and have delayed puberty. Fertility is a major driver of profit in both beef and dairy cattle, and it is highly important to apply multi-trait selection when shifting herds towards improved efficiency and reduced CH4. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified for feed efficiency in cattle and are used in genomic selection. SNPs can be utilized in artificial insemination and embryo transfer to increase the proportion of cattle that have the attributes of efficiency, fertility and reduced enteric CH4. Prepubertal heifers genomically selected for favourable traits can have oocytes recovered to produce IVF embryos. Reproductive technology is predicted to be increasingly adopted to reduce generation interval and accelerate the rate of genetic gain for efficiency, fertility and low CH4 in cattle. The relatively high contribution of cattle to anthropogenic global methane has focussed attention on strategies to reduce enteric CH4 without compromising efficiency and fertility. Assisted reproductive technology has an important role in achieving the goal of multiplying and distributing cattle that have good efficiency, fertility and low CH4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Sampaio Baruselli
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Laís Ângelo de Abreu
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Vanessa Romário de Paula
- Instituto Paulista de Ensino e Pesquisa, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária – EMBRAPA, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Bruno Carvalho
- Instituto Paulista de Ensino e Pesquisa, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária – EMBRAPA, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil
| | - Emanuelle Almeida Gricio
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Fernando Kenji Mori
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lígia Mattos Rebeis
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Sofía Albertini
- Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Michael D’Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Baruselli PS, de Carvalho NAT, Gasparrini B, Campanile G, D'Occhio MJ. Review: Development, adoption, and impact of assisted reproduction in domestic buffaloes. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100764. [PMID: 37567675 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The domestic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), also known as water buffalo, comprises two sub-species the River buffalo (B. bubalis ssp. bubalis; 50 chromosomes) and the Swamp buffalo (ssp. carabanensis; 48 chromosomes). Domestic buffaloes are a globally significant livestock species. In South Asia, the River buffalo is a primary source of milk and meat and has a very important role in food security. The River buffalo also supports high-value, differentiated food production in Europe and the Americas. The Swamp buffalo is an important draft animal and a source of food in Southeast Asia and East Asia. The growing importance of buffaloes requires that they undergo an accelerated rate of genetic gain for efficiency of production, product quality, and sustainability. This will involve the increased use of assisted reproduction. The initial application of reproductive technology in buffaloes had variable success as it relied on the adoption of procedures developed for cattle. This included artificial insemination (AI), sperm cryopreservation, and embryo technologies such as cloning and in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Reproductive technology has been progressively refined in buffaloes, and today, the success of AI and IVEP is comparable to cattle. Ovarian follicular superstimulation (superovulation) combined with in vivo embryo production results in low embryo recovery in buffaloes and has limited practical application. The contribution of elite female buffaloes to future genetic improvement will therefore rely mainly on oocyte pickup and IVEP. This will include IVEP from females before puberty to reduce generation intervals. This review provides for the first time a clear chronology on the development, adoption, and impact, of assisted reproduction in domestic buffaloes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Nelcio A T de Carvalho
- Research and Development Unit of Registro, Diversified Animal Science Research Center/Institute of Animal Science, Registro, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Bianca Gasparrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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5
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Optimization of gonadotropin stimulation protocols for in vitro embryo production in prepubertal Mediterranean water buffalo. Theriogenology 2023; 197:84-93. [PMID: 36476506 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Embryos can be produced from prepubertal donor animals using laparoscopic ovum pickup and in vitro embryo production technologies (LOPU-IVEP). Together, these tools can shorten the interval between generations, rapidly accelerating the rate of genetic gain. Here, we assessed the impact of different gonadotropin stimulation protocols in Mediterranean water buffalo heifer calves aged between 2 and 6 months old. Following gonadotropin stimulation, LOPU was performed at two-week intervals, with animals receiving different protocols on subsequent LOPUs. After collection, the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured and fertilized in vitro, and embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage followed by transfer into synchronized adult recipients. The number and size of follicles aspirated during LOPU, the number and quality of COCs recovered, as well as cleavage, embryo development and pregnancy rates were assessed. First, we evaluated the impact of using FSH with and without eCG (administered 24-h prior to LOPU) and found that a combination of FSH and eCG was able to significantly improve embryo development rates (20.6 ± 2.0% vs. 9.0 ± 3.6%; P < 0.05). Second, we compared this protocol to a slow-release formulation of FSH reconstituted in hyaluronan. In addition to requiring less work to prepare the animals for LOPU, this slow-release formulation yielded numerically higher, but not statistically different, average number of recovered COCs (14.4 ± 2.1 vs. 10.3 ± 2.0; P > 0.05) and embryo development rates (22.9 ± 4.7% vs. 14.1 ± 5.2%; P > 0.05) compared to FSH given every 12 h. Next, we compared the length of gonadotropin treatment over 3-, 4- and 5-days prior to LOPU and found that as the length of gonadotropin treatment increased, although the number of COCs recovered steadily decreased (14.1 ± 2.4 vs. 8.7 ± 1.0 vs. 6.9 ± 0.7; P < 0.05), the embryo development rates steadily increased (14.4 ± 3.9 vs. 27.3 ± 4.4 vs. 35.9 ± 7.0; P < 0.05), presumably due to an increase in the proportion of large follicles at the time of LOPU. Numerically, the 4-day treatment yielded more transferrable embryos per donor per LOPU (2.70 ± 0.5) than 3-day (1.94 ± 0.6) and 5-day (2.25 ± 0.5) treatments. Finally, following embryo transfer, 26 of 90 recipient females became pregnant (28.9%). Pregnancies were established from all treatments, which suggests that post-implantation development was not affected among the gonadotropin treatments assessed.
