Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (9): 4143-4155.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.09.002

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Research Progress on Vitrification Cryopreservation of Equine Oocytes

YANG Mingying(), WANG Na, LIU Yuanyi, LI Xinyu, Bayanamar , SHI Yujie, MANG Lai, DU Ming*()   

  1. Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
  • Received:2025-02-06 Online:2025-09-23 Published:2025-09-30
  • Contact: DU Ming E-mail:2761337603@qq.com;duming@imau.edu.cn

Abstract:

Oocyte cryopreservation is of significant importance for human assisted reproductive technology and livestock production.This technology aids in the conservation of genetic resources from superior breeds and the maintenance of biodiversity.However, due to their small surface area-to-volume ratio and low membrane permeability, oocytes are highly susceptible to damage during freezing.This includes mechanical injury caused by ice crystal formation, oxidative stress, and the toxicity of cryoprotectants, all of which severely reduce their developmental competence after thawing. Compared to other animals, the high lipid content within equine oocytes reduces their cryotolerance, making cryopreservation considerably more challenging. Although offspring can be obtained from vitrified immature oocytes, the developmental competence of vitrified-thawed oocytes remains to be enhanced compared to their fresh oocytes.This article primarily reviews the types of damage caused by vitrification to equine oocytes and the factors influencing the cryopreservation efficiency of equine oocytes.It aims to provide a reference for further establishing and optimizing vitrification protocols for equine oocyte cryopreservation.

Key words: equine, oocytes, vitrification, cryodamage, cryoprotective agent

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