State-of-the-art and Emerging Technologies for In Vitro Embryo Production in Buffaloes

Abstract

Buffalo is a multipurpose and economically important animal due to the demand for its products (milk and meat). Thus, the use of reproductive biotechnologies is important to maximize the diffusion of genetically superior dams and sires. After the unsatisfactory results of the Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer, the combined effect of ovum pick-up from live animals and in vitro embryo production (IVEP) has great potential to dissemination of selected genetics in buffalo herds, contributing to an increase in meat and milk production. During the past two decades, considerable advances have been made in IVEP following continuous scientific effort, but at the moment their cost is not satisfactory for commercial purpose. This technique is refined day by day in order to improve the buffalo embryo quality. Thus, the objective of this paper was to review the state-of-art in IVEP, as well as discussed the emerging technologies that can contribute to improving the results of this technology in buffalo species.