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Insights into improving embryo survival in sheep

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journal contribution
posted on 2025-03-13, 01:18 authored by Karen L. Reader, Jenny JuengelJenny Juengel

In sheep, embryo loss reduces farm profitability and increases the environmental footprint per kg of sheep meat produced. Additionally, improving embryo survival in assisted reproductive technologies is critical for accelerating genetic gain. However, embryo loss remains hidden, and thus often unrecognized, and our ability to improve embryo survival is limited. To reduce embryo loss, we need to first understand when the loss is occurring during gestation and then delineate the mechanisms that result in failure of the embryo to survive. It is only through using this knowledge that we will be able to improve embryo survival and thereby improve farm profitability and environmental credentials. This review will focus on understanding the role that embryo survival may play in optimizing farm productivity and factors influencing embryo survival in sheep. We present insights gained from both in vivo and in vitro experiments, focusing on the role of steroids and the immune system. We highlight potential new approaches to improving farm productivity within a reduced environmental footprint and key areas of research where additional knowledge may lead to new interventions to improve embryo survival.

Funding

AgResearch Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF)

History

Rights statement

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Publication date

2025-03-06

Project number

  • Non revenue

Language

  • English

Does this contain Māori information or data?

  • No

Publisher

Elsevier

Journal title

Domestic Animal Endocrinology

ISSN

0739-7240

Volume/issue number

92

Page numbers

106938

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