Transfer of porcine embryos through mini-laparotomy

The aim of this experiment was to examine the suitability of mini-laparotomy for transferring embryos in pigs. Expanded blastocysts collected from estrus-induced prepuberal gilts were transferred to the uterus of synchronous recipients. Each recipient received 18 embryos transferred unilaterally either by conventional laparotomy (n = 20), mini-laparotomy (n = 15) or laparoscopy (n = 14). The mini-laparotomy consisted of a midventral incision of 4 cm enabling the surgeon to grasp a uterine horn with two fingers and exteriorize about 3 cm of it. To close the suture wound, only three or four interrupted skin sutures are required. Pregnancy rates after conventional surgery, mini-laparotomy and laparoscopy were 60.67 and 21%, respectively. Corresponding litter size was 7.4, 6.2 and 6.0 and total embryo survival 25, 23 and 7%. The differences in pregnancy rate and total embryo survival between conventional and mini-surgery were negligible, whereas between laparoscopy and the other two techniques it was significant. It may be concluded that, with a little practice, the time saving and less traumatic mini-laparotomy is a practicable alternative to conventional surgery.