Produces embryos throughout the year
What is the OPU-ICSI technique?
A commercially applied technique in horses for the in vitro embryo production of genetically superior mares and/or stallions. Through follicular aspiration (OPU), eggs are extracted from the donors for subsequent Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm cell is injected into each egg.
HOW IS IT DONE?
OPU – Follicular Aspiration
Follicular aspiration (OPU) is the process by which oocytes (eggs) are directly extracted from a mare’s ovaries through a transvaginal approach using a guide and an ultrasound (TVA). The mare is sedated, and the procedure lasts from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of follicles present in the ovaries.
Laboratory: Egg Maturation, Sperm Injection (ICSI), Embryo Culture, and Vitrification
Egg Maturation: The oocytes obtained after aspiration are matured in the laboratory until they are ready for fertilization.
Sperm Injection: A single sperm is injected into each mature oocyte using the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) technique.
Embryo Culture: The injected oocytes are cultured in the laboratory until they reach the embryo stage.
Vitrification: This is the technique used for freezing embryos. All resulting embryos are vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen for later transfer to a recipient mare.
Vitrified embryos allow the client and veterinarian the possibility to schedule, prepare, and select the best recipient. Additionally, the transfer can be scheduled for the best birth dates.
Embryo Transfer and Foal Birth
Transfer: The embryos are thawed and transferred to a synchronized recipient mare (D4/D5 day after ovulation).
Birth: After 11 months of gestation, the recipient mare will give birth to a foal.
OPU-ICSI Procedure
In Mares:
1. Older mares that no longer respond to conventional transfer programs or insemination.
2. Mares with acquired reproductive problems: endometritis; issues with the uterus, oviduct, and cervix.
3. OPU-ICSI can be performed throughout the year, at any phase of the donor’s reproductive cycle as long as follicles are present.
4. Mares that develop follicular waves but do not ovulate.
In Stallions:
1. Stallions with low sperm quality and motility.
2. Stallions with low availability of semen doses or very high costs: for ICSI, the semen dose is cut, and approximately 1/10 (about 1 cm) is used per session.
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Frequently Asked Questions about OPU-ICSI
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What is the average number of embryos produced per OPU-ICSI session?
Average production of 1-3 embryos per OPU.
Factors that influence the number of embryos produced in an OPU-ICSI session
- Quality of the oocytes, which can be affected by the donor’s advanced age, use of medications, diseases, inadequate nutrition, and individual effects.
- Quality of the sperm, which can be affected by diseases, individual effects of subfertility, use of medications that impair spermatogenesis, and improper storage of semen doses.
- Preparation and follicular control of the donors: the more follicles present in the ovaries, the higher the chances of embryo production (though quantity is not the same as quality).
What is the minimum interval between two follicular aspirations?
Although this may vary depending on the mare, we recommend a minimum interval of 14 days. This time is necessary for the donor mare’s ovaries to have a sufficient number of follicles for aspiration. At Ovohorse, we monitor and control the ovaries through ultrasound to assess the optimal time, which is ideally when they present more than 10 follicles.
Are there risks for the donor mare in the Follicular Aspiration (OPU) process?
As with any invasive technique, there are risks during or after the follicular aspiration procedure. Our team of veterinarians is trained and equipped to minimize risks, activating action protocols as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Do vitrified embryos have good pregnancy results?
Yes. The quality of embryos marketed at Ovohorse, whether fresh or vitrified, is the same: grade 1. Vitrification even allows for scheduling, preparing, and selecting the best recipient, increasing the chances of better pregnancy outcomes.
Is OPU-ICSI a reproductive biotechnology meant to replace Conventional Embryo Transfer (flushing)?
No! OPU-ICSI and Conventional Embryo Transfer (flushing) are biotechnologies with different objectives and indications.
OPU-ICSI emerged as an alternative solution for issues such as: producing embryos from mares that, due to advanced age or acquired reproductive problems, can no longer produce embryos conventionally. Optimizing the use of high-cost semen doses or those with a low number of units available on the market. Allowing the use of semen from stallions with low motility. Enabling embryo production year-round.
Both techniques can even be applied together, provided there is proper scheduling of the OPU and flushing dates.
- Alternative for embryo production from mares that no longer produce embryos conventionally, whether due to advanced age or acquired reproductive problems.
- Optimizes the use of semen doses with limited availability in the market or high commercial cost, as only about 1cm of semen is used per OPU session.
- Adaptation to the mare’s competition schedule.
- Use of semen doses from subfertile or infertile stallions, as the fertilization process is carried out in the laboratory.
- Allows for the cryopreservation (freezing) of produced embryos and their transfer at the planned and desired time.
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Address:
Carretera de Lomas
de Marbella s/n
29603 – Marbella
Phone:
+34 951 495 604
Email:
info@ovohorse.com
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