P-140: Effects of The Method of Motile Epididymal Sperm Isolation on Embryo Production in Ewe

Background: Motile sperm is essential for successful embryo production. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro embryo development following isolation of Ram epididymal sperm isolation by swim up (SP) or Histoprep® continuous gradient (HP). Materials and Methods: Ram testes-epididymis were provided from the local slaughterhouse and transported to the lab. Sperms were recovered from cauda epididymis and submitted to swim up or HP procedure for motile sperm isolation. Ewe ovaries were collected from sloutherhouse and their oocytes were picked up and transferred to TCM199 supplemneted with 10% FCS, 10% BFF and 3 IU hCG and 1 IU Merional (LH/FSH). After 22 hrs of incubation in 5% CO2 and 95% RH, submitted to IVF with sperms of both groups (total cultured oocyte numbers for HP and SP were 166 and 148) which were capacitized in BO medium. Embryo development was followed by incubation in TCM199 supplemented with 5 and 10 % of FCS for cleavage and blastocyst formation and embryo development was evaluated at das 3 and 6 post insemination. Results: The results showed similar efficacy of both procedures for Ewe IVF in cleavage rate (54.6 and 55.6 % for HP and SP respectively). Blastocyst rate also was similar between groups (5.6 and 3 % for HP and SP, respectively). The low rate of blastocyst in this project may return to our embryo culture medium. Conclusion: HP may have similar efficacy to SP for producing in vitro Ewe embryo.