Reproduction Table of Contents Volume 43 · Supplement 2 · July 2008 · 1-422 ORIGINAL ARTICLES Vol. 43 • Supplement 2 R C.GALLI,G.LAZZARI E The Manipulation of Gametes and Embryos in Farm Animals 1-7 PR July 2008 • 1-422 O D.BLACHE,G.B.MARTIN,S.K.MALONEY D Towards Ethically Improved Animal Experimentation in the Study of Animal Reproduction 8-14 U in Domestic Animals C T S.M.RHIND IO Endocrine Disruptors and Other Food-contaminating Environmental Pollutants as Risk Factors in N Animal Reproduction 15-22 IN J.E.P.SANTOS,T.R.BILBY,W.W.THATCHER,C.R.STAPLES,F.T.SILVESTRE D O Long Chain Fatty Acids of Diet as Factors Influencing Reproduction in Cattle 23-30 M E M.C.LUCY S Functional Differences in the Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor Axis in Cattle and Pigs: TIC Implications for Post-partum Nutrition and Reproduction 31-39 A Editor-in-Chief: Heriberto Rodriguez-Mártinez N P.CHEMINEAU,D.GUILLAUME,M.MIGAUD,J.C.THIÉRY,M.T.PELLICER-RUBIO,B.MALPAUX IM Guest Editor: Professor Gyula Huszenicza Seasonality of Reproduction in Mammals: Intimate Regulatory Mechanisms and Practical Implications 40-47 A L M.MIHM,A.C.O.EVANS S Mechanisms for Dominant Follicle Selection in Monovulatory Species: A Comparison of Morphological, Guest Editoriial Board: Dr. Judit Barna, Prof. Andras Dinnyes, Endocrine and Intraovarian Events in Cows, Mares and Women 48-56 Dr. Ferenc Flink, Prof. Gyorgy Gabor, Prof. Miklos Mezes, D.J.SKARZYNSKI,G.FERREIRA-DIAS,K.OKUDA 4 Regulation of Luteal Function and Corpus Luteum Regression in Cows: Hormonal Control, Immune 3 S Prof. Jozsef Ratky, Prof. Laszlo Solti, Prof. Laszlo Wekerle Mechanisms and Intercellular Communication 57-65 u p p H.J.BERTSCHINGER,D.G.A.MELTZER,A.VAN DYK le Captive Breeding of Cheetahs in South Africa – 30 Years of Data from the de Wildt m Cheetah and Wildlife Centre 66-73 en t M.DEHNHARD,S.NAIDENKO,A.FRANK,B.BRAUN,F.GÖRITZ,K.JEWGENOW 2 Non-invasive Monitoring of Hormones: A Tool to Improve Reproduction in Captive Breeding of the Eurasian Lynx: Hormone Monitoring in Breeding Programmes of Mammals 74-82 J.A.LONG Reproductive Biotechnology and Gene Mapping: Tools for Conserving Rare Breeds of Livestock 83-88 B.BERGLUND Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cow Reproductive Performance 89-95 J.L.M.R.LEROY,T.VANHOLDER,A.T.M.VAN KNEGSEL,I.GARCIA-ISPIERTO,P.E.J.BOLS Nutrient Prioritization in Dairy Cows Early Postpartum: Mismatch Between Metabolism and Fertility? 96-103 R.S.ROBINSON,A.J.HAMMOND,D.C.WATHES,M.G.HUNTER,G.E.MANN Proceedings of the Corpus Luteum-Endometrium-Embryo Interactions in the Dairy Cow: Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance 104-112 16th International Congress on N.C.FRIGGENS,M.BJERRING,C.RIDDER,S.HØJSGAARD,T.LARSEN Improved Detection of Reproductive Status in Dairy Cows Using Milk Progesterone Measurements 113-121 Animal Reproduction D.R.NOTTER Genetic Aspects of Reproduction in Sheep 122-128 13–17 July 2008 – Budapest, Hungary R.J.SCARAMUZZI,G.B.MARTIN The Importance of Interactions Among Nutritions, Seasonality and Socio-sexual Factors in the Development of Hormone-free Methods for Controlling Fertility 129-136 K.M.MORTON Developmental Capabilities of Embryos Produced In Vitrofrom Prepubertal Lamb Oocytes 137-143 E.AXNÉR Updates on Reproductive Physiology, Genital Diseases and Artificial Insemination in the Domestic Cat 144-149 H.LINDEBERG Reproduction of the Female Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) 150-156 J.DE GIER,N.J.BEIJERINK,H.S.KOOISTRA,A.C.OKKENS Physiology of the Canine Anoestrus and Methods for Manipulation of Its Length 157-164 