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Research Project: Development of Gene-editing Technologies in Livestock to Address Agriculturally Relevant Problems

Location: Plant Genetics Research

Title: Challenges and considerations during in vitro production of porcine embryos

Author
item CHEN, PAULA - University Of Missouri
item Redel, Bethany
item KERNS, KARL - Iowa State University
item SPATE, LEE - University Of Missouri
item PRATHER, RANDALL - University Of Missouri

Submitted to: Cells
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/13/2021
Publication Date: 10/15/2021
Citation: Chen, P., Redel, B.K., Kerns, K., Spate, L.D., Prather, R.S. 2021. Challenges and considerations during in vitro production of porcine embryos. Cells. 10(10):2770. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10102770.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10102770

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genetically modified pigs have become valuable tools for generating advances in animal agriculture and human medicine. Importantly, in vitro production and manipulation of embryos is an essential step in the process of creating porcine models. As the in vitro environment is still suboptimal, it is imperative to examine the porcine embryo culture system from several angles to identify methods for improvement. Understanding metabolic characteristics of porcine embryos and considering comparisons with other mammalian species is useful for optimizing culture media formulations. Furthermore, stressors arising from the environment and maternal or paternal factors must be taken into consideration to produce healthy embryos in vitro. In this review, we progress stepwise through oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, and embryo culture in pigs to assess the status of current culture systems and address points where improvements can be made.