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Rudolf Vegas A, Hamdi M, Podico G, Bollwein H, Fröhlich T, Canisso IF, Bauersachs S, Almiñana C. Uterine extracellular vesicles as multi-signal messengers during maternal recognition of pregnancy in the mare. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15616. [PMID: 36114358 PMCID: PMC9481549 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19958-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to other domestic mammals, the embryo-derived signal(s) leading to maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) are still unknow in the mare. We hypothesize that these embryonic signals could be packed into uterine extracellular vesicles (uEVs), acting as multi-signal messengers between the conceptus and the maternal tract, and contributing to MRP. To unveil these signals, the RNA and protein cargos of uEVs isolated from uterine lavages collected from pregnant mares (P; day 10, 11, 12 and 13 after ovulation) and cyclic control mares (C; day 10 and 13 after ovulation) were analyzed. Our results showed a fine-tuned regulation of the uEV cargo (RNAs and proteins), by the day of pregnancy, the estrous cycle, and even the size of the embryo. A particular RNA pattern was identified with specific increase on P12 related to immune system and hormonal response. Besides, a set of proteins as well as RNAs was highly enriched in EVs on P12 and P13. Differential abundance of miRNAs was also identified in P13-derived uEVs. Their target genes were linked to down- or upregulated genes in the embryo and the endometrium, exposing their potential origin. Our study identified for first time specific molecules packed in uEVs, which were previously associated to MRP in the mare, and thus bringing added value to the current knowledge. Further integrative and functional analyses will help to confirm the role of these molecules in uEVs during MRP in the mare.
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Martinez CA, Cuello C, Parrilla I, Maside C, Ramis G, Cambra JM, Vazquez JM, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Gil MA, Martinez EA. Exogenous Melatonin in the Culture Medium Does Not Affect the Development of In Vivo-Derived Pig Embryos but Substantially Improves the Quality of In Vitro-Produced Embryos. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1177. [PMID: 35740074 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cloned and transgenic pigs are relevant human disease models and serve as potential donors for regenerative medicine and xenotransplantation. These technologies demand oocytes and embryos of good quality. However, the current protocols for in vitro production (IVP) of pig embryos give reduced blastocyst efficiency and embryo quality compared to in vivo controls. This is likely due to culture conditions jeopardizing embryonic homeostasis including the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) influence. In this study, the antioxidant melatonin (1 nM) in the maturation medium, fertilization medium, or both media was ineffective in enhancing fertilization or embryonic development parameters of in vitro fertilized oocytes. Supplementation of melatonin in the fertilization medium also had no effect on sperm function. In contrast, the addition of melatonin to the embryo culture medium accelerated the timing of embryonic development and increased the percentages of cleaved embryos and presumed zygotes that developed to the blastocyst stage. Furthermore, it increased the number of inner mass cells and the inner mass cell/total cell number ratio per blastocyst while increasing intracellular glutathione and reducing ROS and DNA damage levels in embryos. Contrarily, the addition of melatonin to the embryo culture medium had no evident effect on in vivo-derived embryos, including the developmental capacity and the quality of in vivo-derived 4-cell embryos or the percentage of genome-edited in vivo-derived zygotes achieving the blastocyst stage. In conclusion, exogenous melatonin in the embryo culture medium enhances the development and quality of in vitro-derived embryos but not in in vivo-derived embryos. Exogenous melatonin is thus recommended during embryo culture of oocytes matured and fertilized in vitro for improving porcine IVP efficiency.
