Embryo Transplants

Kaitlin Mirkin, Lindsay Koepke, and Raquel

Dimond
What is it?

“...removing one or more embryos from the reproductive

tract of a donor female and transferring them to one or
more recipient females.” (University of Arkansas)
Process

● Superovulation
● Insemination of Donors
● Collection of Embryos
● Isolation and evaluation
● Storage
● Embryo transfer
History

Wallace Heape in 1890 on Rabbits

Jim Rowson in 1950s first in livestock

Became popular in 1970s with the invention of nonsurgical methods

1980s 1 in 500 US and European calves result of embryo transplant

2013 > 1 million embryos available for transfer globally

Why??

150,000 potential ova in a cow = 1 calf/year; 8-10 calves in

lifetime

Billions of sperm in a bull = 15=50 calves/year

Why??

Superior genetics become more prominent

Reduce pressure on natural resources

Aid developing countries/develop minor breeds

Process- Step 1

1. Choose donor cow

a. Normal reproductive history
b. Regular estrous cycles
c. Conceives in <2 breedings
d. No genetic defects
e. 365 days or less calving interval
f. Healthy

*Specific traits to select for (i.e. milk production, components, etc. depends on the needs of each
individual operation.*
Step 2

1. Superovulation and Insemination

a. Hormone Treatment (FSH)
i. 2 x a day for 4 days at middle or
end of estrous cycle; while a
function CL exists
b. FSH causes ovulation of multiple
follicles
c. AI the donor
i. 12, 24, and 36 (done often
because more sperm needed to
fertlitize the ovums.
ii. Done post ovulation by placing
semen in uterus
Step 3

1. Flushing (collecting the embryos)

a. Occurs about a week after AI
b. Rubber catheter inserted into donor’s cervix with the tip in the uterus
c. “Flushing Fluid” (simplest form is saline) flushed in and out of the uterus
i. Typically takes 1 L of fluid/donor but many technicians divide into smaller volume and
flush each horn separately
d. Quick and painless process completed in <30 minutes
e. Can repeat process in the cow every 28-60 days
f. Average flush collects 5-6 viable embryos, however this number varies greatly
https://www.repro
Step 4

Evaluating embryos

1. Regularity, shape, size, and presence of

vesicles
2. Graded into 1 of 4 stages 1 being highest
quality and 4 being lowest
3. Categorized into 1 of 9 stages based on
development
4. Load the embryo into a .25mL straw via
microscopic view and a 1mL
Step 5

2 options

1. Deposited into the uterus of the surrogate cow

a. Best results when transfer occurs ASAP (within 8 hours)

b. Embryo loaded directly into a .25mL straw via microscopic view and a
1mL

2. Cryopreserved (frozen)
Frozen Embryos
1. Wash and stored in a cryoprotectant
a. Cryoprotectant protects embryo from freezing damage (organelles, cell membrane…)
2. Load the embryo into a .25mL straw via microscopic view and a 1mL
syringe
a. Labeled with technician’s code, breed of cow, dam and sire registration numbers, the
number of embryos (straws can hold multiple) and the date
3. Placed in a freezer that slowly freezes them, then placed in goblets and
canes and stored in liquid nitrogen (like semen).
4. To thaw
a. remove from tank
b. hold in the air for 10 secs
c. Water bath 77-86 degrees F for ~30 seconds
Choose Surrogate Cow

1. Easy calving, good health and good milking ability

2. Must be open and 60 days post parturition
3. Estrous synchronization with the donor (within a day)
a. Common synchronization products( CIDR with hormone injections).
b. be as close as possible between the two uteruses.
4. Heifers are not recommended

*Cows under heat stress conceive better with embryos than AI.*
Placing Embryo in Surrogate Cow

1. Often epidural anesthetic used to stop digestive tract contractions

2. Rectally palpate the ovaries to determine which ovulated (active CL)
3. Slide the transfer gun through the cervix and into the uterine horn
4. Embryo expelled in forward part of uterine horn
5. Do not damage the uterine lining!
Cost

● ~ $125 per cow

● ~ $80 per bull

$655
● ~ $450 for day labor
Risks

Estrus management in Surrogates crucial! If incorrect can result in the embryos

dying and therefore no calf.

Not as genetically diverse

Benefits

● Cheaper than transporting live animals (bull)

● Can prevent some diseases
● Transport genetics more easily
● Ability to produce a higher number of offspring per female
● Store the superior genetics
The END Tada!

https://www.theprairiehomestead.c
om/2015/05/signs-of-calving.html
Bibliography
Admin. “Embryo Transfer (ET).” Repro360, 3 June 2019, www.repro360.com.au/reproductivetechnologies/et.

“Chapter 2 Applications of Embryo Transfer.” Training Manual for Embryo Transfer in Cattle,
www.fao.org/3/T0117E/T0117E02.htm.

Embryo Transfer in the Beef Herd. extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2681_0.pdf .

“Embryo Transfer.” Agriculture for Impact, ag4impact.org/sid/genetic-intensification/livestock-breeding/embryo-transfer/.

“Embryo Transfer.” Farm Animal Breeding & Reproduction TP, www.fabretp.eu/embryo-transfer.html.

Troxel, Tom R. Embryo Transfer in Cattle. www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-3119.pdf.

Winger, Jill, et al. “Signs of Calving.” The Prairie Homestead, 18 Mar. 2018, www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/05/signs-of-
calving.html.

https://www.drovers.com/article/cattle-breeding-embryo-transfer

http://www.cbra.org.br/portal/downloads/publicacoes/animalreproduction/issues/download/v14/v14n3/p521-
527%20(AR995)%20SBTE.pdf