Assisted Reproductive Technology

Question 1

Challenges with using AI CTS

Answer 1

1. need to synchronize ovulation with semen availability (if the stallion is showing or something)
2. When going through customs may take a while
3. need to monitor the mare like crazy
4. increasing regulation around these things

Question 2

How long is the frozen semen fertile window and why?

Answer 2

12 hours

F/T precapacitation shortens longevity

Question 3

How is Frozen Semen better than CTS?

Answer 3

availability of semen - not during peak

don’t need to check mares 4X a day

Question 4

What is the problem with Frozen Semen AI?

Answer 4

success rates are lower

Question 5

What is common to see with frozen semen AI?

Answer 5

post-insemination endometritis

Question 6

success rates of natural service, shipped.cooled, frozen, ET, oocste transfer

Answer 6

75%, 70%, 50%, 35%, 20% (IVF lower)

Question 7

Why is ET in high demand for horses?

Answer 7

produce offspring while still in the ring.
multiple foals and sires per year
gives sub-fertile mares the ability to reproduce

Question 8

basic process of ET

Answer 8

insemination into the donor mare
uterine flush 6-8 hours later
recover embryo and put in recip

Question 9

what are ET success rates?

Answer 9

half ovulations recover an embryo, 65% of those live (35%)

Question 10

What do you assess embryos for ET

Answer 10

Grades 1-5
Grade 1 - spherical, uniform cell shape/size
Grade 2- minor imperf/irregular shape
Grade 3 - extruded blastomeres/degen cells/collapsed blastocele
Grade 4 - ICM appears viable but thats all
Grade 5 - totally degen. but still put in just in case

Question 11

What embryo qualities should be present to freeze embyros?

Question 12

Limitations to ET

Answer 12

can’t superovulate mares so one at a time
costly
anatomical problems - endometrial degen/blocked uterine tubes/severe medical MSK problems

Question 13

Where is it best to inseminate with hysteroscopic insemination?

Answer 13

the uterotubular junction. Make sure it is on the same side that ovulated!!!!

Question 14

How is deep horn insemination better than hyesteroscopic?

Answer 14

it is a lot less invasive and easier.

Question 15

How is sexed semen developed and what are some limitations? When best used?

Answer 15

best used in fresh semen and combined with low dose insemination.
only 1000cells/s thorugh the modular flow cytometer.
Available for fresh and CTS though.

Question 16

What is the equine cloning success rate?

Answer 16

0.7%

Question 17

What are the two low dose insem techniques??

Answer 17

Hysteroscopic

Deep horn insemination

Question 18

How can oocytes be recovered from mares

Answer 18

transvaginal follicle aspiration

flank aspiration

Question 19

What is the procedure after oocytes are recovered from a mare

Answer 19

culturing may or may not happen

1. put in recip mare with GIFT (egg and sperm at the same time)
2. plain oocyte transfer then insem or bred
3. IVF - ICSI on the plate then put in the embryo

Question 20

What are the doses needed of PMMNs for AI for minimum breeding doses for fresh on farm, CTS, and Frozen (10^6 PMMN cells)

Answer 20

Fresh - 100-200
CS - 200-500
Frozen - 800 (and >30% post thaw motility

Question 21

What is the recommended minimum breeding dose of motile sperm packaged?

Answer 21

1 *10^9

Question 22

What should we avoid in mares getting AI’ed? Why?

Answer 22

inseminations
deslorelin
hCG
because it allows for minimal contamination in subfertile mares