COMPARATIVE INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI) IN HUMAN AND DOMESTIC SPECIES

The current clinical use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) fo r the alleviation of male factor infertility has prompted a re-investi gation of sperm injection techniques in a number of animal species. Th is report examines sperm injection of in vitro matured oocytes in the major domestic species and compares the results with the human. Ovine, bovine and porcine oocytes can undergo fertilization and at least lim ited development without exogenous activation either prior to or subse quent to injection. Porcine is temperature sensitive during fertilizat ion and the early stages of embryo development. The oocytes of all thr ee domestic species, particularly ovine, have a tendency to activate a fter the injection procedure regardless of the presence or absence of sperm. The implications for early development studies and the practica l use of direct sperm injection for domestic species are discussed.