Dr. Patrick McCue: Equine Embryo Transfer Symposium

On April 23, Dr. Patrick McCue for Colorado State led an Equine Embryo Tranfer Symposium for the members of the Theriogenology Club at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. This consisted of three morning lectures giving an overview of the embryo transfer process. The first lecture discussed donor mares and embryo collection techniques, explaining the indications for equine embryo transfer, donor mare management such as synchronization, equipment for embryo recovery, embryo flush, and embryo washing techniques. The second lecture discussed the evaluation of equine embryos such as learning to recognize the developmental stage as well as evaluate embryo quality for a successful embryo transfer. The third lecture discussed recipient mare management and the transfer of embryos,and touched on the selection criteria of recipient mares,  protocols for management of ovulation and synchronization, and transfer techniques.

After a quick breakfast, the participants headed out to the Center for Equine Health. Here we had several hands on stations, 1) a stereoscope station set up with bovine microspheres, petri dishes, and pipets where students could practice embryo handling techniques 2) a flushing station where students took turns performing a flush on a mare 3) an transfer station where students were able to “load” a equine transfer gun and practice correctly inserting the gun into the cervix and depositing an imaginary embryo.

The lectures were open to all club members, and ten lucky vet students were able to participate in the wet labs. An amazing learning experience was had by all, and we were so grateful to Dr. McCue for his time in organizing the lab, the UC Davis Theriogenology Faculty who helped facilitate the labs, the Theriogenology Club Officers who helped organize, and the receipt of the Student Chapter Grant from the Theriogenology Foundation.