National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH)

Topics in Animal Health Research 2003

03. In vitro production of porcine embryos using a novel culture medium

Japanese

  We developed a chemically defined medium (porcine zygote medium: PZM). Our novel PZM based on the composition of pig oviduct fluid is efficient for in vitro culture (IVC) of porcine zygotes. Moreover, we also attempted to establish a chemically defined system for in vitro fertilization (IVF) of porcine in vitro-matured oocytes using PZM as a basal medium. The presence of specific doses of theophylline, adenosine and cysteine during IVF improved the fertilizing ability of porcine oocytes and frozen-thawed spermatozoa or the subsequent embryo development under the chemically defined conditions of culture. Normal piglets were obtained from in vitro-produced blastocysts by embryo transfer into recipients. The results clearly demonstrate that porcine blastocysts can be produced by IVF and IVC in chemically defined media and that they have full-term developmental potential.
(Theriogenology Section, Department of Production Diseases   TEL +81-29-838-7784)

References:

  • Yoshioka et al. (2002) Biol. Reprod. 66:112-119.
  • Yoshioka et al. (2003) Biol. Reprod. 69:2092-2099.

 

Centers・Institutes