UC Davis University
Society for Theriogenology Club 2013
Dr.
Katrin Hinrichs gave a knowledgeable and interesting presentation on advanced
equine reproductive technologies to the UC Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine. She began with a review of
basic embryo development, and ended with her latest research in advanced
technologies. She discussed, in detail,
topics such as embryo transfer, embryo biopsy, embryo cryopreservation,
ultrasound guided follicle aspirate, collection of oocytes post mortem,
intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, and nuclear transfer (cloning). She explained each process, how the
techniques are performed, how each made a significant impact on theriogenology,
and how the results differ in young versus aged mares. Not only did she discuss the technologies
used for mares, but also those used for cows due to some differences in
reproductive anatomy.
 Dr.
Hinrichs emphasized that the goal of these technologies and research is really
to find out which methods produce healthy foals. For instance, when cloning horses, because
the oocyte has to "reset” many genes, there are generally more opportunities
for deformities and abnormalities.
Oocytes take DNA of skin cells, sort through all the genes, and turn
specific genes on and off. According to
Dr. Hinrichs’s research, fifty percent of foals produced from cloning were born
with weakness/maladjustment, contracted tendons, or an enlarged umbilicus, and
two out of fourteen foals died neonatally in one study. One hypothesis for these abnormalities is
problems with the placenta. For
instance, in cattle, they are observed to have a large reduction in caruncle
number and they are much bigger in size.
However, not much information is known and much research has still yet
to be done.
|
