EQUINE ICSI MEDIA

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

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)

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

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

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

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

For in vitro culture of day five 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

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

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)

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.

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

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

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) and bovine embryo assay (BEA) tested