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Foal born from vitrified immature oocyte in Belgium
Ghent scientists say the cryopreservation of oocytes offers several possibilities in veterinary medicine. (stock photo)
VICSI’s birth ‘an important breakthrough’, say scientists
 
A ‘test tube’ foal has been born in Belgium using two techniques - vitrification and ICSI. Scientists say the birth is a major breakthrough in the field of assisted reproduction in horses.

The stallion, which has been named VICSI after the two techniques used to secure his birth, was born at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University.

Vitrification is a cryopreservation method that involves cooling the oocytes very rapidly, resulting in the formation of a glass-like structure. For ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, micro-manipulation is used to inject a sperm cell into an oocyte.

For this research, oocytes were aspirated from equine ovaries collected at the slaughterhouse. These immature oocytes were vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen for a week, then maturation of the oocytes was carried out in an incubator following rapid warming. The mature oocytes were fertilised through ICSI and cultured in the incubator for nine days, after which the resulting embryo was transferred to the uterus of a recipient mare.

Ghent scientists say the cryopreservation of oocytes offers several possibilities in veterinary medicine. Freezing immature oocytes offers lots of opportunities for conserving the genetics of rare or endangered equids. Cryopreservation also allows oocytes to be stored and transported for research or clinical purposes.

However, it takes time to optimise a technique to the point that it has practical applications. In this study, only 34 per cent of the vitrified oocytes matures and only 5 per cent of the injected oocytes developed into a good embryo. When fresh oocytes are used, on the other hand, the maturation rate is 60 per cent, and 20 per cent of the fertilised oocytes develops into an embryo that can be transferred to a mare.

Researchers say VICSI’s birth is an important first step towards these practical applications.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.