Speed of in vitro embryo development affects the likelihood of foaling and the foal sex ratio*
A. Claes
A D , J. Cuervo-Arango A , S. Colleoni B , G. Lazzari B C , C. Galli B C and T. A. Stout A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 112, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
B Avantea, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco, 7/F, 26100 Cremona CR, Italy.
C Fondazione Avantea, Via Cabrini, 12 26100 Cremona CR, Italy.
D Corresponding author. Email: a.claes@uu.nl
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 32(5) 468-473 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD19298
Submitted: 24 July 2019 Accepted: 19 November 2019 Published: 10 February 2020
Abstract
The success of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in horses has increased considerably during recent years, but little is known about the effect of the speed of in vitro embryo development. Blastocysts (n = 390) were produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection of IVM oocytes from warmblood mares, cryopreserved, thawed and transferred into recipient mares on Days 3, 4, 5 or 6 after ovulation. The time required for in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos to reach the blastocyst stage was recorded (Day 7 vs Day 8). The likelihood of foaling was affected by the speed of in vitro embryo development and recipient day after ovulation at transfer. The odds ratio for foaling was ~0.63 for transfer of Day 8 (46%) compared with Day 7 (56%) IVP blastocysts. The highest likelihood of pregnancy (72%) and foaling (60%) was observed when IVP blastocysts were transferred to recipient mares on Day 4 after ovulation. Finally, the sex (colt : filly) ratio was higher after transfer of Day 7 (71% : 29%) than Day 8 (54% : 46%) IVP blastocysts, suggesting that the speed of embryo development is sex dependent. In conclusion, the speed of in vitro embryo development in our IVEP system affects the likelihood of foaling and the sex of the foal.
Additional keywords: equine, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro embryo production (IVEP), pregnancy.
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