Effect of Two Different Sperm Selection Methods on Boar Sperm Parameters and In Vitro Fertilisation Outcomes.

Porcine in vitro embryo production (IVP) protocols have conventionally used density gradient selection (DGS) by centrifugation to prepare sperm samples and achieve successful fertilisation. However, the possible toxicity of the solutions used and the potential damage caused by the centrifugation step may have a negative effect on the quality of the sample. Microfluidic chip-based sperm (MCS) sorting has been proposed as an alternative technique for the selection of high-quality sperm with the purpose of improving reproductive outcomes in IVF.

Morphokinetic Profiling Suggests That Rapid First Cleavage Division Accurately Predicts the Chances of Blastulation in Pig In Vitro Produced Embryos.

The study of pig preimplantation embryo development has several potential uses: from agriculture to the production of medically relevant genetically modified organisms and from rare breed conservation to acting as a physiologically relevant model for progressing human and other (e.g., endangered) species' in vitro fertilisation technology.

Successful recovery of motile and viable boar sperm after vitrification with different methods (pearls and mini straws) using sucrose as a cryoprotectant.

Vitrification of sperm by direct contact with liquid nitrogen is increasing in popularity as an alternative to conventional (slow) freezing. Although slow freezing is very challenging in boar sperm cryopreservation, this is currently the standard method used. We compared vitrification in "pearls" and in "mini straws" using the in vitro fertilization media Porcine Gamete Media with 0.

Long-term Assessment of Subchondral Bone Changes and Intralesional Bony Overgrowth After Third-Generation Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: A Retrospective Study.

Background: There is an increasing interest in subchondral bone changes and intralesional bony overgrowth (ILBO) after cartilage repair. Their clinical and predictive relevance is unclear and debated.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term development of ILBO and bone marrow edema-like signals (BMELSs) after autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) treatment of cartilage defects to find any predictive factors for their appearance.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) Reveals High Levels of Chromosomal Errors in In Vivo-Derived Pig Embryos, with an Increased Incidence When Produced In Vitro.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is widespread, but controversial, in humans and improves pregnancy and live birth rates in cattle. In pigs, it presents a possible solution to improve in vitro embryo production (IVP), however, the incidence and origin of chromosomal errors remains under-explored. To address this, we used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based PGT-A algorithms in 101 in vivo-derived (IVD) and 64 IVP porcine embryos.

Supplementation of porcine maturation medium with FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 enhances cytoplasmic maturation in prepubertal gilts oocytes and improves embryo quality.

In porcine production (IVP) systems, the use of oocytes derived from prepubertal gilts, whilst being commercially attractive, remains challenging due to their poor developmental competence following maturation (IVM). Follicular fluid contains important growth factors and plays a key role during oocyte maturation; therefore, it is a common supplementation for porcine IVM medium. However, follicular fluid contains many poorly characterized components, is batch variable, and its use raises biosecurity concerns.

Follicular fluid steroid hormones and in vitro embryo development in Duroc and Landrace pigs.

The Duroc sire line has a smaller litter size compared to the Landrace dam line and we have previously observed fewer surface follicles on Duroc ovaries one day after weaning. In that same study, a broader cumulus expansion and faster nuclear maturation were observed for Duroc oocytes at 20 h of in vitro maturation (IVM), while Landrace oocytes showed more advanced stages of cortical granule distributions. However, no differences between breeds were observed after the final IVM period.

Genetic aspects of piglet survival and related traits: a review.

In livestock, mortality in general, and mortality of the young, is societal worries and is economically relevant for farm efficiency. Genetic change is cumulative; if it exists for survival of the young and genetic merit can be estimated with sufficient accuracy, it can help alleviate the pressure of mortality. Lack of survival is a moving target; livestock production is in continuous change and labor shortage is a given.

Effect of two 'progressively motile sperm-oocyte' ratios on porcine fertilization and embryo development.

Sperm motility and viability of cryopreserved semen vary between boars and straws, which influences the outcomes of embryo production (IVEP). However, progressive motility is usually not considered during IVEP. The aim of this study was to assess fertilization with a 500:1 and 250:1 'progressively motile sperm to oocyte' ratio on IVEP outcomes using semen from three Duroc and three Landrace boars.

Bone reconstruction: Subjective evaluation and objective analysis based on conventional digital X-rays - a retrospective evaluation.

Background: Various approaches have been used to evaluate callus stiffness in distraction osteogenesis. This assessment becomes even more critical as inadequate corticalization and premature removal of the frame lead to bending, refracture, and loss of length. This study aimed to verify the objective Pixel Value Ratio (PVR) and define an evaluation scheme to assess callus tissue development during internal and external bone lengthening.

The influence of advanced age in bone healing after intramedullary limb lengthening.

Background: Distraction osteogenesis with an intramedullary motorized nail is a well-established method to treat leg length discrepancy (LLD). The complex process of bone consolidation is affected by age, location, comorbidities, smoking and gender. The purpose of this case series was to investigate influencing factors in bone regeneration after intramedullary callus distraction.

Implant failure after externally magnetic-controlled nail lengthening.

