Viability of stored equine embryos

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Embryology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Equine embryo cryopreservation is essential for assisted reproductive technologies.
• Optimizing storage media is critical for maintaining embryo viability and developmental potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different storage media and temperatures on equine embryo development and quality.
• To identify optimal conditions for short-term equine embryo storage.

Main Methods:

• Equine embryos were recovered nonsurgically and categorized by size (>200 microns or ≤200 microns).
• Whole embryos were stored in Ham's F10 or Minimal Essential Medium (MEM) at 24°C or 5°C.
• Bisected embryos were stored in Ham's F10, Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS), or MEM at 24°C.
• Embryo development, developmental score, and quality score were assessed at 0, 12, and 24 hours.

Main Results:

• Whole embryos stored in Ham's F10 at 24°C showed significantly greater developmental advancement compared to those in MEM at 24°C or 5°C.
• Developmental progression was observed in 7/10 embryos in Ham's F10 (24°C), 6/10 in MEM (24°C), and 1/10 in MEM (5°C).
• Embryo quality at 24 hours was superior in Ham's F10 (24°C) compared to MEM (5°C).

Conclusions:

• Ham's F10 medium at 24°C provides superior developmental support for equine embryos compared to MEM.
• Storage in MEM, regardless of temperature, resulted in limited or no developmental progress.
• These findings suggest Ham's F10 is a more effective medium for short-term equine embryo storage.