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6
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Surgical Description of Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up in Buffalo Calves. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010102. [PMID: 36611711 PMCID: PMC9817813 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Currin L, Baldassarre H, de Macedo MP, Glanzner WG, Gutierrez K, Lazaris K, Guay V, Herrera MEC, da Silva Z, Brown C, Joron E, Herron R, Bordignon V. Factors Affecting the Efficiency of In Vitro Embryo Production in Prepubertal Mediterranean Water Buffalo. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243549. [PMID: 36552466 PMCID: PMC9774791 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryos from prepubertal water buffalo can be produced using laparoscopic ovum pickup (LOPU) and in vitro embryo production (IVEP). However, to date, it is unclear what factors and environmental conditions can affect LOPU-IVEP efficiency in prepubertal animals, especially buffalo. In this study, we explored the impact of season, age and individual variation among female donor animals, as well as the effect of the sire used for in vitro fertilization. Donor animals between 2 and 6 months of age were stimulated using gonadotropins prior to LOPU, which was performed at two-week intervals. Following in vitro maturation and fertilization, the resulting embryos were then cultured to the blastocyst stage until they were either vitrified or transferred into recipient animals. The number of follicles available for aspiration and embryo development rates was stable throughout the year. As animals became older, there was a slight trend for fewer COCs recovered from LOPU and better embryo development. There was a large individual variation in both ovarian response and the developmental competence of oocytes among donors. The bull used for fertilization also had a significant impact on embryo development. Upon embryo transfer, pregnancy rates were not affected by the number of embryos transferred per recipient. The best pregnancy rates were achieved when transferring blastocysts, compared to compact morula or hatched blastocysts. Finally, vitrification had no effect on pregnancy rate compared to fresh embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Currin
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Hernan Baldassarre
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | | | - Werner Giehl Glanzner
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Karina Gutierrez
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Katerina Lazaris
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Vanessa Guay
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | | | - Zigomar da Silva
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction—BioRep, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Caitlin Brown
- Ontario Water Buffalo Company, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0, Canada
| | - Erin Joron
- Ontario Water Buffalo Company, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0, Canada
| | - Ron Herron
- Ontario Water Buffalo Company, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0, Canada
| | - Vilceu Bordignon
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(514)-398-7793
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Baruselli PS, Rodrigues CA, Ferreira RM, Sales JNS, Elliff FM, Silva LG, Viziack MP, Factor L, D'Occhio MJ. Impact of oocyte donor age and breed on in vitro embryo production in cattle, and relationship of dairy and beef embryo recipients on pregnancy and the subsequent performance of offspring: A review. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 34:36-51. [PMID: 35231233 DOI: 10.1071/rd21285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic selection combined with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) with oocytes from heifer calves provides a powerful technology platform to reduce generation interval and significantly increase the rate of genetic gain in cattle. The ability to obtain oocytes with developmental competence from calves has been recognised for more than 60years. There is renewed interest in the potential of this reproductive technology as the beef and dairy industries seek to identify and multiply animals that satisfy consumer demand for efficient utilisation of natural resources, with minimal environmental impact and high product quality. Heifer calves show a good follicular response to FSH stimulation and oocytes can be recovered by ovum pick-up (OPU). However, the efficiency of OPU/IVEP remains lower for calves compared with peripubertal heifers and cows, in both indicus (Zebu, Bos indicus ) and taurus (Bos taurus ) breeds. Indicus cattle generally have more follicles, yield a greater number of oocytes, and have a better IVEP outcome, compared with taurus cattle. The treatment of prepubertal heifers with bovine somatotrophin (bST) and propylene glycol before OPU/IVEP has yet to show a major improvement in embryo production. Holstein (taurus) dairy heifers derived from different reproductive technologies (AI, MOET, OPU/IVEP) showed a similar age at puberty and first-lactation milk production. OPU/IVEP Holstein embryos transferred to beef or dairy cows likewise yielded heifers with the same performance. The gains in productivity that can be achieved with strategic use of OPU/IVEP in heifer calves make this a relevant and highly important reproductive technology in cattle breeding. Ongoing optimisation of the technology is needed for the potential of OPU/IVEP in young donors to be fully realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Roberta M Ferreira
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Flávia M Elliff
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Laísa G Silva
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Mariana P Viziack
