This video describes the technique of transferring embryos into the oviduct of a recipient female rabbit via Laparoscopy. It allows embryo remodeling in rabbits during its migration through the oviduct, eventually helping in successful implantation. This technique can also be used for stored embryos with good efficiency.
Protocol
1. Embryo Transfer Preparation of recipient females Use only sexually mature females (> 4.5 months old). One week before ET, adapt females to a 16 h light/8 h dark regime to initiate follicular growth and enhanced female receptivity. Select the recipient females, observing the turgidity and color of the vulva. If the vulva is turgid and reddish, the female is receptive. Induce pseudopregnancy (ovulation) by a single intramuscular injection of 1…
Representative Results
Figure 1: Laparoscopic embryo transfer assisted by Laparoscopy (External view). A) Insertion of the endoscopic trocar (one port). B) Insertion of the endoscopic camera and the epidural needle (black arrow). C) Insertion of the embryo transfer catheter (white arrow) through the epidural needle. <p class="jove_cont…
Offenlegungen
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Materials
Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)
VWR
332
Buprenorphine hydrochloride
Alvet Escartí
626
To be ordered by a licensed veterinarian.
Buserelin Acetate
Sigma Aldrich
B3303
CO2
Air Liquide
99921
CO2 N48.
Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS)
Sigma Aldrich
D5773
Without calcium chloride
Electric razor
Oster Golden A5
078005-140-002
Endoscope camera
Optomic Spain S.A
OP-714
Endoscope trocar with silicone leaflet valve
Karl Storz Endoscopia Ibérica S.A.
30114GK
Lightweight trocar model.
Clorhexidine digluconate soap
Alvet Escartí
0265DCCJ500B
Epicraneal needle 23G
Alvet Escartí
514056353
Smaller needles can be also used.
Epidural catheter
Vygon corporate
187.1
Epidural needle
Vygon corporate
187.1
Eye ointment
Alvet Escartí
5273
Laparoscopy equipment
Karl Storz Endoscopia Ibérica S.A.
26003 AA
Hopkins® Laparoscope, 0º-mm straight-viewing laparoscope, 30- cm length, 5-mm working channel.
Light source
Optomic Spain S.A
Fibrolux 250
Mechanical CO2 insufflator
Karl Storz Endoscopia Ibérica S.A.
Endoflator®
Silicone tube for insufflato
r Karl Storz Endoscopia Ibérica S.A.
20400040
Stereomicroscope
Leica
MZ16F
There are cheaper options such as Leica MZ8 or Nikon SMZ-10 or SMZ-2B, to name a few.
Rabbits
Universitat Politècnica de València
Line A
Other maternal lines, such as Line V or Line HP can be used.
Embryo Transfer Into Rabbit: A Procedure for Laparoscopy-Guided Transfer of Embryos Into Oviduct of Ovulating Recipient Female Rabbit Model. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e20937, doi: (2023).