Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Minimally Invasive Embryo Transfer and Embryo Vitrification at the Optimal Embryo Stage in Rabbit Model
Published on: May 16, 2019
Vitrification alters rabbit foetal placenta at transcriptomic and proteomic level.
M D Saenz-de-Juano1, F Marco-Jimenez1, B Schmaltz-Panneau1
1Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la ReproducciónInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, C/Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, SpainINRAUMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, F-78350 Jouy en Josas, FranceINRAUMR 1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, CRB GADIE, F-78350 Jouy en Josas, France.
Vitrification, a cryopreservation method, impacts embryo development and placental gene expression, raising questions about long-term effects on offspring health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cryopreservation techniques like vitrification are widely used in assisted reproduction.
- While gene expression changes in early embryos are known, the impact on later gestation and offspring is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of vitrification on embryo implantation and subsequent development through gestation in rabbits.
- To assess gene and protein expression changes in vitrified embryos and their placentas.
Main Methods:
- Vitrification of rabbit morulae.
- Monitoring of embryo loss and implantation rates.
- Analysis of fetal and placental weights at mid-gestation.
- Gene and protein expression analysis in pre-implantation embryos and placentas.
Main Results:
- Vitrified embryos that reached the pre-implantation stage could implant, but not all continued gestation.
- Vitrification led to decreased fetal and placental weights but increased offspring birth weight.
- No gene expression differences were found in pre-implantation embryos, but placental gene and protein expression was affected at day 14.
Conclusions:
- Vitrification significantly affects gene and protein expression in the placenta, highlighting it as a critical developmental stage.
- The study suggests potential long-term physiological or metabolic alterations in adulthood due to vitrification-induced developmental changes.
