Diapause-mediated cattle embryo storage

Introduction

Embryo transfer is a key enabling technology in the farming industry, playing an essential role in expanding genetic improvement and its associated economic and environmental benefits.

Problem Statement

The procedure requires estrous synchronized recipient animals, which are often not available at the same time and location as the embryos. The only solution available to circumvent this problem is to arrest embryo development by cryopreservation, a technique that allows embryo storage but reduces embryo viability and requires time, training, and specialized equipment.

Alternative Solution

Diapause is the natural way to temporarily arrest embryo development, and it could provide an alternative means to store embryos before transfer.

Project Overview

In this project, we will employ an advanced embryo culture system developed by the project StG-757886-ELONGAN, which is able to sustain embryo development beyond blastocyst hatching. This system will serve as a platform to test different media modifications to induce diapause in bovine embryos.

Advantages of Diapause-Inducing Medium

The development of a diapause-inducing medium will constitute a better solution than cryopreservation for several reasons:

1. It avoids mechanical damage and exposure to cryoprotectants.
2. It circumvents the need for special equipment.
3. It provides a faster and easier-to-learn protocol to store embryos.