Influence of temperature and time during ovary transportation on in vitro embryo production efficiency in the buffalo species (Bubalus bubalis)

Factors affecting the in vitro embryo production in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): A review

Under natural and well-managed conditions, the buffalo has good reproductive and productive indices. However, in vitro embryo production (IVEP) has been used commercially to maximise the number of elite animals. In this species, several factors (donor management, in vitro culture medium, semen, in vitro conditions, embryo transfer) still affect the IVEP results. In addition, the cost of this technique is very high for this purpose. Therefore, more studies, as well as adequate plans, are needed to achieve this objective efficiently. In this review, we discussed the current commercial status, influencing factors (in vivo and in vitro), and the progress and future challenges of IVEP in buffalo. A total of 81 references were used from 1979 to 2022. The relevant data or literature were searched using the following databases: Google, ResearchGate, Science Alert, Science Direct and PubMed, using the following keywords: buffalo oocytes/COCs, buffalo embryos, pregnancy and calving or live birth rate after embryo transfer. The best maturation, cleavage and blastocyst rates in the in vitro production of buffalo embryos were 95.8, 75.2 and 33.4%, respectively. The pregnancy and live birth rates ranged from 22.2% to 43.5% and from 15.3% to 36.5%, respectively, after the transfer of fresh embryos produced in vitro to the recipients. This review will help to contextualise IVEP in buffaloes, as well as create an adequate plan for implementing IVEP in buffaloes.

In Vitro Embryo Production in Buffalo Species (Bubalus bubalis)

In the last years there has been a growing attention in the world regarding buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) breeding. In tropical countries, climatic and environmental conditions make buffalo an irreplaceable milk producer. Since cattle cannot express their own productive potential in these conditions, buffaloes are best suited to satisfy animal protein demand, as they are easy to maintain, long-lived, and parasite resistant. Here we describe how to produce buffalo embryos from slaughterhouse oocytes, with protocols for media formulation, oocyte selection, semen capacitation, and in the end embryo evaluation.