Thanks to the latest equine assisted reproduction techniques, it is now possible to obtain embryos from your high-value stallion or mare. OPU-ICSI is a procedure we perform in the Ovohorse laboratories and offers more advantages than current techniques like insemination or embryo transfer. OPU (Ovum Pick Up) refers to the follicular aspiration of the mare, meaning the extraction of oocytes to carry out fertilization in the lab (ICSI).
The mare’s estrous cycle or interovulatory interval allows monitoring and selecting the most suitable moment for follicular aspiration (OPU). In other words, the mare does not need to be in the ovulatory phase, as the timing can be synchronized with medication administered by the veterinarian.
OPU-ICSI can be performed at any stage and up to twice a month to maximize the number of embryos per year. Once the embryos are created, they can be vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen indefinitely in a genetic bank. Vitrification allows for embryo transfer at any time while preserving the quality of the remaining embryos for future pregnancies.
ADVANTAGES OF OPU-ICSI TO OBTAIN EMBRYOS
OPU-ICSI is an ideal reproductive procedure for stallions or mares with reproductive issues or subfertility. One of its key advantages is that it only requires one sperm and one oocyte to achieve fertilization (ICSI), resulting in an equine embryo. In contrast, traditional techniques typically require more biological material, such as a full straw of semen.
Semen straws are the storage device used by veterinarians to freeze sperm for fertilization. If we only have a limited amount of semen from a unique stallion with fertility issues (poor semen quality, low motility, etc.) or who has already passed away, straw cutting is the best option to achieve artificial fertilization and obtain valuable offspring. A major advantage of this technique is that it optimizes the use of limited biological material compared to traditional methods like Artificial Insemination, which requires thawing a whole straw.
Do you own a stud farm and want offspring from your most valuable stallion? At Ovohorse, we have one of the largest and most prestigious semen banks in the country. Contact our team at info@ovohorse.com and we’ll provide you with all the information you need.