G.C.W.ENGLAND,K.M.MILLAR The Ethics and Role of AI with Fresh and Frozen Semen in Dogs 165-171 A.CARATY,I.FRANCESCHINI Basic Aspects of the Control of GnRH and LH Secretions by Kisspeptin: Potential Applications for Better Control of Fertility in Females 172-178 R.FAYRER-HOSKEN Controlling Animal Populations Using Anti-Fertility Vaccines 179-185 T.E.ADAMS,I.BOIME The Expanding Role of Recombinant Gonadotropins in Assisted Reproduction 186-192 T.A.L.BREVINI,S.ANTONINI,G.PENNAROSSA,F.GANDOLFI Official Organ of Recent Progress in Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Its Application in Domestic Species 193-199 European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction Continued inside ISSN 0936-6768 (Print) European Veterinary Society off Small Animal Reproduction ISSN 1439-0531 (Online) Spanish Society of Animal Reproduction www.blackwellpublishing.com An online version is available www.blackwell-synergy.com Reproduction in Domestic Animals The Organising Committee wishes to acknowledge and express Official Organ of European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction, European Veterinary its gratitude to the main sponsors of ICAR 2008 Congress: Society off Small Animal Reproduction and Spanish Society of Animal Reproduction Editor-in-Chief Associate Editors Prof Dr. José Luiz Rigo Rodrigues Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Prof. Dr. H. 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Reproduction in Domestic Animals Vol. 43 • Supplement 2 • July 2008 Proceedings of the 16th International Congress on Animal Reproduction 13–17 July 2008 – Budapest, Hungary Guest Editor: Prof. Gyula Huszenicza Guest Editorial Board: Dr. Judit Barna Prof.Andras Dinnyes Dr. Ferenc Flink Prof. Gyorgy Gabor Prof. Miklos Mezes Prof. Jozsef Ratky Prof. Laszlo Solti Prof. Laszlo Wekerle Reproduction in Domestic Animals Table of Contents Volume 43 · Supplement 2 · July 2008 · 1-422 ORIGINAL ARTICLES C.GALLI,G.LAZZARI The Manipulation of Gametes and Embryos in Farm Animals 1-7 D.BLACHE,G.B.MARTIN,S.K.MALONEY Towards Ethically Improved Animal Experimentation in the Study of Animal Reproduction 8-14 S.M.RHIND Endocrine Disruptors and Other Food-contaminating Environmental Pollutants as Risk Factors in Animal Reproduction 15-22 J.E.P.SANTOS,T.R.BILBY,W.W.THATCHER,C.R.STAPLES,F.T.SILVESTRE Long Chain Fatty Acids of Diet as Factors Influencing Reproduction in Cattle 23-30 M.C.LUCY Functional Differences in the Growth Hormone and Insulin-like Growth Factor Axis in Cattle and Pigs: Implications for Post-partum Nutrition and Reproduction 31-39 P.CHEMINEAU,D.GUILLAUME,M.MIGAUD,J.C.THIÉRY,M.T.PELLICER-RUBIO,B.MALPAUX Seasonality of Reproduction in Mammals: Intimate Regulatory Mechanisms and Practical Implications 40-47 M.MIHM,A.C.O.EVANS Mechanisms for Dominant Follicle Selection in Monovulatory Species: A Comparison of Morphological, Endocrine and Intraovarian Events in Cows, Mares and Women 48-56 D.J.SKARZYNSKI,G.FERREIRA-DIAS,K.OKUDA Regulation of Luteal Function and Corpus Luteum Regression in Cows: Hormonal Control, Immune Mechanisms and Intercellular Communication 57-65 H.J.BERTSCHINGER,D.G.A.MELTZER,A.VAN DYK Captive Breeding of Cheetahs in South Africa – 30 Years of Data from the de Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre 66-73 M.DEHNHARD,S.NAIDENKO,A.FRANK,B.BRAUN,F.GÖRITZ,K.JEWGENOW Non-invasive Monitoring of Hormones: A Tool to Improve Reproduction in Captive Breeding of the Eurasian Lynx: Hormone Monitoring in Breeding Programmes of Mammals 74-82 J.A.LONG Reproductive Biotechnology and Gene Mapping: Tools for Conserving Rare Breeds of Livestock 83-88 B.BERGLUND Genetic Improvement of Dairy Cow Reproductive Performance 89-95 J.L.M.R.LEROY,T.VANHOLDER,A.T.M.VAN KNEGSEL,I.GARCIA-ISPIERTO,P.E.J.BOLS Nutrient Prioritization in Dairy Cows Early Postpartum: Mismatch Between Metabolism and Fertility? 