7 Current status of embryo production in domestic farm animals in Mexico

The production of bovine embryos is essential for genetic improvement and to increase the production of high-quality food animals that contribute to satisfying the growing national demand for animal protein. Mexico has various teaching and research laboratories, commercial laboratories, companies, and professionals producing embryos in vivo and in vitro, and performing embryo transfer. The objectives of knowing this information are to facilitate communication between institutions and professionals in order to carry out collaborations in academic or research projects. By knowing the names and locations of the different laboratories and professionals in this activity, it is possible to initiate contacts to learn about the opportunities that each one offers for working with producers, companies, and the local and national livestock industry. Mexico has a network of contacts made up of colleagues who work in embryo technologies, including the Mexican Embryo Technology Association, which is affiliated with the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) and collaborates with the Embryo Production and Transfer Statistics and the Partner Societies Committees, to prepare world statistics and various partnership interests. In the most recent report from the IETS (2022), Mexico ranks fifth in the world in the number of bovine embryos produced and transferred, with a total of 73 997, behind Colombia in fourth place, with 82 339; Argentina in third place, with 105 766; Brazil in second place, with 464 417; and the United States in first place, with 901 815 (Viana 2023 Embryo Technol. Newsl. 41, 20–38). Nationwide, there are 14 teaching and research laboratories for the in vitro production of bovine embryos in Mexico, most of them belonging to national or state-funded universities or to official institutions. There are also 14 privately owned commercial laboratories for the in vitro production of bovine embryos, distributed all over the country. In addition, there are 58 different private companies and professionals that produce bovine embryos in vivo and that also transfer embryos produced in vivo or in vitro. These 58 companies and professionals will be listed by names and by regions of the country according to their geographical location: Northeast (14), North (4), Northwest (8), Center (4), West (4), Central Gulf (8), and South and Southeast (16). According to the IETS 2022 statistics report (Viana 2023), Mexico ranks fifth in the total number of embryos produced worldwide (including in vivo produced and in vitro derived), with a total of 73 997. This is a reduction in contrast with the 2021 report, in which Mexico ranked fourth, with 97 671 (Viana 2023). These embryos were produced by a total of 86 units distributed all over the country, including teaching, research, and commercial laboratories (28) and companies and professionals (58). However, it is important to mention that not all of the previously mentioned institutions and professionals reported their embryo production numbers. The information provided in this presentation helps facilitate communication between institutions and professionals in order to carry out collaborations in projects in private practice, academia, or research. The knowledge of the names and locations of the different professionals and laboratories in this activity enables contacts to learn about the opportunities offered to work with producers, universities, and companies and with the livestock industry at local, regional, and national levels.