Abstract
The current review summarizes progress in the field of in vitro and in vivo production of South American Camelid embryos. Both methods require ovarian superstimulation (with FSH and eCG) to obtain multiple ovulations (in vivo embryo production) or to induce follicle growth for oocyte collection (in vitro embryo production). Moreover, superstimulation entails prior administration of hormones that inhibit follicular growth (progesterone, progestagens, and estrogens). Cumulus-oocyte complexes obtained must mature in vivo (buserelin administration) or in vitro to then be subjected to in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All these techniques also require morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa to achieve fertilization. Methods used to decrease semen viscosity and to select the best spermatozoa (Percoll®; Androcoll-ETM) are described. Additionally, nuclear transfer or cloning has been applied in llamas. Up to now, embryo deep-freezing and vitrification have progressed slowly but are at the height of development. Embryos that are obtained by any of these techniques, either in vivo or in vitro, need to be transferred to synchronized recipient females. The best results are achieved after transfer to the left uterine horn with an ipsilateral ovulation. No live offspring have been obtained after the transfer of cryopreserved embryos. Applying reproductive biotechnologies, such as those described, will permit the expansion of genetically selected animals in the population and also that of wild camelid species, vicunas, and guanacos, whose embryos could then be transferred to the uterus of domestic species.
Highlights
In vitro and in vivo embryo production is extensively used in domestic species such as bovines and equines
This review discusses some of the reproductive techniques necessary for embryo production that are available today in South American Camelids (SAC) and that can be applied in genetically superior females and males
Over 80% of the follicles yield cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) [llama [14]; alpaca [35]], and we observed in the llama that the stage of maturation COCs had attained was related to the size of the follicle that was aspirated [14]
Summary
The current review summarizes progress in the field of in vitro and in vivo production of South American Camelid embryos. Both methods require ovarian superstimulation (with FSH and eCG) to obtain multiple ovulations (in vivo embryo production) or to induce follicle growth for oocyte collection (in vitro embryo production). Cumulus-oocyte complexes obtained must mature in vivo (buserelin administration) or in vitro to be subjected to in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All these techniques require morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa to achieve fertilization.
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