146 Specific Gravity as an Objective Assessment of Embryonic Viability to Improve Implantation Rates of Bovine Embryos

Abstract

Abstract Assessment of embryo quality and viability has traditionally been based on morphological evaluation. However, morphological evaluation, though somewhat reliable, is subjective in nature and varies greatly depending upon the skill and experience of the evaluator. Although research has been conducted with the goal of identifying more accurate and objective methods of evaluation, the issue of repeatability and consistency in predicting the likelihood of a successful pregnancy remains. Previous research has proposed the ability to utilize specific gravity to predict developmental energy reserves based on embryonic weight, theoretically identifying those embryos with an increased chance of success following standard embryonic transfer. The objective of this study was to determine if specific gravity could accurately identify those embryos that were most likely to succeed in generating positive pregnancies. Bovine embryos (n = 20) were dropped through media in a specific gravity chamber. Utilizing an embryo tracking software program, researchers recorded the time elapsed as the embryos descended 1 cm through the media. Embryos were then transferred into recipient cattle, and pregnancy was detected via ultrasound approximately 40 days post transfer. Of the 20 embryos transferred, 12 resulted in positive pregnancies. Descent times of these positive pregnancies ranged from 25.96 to 90.27 seconds, with an average descent time of 59.72 seconds. An analysis of the relationship between descent time and pregnancy outcome showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Although there was no significance in the findings of this study, additional trials will be performed to thoroughly evaluate the potential of this technology as an objective measurement of embryonic viability.