Abstract

In vitro embryo production (IVP) protocols often require species-specific adaptations, in order to obtain embryonic development at high rates. However, these differences in IVP protocols make interspecific comparisons more susceptible to technical factors. The work aimed to compare IVP embryo production in small ruminants (e.g. goats and sheep) using identical in vitro oocyte maturation and fertilization. Oocytes were retrieved, matured, and fertilized under identical media and atmosphere conditions, while embryos were cultured under different conditions. Goat embryos were cultured in KSOM medium under co-culture, while sheep embryos were cultured in SOF medium under low oxygen tension without feeder cells. Cleavage, morula, and blastocyst development were similar for both goat and sheep, suggesting that oocyte maturation and fertilization conditions allowed a similar developmental potential for small ruminant species. Goat and sheep embryos can be produced at comparable efficiencies under identical oocyte maturation and fertilization conditions, suggesting that an IVP protocol that can be used for both goat and sheep could be achieved in the near future. This IVP protocol for small ruminants could be used to address species-specific embryo metabolism adaptation to in vitro conditions.