Evaluation of the cryotech vitrification kit for bovine embryos

GUTNISKY CYNTHIA; ALVAREZ GABRIEL; CETICA PABLO; DALVIT GABRIEL

CRYOBIOLOGY

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 vol. 67 p. 391 - 393

0011-2240

The purpose of this work was to assess commercially available Cryotech Vitrification Kit, 19 in terms of survival, in vitro development and pregnancy rate for bovine embryos. Cumulus20 oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from ovaries obtained from slaughtered cows and then 21 matured in vitro for 22 h. COCs were fertilized by sex-sorted sperm in IVF-mSOF and cultured 22 in IVC-mSOF for 7 days to the blastocyst stage. Blastocysts were vitrified with the Cryotech 23 Vitrification Kit® and then either warmed to check viability or transferred to synchronized 24 heifers. We observed 100% survival of the in vitro produced blastocysts and obtained the same 25 pregnancy rate (46.8%) as that obtained using fresh in vitro produced blastocysts. We thus 26 conclude that the Cryotech vitrification method is a valid alternative to other vitrification or slow27 cooling methods in the bovine species and that it is ready for livestock production.