Will vitrification be the biotechnology to cryopreserve cattle embryos in the future?

Nedambale, T.L. 2006. Will vitrification be the biotechnology to cryopreserve cattle embryos in the future? In: Rege, J.E.O.; Nyamu, A.M.; Sendalo, D. (eds.). 2006. The role of biotechnology in animal agriculture to address poverty in Africa: Opportunities and challenges. Proceedings of the 4th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture and the 31st annual meeting of Tanzania Society for Animal Production, Arusha, Tanzania, 20–24 September 2005. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: TSAP and Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.

Vitrification is a cryopreservation technique that could be an important tool in the application of reproductive biotechnologies in the 21st century. This review summarises recent efforts made in cryopreservation methodologies of cattle embryos. To date, a great deal of effort and experimentation has been devoted to improving assisted reproduction technologies (ART) such as in vitro produced embryos (IVPE), nuclear transfer cloning and cryopreservation, due to the increasing global economic importance of cattle. Consequently, large numbers of embryos are generated through IVPE and conventional superovulation without a corresponding number of synchronised recipients; subsequently, these embryos must be either preserved or discarded. Thus, it is essential to cryopreserve embryos for future use, thereby providing an effective method for the conservation of indigenous livestock, global genetic transport, gene banking, breeding line restoration, and for genetic rescue of endangered African indigenous livestock species. Developing an efficacious vitrification technique and improving cryopreservation protocols and their effectiveness for sustaining survival is an essential asset for preserving cattle embryos, both as a routine breeding alternative and to ensure stringent biosecurity.