Viability and ultrastructure of equine embryos following culture in a static or dynamic system /
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1988.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | Twenty embryos were utilized to evaluate the efficacy of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) as a viability indicator for equine embryos. Embryos were recovered non-surgically, and 9 control embryos were transferred non-surgically to recipient mares following measurement (range 250 um - 725 um, mean = 375 um) and morphological grading (scale; excellent (1) -poor (4)). Eleven embryos were evaluated as described previously for control embryos and were then stained for 1 min (2.5 ug FDA/ml DPBS). Following washing and incubation, embryos were evaluated for fluorescent intensity (INT) (scale 0-4) and percent fluorescing cells (FL) (0-100%) when exposed to uv light. Ten of 11 FDA-treated embryos (range 250 um - 750 um, mean = 350 um) were assigned morphological grades of 1 before FDA staining. Percent FL and INT scores for these embryos were 100% and 4, respectively. One FDA-treated embryo was graded 2 before staining and FL and INT were evaluated as 90% and 3.5. Pregnancy rate, determined by ultrasonic scanning, for mares receiving FDA-treated embryos was 45% (5/11) and was not different from the 44% (4/9) pregnancy rate of mares receiving control embryos. The viability and ultrastructure of equine embryos were assessed following culture in a static.or perifusion system. Percent change in diameter was greater (P<.025) for embryos in the static treatment (71%) than the change in diameter of embryos in the perifusion treatment (33%). FDA scores were also greater (P<.05 and P<.01) for embryos following static culture (86.5% FL and 1.15 INT) than for embryos cultured in the perifusion system (65.8% FL and 2.15 INT). Four of nine control embryos resulted in pregnancies. No embryos cultured in either system established a fetal heartbeat by d 28. Three of 9 embryos transferred after the static treatment and 1 of 9 embryos assigned to the perifusion culture resulted in non-echogenic vesicles. Ultrastructural evaluation agreed with FDA scores and morphological assessment. The continued development of static cultured embryos without the presence of an ICM agrees with the ultrasound data. The trophoblast cells of equine embryos appear to have the characteristics of a specialized epithelium by d 7 and may be able to continue development in vitro as an established cell line. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Physiology of Reproduction." |
| Physical Description: | x, 111 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |