Advances in swine in vitro embryo production technologies

Recent advances in new technologies to produce cloned and genetically modified pigs involve manipulating oocytes and/or embryos in vitro. Although a great deal of progress has been made, the current IVM-IVF systems still result in major problems: a high rate of polyspermy; and a low development rate and low quality of blastocysts for in vitro compared with the in vivo-produced embryos. This study summarizes recent advancements in IVM-IVF-IVC porcine systems. Recent methods to select monospermic embryos are also discussed. Finally, achievements in vitrification and in somatic cell nuclear transfer are discussed.