Circles around the farm animal embryo – a Danish perspective

With focus on the farm animal embryo, a short overview is given about my research activities over the last 35 years. These activities have been described in five circles, covering different key aspects of my work. The first circle included studies on the basic biology related to oocyte maturation and follicular endocrinology in superovulated dairy cows. Methods were developed to characterize the donor cows with respect to their production of transferable embryos, and some were implemented into a Danish MOET breeding plan. The second circle dealt with in-vitro embryo production in cattle with development of a protocol to produce such embryos at high and consistent levels. Several comparisons were made to reveal consequences of the artificial in-vitro methods on oocytes and embryos, but also through studies of the newborn calves. The third circle was related to development and implementation of a number of technologies within this broad field; examples are mentioned for both oocyte recovery from donor cows, different steps in the in-vitro embryo production system, new ways to perform vitrification and nuclear transfer, and finally a new system to determine oxygen consumption in single embryos. In the fourth circle is described activities from the last years, where work was done with focus on the pregnancy rates after insemination of the dairy cow in their post-partum period, and where somatic cell nuclear transfer was developed both as a technology in itself as well as a helping technique to produce transgenic pigs as models for important human diseases. The fifth and final circle is addressing and thanking the many colleagues and collaboration partners that I have been involved with during all the years to do this work. Nothing could or would have been the same without them and their participation.

Circles around the farm animal embryo a Danish perspective

With focus on the farm animal embryo, a short overview is given about my research activities over the last 35 years. These activities have been described in five circles, covering different key aspects of my work. The first circle included studies on the basic biology related to oocyte maturation and follicular endocrinology in superovulated dairy cows. Methods were developed to characterize the donor cows with respect to their production of transferable embryos, and some were implemented into a Danish MOET breeding plan. The second circle dealt with in-vitro embryo production in cattle with development of a protocol to produce such embryos at high and consistent levels. Several comparisons were made to reveal consequences of the artificial in-vitro methods on oocytes and embryos, but also through studies of the newborn calves. The third circle was related to development and implementation of a number of technologies within this broad field; examples are mentioned for both oocyte recovery from donor cows, different steps in the in-vitro embryo production system, new ways to perform vitrification and nuclear transfer, and finally a new system to determine oxygen consumption in single embryos. In the fourth circle is described activities from the last years, where work was done with focus on the pregnancy rates after insemination of the dairy cow in their post-partum period, and where somatic cell nuclear transfer was developed both as a technology in itself as well as a helping technique to produce transgenic pigs as models for important human diseases. The fifth and final circle is addressing and thanking the many colleagues and collaboration partners that I have been involved with during all the years to do this work. Nothing could or would have been the same without them and their participation.(AU)

In vitro production of bovine embryos: revisiting oocyte development and application of systems biology

In vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos has become a widespread technology implemented in cattle breeding and production. The implementation of genomic selection and systems biology adds great dimensions to the impact of bovine IVP. The physical procedures included in the IVP process can still be improved, and aspects related to the oocyte donor, oocyte maturation and the recipients are addressed in the following. Also, some of the future aspects of genomic selection and systems biology are addressed with particular focus on the Brazilian-Danish collaboration in the so-called GIFT-project.(AU)

In vitro production of bovine embryos: revisiting oocyte development and application of systems biology

In vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos has become a widespread technology implemented in cattle breeding and production. The implementation of genomic selection and systems biology adds great dimensions to the impact of bovine IVP. The physical procedures included in the IVP process can still be improved, and aspects related to the oocyte donor, oocyte maturation and the recipients are addressed in the following. Also, some of the future aspects of genomic selection and systems biology are addressed with particular focus on the Brazilian-Danish collaboration in the so-called GIFT-project.

Genomic selection of in vitro produced and somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos for rapid genetic improvement in cattle production

This paper provides basic concepts of genomic selection (GS) methods in beef and dairy cattle production in combination with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as ovum-pick up and in vitroproduction (OPU-IVP). We first introduce genomic tools and discuss main methods of GS as practiced to-date. The general benefit from GS is that it enables selecting animals accurately early in life using genomic predictions particularly those phenotypes that are very difficult or expensive to measure. While it is known that GS increases genetic gain and profit in conventional cattle breeding, GS is much more desirable when combined with OPU-IVP in cattle production. The expected benefits of GS-OPU-IVP far exceed the benefits achieved by either GS or OPU-IVP alone mainly due to tremendous reduction in generation interval. The genetic improvement will increase even further, if genetic merit of donor cows and bulls used in OPU-IVP for key economic traits are maximal. The paper also highlights some challenges particularly with regard to embryo biopsies and quantity and quality of embryo DNA for whole genome genotyping and ways to overcome difficulties. We briefly discuss the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique in the context of applying GS on fibroblast cell lines from fetuses obtained from OPU-IVP techniques and provide our perspectives on how it might pave way for even more rapid cattle improvement. Main conclusion is that employing genomic selection in ARTs such as OPU-IVP of embryos coupled with embryo sexing and SCNT will lead to rapid dissemination of high genetic merit animals on a scale never been seen before. Finally, the paper outlines current research activities on combined genomic selection and advanced reproductive technologies in the GIFT project consortium (www.gift.ku.dk). (AU)

Genomic selection of in vitro produced and somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos for rapid genetic improvement in cattle production

This paper provides basic concepts of genomic selection (GS) methods in beef and dairy cattle production in combination with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as ovum-pick up and in vitroproduction (OPU-IVP). We first introduce genomic tools and discuss main methods of GS as practiced to-date. The general benefit from GS is that it enables selecting animals accurately early in life using genomic predictions particularly those phenotypes that are very difficult or expensive to measure. While it is known that GS increases genetic gain and profit in conventional cattle breeding, GS is much more desirable when combined with OPU-IVP in cattle production. The expected benefits of GS-OPU-IVP far exceed the benefits achieved by either GS or OPU-IVP alone mainly due to tremendous reduction in generation interval. The genetic improvement will increase even further, if genetic merit of donor cows and bulls used in OPU-IVP for key economic traits are maximal. The paper also highlights some challenges particularly with regard to embryo biopsies and quantity and quality of embryo DNA for whole genome genotyping and ways to overcome difficulties. We briefly discuss the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique in the context of applying GS on fibroblast cell lines from fetuses obtained from OPU-IVP techniques and provide our perspectives on how it might pave way for even more rapid cattle improvement. Main conclusion is that employing genomic selection in ARTs such as OPU-IVP of embryos coupled with embryo sexing and SCNT will lead to rapid dissemination of high genetic merit animals on a scale never been seen before. Finally, the paper outlines current research activities on combined genomic selection and advanced reproductive technologies in the GIFT project consortium (www.gift.ku.dk).

Challenges in work with bovine gametes and embryos

Gametes (spermatozoa and oocytes) and embryos from domestic anim als are routinely handled in vi tro in large and increasing numbers all over the world. Such manipulation causes various forms of damage to the gametes/embryos that can lead to different problems. A safe and reliable basis for continued practical use of these technologies in science and cattle industry requires further activities in research and development. Just as important is a continued close relation between science and industry so that the extent and results of this work can be collected, analyzed and reported for the benefit of all groups involved and interested such as scientists, consumers, industry and legislators.

Challenges in work with bovine gametes and embryos

Gametes (spermatozoa and oocytes) and embryos from domestic anim als are routinely handled in vi tro in large and increasing numbers all over the world. Such manipulation causes various forms of damage to the gametes/embryos that can lead to different problems. A safe and reliable basis for continued practical use of these technologies in science and cattle industry requires further activities in research and development. Just as important is a continued close relation between science and industry so that the extent and results of this work can be collected, analyzed and reported for the benefit of all groups involved and interested such as scientists, consumers, industry and legislators.(AU)

IETS statement on worldwide ET statistics for 2010

For the twentieth consecutive year, the Data Retrieval Committee of the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) can report global embryo transfer (ET) statistics. The number of bovine in vivo - derived (IVD) embryos collected/flushed worldwide in 2010 increased to 732,000, a 4% increase from 2009. Consequently, the number of bovine IVD embryos transferred is up by 11% to 591,000 in 2010. All continents, with the exception of Africa, reported significant increases in the number of IVD embryos transferred. The number of frozen IVD embryos transferred into recipients outnumbered fresh transfers by 60,000 (328,000 frozen and 263,000 fresh). The total number of transferrable bovine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos worldwide increased to 451,000 in 2010, a 20% increase in IVP production. South America (mainly Brazil) again leads the global field of in vitro embryo production and transfers. The total number of IVP embryos transferred worldwide in 2010 was 339,685, an 11% incre ase from 2009. Global equine ET activity also increased in 2010. The number of reported flushes (41,652) was up by 4,681 (+13%). The number of transfers (28,824) was also up (+4,354). Brazil and Argentina led the way in mares flushed with 15,200 and 12,655 respectively. Small ruminant ET activity was down by about 7% from 2009. Again, Australia was the leader in ovine embryo production and transfers. There was no swine ET activity reported and only a few cervid embryo transfers for 2010. The volume of ET ac tivity reported from all the committee’s regional data collectors indicates that the embryo transfer industry is doing well. It is important to note that this report does not include every country’s statistics, and very few, if any, country has 100% of its activity represented; however, it is the best worldwide report available about the commercial embryo transfer busines.

IETS statement on worldwide ET statistics for 2010

For the twentieth consecutive year, the Data Retrieval Committee of the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) can report global embryo transfer (ET) statistics. The number of bovine in vivo - derived (IVD) embryos collected/flushed worldwide in 2010 increased to 732,000, a 4% increase from 2009. Consequently, the number of bovine IVD embryos transferred is up by 11% to 591,000 in 2010. All continents, with the exception of Africa, reported significant increases in the number of IVD embryos transferred. The number of frozen IVD embryos transferred into recipients outnumbered fresh transfers by 60,000 (328,000 frozen and 263,000 fresh). The total number of transferrable bovine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos worldwide increased to 451,000 in 2010, a 20% increase in IVP production. South America (mainly Brazil) again leads the global field of in vitro embryo production and transfers. The total number of IVP embryos transferred worldwide in 2010 was 339,685, an 11% incre ase from 2009. Global equine ET activity also increased in 2010. The number of reported flushes (41,652) was up by 4,681 (+13%). The number of transfers (28,824) was also up (+4,354). Brazil and Argentina led the way in mares flushed with 15,200 and 12,655 respectively. Small ruminant ET activity was down by about 7% from 2009. Again, Australia was the leader in ovine embryo production and transfers. There was no swine ET activity reported and only a few cervid embryo transfers for 2010. The volume of ET ac tivity reported from all the committees regional data collectors indicates that the embryo transfer industry is doing well. It is important to note that this report does not include every countrys statistics, and very few, if any, country has 100% of its activity represented; however, it is the best worldwide report available about the commercial embryo transfer busines.(AU)