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Prospects for the use of embryos in the control of disease and the transport of genotypes
Author(s) -
SHELTON J N
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1987.tb06047.x
Subject(s) - zona pellucida , embryo , biology , virus , sperm , embryo transfer , hatching , virology , disease , oocyte , genetics , medicine , ecology
SUMMARY Transfer and low temperature storage of embryos are now proven techniques for a number of mammalian species. These techniques are useful in control of disease and in saving genotypes from infected animals. The place of embryos in the epidemiology of disease depends upon whether the causative organism can gain entry to the oocyte before or at fertilisation and on whether the young embryo can be invaded by organisms in the uterine environment. There is little evidence that important live‐stock diseases are transmitted via gametes. The zona pellucida surrounding the embryo is an effective barrier against a number of important disease organisms; in some cases the embryo is susceptible once it has hatched from the zona pellucida. It is important therefore in considering the use of embryos in disease control, to ensure that virus is not attached to the surface of the zona pellucida from where it can infect the recipient and/or the embryo after hatching. Washing procedures have been devised together with the use of enzymes and antisera to remove virus from the surface of embryos. Some viruses enter pores and sperm tracks in the zona and removal of these may present a problem. African swine fever virus has been shown to resist removal by treatment with enzymes. There are no guidelines as to the likely interaction between a certain virus and embryos. Therefore each virus of interest must be tested to determine whether it can be transmitted via washed embryos. Nevertheless there are numerous instances of the use of embryo transfer to eradicate a specific disease or to save valuable genetic material from infected animals without transmitting disease. Embryo transfer and related technology offers a cheap and humane method of transporting genotypes and it is appropriate that research continue into the reactions between embryos of the major mammalian species and the causative agents of the important animal diseases.