Production of B an miniature pig embryos by in vitro fertilization: A comparative study with L andrace

B an is an endangered miniature pig breed in V ietnam. This study aimed to set up an in vitro embryo production ( IVP ) system for this breed. B an's epididymal sperm concentration (1240 ± 35 × 10 6 /mL) was lower ( P  < 0.01) compared with Landrace (4160 ± 42 × 10 6 /mL). However, sperm characteristics before and after freezing in B an and L andrace were similar. The numbers of follicles with diameter larger than 2 mm per ovary in B an females treated with equine chorionic gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (27.1 ± 1.3) were higher ( P  < 0.05) than those in L andrace (12.9 ± 2.0) and in non‐hormone stimulated B an (no > 2 mm follicles). After in vitro maturation, the percentages of oocytes with expanded cumulus cells and the first polar body (matured oocytes) were not different among B an, hormone‐stimulated B an and L andrace. The percentages of two‐cell embryos and morulae derived from oocytes collected from three sources did not differ. However, the rate of blastocysts derived from oocytes in non‐stimulated B an (4.0 ± 3.8%) was lower ( P  < 0.05) than that in Landrace (15.3 ± 1.8%). In conclusion, an effective IVP system for good quality embryos in B an, that is essential for genetic conservation of this breed, was established.