Effect of rabbit line on a program of cryopreserved embryos by vitrification.
The aim of this study was to assess the application of a cryopreservation program to preserve two selected rabbit lines. One of them was selected by litter size at weaning, line V (Synthetic breed). The second, line R (synthetic breed), was selected by growth rate. In this study, embryos were collected, from donor does belonging to the 7th and 15th generations of lines R and V, respectively, were vitrified and were stored from 1992-1993. Those embryos from donor does belonging to the 17th and 21st generations of lines R and V respectively, were vitrified and sotred from 1998-1999. Embryo transfers were carried out in 1999. Morphologically normal embryos at the morulae stage were cryopreserved by vitrification in a 2.8 M dimethyl-sulfoxide + 3.5 M ethylene-glycol + 0.3 g x L(-1) bovine serum albumine in Dulbecco phosphate buffered saline solution. The main problem in the cryopreservation program was the low embryo production efficiency: significant differences were obtained in recovery efficiency between lines and line R showed the lowest proportion of donor does with 55% (at least 4 normal embryos) vs. 72% in line V. However, after transfer in recipient does of line V, the fertility rate at birth (81%), the rate of alive born by pregnant recipients (43%) and the number of males and does with offspring (9 to 18 different males, 12 to 32 females) enabled the different generations from each line to be re-established and studies on the selection process genetic gain to be developed.
Vicente
José Salvador
JS
Reproduction Biotechnology Laboratory, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Camino de Vera, 14, 46071 Valencia, Spain. jvicent@dca.upv.es
Viudes-De-Castro
María Pilar
MP
García
Maria de la Luz
Mde L
Baselga
Manuel
M
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000662:veterinary; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity