REPRODUCTION
Vitrifying
LARGER EMBRYOS Without Puncturing B y
M a r i e
R o s e n t h a l
M S
On left, 460 micron embryo prior to vitrification. On right, the embryo after 4 minutes in equilibration solution.
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Issue 11/2023 | ModernEquineVet.com
and 480 µm may be vitrified without puncturing or aspirating them, and still achieve a fairly high pregnancy rate, according to Sandra Wilsher, PhD, who discussed the new technique at the British Equine Veterinary Association Annual Congress, recently held in Liverpool, England. Embryos smaller than 300 µm tend to be easier to cryopreserve without additional manipulation, but the larger they become the more challenging it is to vitrify them, explained Dr. Wilsher, who practices reproductive medicine at Sharjah Equine Hospital in the United Arab Emirates. “Equine embryos have always been a little bit challenging to vitrify, particularly if they're over 300
Courtesy of Dr. Sandra Wilsher
Embryos that are between 300 µm
