Effects of Antifreeze Protein Supplementation on the Development of Porcine Morulae Stored at Hypothermic Temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Short-term storage is valuable method to reuse manipulated embryos.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of antifreeze protein (AFP) supplementation on the quality and development of in vitro-produced porcine morulae after short-term storage (24 h).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morulae were stored with various concentrations of AFP type III for 24 h at 5, 15 and 25C.

RESULTS: Supplementation of AFP type III (1.0 microgram per mL) improved the developmental competence of embryos stored at 25C. The proportions of DNA-fragmented nuclei in the blastocysts did not differ between the embryos stored at 25C and the control embryos without storage treatment. However, the developmental competence of embryos stored at hypothermic temperatures decreased relative to that of the control embryos.

CONCLUSION: Supplementation of AFP type III (1.0 microgram per mL) maintained the quality of embryos stored at 25C, but did not have beneficial effects on the development of embryos stored at hypothermic temperatures.