Laboratory production of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryos

There is an increasing interest in large-scale in vitro production (IVP) of buffalo embryos through in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC) of oocytes for faster multiplication of superior germplasm. The recovery of total and usable quality oocytes from slaughterhouse ovaries is low in this species. The nuclear maturation rates of buffalo oocytes matured in the presence of follicular fluid or serum and hormones like luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and oestradiol vary from 70 to 80% and are comparable to those reported for cattle oocytes. However, with fertilization rates of 40-55%, and the yield of blastocysts at around 10-15%, the efficiency of IVP is much lower than that in cattle. The in vitro sperm preparation procedures and the systems employed for performing IVF and culture of zygotes up to blastocyst stage are suboptimal and need substantial improvements. The quality and viability of blastocysts produced need to be checked by cell count, and after transfer to synchronized recipients, for development of quality control standards.