How Does ICSI Work?

Visit the Equine Reproduction Center for more info and scheduling for your mares

TVA/OPU: In vitro embryo production starts with the collection of immature eggs from the donor mare through a procedure called Ovum Pickup (OPU) / Transvaginal aspiration (TVA).

Shipping: Retrieved eggs are placed in a ‘Holding medium’ and transported within 24 hrs. to the ICSI lab in a special device designed to keep the internal temperature to ~20-22C.

In vitro Maturation: Immature oocytes are placed in the equine maturation medium and cultured in the incubator for about 24-27 hours. Usually, about 66% of oocytes will mature and be suitable for fertilization with ICSI.

ICSI: Matured eggs are injected with sperm from the selected stallion under the microscope using micromanipulators.

Embryo Culture: ICSI'd eggs are placed in the equine-specific culture medium and placed in the non-invasive time-lapse incubator, where they start developing. About 32% would develop and reach the Blastocyst stage within 7-10 days.

Vitrification or Transfer: Once an embryo has reached the blastocyst stage, it needs to be vitrified (frozen embryo) or transferred into a Day 4 recipient mare.