ICSI - A biotechnological method to produce equine embryos in vitro

Abstract

Progress in assisted reproduction in the horse has been rapid over the last 10 years. Efficient methods for oocyte recovery from live mares have generated clinical interest in methods for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The conventional method of IVF as used in the bovine has proved to be inefficient in the horse. Therefore, a method for more efficient production of equine zygotes has been developed - the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The aim of our investigation was to establish this method in our laboratory and to test its efficiency in generating developmentally competent equine embryos. Altogether, 146 COCs with different cumulus morphology were recovered. The polar body extrusion rate after IVM was between 48 and 64 % depending on the cumulus morphology and the maturation time. The cleavage rate after ICSI was between 40% and 47%. Under the chosen in vitro conditions, we could obtain 16 cell stage embryos and morulae on day 5 after ICSI.