title: Successful Vitrification of In vivo Embryos Collected from Superovulated Japanese Black Cattle (Wagyu).
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether vitrification is an effective method when used for Japanese Black Cattle (Wagyu) in vivo-derived embryos, collected following a superovulation treatment and embryo transfer (MOET) programme. In vivo-derived morula and blastocysts collected on day 7 after artificial insemination, were vitrified using a modified droplet vitrification (MDV) procedure and subsequently warmed for transfer (ET) into synchronized recipients. Fresh embryos, and embryos cryopreserved using a standardized slow freezing procedure (direct thaw/direct transfer, DT) served as ET controls. Two different follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) sources, Folltropin(®) Canada (FSH BAH, 24 donors) and a brand prepared by the Chinese Academy of Science (FSH CAS, 16 donors), were compared in a series of superovulation outcomes following well-established FSH administration protocols. Following data analysis, the total number of ovulations recorded at the time of embryo flushing (10.5 vs 8.5; p = 0.28) and the total number of transferable embryos (6.2 vs 5.1; p = 0.52) were similar between the two FSH sources. ET for MDV (39.7%, n = 78), DT (35.2%, n = 71) and fresh controls (47.1%, n = 34) resulted in similar pregnancy rates (p > 0.05). When MDV was used, a higher pregnancy rate (42.6%) resulted from the transfer of vitrified morulae, when compared to the DT counterparts (24.3%), (p = 0.05). Transfer of vitrified morulae resulted also in higher pregnancy rate, when compared to the transfer of vitrified blastocysts (42.6% vs. 29.4%; p < 0.05). Transfer of DT blastocysts resulted in higher pregnancy rate than morulae, similarly cryopreserved (47.1% vs. 24.3%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, MDV is an effective alternative methodology for cryopreservation of in vivo-derived embryos. This study gives also indication that, compared to vitrified blastocysts, MDV of morula stage embryos results in higher pregnancy rates following warming and transfer into synchronized recipients.
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: An
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors: P P
authors: PP
authors: Ling
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Zhang
authors: Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi, China.
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Ma
authors: Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi, China.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Xu
authors: Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi, China.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi, China.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Du
authors: Lannuo Biotechnologies Wuxi Inc., Wuxi, China.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Yang
authors: Renova Life Inc., College Park, MA, USA.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Xue
authors: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bella
authors: ARSIAL, Rome, Italy.
authors: G A
authors: GA
authors: Presicce
authors: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.|Renova Life Inc., College Park, MA, USA.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Du
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000662:veterinary; D004973:Estrus Synchronization; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D013480:Superovulation; D058989:Vitrification