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Almiñana C, Dubuisson F, Bauersachs S, Royer E, Mermillod P, Blesbois E, Guignot F. Unveiling how vitrification affects the porcine blastocyst: clues from a transcriptomic study. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:46. [PMID: 35303969 PMCID: PMC8932223 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-021-00672-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently, there is a high demand for efficient pig embryo cryopreservation procedures in the porcine industry as well as for genetic diversity preservation and research purposes. To date, vitrification (VIT) is the most efficient method for pig embryo cryopreservation. Despite a high number of embryos survives in vitro after vitrification/warming procedures, the in vivo embryo survival rates after embryo transfer are variable among laboratories. So far, most studies have focused on cryoprotective agents and devices, while the VIT effects on porcine embryonic gene expression remained unclear. The few studies performed were based on vitrified/warmed embryos that were cultured in vitro (IVC) to allow them to re–expand. Thus, the specific alterations of VIT, IVC, and the cumulative effect of both remained unknown. To unveil the VIT-specific embryonic alterations, gene expression in VIT versus (vs.) IVC embryos was analyzed. Additionally, changes derived from both VIT and IVC vs. control embryos (CO) were analyzed to confirm the VIT embryonic alterations. Three groups of in vivo embryos at the blastocyst stage were analyzed by RNA–sequencing: (1) VIT embryos (vitrified/warmed and cultured in vitro), (2) IVC embryos and (3) CO embryos. Results RNA–sequencing revealed three clearly different mRNA profiles for VIT, IVC and CO embryos. Comparative analysis of mRNA profiles between VIT and IVC identified 321, differentially expressed genes (DEG) (FDR < 0.006). In VIT vs. CO and IVC vs. CO, 1901 and 1519 DEG were found, respectively, with an overlap of 1045 genes. VIT-specific functional alterations were associated to response to osmotic stress, response to hormones, and developmental growth. While alterations in response to hypoxia and mitophagy were related to the sum of VIT and IVC effects. Conclusions Our findings revealed new insights into the VIT procedure-specific alterations of embryonic gene expression by first comparing differences in VIT vs. IVC embryos and second by an integrative transcriptome analysis including in vivo control embryos. The identified VIT alterations might reflect the transcriptional signature of the embryo cryodamage but also the embryo healing process overcoming the VIT impacts. Selected validated genes were pointed as potential biomarkers that may help to improve vitrification. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40104-021-00672-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Almiñana
- UMR PRC, INRAE 0085, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, F, -37380, Nouzilly, France. .,Functional Genomics Group, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, VetSuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - F Dubuisson
- UMR PRC, INRAE 0085, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, F, -37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - S Bauersachs
- Functional Genomics Group, Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, VetSuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - E Royer
- UEPAO, INRAE, F, -37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - P Mermillod
- UMR PRC, INRAE 0085, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, F, -37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - E Blesbois
- UMR PRC, INRAE 0085, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, F, -37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - F Guignot
- UMR PRC, INRAE 0085, CNRS 7247, Université de Tours, IFCE, F, -37380, Nouzilly, France
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Cambra JM, Martinez EA, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Gil MA, Cuello C. Transcriptional Profiling of Porcine Blastocysts Produced In Vitro in a Chemically Defined Culture Medium. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051414. [PMID: 34069238 PMCID: PMC8156047 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of chemically defined media is a growing trend in in vitro embryo production (IVP). Recently, traditional undefined culture medium with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been successfully replaced by a chemically defined medium using substances with embryotrophic properties such as platelet factor 4 (PF4). Although the use of this medium sustains IVP, the impact of defined media on the embryonic transcriptome has not been fully elucidated. This study analyzed the transcriptome of porcine IVP blastocysts, cultured in defined (PF4 group) and undefined media (BSA group) by microarrays. In vivo-derived blastocysts (IVV group) were used as a standard of maximum embryo quality. The results showed no differentially expressed genes (DEG) between the PF4 and BSA groups. However, a total of 2780 and 2577 DEGs were detected when comparing the PF4 or the BSA group with the IVV group, respectively. Most of these genes were common in both in vitro groups (2132) and present in some enriched pathways, such as cell cycle, lysosome and/or metabolic pathways. These results show that IVP conditions strongly affect embryo transcriptome and that the defined culture medium with PF4 is a guaranteed replacement for traditional culture with BSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep M. Cambra