96-103 R.S.ROBINSON,A.J.HAMMOND,D.C.WATHES,M.G.HUNTER,G.E.MANN Corpus Luteum-Endometrium-Embryo Interactions in the Dairy Cow: Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Relevance 104-112 N.C.FRIGGENS,M.BJERRING,C.RIDDER,S.HØJSGAARD,T.LARSEN Improved Detection of Reproductive Status in Dairy Cows Using Milk Progesterone Measurements 113-121 D.R.NOTTER Genetic Aspects of Reproduction in Sheep 122-128 R.J.SCARAMUZZI,G.B.MARTIN The Importance of Interactions Among Nutritions, Seasonality and Socio-sexual Factors in the Development of Hormone-free Methods for Controlling Fertility 129-136 K.M.MORTON Developmental Capabilities of Embryos Produced In Vitrofrom Prepubertal Lamb Oocytes 137-143 E.AXNÉR Updates on Reproductive Physiology, Genital Diseases and Artificial Insemination in the Domestic Cat 144-149 H.LINDEBERG Reproduction of the Female Ferret (Mustela putorius furo) 150-156 J.DE GIER,N.J.BEIJERINK,H.S.KOOISTRA,A.C.OKKENS Physiology of the Canine Anoestrus and Methods for Manipulation of Its Length 157-164 G.C.W.ENGLAND,K.M.MILLAR The Ethics and Role of AI with Fresh and Frozen Semen in Dogs 165-171 A.CARATY,I.FRANCESCHINI Basic Aspects of the Control of GnRH and LH Secretions by Kisspeptin: Potential Applications for Better Control of Fertility in Females 172-178 R.FAYRER-HOSKEN Controlling Animal Populations Using Anti-Fertility Vaccines 179-185 T.E.ADAMS,I.BOIME The Expanding Role of Recombinant Gonadotropins in Assisted Reproduction 186-192 T.A.L.BREVINI,S.ANTONINI,G.PENNAROSSA,F.GANDOLFI Recent Progress in Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Its Application in Domestic Species 193-199 B.M.A.O.PERERA Reproduction in Domestic Buffalo 200-206 P.S.BRAR,A.S.NANDA Postpartum Ovarian Activity in South Asian Zebu Cattle 207-212 M.J.R.PARANHOS DA COSTA,A.SCHMIDEK,L.M.TOLEDO Mother-Offspring Interactions in Zebu Cattle 213-216 B.S.PRAKASH,M.SARKAR,M.MONDAL An Update on Reproduction in Yak and Mithun 217-223 F.X.DONADEU,H.G.PEDERSEN Follicle Development in Mares 224-231 M.A.HAYES,B.A.QUINN,N.D.KEIRSTEAD,P.KATAVOLOS,R.O.WAELCHLI,K.J.BETTERIDGE Proteins Associated With the Early Intrauterine Equine Conceptus 232-237 Z.ROTH Heat Stress, the Follicle, and Its Enclosed Oocyte: Mechanisms and Potential Strategies to Improve Fertility in Dairy Cows 238-244 K.- P.BRÜSSOW,J.RÁTKY,H.RODRIGUEZ-MARTINEZ Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development in the Porcine Fallopian Tube 245-251 S.PYÖRÄLÄ Mastitis in Post-Partum Dairy Cows 252-259 M.G.DISKIN,D.G.MORRIS Embryonic and Early Foetal Losses in Cattle and Other Ruminants 260-267 N.MANABE,F.MATSUDA-MINEHATA,Y.GOTO,A.MAEDA,Y.CHENG,S.NAKAGAWA,N.INOUE,K.WONGPANIT,H.JIN,H.GONDA,J.LI Role of Cell Death Ligand and Receptor System on Regulation of Follicular Atresia in Pig Ovaries 268-272 F.F.BARTOL,A.A.WILEY,C.A.BAGNELL Epigenetic Programming of Porcine Endometrial Function and the Lactocrine Hypothesis 273-279 K.C.CAIRES,J.A.SCHMIDT,A.P.OLIVER,J.DE AVILA,D.J.MCLEAN Endocrine Regulation of the Establishment of Spermatogenesis in Pigs 280-287 I.DOBRINSKI Male Germ Cell Transplantation 288-294 N.RAWLINGS,A.C.O.EVANS,R.K.CHANDOLIA,E.T.BAGU Sexual Maturation in the Bull 295-301 A.DINNYES,X.C.TIAN,X.YANG Epigenetic Regulation of Foetal Development in Nuclear Transfer Animal Models 302-309 R.C.BOTT,D.T.CLOPTON,A.S.CUPP