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Efficient production of common marmoset embryos with in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transfer following optimized hormonal stimulation and laparoscopic oocyte collection

Lab Animal volume 55, pages 21–28 (2026)Cite this article

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Abstract

Marmosets are a valuable model for studying human disorders, but developing specific genetic models requires efficient protocols for embryo genomic manipulation. Although marmoset embryos have been produced in vitro, oocyte retrieval traditionally involves extended recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment (9–10 days), surgical laparotomy and ovarian exposure, limiting repeat procedures. Here we evaluated a simpler, cost-effective ovarian stimulation protocol using porcine pituitary FSH, combined with laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU), for in vitro production of marmoset embryos via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer. A total of 3,922 oocytes were retrieved from 129 LOPU procedures, averaging 30.4 oocytes per LOPU, with 85.5% (26.0 per LOPU) graded as viable. The procedure was safe, with no adverse effects observed in ovaries or fimbria after up to nine LOPU sessions. Most collected oocytes were meiotically immature and matured in vitro before use. Following IVF, approximately 40% of oocytes cleaved, and 40% of cleaved embryos developed to the expanded blastocyst stage. LOPU-derived oocytes also supported somatic cell nuclear transfer, with 69.8% of embryos cleaving and 21.8% forming blastocysts. IVF-derived blastocyst quality was assessed by total cell count, immunodetection of SOX2 (inner cell mass) and CDX2 (trophectoderm), and cryotolerance. Embryo transfer to recipients resulted in successful live births. These findings demonstrate that a simplified pituitary FSH protocol followed by LOPU is an efficient, less invasive and safe method for retrieving developmentally competent marmoset oocytes, offering a promising approach for advancing marmoset-based research in disease modeling and reproductive biotechnology.

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Fig. 1: Ovarian images from a marmoset subjected to nine oocyte collection procedures by LOPU between January 2021 and August 2022.
Fig. 2: In vitro embryo production from LOPU-sourced marmoset oocytes.
Fig. 3: Representative pictures of marmoset blastocysts produced in vitro.
Fig. 4: Marmosets generated by IVF-derived embryos after laparoscopic retrieval and IVM of oocytes.

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Data availability

Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors on request. Source data are provided with this paper.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (PJT-180573 to K.M.), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (RGPIN/03395-2022 to K.M.), McGill University’s Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, Fondation Courtois and Montreal General Hospital Foundation. We recognize the support and expert animal care from the laboratory animal professionals of the Animal Resources Division of the RI-MUHC.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Hernan Baldassarre, Werner G. Glanzner, Karina Gutierrez.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada

    Hernan Baldassarre, Werner G. Glanzner, Karina Gutierrez & Vilceu Bordignon

  2. Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Reesha Raja, Albert H. K. Fok, Abigail Shea & Keith Murai

  3. Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Reesha Raja, Albert H. K. Fok, Abigail Shea & Keith Murai

  4. Animal Resources Division, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Anne Pellegrin, Ioan Cozma & Lucie Côté

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Contributions

H.B., W.G.G., K.G., K.M. and V.B. designed this study. H.B., W.G.G., K.G., R.R., A.H.K.F., A.S., A.P., I.C. and L.C. contributed to LOPU activities. H.B., W.G.G., K.G., R.R., A.S., A.P. and I.C. performed embryo transfers. K.G. and W.G.G. performed IVM, IVF and SCNT experiments. I.C. collected marmoset sperm for IVF. H.B., W.G.G., K.G., R.R., K.M. and V.B. analyzed and interpreted the data. H.B., W.G.G., K.G., R.R., K.M. and V.B. wrote and edited the manuscript. All authors provided feedback and agreed on the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Keith Murai or Vilceu Bordignon.

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Lab Animal thanks Olena Eikel and Erika Sasaki for their contribution to this work.

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Baldassarre, H., Glanzner, W.G., Gutierrez, K. et al. Efficient production of common marmoset embryos with in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transfer following optimized hormonal stimulation and laparoscopic oocyte collection. Lab Anim 55, 21–28 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41684-025-01652-y

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