Equine Reproductive Technologies and Embryo Transfer
Summary
Equine reproductive technologies have evolved markedly over recent decades, integrating hormonal manipulation, advanced semen handling and embryo management to enhance fertility, genetic selection and conservation efforts. Artificial insemination with fresh, cooled or frozen–thawed semen enables global dissemination of superior stallion genetics, while intracytoplasmic sperm injection addresses limitations in conventional fertilisation for subfertile animals. Superovulation protocols facilitate recovery of multiple embryos from genetically valuable donor mares, which are then non-surgically flushed, evaluated and either transferred fresh or cryopreserved for later use. Recipient mares are hormonally synchronised to the donor’s cycle to optimise uterine receptivity, employing oestrogens, progesterone and prostaglandins to control follicular development and corpus luteum function. Cryopreservation techniques for embryos enable international transport and long-term storage, supporting breeding programmes in diverse environments. Collectively, these tools underpin both commercial breeding operations and the preservation of rare breeds, while ongoing refinements seek to improve efficiency, animal welfare and pregnancy outcomes.
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Equine Reproductive Technologies and Embryo Transfer publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in equine reproductive technologies and embryo transfer across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Embryo transfer (ET): The non-surgical collection of embryos from a donor mare and their placement into a synchronised recipient mare’s uterus.
Superovulation: Hormonal stimulation to induce the development of multiple dominant follicles and increase embryo yield in a single cycle.
Synchronization: The alignment of donor and recipient reproductive cycles via exogenous hormones to ensure optimum uterine receptivity at transfer.
Cryopreservation: The controlled freezing and storage of embryos at very low temperatures to maintain viability for future use or transport.
Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α): A luteolytic agent used to regress the corpus luteum and induce oestrus in mares.
Intravaginal progesterone device (IPRD): A controlled-release progesterone implant inserted vaginally to mimic luteal phase progesterone levels for cycle synchrony.
References
- Factors affecting the efficiency of equine embryo transfer (EET) in polo mares under subtropical conditions of Pakistan. PLOS ONE (2024).
- Effects of repeated embryo flushing without PGF2α administration on luteal function, percentage of unwanted pregnancy and subsequent fertility in mares. Equine Veterinary Journal (2024).
- Use of long-acting progesterone to acyclic embryo recipient mares. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia (2012).
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