Viabilidade de embriões caprinos e ovinos produzidos in vivo após criopreservação utilizando etilenoglicol,dimetilsulfóxido e dimetilformamida

Abstract

The possibility of using a practical, fast and effective protocol for embryo cryopreservation such as glazing, may stimulate the application of the technique associated with embryo transfer by a larger number of teams at field level. However, it is necessary to develop specific protocols that result in increased embryonic viability. The objective of this study was to identify the damage caused by cryopreservation, assessing the morphological and ultrastructural feasibility of goat and sheep embryos undergoing cryopreservation of classic and vi trification in OPS (Open Pulled Straw). In experiment 1, embryos (N = 246) were obtained from superovulated Boer goats. The embryos were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 75) - freezing the classic method, DMSO group (n = 74) - vitrification and Group DF (n = 74) - vitrification. Embryos in the classic metod group were frozen using automatic freezing. Before freezing the embryos were left five minutes in the stabilizing solution of Ethylene glycol (EG). The embryos of the second group were placed in a DMSO solution containing 10% EG and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then transferred to a vitrification solution with 20% EG and 20% DMSO +0.5 sucrose. The embryos ofthe third group were placed in a balanced so lution containing 10% EG and 10% Dimethylformamide (DF) and then transferred to a vitrification solution with 20% EG and 20% sucrose +0.5 DF. In experiment 2, sheep embryos (N = 186) were obtained from superovulated Santa Ines ewes. The embryos were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 55) - freezing the classic method, DMSO group (n = 54) - vitrification and Group DF (n = 55) - vitrification. Embryos in the classic metod group were frozen using automatic freezing. Before freezing the embryos were left five minutes in the stabilizing solution of Ethylene glycol (EG). The embryos of the second group were placed in a DMSO solution containing 10% EG and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then transferred to a vitrification solution with 20% EG and 20% DMSO+0.5 sucrose. The embryos of group three were placed in a balanced solution containin g 10% EG and 10% Dimethylformamide (DF) and then transferred to a vitrification solution with 20% EG and 20% sucrose +0.5 DF. The embryos were evaluated by analysis of embryonic viability by the use of fluorescent probes, in this case propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342 Results indicate that in goat embryos, the control group maintained most of its viable cells after thawing with 33 33% of samples injured. Of embryos in the DMSO group, 26.66% had totally damaged cells. The DF group had 60% of samples with lesions. The ultrastructural study by transmission electron microscopy showed that the vitrified embryos had a greater preservation of cells. The vitrified embryos with DMSO had higher rates of in vitro survival (47.36%), followd by embryos glazed with the DF with a lower in vitro survival rate (31.58%), and lastly embryos frozen by the traditional method (25%). In sheep embryos found in theanalysis by fluorescent probe, cells in t he control group remained viable in all embryos analyzed, a similar result occurred with the DF group, where 80% of samples were deemed feasible, other than the DMSO group, which had 50% viability. The ultrastructural study showed that the findings were similar between the control and DF groups. Embryos vitrified with DF had higher rates of in vitro survival (53.33%) and in vivo (45%), the glazed with DMSO had an in vitro survival rate (26.66%) and in vivo (30%) and embryos frozen by the traditional method (33.33%) in vitro and (40%) in vivo. It can be concluded that the vitrification solution containing 20% ethylene glycol + 20% dimethylsulfoxide + 0.5 M sucrose is an effective method for cryopreservation of goat embryos produced in vivo. However, in sheep embryos, the combination of 20% ethylene glycol + 20% dimethylformamide + 0.5 M sucrose was the best cryoprotectant regarding embryo viability, demonstrating to cause less damage to thecytoskeleton and cell organelles, and presenting a satisfactory pregnancy rate.