Assisted Reproductive Technology Flashcards
what are the types of semen used in assisted reproduction
fresh
cooled
frozen
why is sampled semen used for AI
- increases the number of females able to be bred from a single ejaculate
- genetic improvement and disease control
- storage (short = cooled, long = frozen)
- prevents dangers of natural breeding
are pregnancy rates with aI greater, lower, or the same as natural breeding
lower but still acceptable
semen extenders
solution used to preserve the viability of sperm cells
contains nutrients, buffers, and antibiotics to maintain fertilizing capabilities
protects from cold shock, provides energy for motility, and prevents bacterial infection
what are the different locations and methods of artificial insemination
- intrauterine (nonsurgical)
- deep horn
- vaginal
- transcervical
- laparoscopic
- surgical
epididymal sperm collection
collecting sperm directly from the epididymis via retrograde flushing
- used in cases of planned euthanasia, sudden death, or castration
embryo transfer
use of a surrogate to carry an embryo to term
allows genetically superior females that became infertile/subfertile due to injury/disease to still pass on genetics
what species is embryo transfer used in
horses, cows, sheep, goats
what are important considerations for embryo transfer in cows vs horses
horses: can transfer embryo anywhere in uterus due to transplacental migration for MRP
- do NOT require as strict cycle synchrony between donor and recipient
cows: need to transfer embryo to the uterine horn that is ipsilateral to the corpus luteum to ensure MRP
- requires STRICT cycle synchrony between donor and recipient
embryo cryopreservation
freezing the embryo for long distance shipment (import/export)
- can be used to preserve valuable genetic lines
methods: vitrification or slow freezing
what is the pregnancy rate of embryo cryopreservation compared to other methods of AI
lower but still acceptable
in vitro embryo production (IVP)
producing the embryo via fertilization outside of the uterus
- allows for rapid genetic improvement, conservation, disease control, increase efficiency, overcomes breeding challenges
- used also for research purposes
post mortem gamete retrieval
harvesting the eggs from recently deceased animals
- slaughterhouse animals, sudden death, planned euthanasia
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
many sperm surround the egg, only one will fertilize on its own
intracytoplapmic sperm injection (ICSI)
injection of a single sperm directly into the egg
used in horses
