Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Scientists produce equine embryos through frozen sperm IVF
No foal has yet been born using the technique.
New study published by researchers at UC Davis.

Researchers have successfully used frozen-thawed sperm to produce equine embryos through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Further research is needed into pregnancy outcomes, but the development could eventually lead to clinical applications as well as aiding the study of fertilisation and embryo development.

Although there have been recent advances using high-quality fresh sperm, the use of IVF in horses has been less successful than in other species and there is currently a limited amount known about embryo development in IVF equine reproduction.

In their study, the research team at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, California, fertilised equine oocytes with frozen-thawed sperm from five different stallions to create embryos.

They then compared the development of the embryos with those created through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Development proceeded faster in the IVF cycles and the IVF embryos were larger, although overall rates of development were similar.

No foal has yet been born using the technique, but it could potentially allow the use of geographically distant stallions for breeding, sperm to be used from stallions that are busy competing, and the rescue of genetic material from deceased stallions.

Pouya Dini, an assistant professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “The ability to use frozen-thawed sperm for IVF would be a valuable addition to current equine assisted reproductive technologies and would benefit both stallion and mare owners.

“This collaborative effort is the first step in evaluating the expansion of future equine IVF applications in the clinic.”

The study has been published in the journal Theriogenology.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
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.