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Review
. 2023 Nov 10;20(3):e20230055.
doi: 10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0055. eCollection 2023.

In vitro embryo production in small ruminants: what is still missing?

Joanna Maria Gonçalves Souza-Fabjan  1 , Gabriela Ramos Leal  1 , Clara Ana Santos Monteiro  1 , Ribrio Ivan Tavares Pereira Batista  1 , Nathalia Oliveira Barbosa  1 , Vicente José Figueirêdo Freitas  2
Affiliations
Review

In vitro embryo production in small ruminants: what is still missing?

Joanna Maria Gonçalves Souza-Fabjan et al. Anim Reprod. .

Abstract

In vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an extremely important tool for genetic improvement in livestock and it is the biotechnology that has grown the most recently. However, multiple ovulation followed by embryo transfer is still considered the leading biotechnology for embryo production in small ruminants. This review aimed to identify what is still missing for more efficient diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants, going through the IVEP steps and highlighting the main factors affecting the outcomes. Oocyte quality is essential for the success of IVEP and an aspect to be considered in small ruminants is their reproductive seasonality and strategies to mitigate the effect of season. The logistics for oocyte collection from live females is more complex than in cattle, and tools to simplify this collection system and/or to promote an alternative way of recovering oocytes may be an important point in this scenario. The heterogeneity of oocytes collected from growing follicles in live females or from ovaries collected from abattoirs remains a challenge, and there is a demand to standardize/homogenize the hormonal stimulatory protocols and IVM protocols for each source of oocytes. The use of sexed semen is technically possible, however the low market demand associated with the high costs of the sexing process prevents the routine use of this technique, but its higher availability is an important aspect aiming for greater dissemination of IVEP. New noninvasive approaches for embryo selection are key factors since the selection for transfer or cryopreservation is another difficulty faced among laboratories. Embryo selection is based on morphological traits, although these are not necessarily reliable in predicting pregnancy. Several issues described in this review must be considered by researchers in other to promote the diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants.

Keywords: IVC; IVM; goat; sheep.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The figure reports the worldwide in vivo (MOET) and in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in small ruminants in the last years, based in the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) newsletters published in 2022), highlighting the great increase in the number of IVEP-derived embryos in goats.
Figure 2
Figure 2. The figure illustrates the main sources of oocytes, the aspects related to each one as well as the factors affecting the quality of retrieved oocytes. LOPU (laparoscopic ovum pick up).
Figure 3
Figure 3. The schematic figure represents a hormonal protocol with progesterone and progestagen associated with multiple doses of FSH and a costing time of 60 h used for oocyte collection (Pinheiro et al., 2023). LOPU (laparoscopic ovum pick up); MAP (medroxyprogesterone acetate).
Figure 4
Figure 4. The image describes the factors that influence oocyte competence and the supplements and strategies used in IVM to improve it. IVM (in vitro maturation).
Figure 5
Figure 5. The image presents the main steps of IVF, limitations, and strategies to improve this step of IVEP. ESS: estrus sheep serum; EGS: estrus goat serum; PHE: epinephrine.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Schematic figure illustrating the changes that occur during in vitro embryonic development.
Figure 7
Figure 7. The schematic figure shows characteristics of different patterns of in vivo or in vitro produced embryos.
Figure 8
Figure 8. The schematic figure illustrates the main points to consider in each step of IVEP to disseminate this biotechnology in small ruminants. IVEP (in vitro embryo production), IVM (in vitro maturation), IVF (in vitro fertilization), and IVD (in vitro development).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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