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Title: GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER (GIFT), AN ALTERNATIVE TO IN VITRO FERTILIZATION PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL APPLICATIONS

Author
item RATH D - NEUSTADT, GERMANY
item NIEMANN H - NEUSTADT, GERMANY
item Johnson, Lawrence

Submitted to: Theriogenology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/22/1993
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The application of sexed semen in the pig is dependent upon in vitro fertilization technology rather than delivery via of sperm via artificial insemination (AI). Flow cytometric sorting of sperm into X and Y populations is too slow to produce the large numbers of sperm needed for regular AI. This study describes efforts to use the technology developed for the human, that is gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) to improve fertilization of pig eggs with sexed sperm. Fertilization was obtained using GIFT and sexed sperm. However, further development of the technique is necessary to improve the recovery rate and the fertilization rate to make it more efficient. This approach if it can be optimized and improved could lead to a specialized application of using sexed sperm in pigs while in vitro fertilization protocols are being optimized.

Technical Abstract: Protocols for porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF) are still characterized by reduced fertilization rates. Some of the difficulties associated with IVF in the pig can be overcome by techniques that have been developed for the human, namely gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). This paper describes an effort to apply these techniques to the pig in order to utilize sexed sperm. More than 600 oocytes were transferred to fallopian tubes of estrus gilts in experiments. Sperm coincubations ranged from 4000 to 8000 per egg. Blastocyst development was generally twice as good in gilts receiving control sperm versus those receiving sexed sperm. Only 25% of the oocytes coincubated with sexed sperm were fertilized. Forty-six percent of the developing sexed blastocysts continued to develop to the expansion stage. Further studies are needed to improve the conditions of transfer which may enhance fertilization and development of the sexed embryo.