Oocyte and embryo evaluation by AI and multi-spectral auto-fluorescence imaging: Livestock embryology needs to catch-up to clinical practice

McLennan, Hanna J.; Saini, Avishkar; Dunning, Kylie R.; Thompson, Jeremy G.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.061

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…As with oocytes, the differences in metabolism between the vitrified groups and the non-vitrified control group observed may indicate an increased demand for energy required for post-warming recovery processes [ 47 ]. Hence, this study highlights the need to consider the impact of cryopreservation on metabolism when developing diagnostic tools that use cellular autofluorescence to predict developmental competency [ 39 , 51 , 56 , 57 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device

Yagoub

Lim

Tan

et al. 2022

J Assist Reprod Genet

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Purpose Vitrification permits long-term banking of oocytes and embryos. It is a technically challenging procedure requiring direct handling and movement of cells between potentially cytotoxic cryoprotectant solutions. Variation in adherence to timing, and ability to trace cells during the procedure, affects survival post-warming. We hypothesized that minimizing direct handling will simplify the procedure and improve traceability. To address this, we present a novel photopolymerized device that houses the sample during vitrification. Methods The fabricated device consisted of two components: the Pod and Garage. Single mouse oocytes or embryos were housed in a Pod, with multiple Pods docked into a Garage. The suitability of the device for cryogenic application was assessed by repeated vitrification and warming cycles. Oocytes or early blastocyst-stage embryos were vitrified either using standard practice or within Pods and a Garage and compared to non-vitrified control groups. Post-warming, we assessed survival rate, oocyte developmental potential (fertilization and subsequent development) and metabolism (autofluorescence). Results Vitrification within the device occurred within ~ 3 nL of cryoprotectant: this volume being ~ 1000-fold lower than standard vitrification. Compared to standard practice, vitrification and warming within our device showed no differences in viability, developmental competency, or metabolism for oocytes and embryos. The device housed the sample during processing, which improved traceability and minimized handling. Interestingly, vitrification-warming itself, altered oocyte and embryo metabolism. Conclusion The Pod and Garage system minimized the volume of cryoprotectant at vitrification—by ~ 1000-fold—improved traceability and reduced direct handling of the sample. This is a major step in simplifying the procedure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device

Yagoub

Lim

Tan

et al. 2022

J Assist Reprod Genet

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“…Currently, selection is based on morphological traits and quality is used evaluated according to the Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS). Although morphological selection is not necessarily reliable compared to omics technologies (Krisher et al, 2015), embryo metabolism (Thompson et al, 2016;Nõmm et al, 2019), or developmental kinetics (McLennan et al, 2020;Fryc et al, 2021). Despite recent advances, there is still a demand for selection methods that are reliable, non-invasive, and easily applied in laboratories routine.…”

Section: Embryo Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

In vitro embryo production in small ruminants: what is still missing?

Souza-Fabjan,

Leal,

Monteiro

et al. 2023

Anim. Reprod.

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In vitro embryo production (IVEP) is an extremely important tool for genetic improvement in livestock and it is the biotechnology that has grown the most recently. However, multiple ovulation followed by embryo transfer is still considered the leading biotechnology for embryo production in small ruminants. This review aimed to identify what is still missing for more efficient diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants, going through the IVEP steps and highlighting the main factors affecting the outcomes. Oocyte quality is essential for the success of IVEP and an aspect to be considered in small ruminants is their reproductive seasonality and strategies to mitigate the effect of season. The logistics for oocyte collection from live females is more complex than in cattle, and tools to simplify this collection system and/or to promote an alternative way of recovering oocytes may be an important point in this scenario. The heterogeneity of oocytes collected from growing follicles in live females or from ovaries collected from abattoirs remains a challenge, and there is a demand to standardize/homogenize the hormonal stimulatory protocols and IVM protocols for each source of oocytes. The use of sexed semen is technically possible, however the low market demand associated with the high costs of the sexing process prevents the routine use of this technique, but its higher availability is an important aspect aiming for greater dissemination of IVEP. New noninvasive approaches for embryo selection are key factors since the selection for transfer or cryopreservation is another difficulty faced among laboratories. Embryo selection is based on morphological traits, although these are not necessarily reliable in predicting pregnancy. Several issues described in this review must be considered by researchers in other to promote the diffusion of IVEP in small ruminants.

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“…However, there are relatively few occurrences of this in livestock species. This is perhaps due to methods such as time-lapse imaging and metabolomic profiling being logistically challenging and expensive (McLennan et al 2020). Therefore, there exists an opportunity to provide the research field with imaging modalities that are cost-effective and easy to use.…”

Section: Implications Of Non-invasive Oocyte Assessment For Livestock...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-invasive assessment of oocyte developmental competence

Tan

Dunning

2022

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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Oocyte quality is a key factor influencing IVF success. The oocyte and surrounding cumulus cells, known collectively as the cumulus oocyte complex (COC), communicate bi-directionally and regulate each other's metabolic function to support oocyte growth and maturation. Many studies have attempted to associate metabolic markers with oocyte quality, including metabolites in follicular fluid or 'spent medium' following maturation, gene expression of cumulus cells and measuring oxygen consumption in medium surrounding COCs. However, these methods fail to provide spatial metabolic information on the separate oocyte and cumulus cell compartments. Optical imaging of the autofluorescent cofactorsreduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H] and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)has been put forward as an approach to generate spatially resolved measurements of metabolism within individual cells of the COC. The optical redox ratio (FAD/[NAD(P)H + FAD]), calculated from these cofactors, can act as an indicator of overall metabolic activity in the oocyte and cumulus cell compartments. Confocal microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and hyperspectral microscopy may be used for this purpose. This review provides an overview of current optical imaging techniques that capture the inner biochemistry within cells of the COC and discusses the potential for such imaging to assess oocyte developmental competence.

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Oocyte and embryo evaluation by AI and multi-spectral auto-fluorescence imaging: Livestock embryology needs to catch-up to clinical practice

Cited by 16 publications

References 93 publications

Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device

Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device

In vitro embryo production in small ruminants: what is still missing?

Non-invasive assessment of oocyte developmental competence

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