Blue Embryos Research Articles

Influence of seed color on germination performance and storage organ color in the high-Andean crop Lepidium meyenii (Maca)

ABSTRACT Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a high-Andean crop whose subterranean storage organs (hypocotyls) show distinctive colors that are related to pharmacological properties. Little is known about seed color variation and its influence on germination performance, hypocotyl pigmentation and plant survival. Germination rate is critical for maca plants to survive frost events during early development. We evaluated the effect of germination promoters (gibberellic acid and sodium hypochlorite) and temperature regimes (constant and cold: 4°C; variable and moderate: 5–10°C; constant and warm: 16°C) on germination of seeds with different embryo color (yellow, reddish-purple and blue). We also assessed the association between seed color, hypocotyl color and plant survival under field conditions. Seeds with blue and yellow embryos had the lowest and highest germination rates, respectively, across cold and moderate temperature regimes. At warm temperature, germination was not affected by seed color. Germination promoters only enhanced seed germination at cold and moderate temperatures. In the field, black seeds (with blue embryos) showed the greatest survival. Seeds with reddish-purple embryos produced a higher proportion of pigmented hypocotyls – mainly purple – than other seed colors. Seed color should be taken into account in maca breeding programs, particularly in the context of climate change.

Recipient Selection to Support The Success Rate of Frozen-Thawed Belgian Blue Embryo Transfer

Frozen-thawed Belgian Blue (BB) Embryo transfer (TE) is an effort of fulfilling meat demand in Indonesia. This research aimed at observing the correlation between estrus expressions of standing heat and the correlation of CL characteristics on the success rate of frozen-thawed BB embryo transfer. The study was conducted on 55 recipient cattle with 62 times of TE application, which were categorized into three groups, namely FTET estrus synchronization (n=14), 24-hour natural estrus detection (n=30) and twice-a-day natural estrus detection (n=18). The implemented synchronization was the combination of estradiol-progesterone and hCG with the modification of 24-hour estrus detection between day-9 and 10. The second method was a natural estrus detection, which was conducted four times for 30 minutes, and the third method was twice-aday estrus detection for 90 minutes. The CL characteristics were observed using ultrasonography (USG) in the TE application day. Pregnancy per ET (P/ET) was determined by ultrasonography on d-20, 30, and 50. This research revealed that expressions of standing heat increased P/ET (p<0.05). The pregnancy loss rate was lower of the recipient which showed the estrus expression of standing heat (18.18%) compared to recipients did not show standing heat (40%). Based on the estrus detection method, there was no significant difference between the FTET modification method and the percentage of pregnancy (p>0.05). The CL characteristics showed there was no correlation between CL diameter with the pregnancy success rate of TE (p>0.05).

Birth of double-muscled Belgian Blue calves after transfer of in vitro produced embryos into dairy cattle

The possible application of the bovine in vitro fertilization technique for economical beef production was evaluated by transferring in vitro produced Belgian Blue embryos to synchronized dairy cows and heifers. In total, 4167 oocytes, collected in the slaughterhouse from double-muscled Belgian Blue cows, were matured in vitro. Frozen-thawed semen from 3 Belgian Blue bulls was used for in vitro fertilization. Zygotes were cultured in B(2) + 10% estrous cow serum together with oviductal cells at 39 degrees C in 5% CO(2) in air. After 7 days, 576 (13.8%) transferable embryos were obtained. One hundred and eighteen of the most advanced embryos were selected for fresh transfer into 90 recipients. Some of the remaining embryos were frozen using conventional methods. After fresh transfer, 50 recipients (55.6%) had elevated progesterone at day 23. Thirty cows (33.3%) calved after a mean gestation length of 282.8+/-6.0 days and produced 25 single births and 5 twins. The sex ratio was 71.4%. The mean birth weight was 45.1+/-8.3 kg. Three calves were of the conventional type instead of double-muscled and 2 calves died of congenital malformations. After transfer of in vitro produced frozen-thawed Belgian Blue embryos into 27 recipients (1 embryo/recipient), 2 bull calves (7.4%) were born. Bovine embryo production by in vitro techniques could form a low-cost supply of beef calves. However, to render it commercially attractive, selection of sires and dams has to be performed with great care.