In vitro embryo production in buffaloes: from the laboratory to the farm

Transvaginal follicular aspiration technique together with in vitro embryo production are the biotechnological alternatives currently available to support genetic improvement breeding programs in buffalo species. However, aspects related to animal management, lack of knowledge of the metabolic needs and biochemical peculiarities of gametes and embryos, as well as the reproductive physiology characteristics have hampered progress in the results. Despite the low availability of good quality oocytes collected after OPU in donors as a physiological characteristic of buffalo species, high rates of oocyte maturation, modest embryo cleavage, blastocyst production and pregnancy rates after transvaginal embryo transfer in recipients could be obtained in buffalo in vitro embryo production programs. The results of implementing an in vitro embryo production program in buffaloes in the northern region of Pará state, Brazil, and results published by other groups demonstrate the feasibility of implementing this biotechnology in the routine of breeding programs. Nevertheless, in order to achieve better and consistent results, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge on the peculiarities of reproductive biology in this specie. Selection of donor animals based on ovarian size and ovarian follicular reserve and on the rate of blastocyst production is presented as an effective alternative to increase the efficiency of the in vitro embryo production technique applied to the buffalo species.

In vitro embryo production in buffaloes: from the laboratory to the farm

Transvaginal follicular aspiration technique together with in vitro embryo production are the biotechnological alternatives currently available to support genetic improvement breeding programs in buffalo species. However, aspects related to animal management, lack of knowledge of the metabolic needs and biochemical peculiarities of gametes and embryos, as well as the reproductive physiology characteristics have hampered progress in the results. Despite the low availability of good quality oocytes collected after OPU in donors as a physiological characteristic of buffalo species, high rates of oocyte maturation, modest embryo cleavage, blastocyst production and pregnancy rates after transvaginal embryo transfer in recipients could be obtained in buffalo in vitro embryo production programs. The results of implementing an in vitro embryo production program in buffaloes in the northern region of Pará state, Brazil, and results published by other groups demonstrate the feasibility of implementing this biotechnology in the routine of breeding programs. Nevertheless, in order to achieve better and consistent results, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge on the peculiarities of reproductive biology in this specie. Selection of donor animals based on ovarian size and ovarian follicular reserve and on the rate of blastocyst production is presented as an effective alternative to increase the efficiency of the in vitro embryo production technique applied to the buffalo species.(AU)

Contributions of RNA-seq to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP)

In Vitro Embryo Production (IVP) is widely used to improve the reproductive efficiency of livestock animals, however increasing the embryo development rates and pregnancy outcomes is still a challenge for some species. Thus, the lack of biological knowledge hinders developing specie-specific IVP protocols. Therefore, the contributions of RNA-seq to generate relevant biological knowledge and improve the efficiency of IVP in livestock animals are reviewed herein.

Contributions of RNA-seq to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP)

In Vitro Embryo Production (IVP) is widely used to improve the reproductive efficiency of livestock animals, however increasing the embryo development rates and pregnancy outcomes is still a challenge for some species. Thus, the lack of biological knowledge hinders developing specie-specific IVP protocols. Therefore, the contributions of RNA-seq to generate relevant biological knowledge and improve the efficiency of IVP in livestock animals are reviewed herein.(AU)

Hormônio antimülleriano pode uma realidade usada em seres humanos ser transferida a bovinos e búfalos / Antimüllerian Hormone can a reality in humans translate to bovine and buffalos

O hormônio antimülleriano (AMH) nas fêmeas é produzido especificamente pelas células da granulosa dos folículos em crescimento e controla a velocidade do crescimento folicular ao inibir a enzima aromatase. Este hormônio tem sido explorado em várias aplicações biotecnológicas, sendo a mais bem estudada a relação positiva entre a sua concentração circulante e a população folicular antral (PFA) no ovário, tornando o AMH um indicador confiável desta característica em humanos e em outras espécies. O AMH também mostrou ser um indicador prognóstico positivo do rendimento de embriões em programas de ovulação múltipla e transferência de embriões (MOET) em bovinos, porém sua utilidade para identificar fêmeas doadoras de oócitos para produção de embriões in vitro (IVEP) ainda está em discussão. Em búfalos, apenas poucos estudos foram realizados até o momento, porém devido a baixa reserva folicular ovariana na espécie e a grande variabilidade individual, que criam um desafio para ART (Assisted Reproduction Technology) na espécie, o AMH surge com grande potencial de se tornar alternativa eficiente para a identificação precoce de doadores de oócitos para IVEP. Estudos sobre AMH demonstraram claramente sua utilidade como parte do "pacote de biotecnologia reprodutiva" em algumas espécies, especialmente em seres humanos. Em animais de produção, como bovinos, e principalmente no búfalo, estudos adicionais são necessários para definir a utilidade da AMH não apenas como um bom preditor da AFP, mas também como uma ferramenta chave em programas de biotecnologia reprodutiva em todo o mundo.(AU)

The antimüllerian hormone (AMH) in females ias specifically produced by the granulosa cells of growing follicles and controls the speed of follicular growth by inhibit the enzyme aromatase. This has been recently explored in several biotechnological applications with the most well studied being the positive relationship between circulating concentration of circulating AMH and the antral follicular population (PFA) in the ovary,where AMH is becoming accepted as a reliable indicator of this characteristic in both humans and other species. AMH has also been shown to be a positive prognostic indicator of embryo yield in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) in cattle, however its utility for identifying good oocyte donors for in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in bovines is still under debate. In buffaloes, only limited studies have been completed, however with the low ovarian follicular reserve in the species and the great individual variability creating a challenge for ART (Assisted Reproduction Technology) the enormous potential of AMH as an efficient alternative of early identification of oocyte donors for IVEP has been suggested. In summary, studies on AMH have clearly demonstrated its utility as part of the "reproductive biotechnology package" in some species, especially in humans and in farm animals such as cattle. In the buffalo, further studies are needed to define the usefulness of AMH not only as a good predictor of AFP but also as a key tool in buffalo reproductive biotechnology programs worldwide.(AU)