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.M.C.); (E.A.M.); (C.C.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Campus de Ciencias de la Salud, Carretera Buenavista s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Emilio A. Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.M.C.); (E.A.M.); (C.C.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Campus de Ciencias de la Salud, Carretera Buenavista s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez
- Department of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences (BKV), BKH/Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-58185 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Maria A. Gil
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.M.C.); (E.A.M.); (C.C.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Campus de Ciencias de la Salud, Carretera Buenavista s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.M.C.); (E.A.M.); (C.C.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Campus de Ciencias de la Salud, Carretera Buenavista s/n, El Palmar, 30120 Murcia, Spain
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Tajima S, Motoyama S, Wakiya Y, Uchikura K, Misawa H, Takishita R, Hirayama Y, Kikuchi K. Piglet production by non-surgical transfer of vitrified embryos, transported to commercial swine farms and warmed on site. Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13476. [PMID: 33078458 PMCID: PMC7757198 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the feasibility of piglet production by non‐surgical embryo transfer (Ns‐ET) of vitrified porcine blastocysts and expanded blastocysts transported to commercial farms and warmed on site (V/T/W embryos). Ns‐ET was performed by depositing 11–20 vitrified and warmed embryos at a proximal site within the uterus via a catheter. In Experiment 1, the effect of donor–recipient estrous cycle asynchrony on the efficiency of Ns‐ET of vitrified and ordinary warmed embryos was investigated at the experimental facility. With a 1‐day delay recipients relative to that of donor, the farrowing rate was 50.0% and the survival rate to term was 21.1%. In Experiment 2, Ns‐ET using recipients with a 1‐day delay and vitrified embryos after one‐step warming and dilution was evaluated at the experimental facility. Although the resulting farrowing rate was 42.9%, the survival rate was 6.4%. In Experiment 3, Ns‐ET was conducted using V/T/W embryos at four commercial farms, where piglets derived from them were produced. When artificial insemination was conducted prior to Ns‐ET, the farrowing and survival rates obtained using V/T/W embryos were 75.0%, and 21.3%, respectively. These results show that Ns‐ET of V/T/W embryos using this protocol would be feasible for piglet production at farms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hiroyasu Misawa
- First development Gr. Section, Misawa Medical Industry Co. Ltd, Kasama, Japan
| | - Rie Takishita
- National Livestock Breeding Center Miyazaki Station, Miyazaki, Kobayashi, Japan
| | - Yuri Hirayama
- Department of Planning and Coordination, National Livestock Breeding Center, Fukushima, Nishishirakawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Division of Animal Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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6
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Tajima S, Uchikura K, Kurita T, Kikuchi K. Insemination of recipient sows improves the survival to term of vitrified and warmed porcine expanded blastocysts transferred non-surgically. Anim Sci J 2020; 91:e13453. [PMID: 32926526 PMCID: PMC7539913 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate reproductive performance after non‐surgical embryo transfer (Ns‐ET) of 10–15 porcine expanded blastocysts (ExBs) that had been vitrified and warmed (V/W) using the micro volume air cooling (MVAC) method. The effect of asynchrony between the donor and recipient estrous cycle was investigated. Ns‐ET was conducted in recipients whose estrous cycle was asynchronous to that of donors by a delay of 2, 1, or 0 days. In the 2‐day and 1‐day groups, the similar farrowing rates (27.3% and 25.0%) and survival rates to term (13.9% and 15.7%) were obtained after Ns‐ET of V/W ExBs. None of the recipients in 0‐day group farrowed. Artificial insemination (AI) prior to Ns‐ET was then evaluated. Ten–15 V/W ExBs were transferred non‐surgically to 12 recipients whose estrous cycles were asynchronous to that of donors by a 2‐day delay. All of the recipients produced piglets, and all (100.0%) delivered piglets were derived from the transferred V/W ExBs. The survival rate of V/W ExBs to term was 25.2%. These results demonstrate that Ns‐ET of V/W ExBs using MVAC can facilitate piglet production, even if 10–15 embryos are transferred. Moreover, piglets were obtained stably when AI was performed prior to Ns‐ET.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Division of Animal Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.,The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
