Abstract

KONRAD, J.L et al. Producción de embriones de búfalo por fertilización in vitro luego de la maduración de los ovocitos durante el transporte prolongado. Rev. vet. [online]. 2013, vol.24, n.2, pp.97-101. ISSN 1669-6840.

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a species with excellent adaptation to food-prone environments. Genetic improvement using the multiple ovulation and embryo transfer approach has been met with poor results in the buffalo, mainly due to difficulties in heat detection, erratic ovarian response to treatments and low embryo recovery post-flush. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a powerful reproductive biotechnology that may provide a tool for genetic improvement in this species. The objective of this experiment was to study early embryonic events after IVF in the buffalo, analyzing in vitro maturation and IVF of oocytes matured during ground transportation. Bovine and bubaline oocytes were collected by follicular aspiration of post-mortem ovaries and in vitro matured for 18 h during ground transportation. In vitro fertilization was conducted, semen form bulls of proven fertility was processed and adjusted to a fnal concentration of 3-4 x 10⁶ motile spermatozoa/ml in the insemination drops, oocytes were co-incubated for a period of 6 h. Embryos were then cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOFaa) medium in an incubator and humidified atmosphere at 38.5ºC for 9 days. Oocyte maturation, cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated on days 0, 2 and 7 to 9, respectively and results were statistically analyzed using Fischer´s Exact Test (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the maturation rate of bubaline oocytes of good quality vs the non-transported control (72 vs 88%); however, the maturation rate of bubaline oocytes of bad quality was significantly lower (35%) than the rest of the groups. Data of present experiment are the first report of buffalo embryos produced by IVF from oocytes matured during transportation, although the cleavage (34 vs 70 and 78%) and blastocyst (3 vs 27 and 31%) rates were significantly lower for the buffalo than for the transported and non-transported domestic cattle, respectively.

Keywords : Buffalo; Embryos; In vitro fertilization; Transport.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )