Optimal Stage for Cryotop Vitrification of Porcine Embryos.

Different development stages of porcine embryos have different tolerance to low temperature. Therefore, we took the porcine embryos after parthenogenetic activation (PA) as the model, to explore the optimal development stage for vitrification during morula (D4), early blastocyst (D5), and expanded blastocyst (D6) after PA (D0). Embryos were observed with microscope and analyzed by different staining after cryo-recovery for 24 hours.

Division behaviours and their effects on pre-implantation development of pig embryos.

The quality of pre-implantation embryos could affect developmental efficiency after embryo transfer. However, the assessment of pre-implantation embryos was unsatisfactory, especially in pig embryos to date. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate available and applicable parameters that indicate developmental potential and quality of porcine pre-implantation embryos produced by handmade cloning (HMC), and parthenogenetic activation without zona pellucida (PAZF) and with zona pellucida (PAZI).

Identification of Functional Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Porcine Gene Associated with Estrus Behavior Difference between Large White and Mi Gilts.

Steroid hormone levels are associated with estrous behavior, which affects timely mating and reproductive efficiency in pigs. 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 14 ( modulates steroid synthesis and metabolism. To identify the functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the porcine gene, ear tissues from Large White and Mi gilts were collected to extract genomic DNA.

Vitamin C protects early mouse embryos against juglone toxicity.

Juglone, a naphthoquinone isolated from many species of the Juglandaceae (walnut) family, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for its various pharmacological effects. Our previous research found its toxic effects on oocytes maturation. But we still know a little about its toxic effects on embryo development.

The Effect of L-Carnitine Additive During Maturation on the Vitrification of Pig Oocytes.

Cryopreservation of oocytes/embryos is an important technique for genetic resources; however, the success of vitrification in pig oocytes remained at a relatively lower level due to the high content of lipid droplets (LDs). Considering the positive effect of L-carnitine on the function of LDs, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of the addition of L-carnitine on the vitrification of porcine cumulus cells of complexes (cumulus/oocyte complexes [COCs]). First, COCs were randomly divided into two groups: one group of COCs were commonly maturation (IVM) for 42-46 hours (nonvitrification [NV]), while another group of COCs were IVM with 10 mM L-carnitine (NVL [nonvitrification with L-carnitine addition in IVM]).