Advances in Swine In Vitro Embryo Production Technologies

• Published in: Reproduction in domestic animals Vol. 45; no. s2; pp. 40 - 48
• Main Authors: Gil, MA, Cuello, C, Parrilla, I, Vazquez, JM, Roca, J, Martinez, EA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animal reproduction; Animals; Blastocyst - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Cellular biology; Cryopreservation - methods; Cryopreservation - veterinary; Cytoplasm - physiology; Embryo Culture Techniques - veterinary; Embryo Transfer - methods; Embryo Transfer - veterinary; Embryonic Development; Embryos; Female; Fertilization; Fertilization in Vitro - methods; Fertilization in Vitro - veterinary; Hogs; In vitro fertilization; Nuclear Transfer Techniques - veterinary; Oocytes - growth & development; Oocytes - ultrastructure; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques - veterinary; Swine; Veterinary medicine; Zygote - growth & development
• ISSN: 0936-6768; 1439-0531
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01623.x

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.