Embryo Transfer Surgery via Laparotomy in Gilts

Summary

This protocol describes the application of the surgical technique used to transfer cloned pig embryos via laparotomy in gilts.

Abstract

This protocol aims to demonstrate the surgical technique for transferring cloned pig embryos to the oviduct, a method widely used in the production of genetically modified pigs for biomedical research. Nine gilts underwent hormonal synchronization and laparotomy for the transfer of cloned embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) at stages of up to 4 cells on day 2 to the oviduct. Gestational diagnosis was conducted via ultrasound examination 30 days post-transfer surgery. Six out of the nine operated gilts exhibited signs of pregnancy on ultrasound examination. However, as there was no progression in fetal development as assessed by echography, the gilts underwent necropsy at 60 days for the collection of biological material and assessment of the reproductive system. Adhesions were observed in the uterine horns, ovaries, and oviducts. From the uterine lumen of two of the euthanized gilts, one and four embryonic structures with gestational ages ranging between 12 to 20 days were obtained. Despite the absence of live piglets, likely attributed to the low-efficiency rate of transferring cloned pig embryos, which is influenced by various factors, including the number and quality of transferred embryos, the presented surgical technique proved to be rapid and safe.

Introduction

Pigs are an excellent experimental model for biomedical research due to their anatomical, physiological, and genetic similarities to humans¹. These animals have often been used in research related to xenotransplantation, with the intention of producing organs, cells, or tissues that promote a low risk of rejection when transplanted into humans. Xenotransplantation research aims to increase the organ supply for human transplantation, thus reducing the waiting list of patients².

The production of pigs for xenotransplantation involves several steps, including the production ....

Protocol

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use in Research of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, protocol number 6088030523. Nine seven-month-old gilts from the Água Branca nucleus pig farming, located in Itu city, São Paulo state, Brazil, were used right after the second estrus detection⁹. The details of the reagents and the equipment used in the study are listed in the Table of Materials.

Discussion

The surgical method described has been previously performed by other research groups working with the production of cloned pigs or genetically modified cloned pigs, with reports of births after the implementation of this technique^{15,16,17,18,19,20}. The pregnancy and birth rates of SCNT embryos produced from various cell lines.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.25 mL straw	generic	-	Surgical material
1 mL syringe	Descarpack	341001	Surgical material
10 mL syringe	Descarpack	324601	Surgical material
20 mL syringe	Descarpack	324801	Surgical material
3 mL syringe	Descarpack	324201	Surgical material
5 mL syringe	Descarpack	324401	Surgical material
60 mL syringe	Descarpack	323201	Surgical material
9 mm endotracheal tube	Rusch	112482-000090	Surgical material
Allis forceps	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Amox LA	JA Saúde Animal	MAPA registration: 8.781/2004	Pharmaceutical drug
Bakhaus forceps	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Catheter 20G	Descarpack	362401	Catheter for intravenous access
Cetamin	Agener União	MAPA registration: SP-000292-5.000011	Anesthetic
Conductive clinical gel	RMC	ANVISA registration: 80122200013	Surgical material
Dipyrone D-500	Zoetis	MAPA registration: SP0000728-46	Pharmaceutical drug
Disposable scalpel n. 22	Wiltex	ANVISA registration: 10150470565	Surgical instrument
Disposable sterile sponge-brush	Rioquimica	7.89778E+12	Surgical asepsis
Easy-Scan:Go	IMV	ESCG01	Ultrasound
Endozime AW Plus	Ruhof	34514	Detergent for surgical instruments
Fentanil (Fentanest)	Cristália	ANVISA registration: 1029800810159	Anesthetic
Gosset retractor	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Halstead-mosquito hemostatic forceps	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Healing ointment - Unguento Pearson	Pearson SA	MAPA registration: SP0000094-16	Pharmaceutical drug
hydrogen peroxide solution	Rioquimica	ANVISA registration: 218690015	Surgical material
Isofluorane	Biochimico	ANVISA registration: 100630222	Anesthetic
IV Drip set extensor	generic	-	Fluid therapy
IV Macro drip set	Descarpack	410301	Fluid therapy
Lactofur (ceftiofur)	Ourofino SA	MAPA registration: SP0000051-50	Pharmaceutical drug
Laringoscope	-	-	Surgical instrument
Maxicam 2%	Ourofino SA	MAPA registration: SP0000051-69	Pharmaceutical drug
Micropore adhesive 5 cm x 10 cm	generic	1530	Surgical material
Midazolam	Hipolabor	ANVISA registration: 1134301430035	Anesthetic
Multi-Way IV Infusion Set	Descarpack	413201	Fluid therapy
Needle 40 mm x 1.2 mm	Descarpack	353601	Sterile needle for applying medicines and anesthetics.
Needle 40 mm x 1.6 mm	Wiltex	ANVISA registration: 10150470664	Sterile needle for applying medicines and anesthetics.
Needle holder	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Nylon 2 suture trhead	Shalon Medical	N502CTI40	Surgical material
Ordinary pen	generic	-	Regular pen for taking notes
Physiological solution 0.9% 500 mL bag	JP Farma	MS:1.0491.0070	Fluid therapy
Polyglycolic acid 2 suture thread	Atramat	G4099-75H	Surgical material
Potassium chloride	Samtec	ANVISA registration: 1559200010139	Parenteral drug
Procedure gloves	Descarpack	122401	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Propofol (Provive)	União Química	ANVISA registration: 1049714490057	Anesthetic
Ringer lactate solution 500 mL bag	JP Farma	MS:1.0491.0061	Fluid therapy
Riohex 0.5% clorexidine alcohol solution	Rioquimica	218690356	Surgical asepsis
Riohex 2% clorexidine solution with surfactant	Rioquimica	218690356	Surgical asepsis
Scalp 21 G	Descarpack	421201	Surgical material
Shoe covers	generic	-	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Sterile compresses	Cremer	ANVISA registration: 10071150065	Surgical material
Sterile gauze pad	Procitex	ANVISA registration: 80245210083	Surgical material
Sterile surgical drapes 140 cm x 90 cm	Venkuri	7010003	Surgical material
Sterile surgical drapes 150 cm x 190 cm	PolarFix	F00208	Surgical material
Sterile surgical gloves	Mucambo	CA: 39.317	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Stethoscope	generic	-	Surgical equipment
Surgical cap	Descarpack	93201	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Surgical gown	Descarpack	231101	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Surgical mask	Descarpack	110701	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Surgical scissors blunt-blunt	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Surgical scissors sharp-sharp	generic	-	Surgical instrument
Surgical stapler	Tradevet	-	Surgical material
Tekbond super glue	Tek Bond	78072720030	Surgical material
Thermometer	generic	-	Surgical equipment
Three Way Stopcock	Solidor	374	Surgical material
Tramadol hydrocloride	Agener União	MAPA registration: SP-000292-5.000002	Anesthetic
Transparent film dressing	Skinupper	ANVISA registration: 82307460014	Surgical material
Waterproof adhesive 10 cm x 4.5 cm	generic	364828	Surgical material