Embryonic disc development and subsequent viability of cattle embryos following culture in two media under two oxygen concentrations
A. E. Fischer-Brown A F , B. R. Lindsey A B , F. A. Ireland C , D. L. Northey A , R. L. Monson A , S. G. Clark D , M. B. Wheeler D , D. J. Kesler D , S. J. Lane D , K. A. Weigel E and J. J. Rutledge AA Department of Animal Sciences, 1675 Observatory Drive, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
B Minitube of America, Verona, WI 53593, USA.
C Dixon Springs Agriculture Center, University of Illinois, Simpson, IL 62985, USA.
D Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
E Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
F Corresponding author. Email: afischer@ansci.wisc.edu
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 16(8) 787-793 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD04026
Submitted: 25 March 2004 Accepted: 14 November 2004 Published: 13 January 2005
Abstract
Bovine embryos were produced in vitro using a 2 × 2 design of modified medium (KSOM or SOF) and oxygen concentration (5% or 20%). Day 7 blastocysts were transferred in bulk (n = 11, on average) to recipient heifers and recovered non-surgically at Day 14. In two replications of a Latin square, eight heifers received embryos from each combination of factors. Recovered embryos were evaluated for trophoblast length and width, as well as the presence and diameter of an embryonic disc (ED). An ED was detected in a higher percentage of embryos that had been cultured in KSOM than SOF (72% v. 46%, respectively; P < 0.05). The aim of a second series of experiments was to associate Day 14 morphology with subsequent developmental capacity. In vitro-produced blastocysts were transferred (n = 17–20) on Day 7 to each of eight heifers and recovered at Day 14. Thirty-eight blastocysts were retransferred to heifers following morphological evaluation. Embryos in which an ED with no signs of degeneration had been detected maintained more pregnancies than other embryos in which an ED had either shown signs of degeneration or had not been detected (5/8 v. 2/30, respectively; P < 0.01). Further investigation into ED integrity at the elongating stage may contribute to our understanding of pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
Extra keyword: trophoblast.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank all the staff of the Dixon Springs Agriculture Center, James Baltz, Gonzalo Braquero, Dan Faulker, Ed Ferguson and Paula Lopes (University of Illinois), Stacy Leonard and Travis Kuhlka (University of Wisconsin), Accelerated Genetics, Inc., for sex-sorted semen donation and Dr Lorraine Leibfried-Rutledge for useful discussion. This research was supported, in part, by the Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development (AGRICCREE 00–34266–9810) and USDA Multi-State Project (380-W-171).
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