A Proposed Role for VEGF Isoforms in Sex-Specific Vasculature Development in the Gonad 310-316 B.K.WHITLOCK,J.A.DANIEL,R.R.WILBORN,T.H.ELSASSER,J.A.CARROLL,J.L.SARTIN Comparative Aspects of the Endotoxin- and Cytokine-Induced Endocrine Cascade Influencing Neuroendocrine Control of Growth and Reproduction in Farm Animals 317-323 C.R.BARB,G.J.HAUSMAN,C.A.LENTS Energy Metabolism and Leptin: Effects on Neuroendocrine Regulation of Reproduction in the Gilt and Sao 324-330 C.GALLI,I.LAGUTINA,R.DUCHI,S.COLLEONI,G.LAZZARI Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in Horses 331-337 D.RATH,L.A.JOHNSON Application and Commercialization of Flow Cytometrically Sex-Sorted Semen 338-346 J.M.VAZQUEZ,J.ROCA,M.A.GIL,C.CUELLO,I.PARRILLA,I.CABALLERO,J.L.VAZQUEZ,E.A.MARTÍNEZ Low-Dose Insemination in Pigs: Problems and Possibilities 347-354 C.B.A.WHITELAW,S.G.LILLICO,T.KING Production of Transgenic Farm Animals by Viral Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer 355-358 A.C.O.EVANS,N.FORDE,G.M.O'GORMAN,A.E.ZIELAK,P.LONERGAN,T.FAIR Use of Microarray Technology to Profile Gene Expression Patterns Important for Reproduction in Cattle 359-367 J.P.KASTELIC,J.C.THUNDATHIL Breeding Soundness Evaluation and Semen Analysis for Predicting Bull Fertility 368-373 G.C.ALTHOUSE Sanitary Procedures for the Production of Extended Semen 374-378 B.LEBOEUF,J.A.DELGADILLO,E.MANFREDI,A.PIACÈRE,V.CLÉMENT,P.MARTIN,M.PELLICER, P.BOUÉ,R.DE CREMOUX Management of Goat Reproduction and Insemination for Genetic Improvement in France 379-385 N.KOSTEREVA,M.-C.HOFMANN Regulation of the Spermatogonial Stem Cell Niche 386-392 P.MERMILLOD,R.DALBIÈS-TRAN,S.UZBEKOVA,A.THÉLIE,J.-M.TRAVERSO,C.PERREAU, P.PAPILLIER,P.MONGET Factors Affecting Oocyte Quality: Who is Driving the Follicle? 393-400 K.KIKUCHI,N.KASHIWAZAKI,T.NAGAI,M.NAKAI,T.SOMFAI,J.NOGUCHI,H.KANEKO Selected Aspects of Advanced Porcine Reproductive Technology 401-406 B.OBACK Climbing Mount Efficiency – Small Steps, Not Giant Leaps Towards Higher Cloning Success in Farm Animals 407-416 P.LOI,K.MATZUKAWA,G.PTAK,Y.NATAN,J.FULKA JR,A.ARAV Nuclear Transfer of Freeze-Dried Somatic Cells into Enucleated Sheep Oocytes 417-422 Minitüb: Products for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer White Partners in Reproduction Research and Practice ReprodDomAnim43(Suppl.2),1–7(2008);doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01136.x ISSN0936-6768 The Manipulation of Gametes and Embryos in Farm Animals C Galli1,2 andGLazzari1 1LaboratoriodiTecnologiedellaRiproduzione,IstitutoSperimentaleItalianoLazzaroSpallanzani,CIZsrl,Cremona,Italy;2Dip.Clinico Veterinario,Universita`diBologna,Bologna,Italy Contents In this paper, we will discuss thein vitro reproductive This paper summarizes the major advances in farm animal technologies that have had the greatest impact on assisted reproduction in the last 20years with particular animalbreedingandhighlightourcontributionstotheir attentiontothecontributionsoftheauthors.Amainemphasis development. For this reason, it was not the aim of the is on the biology of the oocyte, including a description of paper to make an extensive review of the published methodsforisolationofdevelopingfolliclesandcultureofthe literature but rather to mention the work and publica- corresponding oocytes. Milestones that have led to optimiza- tionsthathavedirectlyinspiredourwork.Weapologize tion of procedures for maturation of fully grown oocytes, in advance for those citations that are not included. fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo At the beginning of our career in science, in the