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Luana Factor
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Crowe AD, Lonergan P, Butler ST. Invited review: Use of assisted reproduction techniques to accelerate genetic gain and increase value of beef production in dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:12189-12206. [PMID: 34538485 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of the calf enterprise to the profit of the dairy farm is generally considered small, with beef bull selection on dairy farms often not considered a high priority. However, this is likely to change in the future as the rapid rate of expansion of the dairy herd in some countries is set to plateau and improvements in dairy herd fertility combine to reduce the proportion of dairy breed calves required on dairy farms. This presents the opportunity to increase the proportion of beef breed calves born, increasing both the value of calf sales and the marketability of the calves. Beef embryos could become a new breeding tool for dairies as producers need to reassess their breeding policy as a consequence of welfare concerns and poor calf prices. Assisted reproductive technologies can contribute to accelerated genetic gain by allowing an increased number of offspring to be produced from genetically elite dams. There are the following 3 general classes of donor females of interest to an integrated dairy-beef system: (1) elite dairy dams, from which oocytes are recovered from live females using ovum pick-up and fertilized in vitro with semen from elite dairy bulls; (2) elite beef dams, where the oocytes are recovered from live females using ovum pick-up and fertilized with semen from elite beef bulls; and (3) commercial beef dams (≥50% beef genetics), where ovaries are collected from the abattoir postslaughter, and oocytes are fertilized with semen from elite beef bulls that are suitable for use on dairy cows (resulting embryo with ≥75% beef genetics). The expected benefits of these collective developments include accelerated genetic gain for milk and beef production in addition to transformation of the dairy herd calf crop to a combination of good genetic merit dairy female calves and premium-quality beef calves. The aim of this review is to describe how these technologies can be harnessed to intensively select for genetic improvement in both dairy breed and beef breed bulls suitable for use in the dairy herd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan D Crowe
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Ireland; Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996 Ireland
| | - Pat Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 N2E5 Ireland.
| | - Stephen T Butler
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996 Ireland.
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10
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Currin L, Baldassarre H, Bordignon V. In Vitro Production of Embryos from Prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo: Problems, Progress and Potential. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2275. [PMID: 34438733 PMCID: PMC8388507 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) coupled with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in prepubertal cattle and buffalo accelerates genetic gain. This article reviews LOPU-IVEP technology in prepubertal Holstein Cattle and Mediterranean Water Buffalo. The recent expansion of genomic-assisted selection has renewed interest and demand for prepubertal LOPU-IVEP schemes; however, low blastocyst development rates has constrained its widespread implementation. Here, we present an overview of the current state of the technology, limitations that persist and suggest possible solutions to improve its efficiency, with a focus on gonadotropin stimulations strategies to prime oocytes prior to follicular aspiration, and IVEP procedures promoting growth factor metabolism and limiting oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vilceu Bordignon
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada; (L.C.); (H.B.)
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Baldassarre H. Laparoscopic Ovum Pick-Up Followed by In Vitro Embryo Production and Transfer in Assisted Breeding Programs for Ruminants. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:216. [PMID: 33477298 PMCID: PMC7830735 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential of laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) followed by in vitro embryo production (IVEP) as a tool for accelerated genetic programs in ruminants is reviewed in this article. In sheep and goats, the LOPU-IVEP platform offers the possibility of producing more offspring from elite females, as the procedure is minimally invasive and can be repeated more times and more frequently in the same animals compared with conventional surgical embryo recovery. On average, ~10 and ~14 viable oocytes are recovered by LOPU from sheep and goats, respectively, which results in 3-5 transferable embryos and >50% pregnancy rate after transfer. LOPU-IVEP has also been applied to prepubertal ruminants of 2-6 months of age, including bovine and buffalo calves. In dairy cattle, the technology has gained momentum in the past few years stemming from the development of genetic marker selection that has allowed predicting the production phenotype of dairy females from shortly after birth. In Holstein calves, we obtained an average of ~22 viable oocytes and ~20% transferable blastocyst rate, followed by >50% pregnancy rate after transfer, declaring the platform ready for commercial application. The present and future of this technology are discussed with a focus on improvements and research needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernan Baldassarre
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
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