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Maside C, Martinez CA, Cambra JM, Lucas X, Martinez EA, Gil MA, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Parrilla I, Cuello C. Supplementation with exogenous coenzyme Q10 to media for in vitro maturation and embryo culture fails to promote the developmental competence of porcine embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 54 Suppl 4:72-77. [PMID: 31625244 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant with critical protection role against cell oxidative stress, caused by the mitochondrial dysfunction. This study evaluated the effects of CoQ10 supplementation to in vitro maturation (IVM) or embryo culture media on the maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryonic development of pig oocytes and embryos. Maturation (Experiment 1) or embryo culture (Experiment 2) media were supplemented with 0 (control), 10, 25, 50 and 100 μM CoQ10. The addition of 10-50 μM CoQ10 to the IVM medium did not affect the percentage of MII oocytes nor the fertilization or the parameters of subsequent embryonic development. Exogenous CoQ10 in the culture medium neither did affect the development to the 2-4-cell stage nor rates of blastocyst formation. Moreover, the highest concentration of CoQ10 (100 μM) in the maturation medium negatively affected blastocyst rates. In conclusion, exogenous CoQ10 supplementation of maturation or embryo culture media failed to improve the outcomes of our in vitro embryo production system and its use as an exogenous antioxidant should not be encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Maside
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,SaBio IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Albacete, Spain
| | - Cristina A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine (IKE), BHK/Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Josep M Cambra
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Xiomara Lucas
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Emilio A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Antonia Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine (IKE), BHK/Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Cambra JM, Martinez CA, Maside C, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Martinez EA, Gil MA, Cuello C. The cytokine platelet factor 4 successfully replaces bovine serum albumin for the in vitro culture of porcine embryos. Theriogenology 2020; 148:201-7. [PMID: 31748174 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine platelet factor 4 (PF4) enhances differentiation and cell viability of different stem cells lines in vitro. This study investigated whether PF4 addition to customary pig embryo semi-defined culture media can improve their developmental outcome (Experiment 1) and ultimately replace the need for bovine serum albumin (BSA, Experiment 2). Experiment 1 added PF4 (100-1000 ng/mL, 0 = control) to NCSU-23 with 0.4 mg/mL BSA culturing 3430 presumptive zygotes. Experiment 2 added PF4 (100-1000 ng/mL, 0 = Control-PVA) to a BSA-free medium (NCSU-23 with 0.3 mg/mL PVA) culturing 3820 presumptive zygotes. Zygote culture in NCSU-23 with 0.4 mg/mL BSA was used as overall control. All groups of Experiment 1 displayed similar rates of day 2-cleavage (range: 65.0 ± 10.9 to 70.0 ± 5.8%); of day 7-blastocyst rates (range: 46.6 ± 10.0 to 56.4 ± 8.2%) and of total day 7-blastocyst efficiency (range: 32.3 ± 8.3 to 37.2 ± 7.3%). Addition of PF4 did not affect total cell numbers of day 7 blastocysts (range: 44.1 ± 23.2 to 50.5 ± 26.4). In Experiment 2, PF4 accelerated embryo development, increasing (P < 0.01) blastocyst yield compared to 0-PF4, and blastocyst formation by day 5 adding PF4 100-500 ng/mL (range: 29.9 ± 7.8 to 31.8 ± 5.5%; P < 0.05) compared with BSA-control (17.2 ± 8.2%) and PF4 1000 ng/mL (15.5 ± 7.9%); showing similar blastocyst rates (range: 42.0 ± 11.5 to 49.3 ± 10.0%), total efficiency (28.0 ± 8.2 to 32.3 ± 7.1%) total cell numbers (range: 42.6 ± 19.3 to 45.7 ± 23.9) as BSA-controls. In conclusion, although PF4 did not show additive improvement under usual semi-defined, BSA-supplemented embryo media, it successfully replaced BSA sustaining porcine blastocyst production in chemically defined conditions.
