Embryo Transfer

Introduction

 This slide show is a general overview of embryo transfer (ET).

 It includes a brief discussion of the benefits and instructional methods of ET.

 Brief history

The first successful embryo transfer(ET) was

carried out in rabbit in the year 1890 by Heap
First lamb by ET-1949 by Berry
First calf by ET-1951 by Willet et al.
In swine-1951 by Kuansnickii.
In Asian buffalo-1983 by Drost et al
 Definition of some terms
 Embryo - An embryo is an egg that has already been fertilized by a sperm cell.
 Flush is the process of removing embryos from the reproductive tract of the donor cow.
 Estrus is the time period when the female is receptive to breeding and is able to conceive.
 Estrous cycle is a regular pattern hormonal changes a body goes through from one estrus to another.
 Necessary Equipment for
Embryo Transfer

 Plastic media bag

 Foley catheter

 Embryo filter
 Necessary Equipment for Embryo
Transfer (continued)

 Microscope

 Straw

 Rod
 Necessary Equipment for Embryo
Transfer (continued)

 Penicillin  Lidocaine
 Necessary Equipment for Embryo
Transfer (continued)

 FSH

 Prostaglandin
(Lutalyse)
 Necessary Equipment for Embryo
Transfer (continued)

 Plastic Sleeve

 Bull semen
Procedure of embryo transfer
 ET begins with the selection of a donor.

 The donor cows will contribute the embryos to be transferred.

 Donor Superior
Characteristics

 High milking ability

 High growth rate

 Outstanding reproductive
capacity
 Bull Selection

 Breeding can occur

 Next, a bull with superior
genetics should be naturally or by artificial
selected. insemination.
 Recipient selection
 Finally, recipient cows must be selected.

 Recipient cows serve as surrogate (foster) mothers to the calves, but

contribute no genetic information.

 For this reason, the genetic makeup of the recipient cow is not as
important as the makeup of the donor cow.
 However, the recipient cow must be able to maintain her pregnancy
to term and produce an adequate milk supply for her calf.
 Synchronizing the Estrous Cycle

 Once the donor and recipient cows have been selected, they must be synchronized so
they are on the same phase of their estrous cycle.

 It is important to synchronize estrous cycles because the reproductive environments of

the donor and recipients must be identical in order for the embryo to survive the transfer.
 Prostaglandin (PGF2α) is the hormone used to synchronize the estrous cycles of the
donor and recipient cows.
 Prostaglandin is produced naturally by the cow. However, a synthetic version called
Lutalyse is given in one or two injections to synchronize estrous cycles.
 Superovulation

 Is achieved with synchronized injection of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH).

 Ovulation is the process of releasing eggs.

 Superovulation causes the ovary (the female reproductive organ) to produce many follicles.
 Artificial insemination(AR)
 12 hours after standing estrus, the donor is artificially inseminated.
 The donor cow should be inseminated at least twice to ensure that all eggs
are fertilized.
 Flushing of embryo

 On the seventh day, the embryos are ready to be removed. This

process is called flushing.
 An injection of lidocaine is given prior to the flush to reduce
pressure and stress on the donor and to make the flush easier for
the ET professional.
 Flushing (continued)
 To begin the flush, a catheter is passed through the cervix into one
uterine horn.
 The catheter contains a balloon that is inflated with a saline solution
in order to seal the entrance to the uterus so fluid and embryos are not
lost.
 Once the catheter is in place, the balloon is inflated by pumping
saline through a syringe into the balloon
 Removing the Embryos

 The uterine horn is filled with flush media and massaged to

allow the embryos to flow out of the tract.

 This process is repeated several times in each uterine horn.

 Collecting the Embryos

 Embryos are carried out of the reproductive tract through

plastic tubes and collected in a filter with the flush media.

 The pores in the filter are smaller than the embryos so

excess fluid drains out of the filter without losing the
embryos.
 Injecting Penicillin

 After the embryos have been flushed out, uterus

injected with penicillin to kill any missed embryos or
infections.
 Embryos statistics
 In the lab, embryos are separated from the flush media and examined
under a microscope to determine their quality and stage of
development.

 Embryos are microscopic in size (about 0.2 mm),

Only undamaged embryos at proper maturity should
be transferred.
 Transferring the Embryos
 The embryo to be transferred is put into a small, plastic straw and then loaded into an embryo transfer gun.
 Transferring the Embryos (continued)

 The embryo is then inserted into either the left or right

uterine horn depending on which ovary has a corpus
lutuem (CL).
 The CL is a structure on the ovary that secretes the
hormone progesterone which is needed to maintain the
pregnancy.
 Transfer Immediately or Freeze

 Embryos should be transferred as soon as possible

after the flush (within 8 hours at least).

 Embryos can also be frozen for later implantation and

stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.
Advantages of embryo transfer
 To produce more offspring from a genetically valuable donor that
has become infertile due to injury, disease or age
 Some infertility problems can be avoided.
 Prevents disease transmission.
 Reproduce some endangered species faster than normally possible
Disadvantages of embryo transfer

 1.The procedure is expensive

 2.It requires specialized personnel.
 3.Timing is extremely important and cooperation among parties involved is
essential since one misstep on the part of one of the parties will result in
failure to achieve pregnancy.
Application of embryo transfer

 1. Disease control.
 2. Conservation of endangered species.
 3. Reduction of the rate of infertility.
 4. Research; production of clones and genetic
engineering.
 5. Faster genetic improvement.
 6. Progeny testing