The effect of vitrification in open pulled straws on pregnancy rates after transfer of in vivoproduced bovine embryos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy rates after transfer of in vivo produced embryos cryopreserved using open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification (Group V) or conventional freezing method as a control (Group C). Bovine embryos (Day_{6.5–7.5}) collected from superovulated cows were classified according to developmental stages and morphological qualities (Grade 1 and 2) before cryopreservation and they were transferred to synchronized heifers after thawing. Pregnancy rates after transfer of morulae, early blastocysts and expanded blastocysts in Group V compared to Group C (54.5%, 12/22 vs. 56.0%, 14/25; 53.3%, 16/30 vs. 58.1%, 18/31 and 57.7%, 15/26 vs. 48.3%, 14/29) were not different (P > 0.05). Likewise, pregnancy rates after transfer of embryos of Grade 1 and 2 in Group V compared to Group C (55.1%, 43/78 vs. 54.1%, 46/85 and 36.4%, 12/33 vs. 32.9%, 23/70, respectively) were not different (P > 0.05). The study demonstrated similar viability of embryos which were frozen by vitrification or conventional method irrespective of their quality and developmental stage after transfer into recipients.