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Martinez C, Nohalez A, Parrilla I, Lucas X, Sanchez-Osorio J, Roca J, Cuello C, Rodriguez-Martinez H, Martinez E, Gil M. Simple storage (CO2-free) of porcine morulae for up to three days maintains the in vitro viability and developmental competence. Theriogenology 2018; 108:229-238. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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10
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Fraser L, Zasiadczyk Ł, Pareek CS. Effects of boar variability on comet-detected sperm-DNA damage following cryopreservation. Anim Prod Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/an16274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of sperm-DNA integrity is a crucial issue in male fertility. In the present study, parameters derived from the image analysis of comets after single-cell gel electrophoresis were used to analyse the types of DNA damage of frozen–thawed boar spermatozoa. Semen, frozen in a cryoprotectant-free extender or in cryoprotectant-based extenders, was analysed for DNA fragmentation and with the following comet tail measures: percentage DNA in comet tail, comet tail length and olive tail moment. The percentages of sperm DNA damage in the comet tails were classified as Type 0 (no DNA damage), Type I (very low DNA damage), Type II (light DNA damage), Type III (medium DNA damage) and Type IV (heavy DNA damage). Sperm motility characteristics and membrane integrity were assessed in the pre-freeze and frozen–thawed semen samples. Assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation and comet tail measures showed marked inter-boar variability following cryopreservation. However, consistent differences among the boars, with respect to cryo-induced sperm DNA damage, were detected by the comet tail length and olive tail moment. Besides Type IV, all types of DNA damage were detected in the cryoprotectant-based extenders. It was found that the frequency of Type II and Type III of DNA damage of frozen–thawed spermatozoa was significantly greater in the cryoprotectant-based and cryoprotectant-free extenders respectively. Deterioration in the quality of the sperm DNA integrity was concomitant with a marked decline in sperm motility characteristics, reduced plasma membrane integrity and higher lipid peroxidation and aspartate aminotransferase activity after cryopreservation. It can be suggested that the comet-assay parameters, coupled with routine laboratory tests, are useful to improve the sperm evaluations of post-thaw quality of semen from individual boars and would offer more comprehensive information for a better understanding of the degree of cryo-induced sperm-DNA damage.
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Gil MA, Martinez CA, Nohalez A, Parrilla I, Roca J, Wu J, Ross PJ, Cuello C, Izpisua JC, Martinez EA. Developmental competence of porcine genome-edited zygotes. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:814-821. [PMID: 28471514 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Genome editing in pigs has tremendous practical applications for biomedicine. The advent of genome editing technology, with its use of site-specific nucleases-including ZFNs, TALENs, and the CRISPR/Cas9 system-has popularized targeted zygote genome editing via one-step microinjection in several mammalian species. Here, we review methods to optimize the developmental competence of genome-edited porcine embryos and strategies to improve the zygote genome-editing efficiency in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alicia Nohalez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jun Wu
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Pablo J Ross
- Department of Animal Science, UC Davis, Davis, California
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan C Izpisua
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Emilio A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Cuello C, Martinez CA, Nohalez A, Parrilla I, Roca J, Gil MA, Martinez EA. Effective vitrification and warming of porcine embryos using a pH-stable, chemically defined medium. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33915. [PMID: 27666294 PMCID: PMC5036199 DOI: 10.1038/srep33915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of pH-stable media would simplify embryo vitrification and the warming of porcine embryos and might facilitate the application of embryo transfer in practice. In this work, we investigated whether a pH-stable basal medium constituted of Tyrode’s lactate medium, polyvinyl alcohol, and HEPES for buffering was suitable for porcine embryo vitrification warming in place of the conventional gas-equilibrated media. A high percentage (>90%) of embryos survived vitrification and warming in this medium, achieving in vitro survival rates similar to embryos vitrified-warmed using the conventional protocol and their fresh counterparts. The pH-stable medium did not affect the in vivo developmental competence of the vitrified-warmed embryos. A farrowing rate of 71.4% (5/7) with 10.4 ± 3.1 piglets born was obtained for the embryos vitrified and warmed in this medium and transferred to selected recipients. This medium will enable the use of simple, safe and standardized protocols for the vitrification and warming of porcine embryos for optimal embryo survival and quality when applied under field conditions. This study opens new possibilities for the widespread use of embryo transfer in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cuello
