Impact of Seminal Plasma on the Embryonic Development and Uterine Environment in Pigs

Seminal plasma (SP) is fundamental for many reproductive processes as it provides nutrition and transportation for sperm cells while also having significant effects on the female genital tract tissues and embryos. Numerous studies in pigs have clearly demonstrated that the effects of SP administered during estrus persist over time and have a lasting impact on later events connected to the complex embryo-maternal dialog with important molecular and immunological modifications in the uterus and notable transcriptome changes in the pre-implantation embryos. In this chapter, we describe the methodological aspects used in these studios related to the reproductive animal management, semen collection and SP preparation, in vivo embryo recovery and evaluation, and collection and preparation of endometrial samples.