The number of intramedullary procedures to treat leg length discrepancy (LLD) has risen in the past decade and this has led to increased complications such as nail breakage. The aim of this study was to reveal our experience with implant failure after externally magnetic-controlled telescopic bone lengthening. We observed nail-breakage in 4 out of 24 patients (16.

Computed Tomography in Limb Salvage and Deformity Correction-3D Assessment, Indications, Radiation Exposure, and Safety Considerations.

Computed tomography (CT) is an essential tool in orthopedic surgery but is known to be a method with that entails radiation exposure. CT increases the risk of developing fatal cancer, which should not be underestimated. However, patients with bone defects and/or deformities must frequently undergo numerous investigations during their treatment.

The role of apoptosis in cryopreserved animal oocytes and embryos.

Cryopreservation of both gametes and embryos, both for storage and for the preservation of their developmental capacity is a critical aspect of assisted reproductive technology. The survival of reproductive material following cryopreservation protocols is not only vital to clinical applications in the human in vitro fertilisation clinic, but is also important in the in vitro production of livestock embryos. The ability to routinely cryopreserve oocytes and embryos of livestock species has the potential to improve animal welfare, reduce environmental impact, and reduce the associated costs for breeding companies through the reduction of live animal transportation.

Investigating pig survival in different production phases using genomic models.

Pig survival is an economically important trait with relevant social welfare implications, thus standing out as an important selection criterion for the current pig farming system. We aimed to estimate (co)variance components for survival in different production phases in a crossbred pig population as well as to investigate the benefit of including genomic information through single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) on the prediction accuracy of survival traits compared with results from traditional BLUP. Individual survival records on, at most, 64,894 crossbred piglets were evaluated under two multi-trait threshold models.

Clinical evaluation after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation : a comparison of four different graft types.

Aims: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine if there are differences in short-term clinical outcomes among four different types of matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT).

Methods: A total of 88 patients (mean age 34 years (SD 10.03), mean BMI 25 kg/m (SD 3.

Ovarian characteristics and in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation in Duroc and Landrace pigs.

Differences in total number of piglets born per litter are observed between the Norwegian Duroc (ND) sire and Norwegian Landrace (NL) dam line. The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian characteristics, and in vitro nuclear and cytoplasmic oocyte maturation in both breeds. One day after weaning, follicular phase ovaries were collected.

Third-Generation Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation at the Knee Joint Using the Igor Scaffold: A Case Series With 2-Year Follow-up.

Background: For large, locally restricted cartilage defects in young patients, third-generation matrix-supported autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) with a variety of scaffolds has shown good mid- to long-term results.

Purpose/hypothesis: This study aimed to monitor the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who received ACI at the knee joint using the Igor scaffold (IGOR-Institute for Tissue and Organ Reconstruction) at 2-year follow-up. Our hypothesis was that there would be improvements in postoperative subjective scores and cartilage repair tissue quality.

Intramedullary Bone Lengthening Following Preceding Hip Surgery-A Case Series.

Limb length discrepancy (LLD) is a common problem after joint-preserving hip surgeries, hip dysplasia, and hip deformities. Limping, pain, sciatica, paresthesia, and hip instability are common clinical findings and may necessitate limb-lengthening procedures. The study included five patients (two female and three male, mean age of 28 years (20-49; SD: 12)) with symptomatic limb length discrepancy greater than 2.

Influence of the metabolic state during lactation on milk production in modern sows.

Selection for prolificacy in sows has resulted in higher metabolic demands during lactation. In addition, modern sows have an increased genetic merit for leanness. Consequently, sow metabolism during lactation has changed, possibly affecting milk production and litter weight gain.

Anatomical Considerations of Intramedullary Humeral Nailing and Lengthening.

Intramedullary lengthening, in cases of extensive humeral shortening, offers the advantages of preventing external-fixator-associated problems. The humeral cavity, as the main parameter in nailing, however, has been neglected in recent literature. It was hypothesized that available implants might be too large and therefore increase the risk of intraoperative fractures.

Consequences of negative energy balance on follicular development and oocyte quality in primiparous sows†.

Metabolic demands of modern hybrid sows have increased over the years, which increases the chance that sows enter a substantial negative energy balance (NEB) during lactation. This NEB can influence the development of follicles and oocytes that will give rise to the next litter. To study effects of a lactational NEB on follicular development, we used 36 primiparous sows of which 18 were subjected to feed restriction (3.

Innovative Technique in Extended Intramedullary Humeral Lengthening: A Case Report.

Case: Intramedullary humeral lengthening is still a very uncommon procedure to treat humeral limb length discrepancy (LLD). This approach has various advantages compared with external devices but is limited in its ability to lengthen bones because of the length of the telescopic nail. This case report describes a middle-aged patient with a short right humerus secondary to a childhood growth plate injury that was successfully lengthened with an off-label application of a tibial distracting device.

Traumatic periimplant fracture after nail arthrodesis of the knee in a limb reconstruction case.

Many principles of bone reconstruction were successfully applied in this unique case of a 1.92m (6 ft 3 in.) tall 15 year old boy with intercalary leg amputation.