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alicia Nohalez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria A Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Emilio A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, E-3100, Murcia, Spain
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Knox RV. The Fertility of Frozen Boar Sperm When used for Artificial Insemination. Reprod Domest Anim 2016; 50 Suppl 2:90-7. [PMID: 26174925 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
One of the limits to practical use of frozen boar sperm involves the lowered fertility when used for artificial insemination. Years of studies have shown that 5-6 billion sperm (approximately 3 billion viable) used in single or multiple inseminations results in pregnancy rates most often between 60 and 70% and with litter sizes between nine and 10 pigs. Yet today, it is not uncommon for studies to report pregnancy rates from 70 to 85% and litter sizes with 11-12 pigs. While global statements about the incidence and reasons for higher fertility are not conclusive, incremental fertility improvements appear independently associated with use of a minimum number of viable sperm (1-2 billion), insemination timing that increases the probability that sperm will be present close to ovulation for groups of females, selection for boar sperm survival following cryopreservation, and modification of the freeze and thaw conditions using additives to protect sperm from oxidative damage. Studies show that techniques such as intrauterine and deep uterine insemination can provide an opportunity to reduce sperm numbers and that control of time of ovulation in groups of females can reduce the need for multiple inseminations and improve the chance for AI close to ovulation. However, optimal and consistent fertility with cryopreserved boar sperm may require a multifaceted approach that includes boar selection and screening, strategic use of additives during the freezing and thawing process, post-thaw evaluation of sperm and adjustments in sperm numbers for AI, assessment of female fertility and ovulation induction for single insemination. These sequenced procedures should be developed and incorporated into a quality control system for improved fertility when using minimal numbers of cryopreserved boar sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- R V Knox
- University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL, USA
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Yeste M. Sperm cryopreservation update: Cryodamage, markers, and factors affecting the sperm freezability in pigs. Theriogenology 2015; 85:47-64. [PMID: 26506124 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation is the most efficient method for long-term preservation of mammalian sperm. However, freeze-thawing procedures may strongly impair the sperm function and survival and thus decrease the reproductive performance. In addition, the sperm resilience to withstand cryopreservation, also known as freezability, presents a high individual variability. The present work summarizes the principles of cryoinjury and the relevance of permeating and nonpermeating cryoprotective agents. Descriptions about sperm cryodamage are mainly focused on boar sperm, but reference to other mammalian species is also made when relevant. Main cryoinjuries not only regard to sperm motility and membrane integrity, but also to the degradation effect exerted by freeze-thawing on other important components for sperm fertilizing ability, such as mRNAs. After delving into the main differences between good and poor freezability boar ejaculates, those protein markers predicting the sperm ability to sustain cryopreservation are also mentioned. Moreover, factors that may influence sperm freezability, such as season, diet, breed, or ejaculate fractions are discussed, together with the effects of different additives, like seminal plasma and antioxidants. After briefly referring to the effects of long-term sperm preservation in frozen state and the reproductive performance of frozen-thawed boar sperm, this work speculates with new research horizons on the preservation of boar sperm, such as vitrification and freeze-drying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Yeste
