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RESEARCH ARTICLE

216 COMPARISON BETWEEN A TRI-GAS THERMO INCUBATOR AND A MODULAR CHAMBER WITH PREMIXED GAS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOVINE EMBRYOS IN VITRO

M. B. Raito A B , M. L. Mphaphathi A , L. M. Schwalbach B , J. P. C. Greyling B and T. L. Nedambale A
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A ARC-API, Germplasm and Reproduction Biotechnologies, Irene, Gauteng, Republic of South Africa;

B University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, Republic of South Africa

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 21(1) 206-206 https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv21n1Ab216
Published: 9 December 2008

Abstract

In an attempt to optimize germplasm and reproduction biotechnology IVF laboratory conditions in South Africa, we compared the effects of 2 triple-gas incubation systems, a tri-gas thermo incubator and a modular chamber with premixed gas, on the development of bovine embryos in vitro. After aspirating ovaries collected from a local abattoir, 778 oocytes were matured for 24 h in M-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, and 1 μg mL–1 of FSH and LH at 39°C in 5% CO2. Oocytes were then fertilized in vitro in Brackett and Oliphant (BO) medium at 39°C in 5% CO2. Presumptive zygotes were randomly allocated to the tri-gas thermo incubator or the modular chamber with premixed gas and cultured in synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium at 39°C in 5% CO2, O2, and 90% N2. Total cleavage (Day 2), 8-cell (Day 2), morula (Day 6), and blastocyst (Day 7) rates were recorded postfertilization. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. There was no statistical difference in total cleavage rate between the 2 incubation systems. However, the 8-cell, morula, and blastocyst rates were significantly higher for the modular chamber group compared with the tri-gas incubator group (Table 1). In summary, this study suggests that the modular chamber with premixed gas was a better system for culturing zygotes of South African domestic animals to the blastocyst stage.


Table 1.  Effect of modular chamber and tri-gas incubator on embryo development in vitro
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This work was funded by the South African National Department of Agriculture, DST-PDP, and the National Research Foundation (NRF, Grant Nos. RT21 and 24000).