Abstract :
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as artificial insemination (AI) and multiple
ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) have been used to increase reproductive efficiency
and accelerate genetic gain. The principal limitations of MOET are due to variable female
response to hormonal treatment, fertilization failures and premature regression of Corpora
luteum. The in vitro production (IVP) of embryos offers the possibility of overcoming
MOET limitations. The method of IVP of embryos involves three main steps: in vitro maturation
of oocytes (IVM), in vitro fertilization of oocytes (IVF) with capacitated sperm and in
vitro culture (IVC) of embryos up to blastocyst stage. Recovering oocytes from live selected
females by laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) and breeding prepubertal females by juvenile
in vitro embryo technology (JIVET) will allow a greater production of valuable goats.
Also, IVP of goat embryos will provide an excellent source of embryos for basic research
on development biology and for commercial applications of transgenic and cloning technologies.
Different protocols of IVP of embryos have been used in goats. However oocyte
quality is the main factor for embryos reaching blastocyst stage from IVM/IVF/IVC oocytes.
One of the principal determinant factors in the results of blastocyst development is the age
of the oocyte donor females. In goats, oocytes from prepubertal and adult females do not
show differences in in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization; however the percentage
of oocytes reaching blastocyst stage ranges from 12 to 36% with oocytes from prepubertal
and adult goats, respectively.
