Equine Embryo Transfer

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Equine Embryo Transfer
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Advantages

• Obtain a foal from older mares
• Increase production of superior females
• Obtain a foal from show mares
• Improve environment for foal
• Obtain a foal late in season but keep donor open
  for next season

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Cycle of the Mare

• Seasonal breeders spring
• Artificial lights early breeding
• 21-day cycle
• Heat - 7 days
• Ovulate approx. 5-days into heat

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Donor Mare Considerations

• Reproductive history
• Fertility and location of sire
• Breed registry guidelines
• Mares performance
• Potential value of foal

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Recipient Mare Considerations

• 1100-1200 pounds
• 3-10 years
• Gentle disposition
• Good mammary glands
• Normal estrous cycles
• Free from ovarian tumors

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Pelvic Exam

• Uterine tone
• Cervical tone
• CL morphology
• Uterine edema
• Cysts on ovary
• Fluid in uterus

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Signs of Heat

• Urination
• Winking
• Squatting
• Spreading hind legs
• Leaning into stallion
• Raising tail

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Signs of Out

• Ears pinned
• Kicking
• Squealing
• Striking
• Biting

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Synchronization

• PGF2a injection heat 2-3 days later
• Must have CL at time of injection
• Progesterone injection with prostaglandin
• hCG will cause ovulation if large follicle
• Use if donor ovulates before recip
• Ovulation occurs 24-48 hrs after injection

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Mare Preparation

• Sedation Torbugesic and Xylazine
• Tie tail
• Remove feces
• Wash vulva and hind quarters

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Procedure

• Pass foley through cervix
• Inflate cuff
• Set up gravity flow system
• Add PBS, fill uterus
• Release clamp and run through filter
• Repeat

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Embryo Recovery

• Day 8-10 flush, seen with naked eye
• Day 6-7 flush, microscopic embryo
• ICM not as well defined in horse
• Embryonic capsule forms day 5-6