mid- culture in sheep, cattle, pigs and horses are described. The 1980s, the only embryo technology that was applied in currentstatusofnucleartransfer,cloningandembryonicstem practicewassuperovulationandembryotransfer[multi- cell generation and culture is also summarized for all major farm animal species. It is concluded that the manipulation of ple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET)]. At that time, earlydevelopmentinfarmanimalsisofcrucialimportancefor soon became apparent that the MOET technique had agriculturalpurposesandthatreproductivebiotechnologiesin many limits and other ways could be developed for farmanimalsareexpectedtoplayanincreasingroleinthenext producing embryos required by the cattle industry. A decades due to the growing demand for agricultural products seminalpaperpublishedbyStaigmillerandMoor(1984) from the emerging economies worldwide. In the biomedical drew our attention, as it demonstrated that immature field large animals represent increasingly important research oocytes, after in vitro maturation (IVM), could be models especially in the stem cell field for creating genetically convertedintoviableembryosandoffspringatalevelof modified animals for specific purposes. Finally, the successful efficiency that was remarkably high. Our interest was translation of large animal research in the applied context requires solid science, long-term resource commitment from particularly attracted to the female germ line. On the involvedinstitutions,andvision,dedicationandentrepreneur- one hand, we dreamed about the possibility of exploi- ial skillsfrom the scientists involved. tingthelargepoolofgrowingoocytesintheovariesand, on the other hand, we aimed at rescuing those fully grown oocytes present in medium to large size follicles Introduction thatexistthroughoutthereproductivelifetimeoffemale Despite the many scientific advances that have charac- cattle. The aim was to overcome the physiological terized reproduction research, the science of reproduc- limitation of conventional breeding, especially in the tionretainsanauraofwonder.Thisfeelingiscapturedin monotocycous Bos taurus, and make a better use of Harvey’s phrase: ‘ex ovo omnia’ and this fundamental female gametes that were otherwise destined to wastage truth explains the central role that reproduction has in by atresia. In this way, the genetic impact of females of biology of all life including our own. In livestock superior genotype and performance on a given popula- breeding, as well as for companion animals and wildlife tion could be greatly amplified. Indeed the oocyte isthe conservation, reproduction and selection allow mainte- most interesting cell in biology and may play the most nance and propagation of species and breeds. Most crucialrole insuccessfulbreeding.Asignificantpropor- importantly, farm animal reproduction is a central tion of successful embryo development can be related phenomenon required for genetic selection to improve backtotheoocyte(StaigmillerandMoor1984)andthe productive⁄reproductive traits in the next generation. production of large number of good quality oocytes Genomics, proteomics and marker-assisted selection using in vitro techniques opened a new era in embryo wouldallbelimitedtechnologiesifnotexploitedthrough technologies for farm animals. reproduction.Thedevelopmentofassistedreproduction In this paper, we will review our work of the last techniques, as advanced tools for animal breeding, has 20 years. Efforts started with a specific interest in the beinginstrumentalfortheacquisitionofin-depthknow- oocyte and evolved into building novel