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BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

Demonstration of equipment and protocols for porcine embryo collection and transfer

Alternative title: Demonstrasjon av utstyr og protokoller til embryooppsamling og -overføring hos svin

Awarded: NOK 2.0 mill.

Project Number:

332108

Application Type:

Project Period:

2022 - 2024

Funding received from:

In this project, our aim is to demonstrate that we have developed a method and instrument portfolio that can be used for non-surgical collection and transfer of embryo in pigs. The challenges are connected to the uterus anatomy in pigs with the substantial distance from the vulva to the regions where early embryos are situated and must be collected from. It is necessary to obtain a high number of good quality embryos for transfer per recipient sow in order to obtain a successful pregnancy, since in sows this cannot be achieved with too few vital embryos present in utero during the first couple of weeks after ovulation. Currently, no sustainable and animal welfare friendly solution is on the market for non-surgical embryo collection and transfer in pigs. Our project will assemble existing instruments from various diciplines and add newly gained technical solutions in order to make a animal welfare friendly, hygienic, time-saving and affordable set of instruments that can give the opportunity for commercialisation of embryo collection.

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This project has as its main objective to demonstrate the methodology and equipment for non-surgical collection and transfer of embryo in pigs currently developed in Norway. The main challenges lie within the anatomy of female reproductive organs in pigs with a large distance from the vulva to the deep regions of the uterine horns on both sides where early embryos can be reached. In addition, a high number of good quality embryos collected from donor sows are necessary per recipient in order to obtain a successful implantation and pregnancy, since in pigs this cannot be achieved with only a few vital embryos present in utero during the first few days post transfer. Currently, no equipment or instrumentation is on the market solving these challenges and it is an additional challenge to assemble existing partial solutions and add newly gained technical solutions to make a animal welfare friendly, hygienic, time-saving and affordable set of instruments that after the project period can give the opportunity for commercialisation.

Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram