Problems and Solutions in the Applications of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Mammalian Livestock

Öz

Sustainability in farm animals is based on reproduction, and in this respect, the use of technologies in the field of reproductive biology is very important. Achieving production goals can be realized through the effective management and optimization of the reproductive processes in animals. In this regard, in recent years, assisted reproductive technologies have developing rapidly and in parallel with this development, it is reflected in practical applications. Although reproductive technologies are quite diverse, the current study focused on in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer, and also considered species such as cattle, sheep, and goats as mammalian farm animals. The processes involved in in vitro embryo development and embryo transfer applications are extremely complex and intricate. These procedures involve stages such as in vitro oocyte maturation, in vitro sperm capacitation, the cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, and the selection and preparation of donor and recipient animals. Various problems can be encountered in each of the mentioned processes. In this study, it is aimed to include some common problems in assisted reproductive technologies and their solutions

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Embryo transfer
• sperm
• gamete
• reproduction
• assisted reproductive technologies

Memeli Çiftlik Hayvanlarında Üremeye Yardımcı Teknolojiler Uygulamalarında Sorunlar ve Çözümler

Öz

Çiftlik hayvanlarında sürdürülebilirlik üremeye dayalıdır ve bu yönüyle üreme biyolojisi alanındaki teknolojilerin kullanımı oldukça önemlidir. Üretim hedeflerine ulaşılabilmesi, hayvanların üreme süreçlerinin etkin bir şekilde yönetilmesi ve optimize edilmesi ile sağlanabilir. Bu bağlamda, son yıllarda üremeye yardımcı teknolojiler hızla gelişmekte ve bu gelişime paralel olarak da pratik uygulamalara yansımaktadır. Üremeye yardımcı teknolojiler oldukça çeşitli olmakla birlikte, mevcut çalışmada in vitro maturasyon, in vitro fertilizasyon, in vitro embriyo üretimi ve embriyo transferi konularına odaklanılmış olup aynı zamanda memeli çiftlik hayvanları olarak sığır, koyun, keçi gibi türlerde yapılan çalışmalar esas alınmıştır. In vitro embriyo üretimi ve embriyo transferi uygulamalarında yer alan süreçler son derece karmaşık ve detaylıdır. Bu prosedürler, in vitro oosit olgunlaştırma, in vitro sperm kapasitasyonu, gametlerin ve embriyoların dondurulması ve donör-alıcı hayvanların seçimi ve hazırlanması gibi aşamaları içerir. Bahsedilen süreçlerin her birinde çeşitli sorunlarla karşılaşılabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, üremeye yardımcı teknolojilerde sık karşılaşılan bazı sorunlar ve bunların çözüm önerilerine yer verilmesi amaçlanmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Embriyo transferi
• sperm
• gamet
• üreme
• üremeye yardımcı teknolojiler.

Kaynakça

1. Abdelnour, S.A., Khalil, W.A., Hassan, M.A.E., El-Ratel, I.T., El-Harairy, M.A., Dessouki, S.M., Attia, K.AA. 2025. Protective effect of epidermal growth factor on cryopreservation of dromedary camel epididymal spermatozoa: Evidence from in vitro and in silico studies. Animal Reproduction Science, 272, 107662. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107662.
2. Abou-Setta, A.M., Al-Inany, H.G., Mansour, R.T., Serour, G.I., Aboulghar, M.A. 2005. Soft versus firm embryo transfer catheters for assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction, 20(11): 3114-3121. Doi: 10.1093/humrep/dei198.
3. Ahmed, A.E., Sindi, R.A., Yousef, N.A., Hussein, H.A., Badr, M.R., Al Syaad, K.M., Al-Saeed, F.A., Hassaneen, A.S.A., Abdelrahman, M., Ali, M.E. 2023. Impact of epidermal growth factor and/or β-mercaptoethanol supplementations on the in vitro produced buffaloes' embryos. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. Doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1138220.
4. Ali, A., Sirard, M.A. 2002. Effect of the absence or presence of various protein supplements on further development of bovine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Biology of Reproduction, 66: 901-905.
5. Amiridis, G.S., Cseh, S. 2012. Assisted reproductive technologies in the reproductive management of small ruminants. Animal Reproduction Science, 130: 152-161.
6. Armstrong, D.T. 2001. Effects of maternal age on oocyte developmental competence. Theriogenology, 55(6): 1303-1322.
7. Arshad, U., Sagheer, M., González-Silvestry, F.B., Hassan, M., Sosa, F. 2021. Vitrification improves in-vitro embryonic survival in Bos taurus embryos without increasing pregnancy rate post embryo transfer when compared to slow-freezing: A systematic meta-analysis. Cryobiology, 101: 1-11. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.06.007.
8. Aoto, T., Takahashi, R., Ueda, M. 2011. A protocol for rat in vitro fertilization during conventional laboratory working hours. Transgenic Research, 20: 1245-1252.

9. Ayaşan, T., Hızlı, H., Gök, K., Kılıçalp, N., Kara, U., Çamlıdağ, A., Karakozak, E., Mutlu, H., Çoban, S., Seğmenoğlu, M.S. 2011. Donör ineklerde mevsimin embriyo kalitesi üzerine etkisi. Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(3): 181-185.
10. Awonuga, A., Nabi, A., Govindbhai, J., Birch, H., Stewart, B. 1998. Contamination of embryo transfer catheter and treatment outcome in in vitro fertilization. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 15(4): 198-201.
11. Başar, M.M., Soysal, E. 2019. Sperm motilite bozukluklarına güncel yaklaşım. Androloji Bülteni, 21: 22-31.
12. Canovas, S., Ivanova, E., Romar, R., García-Martínez, S., Soriano- Úbeda, C., García-Vázquez, F. A., Saadeh, H., Andrews, S., Kelsey, G., Coy, P. 2017. DNA methylation and gene expression changes derived from assisted reproductive technologies can be decreased by reproductive fluids. Elife, 6: e23670. Doi: 10.7554/eLife.23670.
13. Chakravarthi, V.P., Balaji, N.S. 2010. Use of assisted reproductive technologies for livestock development. Veterinary World, 3(5): 238-240.
14. Cognié, Y., Poulin, N., Locatelli, Y., Mermillod, P. 2004. State-of-the-art production, conservation and transfer of in-vitro-produced embryos in small ruminants. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 16(4): 437-445.
15. De Matos, D.G., Herrera, C., Cortvrindt, R., Smitz, J., Van Soom, A., Nogueira, D., Pasqualini, R.S. 2002. Cysteamine supplementation during in vitro maturation and embryo culture: A useful tool for increasing the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 62(2): 203-209.
16. Düzgüneş, O., Eliçin, A., Akman, N. 2003. Hayvan Islahı. Ankara Üniversitesi Basımevi, Ankara, 298p.
17. Fang, J., Sun, H., Chen, L., Wang, J., Lin, F., Xu, Z., Zhu, L., Wang, S. 2024. Embryological characteristics and clinical outcomes of oocytes with different degrees of abnormal zona pellucida during assisted reproductive treatment. Zygote, 32(1): 7-13. Doi: 10.1017/S0967199423000515.
18. Ferré, L.B., Kjelland, M.E., Taiyeb, A.M., Campos‐Chillon, F., Ross, P.J. 2020. Recent progress in bovine in vitro‐derived embryo cryotolerance: Impact of in vitro culture systems, advances in cryopreservation and future considerations. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 55(6): 659-676. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13667.
19. Forero‐Gonzalez, R.A., Celeghini, E.C.C., Raphael, C.F., Andrade, A.F.C., Bressan, F.F., Arruda, R. P. 2012. Effects of bovine sperm cryopreservation using different freezing techniques and cryoprotective agents on plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes. Andrologia, 44(1): 154-159. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01154.x.
20. Fusco, G., Minelli, A. 2019. The Biology of Reproduction. Cambridge University Press, 472, United Kingdom.
21. Ghaffari, F., Kiani, K., Bahmanabadi, A., Akhoond, M. 2013. Comparison of easy and difficult embryo transfer outcomes in in vitro fertilization cycles. International Journal of Fertility and Sterility, 6(4): 232.
22. Goldberg, J.M., Falcone, T., Attaran, M. 2007. In vitro fertilization update. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 74(5): 329-338.
23. Gordon, I. 2004. Reproductive Technologies in Farm Animals. CABI Publishing, United Kingdom, 332p.
24. Gwatkin, R.B.L. 1964. Effect of enzymes and acidity on the zona pellucida of the mouse egg before and after fertilization. Journal Reproduction Fertility, 7(1): 99-105.
25. Hafez, B., Hafez, E.S.E. 2000. Micromanipulation of Gametes and Embryos: In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF/ET): Reproduction in Farm Animals, Ed.: Hafez, B., Hafez, E.S.E., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, United States of America, 443-465.
26. Hammadeh, M.E., Fischer-Hammadeh, C., Ali, K.R. 2011. Assisted hatching in assisted reproduction: A state of the art. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 28(2): 119-128.
27. Herrick, J.R. 2019. Assisted reproductive technologies for endangered species conservation - developing sophisticated protocols with limited access to animals with unique reproductive mechanisms. Biology of Reproduction, 100(5): 1158-1170.
28. Hasler, J.F., McCauley, A.D., Lathrop, W.F., Foote, R.H. 1987. Effect of donor-embryo-recipient interactions on pregnancy rate in a large-scale bovine embryo transfer program. Theriogenology, 27(1): 139-168.
29. Hızlı, H., Ayaşan, T., Kılıçalp, N., Kara, U., Karakozak, E., Özcan, B.D., Gök, K., Çamlıdağ, A., Çoban, S., Mutlu, H., Seğmenoğlu, M.S. 2012. Verici inek ve düvelerde tekrarlanan süperovulasyonların embriyo kalitesi üzerine etkisi. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 23(1): 11-14.
30. Hızlı, H., Ayaşan, T., Gök, K., Kara, U., Kılıçalp, N., Çamlıdağ, A., Karakozak, E., Seğmenoğlu, M.S., Mutlu, H., Asarkaya, A. 2011. Donör ineklerde yaş ile embriyo kalitesi arasındaki ilişkinin saptanması. Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 17(3): 493-497.
31. Kaymakçı, M. 2006. Üreme Biyolojisi. Ege Üniversitesi Basımevi, İzmir, 263p.
32. Keck, C., Fischer, R., Baukloh, V., Alper, M. 2005. Staff management in the in vitro fertilization laboratory. Fertility and Sterility, 84(6): 1786-1788.
33. Keefer, C.L. 1990. New techniques for assisted fertilization. Theriogenology, 33(1): 101-112.
34. Labrune, E., Jaeger, P., Santamaria, C., Fournier, C., Benchaib, M., Rabilloud, M., Salle, B., Lornage, J. 2020. Cellular and molecular impact of vitrification versus slow freezing on ovarian tissue. Tissue Engineering: Part C, 26(5): 276-285. Doi: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0063.
35. Long, C.R., Damiani, P., Pinto-Correia, C., MacLean, R.A., Duby, R.T., Robl, J.M. 1994. Morphology and subsequent development in culture of bovine oocytes matured in vitro under various conditions of fertilization. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 102(2): 361-369.
36. Mains, L., Van Voorhis, B.J. 2010. Optimizing the technique of embryo transfer. Fertility and Sterility, 94(3): 785-790.
37. Malhi, P.S., Adams, G.P., Mapletoft, R.J., Singh, J. 2007. Oocyte developmental competence in a bovine model of reproductive aging. Reproduction, 134(2): 233-239.
38. Mendes Jr., J. O. B., Burns, P. D., De La Torre-Sanchez, J. F., Seidel Jr., G. E. 2003. Effect of heparin on cleavage rates and embryo production with four bovine sperm preparation protocols. Theriogenology, 60: 331-340. Doi:10.1016/S0093-691X(03)00029-3.
39. Merton, J.S., Vermeulen, Z.L., Otter, T., Mullaart, E., de Ruigh, L., Hasler, J.F. 2007. Carbon-activated gas filtration during in vitro culture increased pregnancy rate following transfer of in vitro-produced bovine embryos. Theriogenology, 67(7): 1233-1238.
40. Niwa, K., Ohgoda, O. 1988. Synergistic effect of caffeine and heparin on in-vitro fertilization of cattle oocytes matured in culture. Theriogenology, 30(4): 733-741.
41. Oguejiofor, C.F. 2019. Prospects in the utilization of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) towards improved cattle production in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 46(5): 73-80.
42. Olexiková, L., Dujíčková, L., Makarevich, A.V., Bezdíček, J., Sekaninová, J., Nesvadbová, A., Chrenek, P. 2023. Glutathione during Post-Thaw Recovery Culture Can Mitigate Deleterious Impact of Vitrification on Bovine Oocytes. Antioxidants, 12(1): 35. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010035.
43. Olson, S.E., Seidel, G.E. 2000. Culture of in vitro-produced bovine embryos with vitamin E improves development in vitro and after transfer to recipients. Biology of Reproduction, 62(2): 248-252.
44. Palermo, G.D., Bedford, J.M. 2000. Micromanipulation of Human Gametes, Zygotes, and Embryos: Handbook of the Assisted Reproduction Laboratory, Ed.: Keel, B.A., May, J.V., De Jonge, C.J., CRC Press LLC, United States of America, 221-252.
45. Pereira, R.M., Marques, C.C. 2008. Animal oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. Cell Tissue Banking, 9: 267-277.
46. Sadir, R.A., Villarmosa, A., Figueiredo, L. 2017. Clean room technology, An overview of clean room classification standards: Clean room technology in art clinics: a practical guide, Ed.: Esteves, S.C., Varghese, A.C., Worillow, K.C., CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, United States of America, 19-31.
