Nihon Yoton Gakkaishi

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In this study, we investigated the possibility of using vitrified porcine embryos as a source for introduction of new genetic resources. Embryos collected from 13 Duroc gilts at the National Livestock Breeding Center located in Fukushima were vitrified using the MVAC method. These vitrified embryos were transported in a dry shipper at －196°C to the National Livestock Breeding Center Miyazaki Station and transferred to 13 recipient gilts.

The vitrified embryos from one donor were transferred to one recipient. As a comparison of vitrified embryo transfer, unvitrified fresh embryos collected from 13 Duroc gilts and transported at 38°C to the National Livestock Breeding Center Ibaragi Station, and then transferred in the same manner as the vitrified embryos within one day. The conception and delivery rate after embryo transfer was 76.9% (10/13) for vitrified embryos and 69.2% (9/13) for unvitrified fresh embryos. The piglet production rate (number of delivered piglets/number of transferred embryos) was 33.3% for vitrified embryos and 27.6% for unvitrified fresh embryos. The differences between the vitrified and the unvitrified embryos were not significant. These results show that porcine vitrified embryos can be used to introduce new genetic resources by embryo transfer.

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