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Martinez EA, Cuello C, Parrilla I, Martinez CA, Nohalez A, Vazquez JL, Vazquez JM, Roca J, Gil MA. Recent advances toward the practical application of embryo transfer in pigs. Theriogenology 2015; 85:152-61. [PMID: 26164803 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Porcine embryo transfer (ET) technology has been in demand for decades because of its potential to provide considerable improvements in pig production with important sanitary, economic, and animal welfare benefits. Despite these advantages, the commercial use of ET is practically nonexistent. However, the two main obstacles hindering the commercial use of ET in pigs in the past several decades (i.e., surgical transfer and embryo preservation) have recently been overcome. A technique for nonsurgical deep-uterine (NsDU) ET of nonsedated gilts and sows, which was seemingly an impossible challenge just a few years ago, is a reality today. The improvements in embryo preservation that have been achieved in recent years and the excellent reproductive performance of the recipients after the NsDU-ET technique coupled with short-term and long-term-stored embryos represent essential progress for the international trade of porcine embryos and the practical use of ET by the pig industry. This review focuses, with an emphasis on our own findings, on the recent advances in embryo preservation and NsDU-ET technologies, which are starting to show potential for application under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina A Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alicia Nohalez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose L Vazquez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan M Vazquez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria A Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Martinez EA, Angel MA, Cuello C, Sanchez-Osorio J, Gomis J, Parrilla I, Vila J, Colina I, Diaz M, Reixach J, Vazquez JL, Vazquez JM, Roca J, Gil MA. Successful non-surgical deep uterine transfer of porcine morulae after 24 hour culture in a chemically defined medium. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104696. [PMID: 25118944 PMCID: PMC4131926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Excellent fertility and prolificacy have been reported after non-surgical deep uterine transfers of fresh in vivo-derived porcine embryos. Unfortunately, when this technology is used with vitrified embryos, the reproductive performance of recipients is low. For this reason and because the embryos must be stored until they are transferred to the recipient farms, we evaluated the potential application of non-surgical deep uterine transfers with in vivo-derived morulae cultured for 24 h in liquid stage. In Experiment 1, two temperatures (25 °C and 37 °C) and two media (one fully defined and one semi-defined) were assessed. Morulae cultured in culture medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin and fetal calf serum at 38.5 °C in 5% CO2 in air were used as controls. Irrespective of medium, the embryo viability after 24 h of culture was negatively affected (P<0.05) at 25 °C but not at 37 °C compared with the controls. Embryo development was delayed in all experimental groups compared with the control group (P<0.001). Most of the embryos (95.7%) cultured at 37 °C achieved the full or expanded blastocyst stage, and unlike the controls, none of them hatched at the end of culture. In Experiment 2, 785 morulae were cultured in the defined medium at 37 °C for 24 h, and the resulting blastocysts were transferred to the recipients (n = 24). Uncultured embryos collected at the blastocyst stage (n = 750) were directly transferred to the recipients and used as controls (n = 25). No differences in farrowing rates (91.7% and 92.0%) or litter sizes (9.0 ± 0.6 and 9.4 ± 0.8) were observed between the groups. This study demonstrated, for the first time, that high reproductive performance can be achieved after non-surgical deep uterine transfers with short-term cultured morulae in a defined medium, which opens new possibilities for the sanitary, safe national and international trade of porcine embryos and the commercial use of embryo transfer in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio A. Martinez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Miguel Angel Angel
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Cuello
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Jesus Gomis
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Parrilla
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Vila
- Department of Research and Development, Selección Batallé S.A., Girona, Spain