47. Salumets, A., Tuuri, T., Mäkinen, S., Vilska, S., Husu, L., Tainio, R., Suikkari, A.M. 2003. Effect of developmental stage of embryo at freezing on pregnancy outcome of frozen–thawed embryo transfer. Human Reproduction, 18(9): 1890-1895. Doi: 10.1093/humrep/deg339.
48. Sakatani, M., Yamanaka, K., Balboula, A.Z., Takenouchi, N., Takahashi, M. 2015. Heat stress during in vitro fertilization decreases fertilization success by disrupting anti-polyspermy systems of the oocytes. Molecular Reproduction & Development, 82(1): 36-47.
49. Shufaro, Y., Laufer, N. 2013. Epigenetic concerns in assisted reproduction: Update and critical review of the current literature. Fertility and Sterility, 99(3): 605-606.
50. Siqueira, L.G., Silva, M.V.G., Panetto, J.C., Viana, J.H. 2020. Consequences of assisted reproductive technologies for offspring function in cattle. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 32: 82-97.
51. Sirard, M.A. 2017. The influence of in vitro fertilization and embryo culture on the embryo epigenetic constituents and the possible consequences in the bovine model. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 8(4): 411-417. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S2040174417000125.
52. Takeo, S., Kimura, K., Shirasuna, K., Kuwayama, T., Iwata, H. 2016. Age-associated deterioration in follicular fluid induces a decline in bovine oocyte quality. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 29(4): 759-767. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD15228.
53. Takeo, S., Kawahara-Miki, R., Goto, H., Cao, F., Kimura, K., Monji, Y., Kuwayama, T., Iwata, H. 2013. Age-associated changes in gene expression and developmental competence of bovine oocytes, and a possible countermeasure against age-associated events. Molecular Reproduction & Development, 80(7): 508-521.
54. Thundathil, J., Palasz, A. T., Barth, A. D., Mapletoft, R. J. 2001. The use of in vitro fertilization techniques to investigate the fertilizing ability of bovine sperm with proximal cytoplasmic droplets. Animal Reproduction Science, 65(3-4): 181-192.
55. Tölü, C., Yazgan, N., Akbag, H.I., Savas, T. 2024. Effects of melatonin implants on hormone profile and mating behaviour in rams. Journal of Animal Production, 65(1), 29-36. Doi: https://doi.org/10.29185/hayuretim.1473580.
56. Wang, H., Yang, G., Jiang, R., Zhai, J., Jin, H., Song, W., Shi, S., Fang, J., Zhang, T., Hu, J., Kong, Y., He, J., Song, N., Wu, Z., Huang, X., Qi, L., Yao, G. 2025. Human oocyte zona pellucida abnormalities: Evaluation of clinical impact for different zona pellucida abnormalities and role of using assisted hatching. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 42(1): 303-317. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03306-3.
57. Yamada, C., Caetano, H.V.A., Simões, R., Nicacio, A.C., Feitosa, W.B., Assumpção, M.E.O. D.Á., & Visintin, J.A. 2007. Immature bovine oocyte cryopreservation: Comparison of different associations with ethylene glycol, glycerol and dimethylsulfoxide. Animal Reproduction Science, 99(3-4): 384-388. Doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.07.001.
58. Yang, Q., Fu, W., Wang, Y., Miao, K., Zhao, H., Wang, R., Guo, M., Wang, Z., Tian, J., An, L. 2020. The proteome of IVF-induced aberrant embryo-maternal crosstalk by implantation stage in ewes. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 11(7): 1-17, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-019-0405-y.
59. Yang, R.F., Xiong, X.R., & Zi, X.D. 2019. Effect of cysteine, insulin-like growth factor-1 and epidermis growth factor during in vitro oocyte maturation and in vitro culture of yak-cattle crossbred embryos. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 47(1): 463-466. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2019.1663353.
60. Yusuf, A.M. 2024. Promise of in vitro embryo production technology for improvement of cattle reproductive potential. EAS Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 6(2): 44-58. Doi: 10.36349/easjvms.2024.v06i02.003.