Hormônio antimülleriano pode uma realidade usada em seres humanos ser transferida a bovinos e búfalos / Antimüllerian Hormone can a reality in humans translate to bovine and buffalos

O hormônio antimülleriano (AMH) nas fêmeas é produzido especificamente pelas células da granulosa dos folículos em crescimento e controla a velocidade do crescimento folicular ao inibir a enzima aromatase. Este hormônio tem sido explorado em várias aplicações biotecnológicas, sendo a mais bem estudada a relação positiva entre a sua concentração circulante e a população folicular antral (PFA) no ovário, tornando o AMH um indicador confiável desta característica em humanos e em outras espécies. O AMH também mostrou ser um indicador prognóstico positivo do rendimento de embriões em programas de ovulação múltipla e transferência de embriões (MOET) em bovinos, porém sua utilidade para identificar fêmeas doadoras de oócitos para produção de embriões in vitro (IVEP) ainda está em discussão. Em búfalos, apenas poucos estudos foram realizados até o momento, porém devido a baixa reserva folicular ovariana na espécie e a grande variabilidade individual, que criam um desafio para ART (Assisted Reproduction Technology) na espécie, o AMH surge com grande potencial de se tornar alternativa eficiente para a identificação precoce de doadores de oócitos para IVEP. Estudos sobre AMH demonstraram claramente sua utilidade como parte do "pacote de biotecnologia reprodutiva" em algumas espécies, especialmente em seres humanos. Em animais de produção, como bovinos, e principalmente no búfalo, estudos adicionais são necessários para definir a utilidade da AMH não apenas como um bom preditor da AFP, mas também como uma ferramenta chave em programas de biotecnologia reprodutiva em todo o mundo.

The antimüllerian hormone (AMH) in females ias specifically produced by the granulosa cells of growing follicles and controls the speed of follicular growth by inhibit the enzyme aromatase. This has been recently explored in several biotechnological applications with the most well studied being the positive relationship between circulating concentration of circulating AMH and the antral follicular population (PFA) in the ovary,where AMH is becoming accepted as a reliable indicator of this characteristic in both humans and other species. AMH has also been shown to be a positive prognostic indicator of embryo yield in multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) in cattle, however its utility for identifying good oocyte donors for in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in bovines is still under debate. In buffaloes, only limited studies have been completed, however with the low ovarian follicular reserve in the species and the great individual variability creating a challenge for ART (Assisted Reproduction Technology) the enormous potential of AMH as an efficient alternative of early identification of oocyte donors for IVEP has been suggested. In summary, studies on AMH have clearly demonstrated its utility as part of the "reproductive biotechnology package" in some species, especially in humans and in farm animals such as cattle. In the buffalo, further studies are needed to define the usefulness of AMH not only as a good predictor of AFP but also as a key tool in buffalo reproductive biotechnology programs worldwide.

Distúrbios reprodutivos do rebanho bubalino nacional / Reproductive problems of the national Buffalo herd

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever as principais alterações reprodutivas que ocorrem no rebanho bubalino nacional, aqui classificado como de origem adquirida e de origem genética/congênita, tanto em machos como em fêmeas, embasando os profissionais quanto a sua ocorrência, especialmente em relação aos problemas de caráter genético para que possam evitar que animais com tais alterações sejam utilizados como doadores de sêmen (Touros) ou ovócitos/embriões (Matrizes), respectivamente, em centrais de Biotecnologia da Reprodução, prevenindo deste modo a difusão do problema genético reprodutivo no rebanho nacional.

The objective of this paper is to present the most important reproductive problems that occur in national buffalo herd, in both male and female, which were classified as acquired and genetic/congenital etiology in order to give technical support for professionals in relation to the occurrence of such problems, especially in relation to the genetics ones to avoid that animals with such alterations are used as donor of semen (Bulls) or donor of oocytes/embryos (Cow), respectively, preventing this way that such genetic problems are spread in the herd.

Distúrbios reprodutivos do rebanho bubalino nacional / Reproductive problems of the national Buffalo herd

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever as principais alterações reprodutivas que ocorrem no rebanho bubalino nacional, aqui classificado como de origem adquirida e de origem genética/congênita, tanto em machos como em fêmeas, embasando os profissionais quanto a sua ocorrência, especialmente em relação aos problemas de caráter genético para que possam evitar que animais com tais alterações sejam utilizados como doadores de sêmen (Touros) ou ovócitos/embriões (Matrizes), respectivamente, em centrais de Biotecnologia da Reprodução, prevenindo deste modo a difusão do problema genético reprodutivo no rebanho nacional.(AU)

The objective of this paper is to present the most important reproductive problems that occur in national buffalo herd, in both male and female, which were classified as acquired and genetic/congenital etiology in order to give technical support for professionals in relation to the occurrence of such problems, especially in relation to the genetics ones to avoid that animals with such alterations are used as donor of semen (Bulls) or donor of oocytes/embryos (Cow), respectively, preventing this way that such genetic problems are spread in the herd.(AU)