Embryo development and production technology
Objective In order to explore the effects of different disinfection methods on the microorganisms eradication on the eggshell surface and hatching effect of pigeon eggs. Method This experiment established five disinfection methods. Using the same incubator and hatching program, 15000 pigeon hatching eggs were selected and randomly divided into five groups, with 3 replicates per group and 1,000 eggs per replicate. Each group was disinfected with the corresponding method before incubation. The specific groups were designed as follows: formaldehyde + potassium permanganate fumigation (Group A), bromogeramine solution immersion (Group B), bromogeramine solution spraying (Group C), potassium permanganate solution immersion (Group D), and trichloroisocyanuric acid fumigation (Group E). The surface Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E.coli), and total bacterial counts on the eggshells before and after disinfection were measured, and the sterilization rates were calculated. Hatching-related parameters including infertile eggs, dead embryos, healthy squabs,weak squabs and dead squabs were recorded. Result The results showed that Salmonella was not detected in the experiment, and no E. coli colonies were found in all groups after disinfection. For total bacterial sterilization rate, Group B and C were significantly greater than the other groups (P < 0.05), and Group A and E were significantly greater than Group D (P < 0.05). In terms of hatching performance, Group C had the significantly highest dead embryo rate and the significantly lowest hatching rate of fertile eggs (P < 0.05), while Group E had the significantly lowest dead embryo rate (P < 0.05). The hatching rates of fertile eggs in Group A and E were significantly greater than those other groups C and D (P < 0.05). For chick performance, Group C had the significantly lowest healthy chick rate and the significantly highest dead chick rate (P < 0.05), whereas Group A and E had the significantly highest healthy chick rate (P < 0.05). The dead chick rate of Group B was significantly greater than that of Group A, D and E (P < 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, Group B and C showed better sterilization effects, while Group A and E exhibited better hatching and chick performance. Group C presented the poorest overall effect. Group A achieved a balance between sterilization efficiency and hatching performance, representing the optimal comprehensive treatment.
Porcine embryo cryopreservation technology serves as a key approach for the conservation and efficient utilization of pig germplasm resources, as well as for the creation of new gene-edited pig breeds. However, due to the high lipid content in porcine embryos and their extreme sensitivity to low temperatures, the post-thaw survival rate and subsequent developmental potential of cryopreserved embryos still lag significantly behind those of fresh embryos. A technical system capable of supporting large-scale applications has yet to be established. This article systematically introduces the importance of porcine embryo cryopreservation and the limitations of conventional slow-freezing methods. It focuses on discussing the current research status and main directions of vitrification cryopreservation technology, elaborating on recent advances in improving cryoprotectants and optimizing freezing protocols for porcine vitrification. Furthermore, it highlights the latest breakthroughs in using high-throughput sequencing technologies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cryo-induced damage in porcine embryos at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels. Finally, it proposes that future efforts should integrate artificial intelligence models, metabolic reprogramming, and automated loading devices to further enhance the developmental potential of cryopreserved embryos, thereby laying a solid foundation for the long-term preservation and industrial application of local pig genetic resources.