Advances in pig embryo production for cryopreservation, transfer and genome editing

Pig embryo production has emerged as a cornerstone for advancing both agricultural efficiency and biomedical innovation. In vivo-derived embryos remain the gold standard for cryopreservation and embryo transfer due to their superior developmental competence; however, the need for surgical recovery continues to limit their applicability on a large scale. Recent advances in nonsurgical transfer techniques and refined donor-management protocols are bringing widespread implementation closer to feasibility. Concurrently, in vitro production (IVP) systems provide a scalable alternative by generating embryos from oocytes obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries or through ovum pick-up. Despite this potential, IVP efficiency remains hindered by polyspermy and suboptimal conditions for oocyte maturation and embryo culture. Ongoing research is mainly directed toward improving culture environments through supplementation with growth factors and cytokines to more closely emulate the conditions found in the reproductive tract, while enhanced in vitro fertilization strategies have proven effective in reducing polyspermy. Efforts to mitigate oxidative stress and lower lipid content have improved the cryotolerance of IVP-embryos, further narrowing the gap with their in vivo counterparts. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of current methodologies, recent progress, and future perspectives for obtaining in vivo and in vitro embryos suitable for cryopreservation, transfer, and genome editing in pigs.