Field Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer of In Vitro-Produced Porcine Embryos
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5965/22381171e27852Keywords:
Swine, IVF, Pregnancy, Production, Reproduction, UltrasonographyAbstract
Non-surgical embryo transfer (NSET) offers several advantages over surgical embryo transfer (SET), including improved animal welfare, simplified procedures, reduced costs, and the potential for repeated use. In pigs, the combination of in vitro embryo production (IVP) and NSET supports advanced biotechnologies, potentially enabling rapid genetic improvement without the need for surgery or live animal transport. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of IVP for field NSET. Porcine IVP were transferred to synchronized recipient females one day prior to the developmental stage of IVP. Three protocols were tested: (I) Field NSET – two procedures were conducted on multiparous, fertility-proven sows under field conditions, with estrus synchronization achieved through natural cycling, with presumptive pregnancy assessed by the absence of estrus return. (II) Closed conditions NSET – four procedures were performed under controlled indoor conditions on multiparous, fertility-proven sows under field conditions, with estrus synchronization achieved through natural cycling, with pregnancy assessed by ultrasonography on day 25. (III) Closed conditions SET – six procedures were conducted indoors on hormonally synchronized gilts, also assessed by ultrasonography on day 25. No live offspring were obtained; early pregnancies initially detected did not continue. Results were: (I) Field NSET (2/2 recipients did not return to estrus), (II) Closed NSET (1/4 pregnancies confirmed), and (III) Closed SET (1/6 pregnancies confirmed). All apparent pregnancies were lost at early stages, suggesting possible causes such as early embryonic loss or handling-related infections. These preliminary findings underscore both the challenges and the potential of IVP–NSET in pigs, highlighting the necessity for large-scale validation studies and the mandatory inclusion of field ultrasonography to properly assess the feasibility and refine the practical implementation of this technology.
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