| | - Ignaci Colina
- Department of Research and Development, Selección Batallé S.A., Girona, Spain
| | - Marta Diaz
- Department of Research and Development, Selección Batallé S.A., Girona, Spain
| | - Josep Reixach
- Department of Research and Development, Selección Batallé S.A., Girona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Vazquez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Maria Vazquez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordi Roca
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Antonia Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Angel MA, Gil MA, Cuello C, Sanchez-Osorio J, Gomis J, Parrilla I, Vila J, Colina I, Diaz M, Reixach J, Vazquez JL, Vazquez JM, Roca J, Martinez EA. An earlier uterine environment favors the in vivo development of fresh pig morulae and blastocysts transferred by a nonsurgical deep-uterine method. J Reprod Dev 2014; 60:371-6. [PMID: 25030061 PMCID: PMC4219994 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2014-022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of recipient-donor estrous cycle synchrony on recipient reproductive performance
after nonsurgical deep-uterine (NsDU) embryo transfer (ET). The transfers (N=132) were conducted in recipients sows that
started estrus 24 h before (–24 h; N=9) or 0 h (synchronous; N=31), 24 h (+24 h; N=74) or 48 h (+48 h; N=18) after the
donors. A total of 30 day 5 morulae or day 6 blastocysts (day 0=onset of estrus) were transferred per recipient. The highest
farrowing rates (FRs) were achieved when estrus appeared in recipients 24 h later than that in the donors (81.1%), regardless
of the embryonic stage used for the transfers. The FR notably decreased (P<0.05) when recipients were –24 h asynchronous
(0%), synchronous (61.3%) or +48 h asynchronous (50%) relative to the donors. No differences in litter size (LS) and piglet
birth weights were observed among the synchronous and +24 h or +48 h asynchronous groups. While a +24 h asynchronous
recipient was suitable for transfers performed with either morulae (FR, 74.3%; LS, 9.2 ± 0.6 piglets) or blastocysts (FR,
84.6%; LS, 9.8 ± 0.6 piglets), a + 48 h asynchronous recipient was adequate for blastocysts (FR, 87.5%; LS, 10.4 ± 0.7
piglets) but not for morulae (FR, 30.0%; LS, 7.3 ± 2.3 piglets). In conclusion, this study confirms the effectiveness of the
NsDU-ET technology and shows that porcine embryos tolerate better a less advanced uterine environment if they are
nonsurgically transferred deep into the uterine horn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Angel Angel
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Murcia, Espinardo 30100, Spain
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Gomis J, Cuello C, Sanchez-Osorio J, Gil M, Parrilla I, Angel M, Vazquez J, Roca J, Martinez E. Forskolin improves the cryosurvival of in vivo-derived porcine embryos at very early stages using two vitrification methods. Cryobiology 2013; 66:144-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2012.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Gomis J, Cuello C, Sanchez-Osorio J, Gil MA, Parrilla I, Angel MA, Vazquez JM, Roca J, Martinez EA. Effects of lipid polarisation on survival of in vivo-derived porcine zygotes vitrified by the superfine open pulled-straw method. Reprod Fertil Dev 2013; 25:798-806. [DOI: 10.1071/rd12179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the post-warming in vitro viability of intact porcine zygotes vitrified using the superfine open pulled-straw (SOPS) method and to investigate whether cryotolerance is increased by lipid polarisation before vitrification. In vivo-derived zygotes (n = 317) were either untreated before SOPS vitrification or subjected to one of the following pre-treatments: (1) centrifugation (20 min, 15 000g) or (2) equilibration in high-osmolality medium (6 min, 400 mOsm kg–1) followed by centrifugation. Vitrified–warmed and non-vitrified fresh zygotes were cultured in vitro for 120 h. There were no differences in the blastocyst formation rates between the vitrification groups (from 35.4 ± 5.3% to 48.2 ± 5.6%), but fresh zygotes exhibited higher (P < 0.001) blastocyst formation rates (87.5 ± 5.3%) than did vitrified–warmed zygotes. The total blastocyst cell number was similar among all groups (from 34.9 ± 2.8 to 44.1 ± 2.8). In conclusion, SOPS vitrification is a promising method for the cryopreservation of untreated in vivo-derived porcine zygotes. Neither lipid polarisation by centrifugation nor exposure to a high-osmolality medium followed by centrifugation affected the post-warming in vitro viability of zygotes. Our study also demonstrated that the donor is an important factor in determining the success of vitrification for in vivo-derived porcine zygotes.
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