113 Embryo transfer using Inteli-Straws with a wireless cloud-based data acquisition and management tool

Inteli-Straws (I-S) equipped with radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology have been developed for gamete and embryo packaging, storage, and information retrieval to benefit the assisted reproduction industry (Kjelland et al. 2017 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 29, 136–137). The aim of this study was to field test I-S technology with bovine embryo transfer. The I-S were used with the idChamp DX1 Veterinary & Livestock RFID Reader that uses Bluetooth to connect to an iOS platform for cloud computing (iScanBrowser, Serialio) LED. The present system allows for quickly accessing the RFID codes from the I-S and entering the data into a computer or cloud-based database that can track I-S status, movement, and metadata. The study was carried out during the summer on a ranch in southwestern North Dakota, USA. Forty-six Bos taurus in vitro-produced embryos were transferred nonsurgically to recipient commercial cows (Angus, Angus × Simmental, South Devon, South Devon × Angus) with a body condition score of 4 (on a scale of 1–5). The experiment consisted of embryos in I-S (treatment) versus embryos in regular French straws (control). Embryo stage and grade ranged from 5 to 8 and from 1 to 2, respectively (International Embryo Transfer Society Manual), randomly selected for each group. On Day 0, recipients received an intravaginal device containing 1.38 g of progesterone (Eazi-Breed CIDR®, Zoetis) and 2 mL of GnRH (i.m.). On Day 7, CIDRs were removed, and cows received 5 mL of Lutalyse (i.m.). Embryos were transferred on Day 16. Embryos in both groups were thawed 5–7 s in air, plunged into a water bath at 35°C for 15–20 s, and transferred to the recipients. A statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Chi-squared test (α = 0.05). The overall pregnancy per embryo transfer (P/ET) was 24% (11/46) or 26% (6/23) for I-S versus 22% (5/23) for control. There was no significant difference (P = 0.73) for the P/ET obtained using I-S versus control embryos. For the wireless-enabled field proof of concept, scans of frozen-thawed I-S cattle embryos were made using wireless scanner detection with a 100% success rate (I-S RFID chip undamaged by the freeze-thaw process). This study demonstrates an I-S wireless, cloud-based system for local or remote access that can potentially benefit both laboratory and field logistics. The present system can allow for near real-time viewing of the data, locally and remotely, or cross-checking of materials and associated information to reduce errors and improve assisted reproductive technology efficiency. This study is the first scientific report using I-S in an embryo transfer program in cattle.