approaches to ledge of the molecular mechanisms of the reproduction embryo-relatedbiotechnologiesranging from controlof processes, for studying gametes and embryos and for meiosis, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture, allowingthemanipulationofearlydevelopmentinfarm nuclear transfer, stem cells and genetic modification of animals. The strong driving force behind the advance- large domestic animals. We always worked in an mentofreproductivetechnologieshasbeentheneedfor ultrashort feedback loop between fundamental research agriculturaland,morerecently,biomedicalapplications. and technology application, in close contact with the In many instances, the technical achievements have end users of the technologies that we were working on. surpassed the full understanding of the underlying Such contacts have served as a strong reminder that biologicalmechanismsforthoseachievements. any new technology has to have application. In our (cid:2)2008The Authors. Journalcompilation (cid:2)2008Blackwell Verlag 2 C GalliandG Lazzari circumstances, the final result was the birth of live ment of IVM in sheep, the work was expanded by offspring at an acceptable rate, with several different investigating the effects of gonadotropins on oocyte technologies and across a number of different species maturation (Galli and Moor 1991b). In addition, the that included cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and buffalo. model was transferred to the cow at Animal Biotech- nology Cambridge Ltd in UK, at Ovamass in Dublin (Lu and Polge 1992; Carolan et al. 1994) and elsewhere From the Very Beginning: The Growing Oocyte (Xuet al.1987;Gotoet al.1988).Similardevelopments Inmammals,onlyatinyfractionofthelargenumberof occurred in the pig (Moor et al. 1990), horse (Zhang primordialfolliclesgenerates progeny;thevastmajority et al. 1989) and other species as well. When IVF was are lost during throughatresia. For many years, several perfected, allowing a deeper understanding of oocyte investigators isolated and investigated the biology of developmental competence, other factors, such as folli- intact primordial follicles in rodents (Roy and Green- clesize,wereidentifiedasimportantindicatorsofoocyte wald 1985) and eventually grew them successfully in competence in the cow (Galli and Moor 1991a) and culture (Eppig and O’Brien 1996). This task proved horse(Galliet al.2007).Studiesontheproteinsynthesis muchmoredifficultinlargeanimalsbecauseofthelarge activity within the oocyte and on the interactions size and extensive connective tissue of the ovary. between follicular cells and oocytes (Staigmiller and Nonetheless, we developed (Lazzari et al. 1992) a Moor 1984; Downs et al. 1988; Buccione et al. 1990) protocol for isolation of large numbers of primordial contributed to the identification of active compounds oocytes from the ovary of newborn piglets based on secreted by somatic cells (epidermal growth factor, enzymatic digestion and separation by centrifugal elu- insulin growth factors, fibroblast growth factors, etc.) triation. Later, oocytes were obtained from secondary that promote competent maturation. follicles of cattle and successful development with the The development of procedures for oocyte retrieval birth of live calves was achieved, albeit at a low rate from live bovine donors (Pieterse et al. 1991; Hasler (Miyano and Manabe 2007). Culture requirements for et al. 1995; Galli et al. 2001), referred to as ovum pick growing a complex tri-dimensional structure such as an up, opened an important area for the application of ovarianfollicleareverycomplex.Theonlyprogressthat