ENDOSCOPIC COLLECTION OF PORCINE EMBRYOS

At present only surgical methods are available for the recovery of por cine embryos on a large scale. The objective of this study was to deve lop a minimally-invasive technique for embryo collection by means of t rans-abdominal endoscopy. A total of 28 pubertal gilts was synchronize d for ovulation and embryos were recovered at day 5 with a five-point endoscopy. The uterine wall was punctured 15 cm caudal of the utero-tu bal junction (UTJ) and a Rusch-Gold balloon catheter(R) (12 Ch.) was i nserted into the uterine lumen. After inflation of the balloon, the ut erine horn was flushed with 70 mi of medium. In total, 45 uterine horn s of 28 gilts (80.4%) were flushed successfully. A total of 208 ova we re collected and the recovery rate was 53.6%. After gaining more exper ience in three consecutive sessions, the recovery rate increased to 34 .8% (23/66), 43.6% (51/117) and 65.4% (134/205), respectively. Ten day s after recovery the gilts, were slaughtered and no adhesions were fou nd. However, protrusions of the endometrium were recorded in the absen ce of sutures being used to close the uterine wall.