Heterologous fertilization to characterize spermatozoa of the genus Bos

Advances in assisted reproductive techniques, specifically, development of protocols for production of in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured domestic bovine embryos, offer opportunities to apply these techniques to nondomestic bovidae in species preservation. Domestic bovine oocytes were inseminated with nondomestic bovine spermatozoa. Effects of heparin concentration, sperm concentration and their interaction on total and normal in vitro fertilization rates and on subsequent embryo development were evaluated. In different replications, semen from 3 Bos bison, 2 Bos gaurus, 1 Bos grunniens, and 1 Bos javanicus bulls was used. Treatment of spermatozoa included 2 heparin levels (2 and 8 micrograms/mL) and 3 sperm concentrations (1, 3 and 5 x 10(6)/mL). The B. grunniens bull exhibited excessive polyspermy in all treatments; therefore, 1 replicate was completed using 2 levels of heparin (0 and 1 microgram/mL) and 2 sperm concentrations (1 and 2 x 10(6)/mL). After 18 to 22 h, cumulus cells were removed from presumptive zygotes, and a portion thereof was compressed between a slide and coverslip and fixed in acetic acid:ethanol solution. Light microscopy was used to visualize pronuclei and the second polar body as a determinant of fertilization. Remaining presumptive zygotes were placed into embryo culture medium, and blastocyst development was assessed on Days 7 and 8 (fertilization = Day 0). Percentages of total and normal fertilization and of blastocyst formation were analyzed by a logistic regression model, isolating effects due to bull, heparin and sperm concentration, and to their interaction. Work presented here suggests that, just as in Bos taurus, the nondomestic bulls in the Bos species seem to have individual heparin and sperm concentration requirements for successful IVF. We conclude that each bull, domestic or nondomestic, needs to be evaluated individually. Preliminary sperm characterization using domestic cattle oocytes would result in a greater potential for generating purebred embryos of the desired species should scarce female gametes become available.