Equine Embryo Sexing and Ultrasonographic Foetal Sexing – Interests and Applicability

Abstract

The ability to choose the sex of the offspring is of upmost economic importance for horse breeders. Unlike other species, horses present several reproductive peculiarities that interfere with assisted reproductive technologies used in other large animals (such as bovine) and make them difficult to apply. Thus, there is a great interest to determine the sex of the offspring as soon as possible. This has led to the development of several technologies to serve this purpose, which can be classified into two categories. One is equine embryo sexing by either non-invasive biotechnological methods, such as monitoring of X-linked enzymes before X chromosome inactivation and detection of sex-specific antigen, or by invasive biotechnological methods, such as cytogenetic analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The other one is equine foetus sexing using ultrasound scanning in different stages of its development (early, mid or late), by different approaches (transrectally or transabdominally). This can be performed with classic B-mode ultrasound machines or using 3D-mode and Doppler-mode scanners. This review article offers a comprehensive overview of the current status of these procedures as well as an assessment of their interests and applicability.

Comparative efficacy of two-dimensional mode and color Doppler sonography in predicting gender of the equine fetus

“…Furthermore, different techniques of genetic sex identification in embryos before implantation have been developed; these methods are based on cytogenetic analysis and polymerase chain reaction amplification of sex-specific DNA fragments. The major limitation of this method is the fact that it demands well-equipped laboratories and experienced personal [21].…”

Embryotransfer und assoziierte Techniken beim Pferd: Stand und Perspektiven

“…Vor der Übertragung der Embryonen stehen bereits jetzt schnelle und teils unkomplizierte Techniken zur Verfügung, um mittels Färbung oder Embryonenbiopsie das Geschlecht präimplantativ zu bestimmen und in die Auswahlkriterien der Embryonen mit einzubeziehen [10].…”

Geschlechtsbestimmung bei Pferdefeten mittels zwei- und dreidimensionaler Sonografie in der Frühgravidität

“…Curran und Ginther [1] haben erstmals die ultrasonografische Geschlechtsdifferenzierung bei Pferdefeten durch Aufsuchen des Genitaltuberkels (GT) beschrieben. Seither hat die Bedeutung der Geschlechtsbestimmung in der Pferdezucht zugenommen, da sowohl finanzielle als auch züchterische Entscheidungen vom Geschlecht der Nachkommen abhängen [2] [3].…”