oocyte maturation and embryo production in vitro for has been made involves culture in vivo of thin slices of breedingpurposesincattleaswellasotherlargespecies theovaryfollowingtransplantationinhumans(Meirow as buffalo (Galli et al. 1998) and horses (Galli et al. et al. 2007). This technology has potential applications 2002). for patients undergoing certain therapies that cause Despite the high rate of nuclear maturation obtained oocyte damage. in vitro, the developmental competence of matured Thehypothesisthattheovarianreservoirofgermcells oocytes is variable. One likely source for much of this is replenished by haematopoietic stem cells moving into variationistheintrinsicqualityoftheoocytesrecovered the ovaries (Johnson et al. 2005) is an intriguing one from the ovaries. To overcome the problem caused by that suggests new approaches for developing large harvesting of suboptimal oocytes, it was tested whether numbers of oocytes. However, no progeny has been a period of prematuration in vitro to maintain oocytes obtained from such migrating cells, and thus the long- arrested in prophase I could increase their developmen- established view that the number of oocytes is fixed at tal competence following maturation. Butyrolactone birth is true (Eggan et al. 2006). A more realistic and roscovitine, two specific protein kinases inhibitors, approach for the production of new female gametes is were used for keeping oocytes arrested in Germinal through differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells Vesicle (GV) for a 24-h culture period (Ponderato et al. and, indeed, development of oocyte-like cells from ES 2001). This meiosis block was fully reversible as dem- cells has been reported (Hubner et al. 2003; Ko and onstrated by resumption of meiosis and normal embry- Scholer 2006). In spite of these astonishing results, the onicdevelopmentfollowingtransferofembryosderived complexity of epigenetic regulation of germ cell devel- from prematured oocytes (Ponderato et al. 2002). Yet, opment in mammals (Sasaki and Matsui 2008) sets this this strategy did not improve oocyte competence and ambitious target very far off. found very limited application. Oocyte Maturation InVitroacross Species and Manipulating the Mature Egg for Embryo Time Production Fromthelate1970s,itbecameclearthatitwaspossible Following the seminal work in laboratory animals to exploit the oocyte reservoir present in secondary (Yanagimachi and Chang 1964), IVF was later devel- follicles of farm animals. Early on, successful develop- oped in farm animal species. The birth of the first IVF ment was obtained by maturing the oocyte inside the calf derived from in vivo matured oocytes (Brackett follicle (Moor and Trounson 1977). The subsequent et al.1982)wasfollowedbysignificantadvancesinIVF understanding of the crucial role of the surrounding when heparin was used as capacitating agent for bull follicular⁄cumulus cells during the initial phases of sperm(Parrishet al.1986).Ataboutthesametime,IVF maturation(Mooret al.1981)leads tothedevelopment became a reality in other large species except the horse ofaco-culturesystemforIVMofextrafollicularoocytes where success has been only exceptional. Indeed, only that resulted in a high proportion of such oocytes two foals have been reported as the result of IVF developing into live lambs after in vivo transfer (Sta- (Palmer et al. 1991). Assisted reproduction of the igmiller and Moor 1984). After the successful achieve- horse eventually benefited from the development of (cid:2)2008TheAuthors. Journal compilation(cid:2)2008Blackwell Verlag