EQUINE ICSI MEDIA
Our Full Range of Specialised Media
Our ready to use, serum-free EQ-Range provides the complete media system needed to routinely perform equine IVP, from OPU right through to transfer / vitrification.
Conventional equine IVF is not repeatable for efficient embryo production in the way that is observed in other species such as bovine, caprine, ovine and camelid. The reasons for this are not entirely understood but is widely thought to be due to incomplete oocyte maturation and/ or incomplete sperm capacitation.
One way to by-pass these barriers is to inject a single sperm cell directly into the matured oocyte in a procedure known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
” The use of IVF Bioscience media has significantly improved our development rates (maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst) and embryo quality for both our equine and bovine in vitro fertilization studies. The use of defined media and the protocols provided by IVF Bioscience have streamlined the in vitro embryo production in our laboratory. “
Chelsey Leisinger, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
Discover our complete equine media suite
The EQ-Range provides a ready to use, serum-free media solution for each step of the equine OPU-IVP protocol.
Our innovative EQ-ICSI kit provides the entire collection of products required for the injection procedure, using biologically degradable components.
“ As part of our ongoing research using abattoir-derived oocytes, we conducted ICSI with the IVF Bioscience equine media suite. We were very pleased with the results; we achieved 80% maturation, 68% cleavage, and 30% blastocyst rates. The time and resources saved by using this ready to use media suite has allowed us to focus our efforts on further optimization of our IVP system and has eliminated the variability observed using in-house formulations. ”
Marina Sansinena, PhD
Laboratory Director at Catholic University of Argentina
EQUINE IVP MEDIA MAP
Our Equine Media Range From Aspiration To Transfer
Ovum pick-up medium
For performing ovum-pick up and embryo flushing
- Enriched with vitamins and amino acids to prevent amino acid depletion of oocytes and embryos
- Does not require refrigeration
- Supplemented with heparin and gentamycin
Oocyte and Embryo Wash Medium
For the handling and washing of oocytes and embryos outside of the incubator
- Enriched with vitamins and amino acids to prevent amino acid depletion of oocytes
- Supplemented with gentamycin and bicarbonate
- Does not require CO2 equilibration (HEPES buffered)
Oocyte Maturation Medium
For the in vitro maturation of equine oocytes in the laboratory
- Supplemented with equine-specific gonadotrophic hormones and gentamycin
- Serum free
- Suitable for maturation in wells and micro drops
Semen Preparation Medium
For the preparation of semen prior to ICSI
- Non-capacitating formula in preparation for ICSI
- Dual purpose medium optimised for washing and swim up sperm preparation
- Avoids the toxicity of traditional gradients; supports a gentler centrifugation process; and allows for fewer steps than traditional processes
- Contains gentamycin
Equine Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Kit
The EQ-ICSI Kit provides the entire collection of media required for the ICSI step, conveniently packaged into a kit of 4 x 1 ml vials:
- EQ-SpermControl –equine sperm immobilisation medium for selecting a single sperm cell for ICSI. Formulated with a physiological PVP replacement, hyaluronan
- EQ-Strip – medium to facilitate the removal of cumulus cells from matured oocytes, contains hyaluronidase
- EQ-PCM – medium for coating the injection pipette to avoid sperm adhering inside the tip
- EQ-ICSI – HEPES buffered ICSI medium, maintains the pH during the procedure
Embryo culture two step media
For in vitro culture of equine embryos after ICSI with low glucose
- Supplemented with BSA, vitamins, amino acids, anti-oxidants and gentamycin
- Serum free
- Contains a synthetic serum replacement
- Suitable for culture in dishes and microdrops with an Oil overlay
Embryo culture two step media
For in vitro culture of day 5 equine embryos to blastocyst with high glucose
- Supplemented with BSA, vitamins, amino acids, anti-oxidants and gentamycin
- Serum free
- Contains a synthetic serum replacement
- Suitable for culture in dishes and microdrops with an Oil overlay
Oocyte holding medium
For the holding or transportation of oocytes
- Formulated to hold oocytes at room temperature for up to 24 hours without initiating maturation
- Does not require CO2 equilibration (HEPES-buffered)
- Serum free
- Supplemented with proteins, sodium bicarbonate and gentamycin
Biopsy Medium
For use during embryo biopsy and embryo splitting procedures
- Provides optimised embryo conditions for handling outside the incubator
- Supplemented with proteins, sodium bicarbonate and gentamycin
- Serum free
- Does not require CO2 equilibration (HEPES buffered)
Embryo Transfer and Transportation Medium
For the holding, transportation and transfer of embryos
- Supports embryo development from day 5 to the blastocyst stage
- Allows for holding and transportation of developing embryos for up to 24 hours outside the incubator
- Maintains optimal embryo conditions outside the incubator
- Suitable for both in vivo and in vitro derived embryos
- Supplemented with proteins, sodium bicarbonate and gentamycin
- Serum free
- Does not require CO2 equilibration (HEPES buffered)
Transfer can also be used to incubate In Vivo Embryos; allowing users to confirm embryo viability, optimise recipients and gain extra pregnancies from lower grade embryos*
*Demetrio, D. (2016). THE USE OF IN VITRO CULTURE MEDIA TO INCUBATE LOW-QUALITY IN-VIVO PRODUCED EMBRYOS. In: 2016 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Convention Proceedings. St Louis, MO, pp 51-52.
*Engelland, G. (2017). PRACTICE TIP: INCUBATING IN VIVO EMBRYOS. In: 2017 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Convention Proceedings. Orlando, FL, pp 34.
Vitrification Cooling Media Kit
For the vitrification of equine embryos and oocytes
- Suitable for both in vivo and in vitro derived equine embryos
- Ethylene glycol and DMSO based formula
- Serum free
- Designed to be use in conjunction with the EQ-VitriWarm kit for warming and recovery of embryos and oocytes
EQ-VitriCool is a 3-step cooling media kit comprised of 1 x 5 ml bottle, and 2 x 1 ml bottles.
Vitrification Warming Media Kit
For the warming of equine embryos and oocytes following vitrification
- Suitable for both in vivo and in vitro derived equine embryos
- Supplemented with macromolecules such as sucrose and albumin to help reduce physical damage and help maintain osmotic pressure of the extracellular fluid
- Serum free
- Designed to be used in conjunction with the EQ-VitriCool kit for vitrification of embryos and oocytes
EQ-VitriWarm is a 4-step warming media kit comprised of 1 x 5 ml bottle, and 3 x 1 ml bottles.
Oil for Medium Overlay
Oil to overlay media
- Highly refined, pharmaceutical grade liquid paraffin (light mineral) oil
- Pre-washed twice with ultra-pure water
- Sterilised via filtration through a 0.2 µm filter
- Each batch undergoes strict quality control assessments for sterility, density, viscosity, endotoxins, and peroxide value (POV)
- Each batch is mouse embryo assay (MEA) tested at an independent testing laboratory
Ref No | Name | Description | Size |
---|---|---|---|
81001 | EQ-IVM™ | Oocyte Maturation Medium | 10ml |
81002 | EQ-SemenPrep™ | Semen preparation medium | 20ml |
81003 | EQ-ICSI™ Kit | Equine Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Kit | 4 x 1ml |
81004 | EQ-IVC-1™ | Embryo culture two step media | 10ml |
81005 | EQ-IVC-2™ | Embryo culture two step media | 10ml |
81006 | EQ-Hold™ | Oocyte holding medium | 10ml |
81007 | EQ-VitriCool™ Kit | Vitrification Cooling Media Kit | Kit |
81008 | EQ-VitriWarm™ Kit | Vitrification Warming Media Kit | Kit |
51001 | OPU | Ovum pick-up medium | 500ml |
51002 | Wash | Oocyte and embryo wash medium | 50ml |
51003 | Oil | Oil for medium overlay | 50ml |
51004 | Transfer | Embryo transfer and transportation medium | 10ml |
51005 | Biopsy | Biopsy medium | 10ml |