The recent state of embryo production techniques in sheep breeding

Mujitaba, Malam Abulbashar and Vass, Nóra and Bodó, Szilárd and Angyal, Eszter (2020) The recent state of embryo production techniques in sheep breeding. ÁLLATTENYÉSZTÉS ÉS TAKARMÁNYOZÁS, 69 (4). pp. 429-443. ISSN 0230-1814

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Abstract

Conventionally, embryos can either be produced in vivo or in vitro, both procedures aimed at improving farm animals’ reproductive performance. The former being the easiest or less invasive, while the latter is the most cumbersome, has many advantages and potential to rapidly foster genetic improvement. However, the efficiency and prospects of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) techniques in sheep are limited by so many factors. Among these include the reproductive system›s anatomy, oocytes and embryo quality, and cytoplasmic lipid droplets. This review aimed to highlight some of the procedures/steps involved in embryo production in sheep and recent developments in the techniques for breeding purposes. It covers the two EP methods; in vivo (estrus synchronization of the donor and the recipient ewes, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, insemination of the donor ewe and recovery of oocytes/embryos) and in vitro (grading and selection of best quality oocyte, in vitro oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, in vitro culture of embryos, selection of best quality embryos for transfer, mature in vitro embryo transfer (MIVET) and juvenile in vitro embryo transfer (JIVET)). The use of short-term protocol (5-7 days) of estrus synchronization with fixed-time artificial insemination by a laparoscopic method can result in a high pregnancy rate, reduce time and cost of EP in ewes than with the conventional method. The JIVET and nonsurgical embryo recovery techniques and a transfer would enable the commercialization of IVEP and transfer in sheep. More intense researches are needed on the strategies of improving the viability of in vitro produced sheep embryos. There is also the need to ascertain whether the oocyte source (abattoir and laparoscopic ovum pick-up) affects the sheep oocytes› quality and developmental competence.

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